Best heatsink for P5B-VM + Ultra Microfly (or X-Qpack) based SFF

[MrNeutrino]

I'm planning to build a C2D SFF system based on the P5B-VM MB installed in the Ultra Microfly (or X-Qpack) case.

However, there seem to be quite a few threads across the internet complaining about height restrictions limiting heatsink choices. Moreover, I haven't found any threads here specifically answering the following two questions so starting a new thread instead.

I have two questions for all the owners of this MB + case combination:

1. 1. What is the heatsink+fan combination you have had the best success with, when using Asus P5B-VM + Microfly / X-Qpack case? (read: quietest, best cooling possible)
   
   2. Your CPU + case temps at idle and load with this HSF setup?
   

I'm looking for a heatsink that doesn't require any major mods. Ideally something that can be dropped in as-is and work without much effort. Also, unless I absolutely must, I'm only looking for air-cooled solution, nothing water cooled.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

 

[Talcite]

hmm... the HSF only has a 78mm clearance. I know the old zalman CNPS7000 is short enough. The 8800 should also be short enough.

While I don't own the microfly, I'm looking at another SFF case that has the exact same height restriction, so i'm telling you all the cooling solutions i've come across so far. The stock cooler also works btw.

 

[Sentrosi2121]

Heatsink/fan
I just bought this for a A64 build I'm doing for my mother. She's not going to use the PC for anything other than email and web browsing. I put it into the Aspire X-Q pack which is similar to what you're building. I've got about 1/4" clearance between the fan and one of the bars.

 

[MrNeutrino]

Talcite, thanks for sharing the 78mm number! That was partly what I was looking for. Is this figure from the base of the case -or- MB to the sheet-metal cross-bar on top? Is this from actual measurement or some review (if latter, can you share a pointer)?

BTW, the CNPS7000 won't fit on Socket T (775) without an additional kit from Zalman which further raises its height by ~14-15mm according to Newegg, but still good to know my options. Thanks, looks like the CNPS8000 (no 8800) is a nice HSF indeed! Don't know why I missed it when browsing their products.


Sentrosi2121, while this is an AMD-only HSF (and a nice price for it!), its dimensions (height) from Newegg show 45 + 25 = 70mm + ~.25' clearence = ~78mm. This seems to match Talcite's figure (78mm). Great, this is quite helpful.


Are there any other HSFs folks have been successful using with P5B-VM + this enclosure combination?

Can the owners of CNPS8000, share their noise / cooling performance as well as P5B-VM fit (cap/memory obstructions) experiences here?

 

[VooDooAddict]

Since you aren't talking about overclocking at all (Which i understand is difficult with the G965 chipset anyway) ... what's the motivation to use a non-stock cooler? C2D chips run pretty cool stock and the stock Intel HSF isn't terribly noisy.

 

[MrNeutrino]

There are a few reasons I'm not considering the stock HSF:
- may not buy a retail processor
- I'd rather eek out as much silence out of my setup as possible for a few bucks more
- I want as much cooling buffer as I can get within reason, without compromising on noise. This way I can move this portable system in 80-90F+ temperatures (worst case) without worrying about the extra few degrees + SFF case causing system instability.

Any suggestions on any other high-performing HSFs for the Asus P5B-VM + 'Microfly' (not the shorter Aspire X-Q pack) case combination?

Thanks.

 

[VooDooAddict]

I've read that some people use this without the fan...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835220012

as long as you have a downward facing 120MM Power supply fan it should move enough air for you.

It's pricey though at that price I'd give the Zalman CNPS8000 a nod (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118005) sure seems made for the Q-Pack/MicroFly/Silverstone SG01 sized cases.

 

[MrNeutrino]

Thanks VooDooAddict. Hadn't noticed the NT06 so far. That one looks like a decent option besides the CNPS8000.

Sounds like between these few options, I should be set.

Looking forward to the system upgrade!

 

[Treripica]

MrNeutrino

I was curious to see how your rig turned out. I'm looking to do a similar X-Qpack config and wanted to know what HSF you went, if you replaced the PSU, and what you are using to cool the NB.

 

[shabby]

Anandtech did a review of the microfly and said that the zalman 7000 just barely fits, zalman lists its height at 62mm. The additionaly 775 retention bracket doesnt raise the height of the cooler, it just sits around the socket.
The zalman 8000 has a height of 62.5mm, which will probably still fit. And with 4 heatpipes it'll probably do a better job then the zalman 7000.
My microfly came with the v-series 400watt psu, i'll be replacing it with a 350watt enermax. Its the same size so it'll fit right in. If you have anything bigger you just need to do some trimming with a dremel.

