Core i3-2100T In a Small Case

[ubertrout]

I recently purchased a Core i3-2100T, to go with an ASUS P8H67-I mini-ITX motherboard. I plan to use a Thermaltake Element Q case, which is really designed more for Atom motherboards, and doesn't have much clearance for the heatsink. The only cooling fan is the PSU fan, although there are vents on each side of the case.

So, I understand the 2100T is a lower-power chip, but I worry about keeping it cool without any case fans. The stock cooler that comes with the 2100T is extremely low-profile, so it would fit well, but I worry if it's sufficient. I also picked up a SilverStone NT07-1156, which is larger (maybe coming near touching the PSU), but should cool much better. Which should I use?

And while I'm at it, if I use the stock cooler, it comes pre-coated with cooling compound. Should I use the Arctic cooling compound as well as that?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

And while I'm at it, if I use the stock cooler, it comes pre-coated with cooling compound. Should I use the Arctic cooling compound as well as that?

Hi and Welcome to the Anandtech forums

Someone will be along shortly with probably a better answer than I could give ya, but personally I usually start off with the pre-existing compound on the HS first.

 

[Morg.]

35 Watts, this is almost an atom you know
Don't worry, everything will be just fine with the stock cooler and no case fans.

 

[Zap]

Hello ubertrout, and welcome to AnandTech Forums.

I have an Apex MI-008 or something like that (had it for months, but only for another few days since I have a buyer). It is the clone of the Thermaltake Element Q.

I have a 65W TDP Pentium Dual Core E5200 in there with the retail box heatsink. It barely fits, just touching the PSU. It also stays sufficiently cool. I would totally not worry about a 2100T. I don't know if the stock Sandy Bridge cooler is any smaller than the stock Wolfdale cooler, but if it is not, then anything taller will not fit.

Regarding the stock cooler's TIM, just use it. It will be fine.

If you have not yet purchased the Element Q case, please reconsider. It is not that great of a case, using thinner metals and being really cramped. The included PSU is also pretty mediocre.

What are you looking for in an ITX case? Perhaps we can help you choose a better one?

Morg., Atoms max out at 10W TDP. However, Sandy Bridge will idle almost that low, and by idle I mean web browsing and office work.

 

[ubertrout]

Folks,

Thanks for the great responses. The 2100T heatsink is really tiny; I think it will probably fit fine even in an Element Q. The NT07 is substantially larger (and much heavier)

A picture of the i3 2100t heatsink is below:

 

[dma0991]

The stock cooler with its pre applied TIM should suffice for that build. It is more important to improve the airflow in that case rather than spending on a aftermarket cooler for the CPU. There does not seem to be any fan mounts on that casing but I guess you could zip tie a 80mm fan to the side vents.

 

[ubertrout]

So, the consensus is to use the stock cooler and TIM? Because I'm not planning to use the expansion slot, I was thinking of using a PCI slot exhaust fan.

Regarding the case, I already purchased the Element Q...I really like that it has a full-size 5.25 Bay without anything covering it. The idea is to use this as a pure HTPC (no or minimal gaming), centered around an LG GGC-H20L (Blu-Ray & HD-DVD) I purchased new a few years ago and have been waiting to use.

 

[fuzzymath10]

Considering how many laptops have 35w TDP processors cooled by a tiny fan in a chassis even more poorly ventilated than the Thermaltake, I think you can probably go ahead. You can probably turn down the fan too, if it's too noisy without adjustments.

 

[Zap]

Wow, that thing is tiny! (that's what she said?)

Yeah, the ones that come with Wolfdale and quad core Sandy Bridge are bigger.

Since you already have it all, just use what you got. Stock TIM on stock HSF is fine. You can even enable a quiet fan profile.

 

[dma0991]

That cooler is really small. That is about half the height of a Core i7 2600 stock cooler. It can work I suppose as it is a low TDP processor. Since there are no fan mounting holes a PCI slot cooler like you said would be the best option to create negative airflow in that casing.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Wow, that thing is tiny! (that's what she said?)

