Looking for some ITX Cooling Advice

obelisk79 · 2012-02-21 10:06

Eskro, since you seem most knowledgable about these things will the ISK300-150 offer up enough power for a a6-3650 build? I see the cpu is rated for 100W TDP, it's actually had me reconsidering to use mATX although I really want the smaller footprint offered by mITX. Your advice is appreciated.

Researching the perfect setup for me has been rough because I'm also a big deal hound. I like the Wesena cases but they are a bit pricey. The Antec's look nice too but my concern lies mostly with their ability to support the power needs of the system. Most likely will not be adding an optical drive so looking at cpu, mb, 4gb mem, and small ssd.

Orclas · 2012-02-21 10:27

You do realize that a 100w TDP CPU is counterproductive as such when it comes to achieving a silent machine?

obelisk79 · 2012-02-21 10:31

Orclas Wrote:You do realize that a 100w TDP CPU is counterproductive as such when it comes to achieving a silent machine?

You make this remark because it is difficult to passively cool a chip like this? I've somewhat resigned myself to making my build quiet but not silent. Making it quieter than the junky DVR TWC put in my house shouldn't be hard. So this will be an upgrade for me.

But I do realize what you're saying. Good looking out.

eskro · 2012-02-21 16:08

150W is enough for a 100W TDP CPU like the A6-3650...
i still would get the A6-3500 since to me, its all u need for HTPC use!

Orclas · 2012-02-21 17:59

obelisk79 Wrote:You make this remark because it is difficult to passively cool a chip like this?

Wasn't thinking all the way to passive, but the basics of building a silent computer.

Simply put, cooling = noise, less cooling = less noise.

Simplified and theoretical example:
100w TDP => fan at 12v (and whatever speed)
50w TDP => fan at 7v (= lower speed = less noise)

Above pretty much translatable to a situation when using a fan RPM controller as well, although undervolting is usually preferable.

jack0w · 2012-03-01 15:53

Finally had all my components arrive!

Haven't got very far before getting stuck though... Sad

I've got the case unpacked but I can't seem to get the top cover off the case!

I've removed the three thumb screws at the rear and pulled the top cover towards the rear of the case. The manual says once it will go no further back you should be able to just lift it off, the right side of the cover for some reason doesn't seem to lift at all and conseqently can't get the damn top off!!

Any ideas? Confused

jack0w · 2012-03-01 15:57

Ignore my last post, was being a moron!!!

Took the instructions far too literally - turned out it would lift off as long as the top cover wasn't pulled all the way back!

doh!

eskro · 2012-03-01 20:43

jack0w · 2012-03-01 21:54

Well... after my adventure getting the top cover off (!) I finally got it all assembled, no major issues putting it all together....

Although everything did go belly up when I went to turn it on! I opened the BIOS immediately to check all components were correctly detected, no problems there... Skipped across to the HW Monitor screen and was alarmed to see CPU FAN RPM of 0 accompanied with a fast rising CPU Temperature!!

Turned it all off quickly and on further investigation it was apparent the fan really wasn't turning! I used a spare CPU cooler to test the connections on the motherboard and it powered up fine Sad

So now once again I'm waiting on a damned CPU cooler before I can do any more! Sad

Just hope I don't have to wait too long for a replacement Rolleyes

eskro · 2012-03-01 23:12

hang in there jack0w!

in then END, you'll enjoy your HTPC!!

Orclas Fan Posts: 303 Joined: Nov 2011 Reputation: 5 Location: Sweden	2012-02-21 10:27 Post: #12 You do realize that a 100w TDP CPU is counterproductive as such when it comes to achieving a silent machine? HTPC: OpenELEC 3.0.2 (XBMC 12.2) on XS35GTv2 (Ion2 with 4Gb RAM) NAS: FreeNAS build on a Dell scrap computer (3x 2TB Raid5'd to 4TB actual storage) TV: LG 42PJ350
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eskro Posting Freak Posts: 8,214 Joined: Nov 2010 Reputation: 155	2012-02-21 16:08 Post: #14 150W is enough for a 100W TDP CPU like the A6-3650... i still would get the A6-3500 since to me, its all u need for HTPC use! My G7 HTPC // eSkRo's HTPC Guide // Poofy's HTPC Guide // unRAID Guide // SSD Optimization thx :)
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jack0w Senior Member Posts: 109 Joined: Nov 2011 Reputation: 1 Location: UK	2012-03-01 15:57 Post: #17 Ignore my last post, was being a moron!!! Took the instructions far too literally - turned out it would lift off as long as the top cover wasn't pulled all the way back! doh!
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eskro Posting Freak Posts: 8,214 Joined: Nov 2010 Reputation: 155	2012-03-01 20:43 Post: #18 My G7 HTPC // eSkRo's HTPC Guide // Poofy's HTPC Guide // unRAID Guide // SSD Optimization thx :)
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eskro Posting Freak Posts: 8,214 Joined: Nov 2010 Reputation: 155	2012-03-01 23:12 Post: #20 hang in there jack0w! in then END, you'll enjoy your HTPC!! My G7 HTPC // eSkRo's HTPC Guide // Poofy's HTPC Guide // unRAID Guide // SSD Optimization thx :)
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