 

[MrNeutrino]

Treripica, just after I posted this last, I noticed on the web in one or two different places that C2D prices are due to drop in April. As painful as it is to wait around for another month or two, I'm pushing out the build until after the price-drop.

Frankly, I'm a bit surprised that no one who might actually have built this exact combination, has replied in this thread. On some more thought, I'm concerned about the cooling performance of the NT06 even with a 120mm PSU fan 'sucking' air on top of it. Pulling air up vs. pushing it on the heatpipe, grill and small heatsink below, in my mind sounds less than optimal for cooling.

I'm also concerned using the CNPS 8000 HSF since that fan will be blowing downward while the PSU fan sitting just above it, will be pulling its own air upward into the PSU. That sounds like a recipe for disaster (very little clearance btwn. two different fans blowing in opposite directions).

shabby, what's the deal with PSUs and the microfly case?! I wasn't aware microfly cases had this issue. I thought the whole of standard ATX PSUs not fitting in xqpack was resolved when going from the older / shallower xqpack to the deeper chassis of the microfly. Am I missing something??

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: MrNeutrino
shabby, what's the deal with PSUs and the microfly case?! I wasn't aware microfly cases had this issue. I thought the whole of standard ATX PSUs not fitting in xqpack was resolved when going from the older / shallower xqpack to the deeper chassis of the microfly. Am I missing something??

You can fit a standard ATX PSU in the QPack by using 170mm optical drives (shorter drives) instead of the 200mm (?) optical drives.

The microfly is a little bit deeper though, so there is not as big a need to use shorter optical drives with a standard PSU.

 

[MrNeutrino]

Thanks Brainonska511, what you said is what I recall reading too. That there should be no problem using a standard ATX PSU with a standard optical drive.

On the topic of PSU + optical drive, how do you tell the depth of the drives? For example, here are two I'm looking at:
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106046
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827151141

I don't see any dimension details there.


Also, a bump to have anyone and everyone who has built this exact MB + case config, post their HSF, PSU, and optical drive details here. Let's keep this compatibility thread for this config. going!

I know there are others like Treripica and me who are interested in this setup or have already built it.

 

[rivot]

This is basically the same problem I am having. I have the xqpack case, with an amd 3800 in it. Stock heatsink, psu and so on. Its alot quieter than my last pc, but it could do with some improvements.

So from what I have read, changing the 120mm exhaust fan to one of those Scythe S-Flex fans are alot quieter. Then it comes down to the psu and heatsink. The stock heatsink doesnt seem too bad, and Im not sure what would fit in that small area anyway. Right now my cpu is running around 21-23° which is a big jump from my super hot amd 2600+.
So I can change the psu? One of those enermax ones, someone told me would be nice and quiet.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: MrNeutrino
Thanks Brainonska511, what you said is what I recall reading too. That there should be no problem using a standard ATX PSU with a standard optical drive.

On the topic of PSU + optical drive, how do you tell the depth of the drives? For example, here are two I'm looking at:
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106046
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827151141

I don't see any dimension details there.


Also, a bump to have anyone and everyone who has built this exact MB + case config, post their HSF, PSU, and optical drive details here. Let's keep this compatibility thread for this config. going!

I know there are others like Treripica and me who are interested in this setup or have already built it.

I know that the Lite-On ones are shorter. I don't know about the Samsung. NEC ones tend to be the longer variety.

As for the PSU I use: Enermax Noisetaker E425P (420W).

Edit:
You can find the dimensions of the optical drives on the manufacturer's website. Both the samsung and the lite-on drives are 170mm long (which is the shorter kind, the longer drives are 190mm).

 

[MrNeutrino]

Thanks Brainonska511, will check out mfg. websites. Meanwhile, glad to hear that Lite-On makes the cut.


Anyone else with this config. have other heatsink suggestions?

Thx.

 

[Gillbot]

Th samsung SH-S182M is 170mm.

Dimensions
(WxHxD mm) 148.2 x 42 x 170

http://www.samsung.com/Products/Optical...riter_SH_S182M.asp?page=Specifications

 

[Treripica]

LIte On's SH-16A7S

Dimension 145(W) x 41.3(H) x 170(D) mm

I have the Lite-On in my X-Qpack and the back is flush with the end of the 5.25" bracket.
I'm also looking to hold off on my processor purchase until April, but the P5B-VM are down to $118 on newegg, it might be my next purchase.

