![[H]ard|Forum](/styles/hardforum/xenforo/logo_dark.png){kind=logo}
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2012
- Messages
- 2,014
The Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini iTX case was released in 2013. I had used it for an old i5-3570K build, but I'm going to re-use it with an ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi paired with an i7-14700T. I was originally going to use an i5-13600K, but I think with the limitation of the case, a 35W TDP CPU is a better idea. Besides, the i7-14700T performs about the same in gaming as an overclocked i5-13600K at 1.35W's, but without the need for superior cooling, and performs better when lots of threads are needed.
The first problem is that the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi has a lot of big heatsinks. I was just going to put a ID-COOLING IS-40X V3 on it and call it a day, but it wouldn't fit. So, I think the best solution was to put a 120mm AIO CPU in it. So, I got a Thermalright Aqua Elite 120 V3 AIO CPU Cooler.
The second problem is that I can't fit the radiator in the front without removing the 5.25" hard drive bay, and removing the 5.25" hard drive bay requires quite a bit of effort. Another problem with using it in the front is that I lose my only intake fan. So... I decided I'd use the 5.25" hard drive bay to fit the radiator and fan, and drill a hole on top of the case.
I could only drill 3 holes for the fan mount, but that should be fine. I didn't have a 4" hole saw, so I had my wife get me one while I worked on the handle.
I didn't have a 1/2" drill bit on hand, either, so I couldn't use a bigger cabinet handle that I wanted. I instead drilled smaller holes that used M4 screws, and had some M4 thumb screws with spacers. It'll do for now, I may "upgrade" it later.
My next step is drilling the 4" hole on the 5.25" hard drive bay, and on the case cover.
Update 09/16/2026:
I made some cosmetic drilling issues, so I'll have to fix them later. The mini-iTX motherboard I got didn't work, so I sent it out to get fixed. I finally got it back two days ago, and had it up and running. Fine-tuned it to have 2x16GB 4800MHz CL42 DDR5 SO-DIMM with adapters to run at 4200MHz CL34. I set the i7-14700T to run at LLC4 and (Updated) IA AC LoadLine to 0.80 and IA DC LoadLine to 1.02.
Some benchmarks:
Geekbench 7 Single: 2489
Geekbench 7 Multi: 19322
CPU-Z Single: 832.1
CPU-Z Multi: 12314.7
Max VID is 1.257V, and highest core temp getting to only 56C.
I also got some magnetic mesh to cover up the bottom of the case and the top vent. For the empty 5.25" drive bay that's mostly occupied by the 120mm radiator, I managed to get a digital fan controller in there. It only controls the front intake fan (since the only other fan is the radiator fan, which I put on the MB's CPU Fan pin), and is only stuck on there with Gorilla tape. I'll eventually figure out how to affix it better.
For the Power Supply, I put in a darkFlash DG850 850W 80-Plus Gold since it's a good review sample I had gotten. Now I just have to figure what graphics card I want to put in there. It'll most likely be a RTX 5070 12GB, or an RX 9070 XT. If it's the latter, I might get a separate drive to install Steam OS on it.
Once the graphics card is in there, I'll take photos of the inside cable management.
After that, I'll magnetically attach a portable monitor to the side (the non-graphics card side), and install a sliding drawer (14" x ~9.45" x 3") on the bottom that stores the power cable, keyboard, mouse, mousepad, and maybe two controllers. I'm really looking forward to see how it turns out.
Update 10/05/2026:
I sandpapered most of the mishap and put a fresh coat of paint on it. I could have done a better job, but I might work on the outer case a bit more on the graphics card side, and would end up doing another coat of paint, anyway. I do like having a bit of character to the case. I also rounded the inner edge, so it won't cut anyone if you put your finger in there. Plus, the CPU has better temps without the magnetic mesh attached, but it rarely needs the mesh removed. I'll take more photos when it's light out.
To be continued...
The first problem is that the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi has a lot of big heatsinks. I was just going to put a ID-COOLING IS-40X V3 on it and call it a day, but it wouldn't fit. So, I think the best solution was to put a 120mm AIO CPU in it. So, I got a Thermalright Aqua Elite 120 V3 AIO CPU Cooler.
The second problem is that I can't fit the radiator in the front without removing the 5.25" hard drive bay, and removing the 5.25" hard drive bay requires quite a bit of effort. Another problem with using it in the front is that I lose my only intake fan. So... I decided I'd use the 5.25" hard drive bay to fit the radiator and fan, and drill a hole on top of the case.
I could only drill 3 holes for the fan mount, but that should be fine. I didn't have a 4" hole saw, so I had my wife get me one while I worked on the handle.
I didn't have a 1/2" drill bit on hand, either, so I couldn't use a bigger cabinet handle that I wanted. I instead drilled smaller holes that used M4 screws, and had some M4 thumb screws with spacers. It'll do for now, I may "upgrade" it later.
My next step is drilling the 4" hole on the 5.25" hard drive bay, and on the case cover.
Update 09/16/2026:
I made some cosmetic drilling issues, so I'll have to fix them later. The mini-iTX motherboard I got didn't work, so I sent it out to get fixed. I finally got it back two days ago, and had it up and running. Fine-tuned it to have 2x16GB 4800MHz CL42 DDR5 SO-DIMM with adapters to run at 4200MHz CL34. I set the i7-14700T to run at LLC4 and (Updated) IA AC LoadLine to 0.80 and IA DC LoadLine to 1.02.
Some benchmarks:
Geekbench 7 Single: 2489
Geekbench 7 Multi: 19322
CPU-Z Single: 832.1
CPU-Z Multi: 12314.7
Max VID is 1.257V, and highest core temp getting to only 56C.
I also got some magnetic mesh to cover up the bottom of the case and the top vent. For the empty 5.25" drive bay that's mostly occupied by the 120mm radiator, I managed to get a digital fan controller in there. It only controls the front intake fan (since the only other fan is the radiator fan, which I put on the MB's CPU Fan pin), and is only stuck on there with Gorilla tape. I'll eventually figure out how to affix it better.
For the Power Supply, I put in a darkFlash DG850 850W 80-Plus Gold since it's a good review sample I had gotten. Now I just have to figure what graphics card I want to put in there. It'll most likely be a RTX 5070 12GB, or an RX 9070 XT. If it's the latter, I might get a separate drive to install Steam OS on it.
Once the graphics card is in there, I'll take photos of the inside cable management.
After that, I'll magnetically attach a portable monitor to the side (the non-graphics card side), and install a sliding drawer (14" x ~9.45" x 3") on the bottom that stores the power cable, keyboard, mouse, mousepad, and maybe two controllers. I'm really looking forward to see how it turns out.
Update 10/05/2026:
I sandpapered most of the mishap and put a fresh coat of paint on it. I could have done a better job, but I might work on the outer case a bit more on the graphics card side, and would end up doing another coat of paint, anyway. I do like having a bit of character to the case. I also rounded the inner edge, so it won't cut anyone if you put your finger in there. Plus, the CPU has better temps without the magnetic mesh attached, but it rarely needs the mesh removed. I'll take more photos when it's light out.
To be continued...
Last edited:
