CPU cooling in a MicroATX box

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

So this is the MicroATX board (ASus A7N8X-VM/400)...

And this is the box (Silverstone Berserker MicroATX).

These are both going for my MicroATX HTPC. I intend on leaving this PC to run full-time and, as such, I want my CPU cooling to be very quiet but as effective as possible.

Here is the heatsink I'm leaning towards. The only issue I have is that I'm not sure if it will fit properly into the case (the CPU intake bracket looks like it could get in the way), or whether it will run up against something on the board (oddly positioned chipset heatsink or a couple caps). Has anyone had any bad experience getting this particular heatsink onto this board, particularly any ASus one laid out in this fashion?

Suggestions on alternate heatsinks also welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Jhhnn]

I don't think that combination will work, because of the short depth (front to rear) of the box, cpu socket placement on the board, and large (109mm) hsf diameter- chances of interference with the optical drive are highly likely.

Of the matx boards currently available, the abit va-10 seems to have the best socket placement for that kind of install, and a speeze falconrock cooler will likely fit it in the box you've specced... both from newegg, for example. Yhat plastic hoop whatever it is inside the box will probably have to go...

Can't really vouch for the board, but the falconrock coolers are extremely quiet and effective, an honest bargain...

 

[L00PY]

I have the same box and I've tried a couple different setups. The key to this and other mATX cases is to use a short optical drive (like a Lite-On).

First was a Biostar board (with the socket in the same place) and a ALX-800 with a normal 80mm fan ontop. There was maybe half an inch clearance between the top of the fan and the edge of the duct. Temps were comparable with the rear fans blowing in/out, and the HSF sucking/blowing. Definately try and work with the purple case duct if you use a heatsink with an up-down orientation.

Now I've got a MSI board in there (socket again in the same place). I've upgraded from the ALX to a Aerocool HT-101. I removed the case duct, the HSF shrouding, and the fan too. I've ducted one of the rear 80mm fans directly to the heatsink. The other one is also blowing in. I use Speedfan to control the Panaflo L1As and in a warm room it needs to run at "76%" to keep the CPU at 30C. Running both fans at full speed drops it 5C or more.

Of course the NB fan and videocard have been replaced with fanless Zalman solutions. The hard drive (damn those noisy Seagate SATA seeks) and the PSU (a rebadged Enlight TFX PSU) are the loudest components in the case.

I do have the case on its side as a desktop -- I didn't notice a difference in temps standing upright.

 

[Operandi]

Alpha PAL8045 + Panaflow L or M1A.

 

[Zepper]

Please use the actual name of the item in your links instead of "this". Saves us, who have the specs of numerous cases and mobos in gray-matter storage, the bother of chasing the links to see what you're talking about. I really like the mini-Berserker and one certainly can't fault the price from gameve. I'd like the CPU to be a bit farther away from the edge of the mobo. Anyway, I'd probably use a Thermal Integration HSF with a Zalman FanMate or other speed control on it.

BTW, Enlight doen't make PSUs - that's a Sirtec PSU in the case. They make PSUs for a lot of brand names like Enlight and ThermalTake.
.bh.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Sorry about the linking thing, threw in a quick edit to fix that. I didn't think many people would be able to ID that particular MicroATX case without a link.

I like the Thermal Integration Heatsink/Fan combo a lot... very small, great price off Newegg, and seems to be quite effective from the reviews I've looked up on it. Its a little noiser than I wanted to get, but it seems a fan control will take care of that.

L00PY, what proc are you using in your box?

 

[L00PY]

Actually, I really really doubt the one in my case is a Sirtec. I mispoke when I said it was an Enlight. The part number of the PSU included with the case matches the Enhance TFX 240W part number.

I'm using a 35W 2400+ XP-M clocked at 10x200. I'm too lazy to figure out the top speed in my current mobo. Having to do multiplier/voltage adjustments via wires in socket gets old real quick. The proc definately did 18.5x133 at 1.65v on my old mobo, but it ran warmer than I liked for a low noise setup.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Sorry about the linking thing, threw in a quick edit to fix that. I didn't think many people would be able to ID that particular MicroATX case without a link.

I like the Thermal Integration Heatsink/Fan combo a lot... very small, great price off Newegg, and seems to be quite effective from the reviews I've looked up on it. Its a little noiser than I wanted to get, but it seems a fan control will take care of that.

L00PY, what proc are you using in your box?

Did you check out the Alpha? It should easily beat the Thermal Integration.

 

[Karaktu]

The Silverstone case rocks. I wrote the review for it at GamEve. Just note that they are no longer being produced, so once they're gone, they're gone.

Edit: Your ability to use a CNPS7000 will depend on where the CPU socket falls. There's enough room in the case, but there may not be enough room between the CPU socket and the PSU.

If you don't have the board already, I personally think you'd be much better off with a mobile (256k) Celeron at 2.4 - 3.0GHz and a CNPS5500 (which blows the air UP). I can obviously sell you the setup, but if you haven't though of it, do because it is much, much cooler.

Note: I'm using this exact setup (ASUS mATX, 3.2Ghz mobile Celeron, CNPS5500 and Silverstone case).

 

[Zepper]

The Speeze/Spire Falcon Rock HSFs work very well too - especially if you plan to OC. I also agree on using the short-chassis optical drives if possible. Unfortunately that leaves out the best opticals, Plextor...
.bh.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Sorry about the linking thing, threw in a quick edit to fix that. I didn't think many people would be able to ID that particular MicroATX case without a link.

I like the Thermal Integration Heatsink/Fan combo a lot... very small, great price off Newegg, and seems to be quite effective from the reviews I've looked up on it. Its a little noiser than I wanted to get, but it seems a fan control will take care of that.

L00PY, what proc are you using in your box?

Did you check out the Alpha? It should easily beat the Thermal Integration.

The stock fan on the Alpha is on the loud side for this type of job. I haven't seen any reasonable comparison tests between the Alpha and Thermal heatsinks though (with the same non-stock fan and CPU), but I'll go looking again.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: Zepper
The Speeze/Spire Falcon Rock HSFs work very well too - especially if you plan to OC. I also agree on using the short-chassis optical drives if possible. Unfortunately that leaves out the best opticals, Plextor...
.bh.

Yeah, I've heard that the case is damn-near impossible to work in without the 170 mm drives... already got my Lite-On.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Sorry about the linking thing, threw in a quick edit to fix that. I didn't think many people would be able to ID that particular MicroATX case without a link.

I like the Thermal Integration Heatsink/Fan combo a lot... very small, great price off Newegg, and seems to be quite effective from the reviews I've looked up on it. Its a little noiser than I wanted to get, but it seems a fan control will take care of that.

L00PY, what proc are you using in your box?

Did you check out the Alpha? It should easily beat the Thermal Integration.

The stock fan on the Alpha is on the loud side for this type of job. I haven't seen any reasonable comparison tests between the Alpha and Thermal heatsinks though (with the same non-stock fan and CPU), but I'll go looking again.

Most of the time there is no fan, just pick one that suits your needs.