Mach2 and MSI K8N Neo2

[Alzir]

Hi, I have a Mach2 and a MSI K8N Neo2 motherboard. The CPU is a bit lower in this motherboard and I can’t seem to get the head on and close the side panel at the same time. I am still in the early building stages and have not installed the motherboard yet but when I put the evap head where it will be on the motherboard the neck seems to be pushed out of the side of the case a lot. This is my first mach unit and I have heard that the head is very delicate and I don’t want to break anything so I haven’t tried to force it into position.



I have been looking at the phase change gallery trying to find some pictures of peoples PC65 rigs with the same motherboard to see how they have done it and the only one I have found so far is Fatties project Lard which seems to have the same problem as I have but there’s no picture of the rig with the door on.



I really don’t want to have to leave the side of the case off but apart from buying a new motherboard I cant see what other options I have.



Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

I'm afraid its a common complaint with the MSI boards. The only way you can shut the panel is by force, and this obviously doesnt come recommended.

 

[fatty]

Ok Phil is right you either slightly bend the hose in at an angle which I have done or bend it in and hold it in place with cable ties however I wouldn't recomend the cable tie method as it kinks your evap hose

 

[Alzir]

Thanks for the quick replies but that’s not what I wanted to hear. I really don’t want to put too much pressure on the evap head. It might not break it straight away but can’t be good long term. I also take the side off quite a lot so can see it causing problems.

I suppose my only other choice is to get another motherboard. Not sure which to go for tho. It’s got to be AGP and compatible with ballistics ram, anyone know of a good board to go for ?

 

[dillingerdan]

Erm, well I have similar problems with every board I have put the Mach IIs on. They all stick out the side of the case to some extent, but some obviously more than others. My original Mach II has a slightly curved hose that makes it much easier to get into the case, I have taken the plunge and although it will probably affect the overall longevity of the hose, it can be replaced. Mine is a year old my original unit anyway and it is still in service and I have no problems with it. I had some controller issues but they seem to have totally disappeared.

If you want to keep the board then do so and just gently curve the hose until it fits into the case and then put the side panel on, although do it when the thermal bus is at around room temp as it is much more flexible then, which will then, in time, stay in this position and allow you to just pop the case side on and off.

 

[ZaX]

I had the same problems trying to fit the thermal bus inside my old coolermaster case, I actually got fed up and bent it. If you dont want to bend it then leave the side panel off as if you move the evap head whilst trying to squeeze the thermal bus inside the case you could spoil your contact with the cpu. Thats what I did once, I was getting a really good overclock until I squeezed the bus into the case, I lost alot on my overclock imediatley. Here's my latest build exactly your mobo and case Alzir...

 

[fatty]

Or another option is....to get about an inch cut off your thermal bus if done correctly this will also improve your temps slightly

 

[Thickbrit]

Heres yet another option,its only a prototype,but when finalised will be trimmed with a butchered alu fitting kit and applied to both my mach rigs.I designed it to specifically to overcome the problem of getting the thermal bus in the case,but its also handy for other things,in 1 rig i added an extra intake in the bottom of pc65 and hid a lot of cabling,in the other im hoping to get my meanwell,pump and cabling.

 

[standin wave]

Heres yet another option,its only a prototype,but when finalised will be trimmed with a butchered alu fitting kit and applied to both my mach rigs.I designed it to specifically to overcome the problem of getting the thermal bus in the case,but its also handy for other things,in 1 rig i added an extra intake in the bottom of pc65 and hid a lot of cabling,in the other im hoping to get my meanwell,pump and cabling.

Thats a really neat idea, m8 - any pix from the side or the bits shown 'apart' for clarity? There's nowt like copying a good idea!

sw

 

[Firelord]

I can see them in the shop now

 

[fatty]

Make it a little larger you can store bottles of plonk in it

 

[Alzir]

Great idea, the sides should be easy enough to cover up with some larger side panels. Don’t fancy shelling out for another lain li kit but will se what I can do with a fan controller at the front. I’m just waiting till payday now so I can get a few more bits together, I will let you all know how it goes and post some pics when its done.

 

[Psilonaught]

i use a Neo2 and a mach2. No offense but shoving some wood between the 2 is a stupid idea frankly. It makes the unit lool fugly and even taller (it's already too tall)

Why don't you just buy another mobo with normal socket postition, like the Neo4 for example

 

[ZaX]

Hes going to cover the wood with some matching aluminium sheeting.

 

[Alzir]

Here's my "stupid" bit of wood and my "too tall and fugly" case

 

[standin wave]

alzir, that is STUNNING m8. Congratulations on a superb job there!

sw

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

That is superb man well done! A really nice idea.

 

[Faaip De Oiad]

alzir that looks brilliant! Good work mate!

Another reason it looks good is the aluminium on your side panels are brushed vertically as well as the case - on my alu-kit the stripes go horizontally and it annoys the hell out of me. Does anyone else have the same problem?

My PC65B's side panel won't go on either because of the prommy poking out the side, my motherboard is an Abit Max 3. I wish I had enough time to to what alzir has done, that looks top.

 

[Alzir]

Thanks guys, the credit goes to Thickbrit for the idea. I’ll put a full project log as I go along in the cases and mods forum with lots more pictures