My Shuttle xPC

[youpla]

Well as a new member I thought I could introduce my system with a few pictures.

I changed the default NB heatsink for a Zalman NB47J. The problem was that I couldn't use the push-pin system that came with the NB47J cause the motherboard didn't have holes. I had to use the metallic hinge from the default heatsink instead and it seems to do the trick.

Here you can see how small everything is. The NB47J, the RAM heatsink and the ICE system on top of the CPU. Missing are the rack with DVD drive, floppy and SD/MS/CF reader. And of course the 2 HDs on top of that.

And finally a shot of my little space...

 

[FragTek]

That's a badass lil xPC you got going on there. Cheers to that mate!

Does the ICE system work well on that hot lil Intel u've got it on?

 

[youpla]

Thanks, I never had such a powerfull rig ever in such a little space!

Well indeed I am a bit worried about the temps. The ICE system ain't bad and keep my CPU around 50C with the fans running around 1500rpm (very low noise). However at full speed the ICE brings the CPU temperature to approximatly 40C at idle but it sounds like a turbo reactor (4000rpm)

On average my temps are:

CPU 50C

Motherboard 40C

GPU 50C

HD 36C

System 50C

And it is winter with an ambient room temperature around 21C... Wonder what will be my temps during summer though!!!

 

[FragTek]

That's not too bad considering the proc you're using, hehe...

When summer comes around will be the end all test for it though, lol. I reckon it should stay well within a safe operating range.

 

[youpla]

sounds reassuring

I have also installed a slot fan right next to the video card, pulling out the warm air from the GPU... but didn't really change the overall temps much.

If I may ask a question here, is the default cooling system that comes with the video card good enough or will it be better to change it for another one?

 

[FragTek]

Stock cooling can be alright depending on what card and what series it is... Take for example the special edition XFX 7800GT, it comes with a copper core cooler rather than the aluminum one that standard GT's come with. The standard aluminum coolers for the most part 100% suck.

If you have the room, Zalman makes a pretty wicked vid card cooler, and I'm not sure but Arctic may have a cooler out that fits the 7 series cards.

 

[youpla]

I thought of the Zalman ZM80D-HP but unfortunatly I don't have enough space to fit it in. The cooler on my gladiac is apparently aluminium so I may change it for a copper one like the Zalman Fatal1ty FS-V7. But I am afraid it will warm up the all case!?

 

[FragTek]

You might notice a slight gain in case temp but it shouldn't be anything drastic or enough to cause any concern.

 

[FarFarAway]

Thats a sweet ass Shuttle you've got there mate

Trouble with vid card coolers is that in a shullte they kinda need to be a single slot

Anyhoo looks sweet mate - lets see some benchies with that P4 D

 

[youpla]

Well here we go with my attempts to make the rig cooler.

As I said previously I went to buy the Zalman Fatal1ty FS-V7 and just installed it. Pictures are always better than a long speech so here they are:

My Gladiac 970 in all her glory

The Fatal1ty FS-V7

My Gladiac naked...

... after I removed the stock cooling system

Mounting on the back of the card

Placing the heatsink on the video RAM

Applaying the thermal paste (Artic Silver 5)

Fixing the FHS on the GPU

Putting the card back in the xPC (back side)

The card in place (front side)

Attention, be carefull when you place back the HDD/DVD rack in the rig. If you push it back without being carefull you can easily damage the FHS. There are very, very close... and even touch each other in some points.

And finally everything works and you get a nice red light when the rig is turned on!

 

[youpla]

I also decided to add a 3.5" bay fan instead of my floppy drive (which I never used anyway). I got a Titan Dragon fan bay cooler.

The bay fan cooler

The rack

What it looks like

I had to make some holes on the side to adjust it in the rack so it does not point out too much and I can still close the front door of the bay.

Bay door open

Bay door closed

 

[youpla]

And finally I also installed a fan for the HD...

PS: you can only add the fan on the HD that is located on the rear slot, there is not enough space between the HD in the front slot and the DVD drive to install a fan unfortunalty.

 

[FarFarAway]

Nice work mate! Some decent modding you've done there

 

[youpla]

Thanks I was a bit worried cause it was the first time I modified a video card and also because I wasn't sure everything could fit in in the end...

Now that everything is working I am pretty satisfied and relax hehehe...

Now I have to see how efficient all these mods will be to cool down my system. I will keep you posted about the gain or loss in temps in a while. Apparently it is working well and temps have already dropped from a few degrees... But still need to wait until the AS5 stabilize...

Anyway maybe this will help whoever wants to mod their SFF rig and components!

 

[youpla]

Well here is the actual temp I get in my rig...

Basically at idle

HDD temperatures between 36C and 38C

And the GPU temperature after performing the 3Dmark2005 test:

The Fatal1ty FS-V7 is set to quiet mod (5V, 2000rpm) and the Dragon bay cooler at minimum (1000rpm)

 

[bloodthirst]

im impressed mate keep up the good work

 

[Dav0s]

i like that floppy drive fan thing, must be good for a shuttle where space is cramped and it gets warm. got a link where to buy one?

 

[youpla]

Well I bought the bay fan from a shop here in Tokyo but I found out a link for you:

http://www.gamedude.com.au/prod_show.php?art_no=coTIdragon_fan

 

[PV5150]

Very very nice youpla, 'grats to you on the work you have undertaken in modding the little beast. I'm impressed:worship:

 

[Eguy]

hey youpla! glad to see you here, she looks great!

Hope to see you around