I haven't finalized my PSU, but I did just receive my Raptor 10k 150 yesterday. They come in a satin-esque drawstring bag inside the anti-static bag, like you'd receive sunglasses. I was rather amused by that.

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: MrNeutrino
shabby, what's the deal with PSUs and the microfly case?! I wasn't aware microfly cases had this issue. I thought the whole of standard ATX PSUs not fitting in xqpack was resolved when going from the older / shallower xqpack to the deeper chassis of the microfly. Am I missing something??

If you have a bigger psu you need to trim some of the railing with a dremel, thats all.

I just finished my microfly install and ran into a little problem, when using an ide hd and cdrom the ide cable is too short. Not the cable itself is short, but the distant between the first and second ide connector. To solve the problem you need to stick the hd into the floppy holder, otherwise run an sata hd. I almost flipped when the cable couldnt reach the hd.

 

[MrNeutrino]

Treipica, you may want to check out these two PSUs: Seasonic S12 550 / Corsair HX520 (silentpcreview.com -> Reference/Recommended -> Recommended Power Supplies). Some of the quietest and most efficient PSUs.

Thanks shabby, that's what I was looking for. If it's just a bit of sheet-metal to be trimmed on the rail, not a big deal.

What HSF did you use in your build? CNPS 8000? If so, how's the clearance + temperatures?

 

[shabby]

I put a zalman 7000 on a e4300. My temps are in the upper 20's when in the bios. I havent tested it in windows yet since im still stripping components from winxp so it would be nice and lean for my htpc.
When sliding the mobo tray in there was still around 1cm of clearance before it hit the case. I will have a zalman 7700 by tomorrow, the fan is not as quiet as i hoped on the 7000, maybe the bigger one in the 7700 will be quieter.

Heres a pic of the clearance http://img105.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zalman7000ns7.jpg

Update:
I just installed pc probe and core temp in xp and the temps are a bit umm... unbelievable http://img47.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tempsjl8.jpg
The zalman 7000 fan is running at its lowest setting too, very wierd.

 

[MrNeutrino]

Nice, looks like at least the 7000 gives pretty good clearance.

As for the temps., if you can keep that 16c on the CPU with that config, I might just go with the 7000 for that reason.

BTW, while there is a 1cm clearence on top, are you sure the wider 120mm fan based 7700 will fit in the microfly? Check out the dimensions for the 7700 series HSF:
136(L) x 136(W) x 67(H)mm (http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=145&code=009). That's almost 3cm wider than the 7000 series HSF @ 109 (L) x 109 (W) x 62 (H) (http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=141&code=009). By the looks of your microfly config. picture, the 7000 already seems pretty flush up against the side of the case.

That said, if you do get it installed, do share the pics, temps and noise quality with us! Thanks.

 

[shabby]

Theres 2cm of space available between the 7000 and the edge of the case. With the 7700 being 2.7cm wider in diamater, that means that its 1.35cm closer to the edge of the case. So it should fit with .65cm to spare
Im surprised the temps are lower then ambient, i almost dont believe it. Once the 7700 is installed i'll post an update.

 

[Treripica]

Thanks, MrNeutrino. I've been checking out the Silverstone ST50EF-Plus. JonnyGuru.com was happy with it, but I want modular cabling. The Corsair looks good, especially if it's more quiet than my current candidates. Aesthetically speaking, it matches the case in terms of color as well.

 

[Treripica]

Originally posted by: shabby
Im surprised the temps are lower then ambient, i almost dont believe it.

I thought that normally, you couldn't cool something past ambient. Odd. Then again, I ran Fedora 6 on a T60 that was convinced I was running a non-existent add-on video card at -198F. *shrug*

I saw the coretemp screenshot, what was PC Probe showing? I have a P4C800D I use PCP on, but never heard of coretemp. Did that come with the P5B-VM?

*Edit*, just found the program. NVM.

I have one concern, which may only be an issue of image perpsective. Just how close is that cap in the foreground to the HS? It looks to be resting right up against the bracket and fins, but I'm imagining it's not. How much clearance do you have from it to the HS?

I'm also interested in upgrading the NB HSF to a Zalman NBF-47, but I don't know if I'll have the height or clearance from the 7000B or 7700.