Yeah, the ones that come with Wolfdale and quad core Sandy Bridge are bigger.

Since you already have it all, just use what you got. Stock TIM on stock HSF is fine. You can even enable a quiet fan profile.

Wow, I never thought I would see a stock cooler that was even smaller than those Wolfdale E5200 coolers (or Celeron 440 coolers).

 

[aigomorla]

Wow, I never thought I would see a stock cooler that was even smaller than those Wolfdale E5200 coolers (or Celeron 440 coolers).

Sandy's cooler is a joke...

lol... u wonder how people got what they got on it, when it was an ES.

 

[ubertrout]

I went ahead and started putting the system together, putting the CPU and memory on the motherboard. Pics:

ASUS P8H67-I - ports:

With i3 2100t, stock headsink, and 8 GB RAM installed, from the top:

And from the side:

 

[Morg.]

Morg., Atoms max out at 10W TDP. However, Sandy Bridge will idle almost that low, and by idle I mean web browsing and office work.

I agree.. I just meant 35 watts is something along the p3 era, used to be cooled with almost nothing, not going to be a thermal issue.

 

[Binky]

That's pretty awesome that the fan is bigger than the heatsink, and the fan is about 30% as large as the entire MB!

I think it's time for an upgrade on one of my systems...

 

[ubertrout]

I finished putting the machine together. For those interested, I've attached a few more pictures:

Showing how close the components are (ODD is LG GGC-H20L)

Showing CPU Fan Clearance

Front View:

 

[Zap]

Showing CPU Fan Clearance

Yeah, the Wolfdale fan in the one I built was touching the PSU, so mine's bigger.

 

[bleucharm28]

i ordered the exact same mini itx mobo, cpu 2100. My stuff won't be here til next week. I actually purchased a CPU cooler from Thermaltake X3 model. I hope it fits in the Apex case. The Apex case looks just like your Thermaltake.

 

[billyb0b]

are u going to put a video card in that pci-e slot?

what vid chipset is on the mobo? is it powerful enough to push 1080p ?

 

[VirtualLarry]

are u going to put a video card in that pci-e slot?

what vid chipset is on the mobo? is it powerful enough to push 1080p ?

I assume, since it's SB, that it is using the onboard HD2000 video support present in the CPU.
Yes, it will do 1080P. But only at 24Hz, not 29.97 or whatever it's supposed to be.

 

[ubertrout]

I'm not planning on putting a video card in that slot...I just don't think I'll need it. The system is indeed Sandy Bridge, and as I understand it even the lowest-end Core i3 with the HD2000 (which this is, of course) should manage 1080p without a hiccup. I understand it can't properly transmit video at 23.976 hz, but I'm using this in conjunction with a Sony Bravia XBR2 - which only supports 60hz anyway.

The truth is, I'm using this system as much for high-resolution multichannel audio as I am for video, which makes using the integrated HDMI port especially appealing. And the fact that it would complicate airflow further only seals the deal.

The Thermaltake X3 certainly looks like a small cooler, but it's hard to know for sure. Looks like it should fit, albeit maybe not quite as well.

 

[billyb0b]

I'm not planning on putting a video card in that slot...I just don't think I'll need it. The system is indeed Sandy Bridge, and as I understand it even the lowest-end Core i3 with the HD2000 (which this is, of course) should manage 1080p without a hiccup. I understand it can't properly transmit video at 23.976 hz, but I'm using this in conjunction with a Sony Bravia XBR2 - which only supports 60hz anyway.

how much clearance do you have for a vid card in there? do u think you would be able to squeeze in a thin, modern gpu?

 

[ubertrout]

There's plenty of room lengthwise and heightwise, but it would need to be a single slot unit. Provided the heatsink/fan don't take up much room, it would fit fine.

 

[ubertrout]

According to the ASUS diagnostics program, the CPU stays at about 30C at idle running Windows 7. The chipset stays at about 40C. The CPU goes up to 43C at load (and the fan speeds up), but not beyond that.