Hi, this will be my first post rig build at LinusTechTips Forum, and I'll try my best to show what is interesting about the build that I have here.
But first, here is my case in its final form
As long as you guys have read, the Mentis is an SFF good looking case and pretty much good for anyone seek for (one of) the smallest form factor that you can get out there while not burn a hole in your pocket. I have seen some of the builds of the cases, most of them keep the case fully intact from the outside, or flip the back of case to invert the mobo, or some even drill hole on top of the case to help with the GPU, so what's the deal with this case? It has problem with airflow. It has one active 120mm fan hole on the back and 1 active exhaust for the PSU, passive side vent and...
WAIT? THAT'S IT? YOU TELL ME TO PUSH ALL THE HEAT FROM MY CPU AND GPU THROUGH MY PSU ?
REALLY?
I was not happy to realize that when I open the box
(fyi, I have the DIYPC version, essentially the same stuff, just really ugly plastic feet and no windows)
But let me show the specs first:
CPU: Intel 4690K @4.4GHz - 1.210V stable
Cooler: Corsair H55 with Corgar 120mm Votex PWM
Mobo: ASUS Z97i Plus
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro 2x8GB 1600MHz
GPU: Sapphire R9 270 - 1025MHz core - 1450MHz RAM
PSU: Corsair CX500M
Extra fans: Noctua NFA9x14 92mm x 14mm | Prolimatech PRO-USV14 140mm x 14mm Ultra Sleek Vortex (explain later)
WHAT HAPPENS?
So, install the CPU in, overclock it to 4.4GHz, smoothly, not big deal, then I start to overclock my GPU a little bit, and guess what, 30 mins of trying Far Cry4
(I know, this set up is enough for high 1080p setting v-sync)
the GPU itself gets as high as 85C and fan spins at 80%, which, to some people, it's ok, and yea, ok enough to make sunny side egg on the top panel lol
My wild guess was because of the design of the top panel,hot air keep circulating around the GPU (left diagram below) instead of flowing down. and it seems the PSU has to keep up too hard with the heat from the CPU (only choice as the default CPU fan set up has to be intake).
I decided to step up and spin up my Dremel 3000.
My quest will be to improve the airflow of the case,
decrease temp on all components if possible,
and most of all, keep the case its original sleek looking.
Here are 3 diagrams that I draw to check my airflow theory.
Top left - Wild guess of the GPU airflow
Top right - theoretical airflow if top fan install.
Bottom left - my final airflow after I put another 92mm fan on the bottom of the case
Bottom right - The do-no-try-at-home theory testing. I used my case 120mm included fan, hook to the extra fan controller and let it run on top of the GPU (worked) with help of 2 eraser pieces.....
After the theory crafting. What I did was:
1. Make a cardboard top panel, stick the stock 120mm fan on it (top left below)
2. Test
3. Not happy
4. Cut a 140mm fan hole on top of the case, stick the Prolimatech 140mm fan on it (bottom left below)
5. Test
6. Kinda happy
7. Make the 3rd diagram
8. Cut another 92mm fan hole on the bottom of the case, stick the Noctua 92mm on it (top right below)
9. Test
10. Profit
Here is the test result for anyone interested
Remember though, I tested the 1st-5th + 7th test at the same day, when it was kinda cold outside, about 15C
The 6th test was done on a hotter day when it was about 20C outside, at least +5C ambient temperature different.
I let the PC idle 15 mins after start-up, run Furmark and Furmark CPU Burner at the same time for next 15 mins
Then let the pc cool down for about 30 mins, which I was really lucky that the day I tested those tests, ambient temp
was really stable.
I did included how I set up fans for the case as in the Revision details, they're there! : D
Bonus: The case itself is dead quiet idle and a bit airy underload. I'm extremely satisfied.
the GPU fans also, never reach 45% speed opposed to 80% we get from the original set up.
Any why quiet? Simple, more fan, lower speed, also 3 of the fans I used are all the quiet ones la la.
So there you have it (I, duh), a really capable machine (you can swap 4790K with a 970 mini into this case easily) that in a tiny SFF case like this, everything's temp are under control, quiet and cool.
What else can I ask for?
Well... a dustless room since now I have to cover both my intake fan with dust filter, and the top filter make it look so ugly..........
Oh, and I swap the original fugly feet with some feet I made from screws and Sugru to bring the levitating effect for the case and also improve the airflow
Photos:
just a little show case of my keyboard and size comparison.
My little secret - Non-residual artist tape is best choice to stick fans without making screw holes : P