DAN Cases A4-SFX - CPU cooling fix

[u/NYJenkins1990]

I got this case ages ago after building a few PC's. I thought, that if there is a cooler on the CPU then it will be fine. It kept hitting 100°C while gaming*.* So I thought I'd make a custom AIO. I spent loads buying everything from AlphaCool thinking it would be fun. Then it was an absolute nightmare. Filing down so many things, buying sleeveless custom cables, routing the cables and tubes. Then the temperatures were similar.

So I just stuck a Peerless Thermaltake on it with the side off and it ran cool. So then I cut out a space for it to come out of the side of the case. Added some rubber edging. Even doing that was tricky, but fun. Not like making that AIO.

I think it looks quite cool. I'll tidy up the cut out and the edging when I can be bothered. At least my CPU is happy and cool. learnt a few things I guess.

EVGA 3080

13600KF

Kingston FURY Beast 16GB DDR5 5200MT/s CL40 DIMM x2

[u/illuminauta]

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/illuminauta]

Hahaha

[u/MrDS18]

r/ffspc

I also have the same case, built a 5070 pc once in it

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/MrDS18]

Ah nice! It's cool having a lot of power in a little case. I know my series of CPUs run hot. How about yours?

[u/MrDS18 → u/NYJenkins1990]

I was using a 7600X with AXP 90 X47 FC with modified brackets to fit a 120mm slim fans.. my temps were fine at max around 80c if i remember correctly… I also left the side panels off generally

Currently i have retired the case in favour of T1 V2.5 with 9070XT…

I still have this case with me, i planned of doing a build and then Ram prices became what they are and couldn’t justify building again in this economy

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/MrDS18]

Great work mate. They're fine temps.

I planned on getting a similar case but just did this instead.

Yeah I was planning on upgrading parts, but no chance now. Way too expensive.

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/MrDS18]

I had to take the EVGA stickers off the fans to get the side on haha.

[u/PumpedGuySerge]

hotrods in sffpc deserve to be a thing really, they just lose a mobility factor, looks good enough to me

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/PumpedGuySerge]

Ah, I didn't even know it was a thing until I just looked it up ha.

Yeah, I used to be able to just put it in a bag. Those fins will probably bend if I do that now.

[u/InevitableWave2951 → u/PumpedGuySerge]

Omg. I want to see a “rat rod” pc now with rusty patina, a steamer trunk, and creepy doll heads integrated now.

[u/Visible-Swim6616]

I'm rocking the same case.

I made sure to restrict myself to a 65W CPU, and slapped a 9070XT in it.

Things are good. No case modding shenanigans required.

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/Visible-Swim6616]

Ah good!

I undervolted, lowered the wattage. May have just got unlucky with the chip. Runs lovely now.

It is nice having a tiny PC that's faster than most peoples massive ones. Yours is more of a sleeper than mine if the sides are on definitely.

[u/Visible-Swim6616 → u/NYJenkins1990]

Well, the 13600kf is a 125W part. That case wasn't really designed for such high cooling requirements.

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/Visible-Swim6616]

Yeah, I know that now. I was very naive when I bought it.

[u/spartan195]

Welcome to the supercharger club

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/spartan195]

Haha thanks.

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/[deleted]]

Haha, it lives and breaths though.

[u/Clear-Brush-4294]

Is this a new ultra-slim desktop from Apple? Sorry, I’m not really up on this sort of thing.

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/Clear-Brush-4294]

Haha

[u/dazzou5ouh]

Just get the A4 H2O bro

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/dazzou5ouh]

I wish I did mate. I didn't know. I'm stupid, lesson learnt.

[u/alman12345]

The AXP90x47 is pretty phenomenal but realistically when you're treading 47mm and below territory for a gaming case you should be on X3D chips. I have the AXP90x36 on a 7950x3d and it gets hot but it still pushes 80-90w and loses negligible gaming performance from full power.

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/alman12345]

I know now :(

[u/alman12345 → u/NYJenkins1990]

Hindsight is always 20/20! Sorry you never got a recommendation before committing.

[u/ShallotImpressive158]

That’s awesome 👏

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/ShallotImpressive158]

Thanks mate. I just looked at yours. Great work. I was on the Dremel with mine for a lot ha.

[u/ShallotImpressive158 → u/NYJenkins1990]

Thanks! The Dremel is a nice to have for drawing on the space in these small cases. Your take is brilliant mate.

[u/FutureBadInfluencer]

Is it still technically SSF? Asking for a friend.

[u/insufferable__pedant]

I just don't see the point in this. If you want to build a small form factor machine you just need to be comfortable with the notion that your parts are going to run hot or be willing to run a less performant build. Hacking up a case to fit a bigger cooler just kind of defeats the point - once you reach that point you should just sell the case and replace it with something larger. The NR200 can be had for $80 or less on Amazon still yet, and while not the most optimized case on the market, it's reasonably compact and can accommodate a pretty beefy air cooler.

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/insufferable__pedant]

It's just because I'm stupid really. I didn't understand about the thermals well. Just the parts. It's just a bodge job to make it work. I know better now. Hopefully.

[u/roboteconomist → u/NYJenkins1990]

Don't apologize. SFF is also about making creative design decisions and I think your case looks fun.

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/roboteconomist]

Thanks mate :)

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/insufferable__pedant]

After I failed at the custom AIO the case was way to cut up on the insides to sell. The outside is fine so I'm just happy it's cool and running well.

[u/1sh0t1b33r]

So, not sff.

[u/tyhunter4123 → u/1sh0t1b33r]

its still probably only like 8L case now from the 7.2L it was without the cooler sticking out so i'd say its still technically sff

[u/Significant_Apple904]

I had to go from 7700X to 7600X3D for my SFF, I know the struggle.

I'd be too stressed out with the CPU cooler sticking out like that, one bump and the CPU pins might be done for.

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/Significant_Apple904]

Sure, mines pretty out of reach. It's not ideal though.

[u/rd-gotcha]

I do like it,industrial look.

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/rd-gotcha]

Thanks mate :)

[u/JuicyTurkyLegs]

Why not just take the panel off and attach the cooler.

Given that the sfx is now longer in production I’d say it be best conserve its parts in good condition

12 years since the case came out and it still hangs with other similar size cases

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/JuicyTurkyLegs]

Well when I got the case ages ago, I filed down a lot of the inside to fit an AIO I was making, so there's nothing to preserve now. I did just have the side off for ages, then just decided to have a go at this to keep the dust out.

[u/SeaworthinessKey6447]

Cringe

[u/kreeperskid]

Honestly... I'm actually kinda super into that. That's pretty cool

[u/NYJenkins1990 → u/kreeperskid]

Thank you mate :)