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In the quest for smaller and better cooling, I've got an idea to utilize 2X Noctua d15 air coolers for both the GPU & CPU. I have seen a few vids on CPU air coolers being used on GPU with great success. I believe it's just not that popular because it doesn't look very good and you end up not being able to use any of the adjacent PCIE slots.
But there's none of that limitations with ITX builds!
I dub this the "Noctua Tower" builds. Here's a 3D render of them.
V1: Double NH-D15 stacked. Would be the tallest
V2: Using the CH-C14s for the CPU would compromise a bit of performance but should still be plenty to cool the CPU
V3: Hybrid Air-Liquid build. A smaller 120/140mm AIO can be sandwitch in between the D15 heatsink towers. This further reduces to overall height. Down side is possible extra noise from pump, plus side is can use full size ATX PSU since there are extra space cause by the length of the long fullsize GPU.
V2-B: Using BeQuiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 and Dark Rock TF.
I name it the "Dark Tower" build:
Objecttives:
0) (Noise == Performance ) > Size > Aesthetics
Specs:
i7-8086K
RTX 2080 TI
Asus Z370-i
512GB 960 Pro Nvme
480GB Adata XPG Nvme
RipJaws 16gb 3200Mhz RAM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Progress Album:
Google Alternative:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uoJL7DwtJ3BTUgBh9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update 1 : Starting build log. So far have tested GPU with Noctua d15 mounted. Very good results, GPU running at 50C under load
The D15 is mounted to the 2080 Ti by using a backplate to clamp down on on the heatsink and using nuts/bolt (homedepot 1.5" #4 bolt/nut) works well. The new throughholes is almost perfectly matched to the old LGA 775 socket so you can try to find them online
Something like that should work. Personally, I just grabbed the backplate that comes with the Enermax AIO cooler .
Update 2:
Conduct test for V3 concept with radiator sandwich in between the D15 heatsink plates. Very good results still. 2 140mm fan is used for push-pull running through both the radiator & D15 heatsink. Both GPU & CPU running around ~50C under load. Under OC, 2080 ti can go to 2100Mhz @ ~60C. Great results! I am liking V3 so far for how compact it is and cheaper to put together. (smaller AIO are cheap, shorter pcie riser, etcs). And full size ATX PSU are quieter and run cooler also.
Update 3:
Added concept for enclosure design. Thinking front/top/bottom could be wood. Sides can be tempered glass, and the back can be a full metal mesh. With a full metal mesh back, I might not have to add more vent holes on the sides. That would keep the complexity down.
Update 4:
Testing TT 600mm riser cable, V3 appears to be difficult to put together due to GPU I/O being in the way of most placements. When GPU output ports is on the bottom, it interfere with the PCIE riser and it's hard to work around. V2 is looking good right now:
Update 5:
NH-C14s came in today so I tested the V2 concept. Amazing temps still all fans running at~30-40%
So far, this is the easiest to put together. Everything just fits like a puzzle . The sfx PSU will sit on top of the stack and there's still be plenty of riom to route wires
Update 6: Testing PSU wiring on V2 build
Wiring was a breeze, all the crevasses was enough to run all the wires, and everything except for the 24 pins was stock sfx length, I needed an extension for the 24 pin.
Update #7: Zotac GTX 1080 Ti Mini Build
Some people are requesting for a mock for a gtx 1080 ti mini build so here it is:
Update #8 : The "Dark Tower" build
The Dark Rock Pro 4 & TF combo came today so I'd put it together for testing. I call this the "Dark Tower". I absolutely love the 'be quiet!" logo on the side, it's exactly what this project is about!
With this combo, there's no change in temp performance, if anything the GPU now runs 1C lower! But thats within margin of error so I'd deem the performance the same as the noctua d15 & c14s combo.
But the biggest difference here is obviously the "dark look", it's probably more appealing to most people. AND I was able to shave some about 1L in volume (~1 inch shorter stack and some side space)
It's now standing ~13 inch tall. So that's 6.7*7.5*13 = 653 in^3 => 10.7L!!
Update #9.
I made some effort toward case design today as performance testing is paused until I get Li-Heat PCIE riser that he's gracefully offered.
For simplicity, here's a first draft of the case design:
Here is a "frame design", the internal skeleton of the case. The red plate is what the GPU will be mounted directly to, it can have various mounting holes for different type of GPU models. I will need to work that out when testing different card. The mounting bracket then will be screw and attached to the frame.
Also, not included in the above pic, I think the top part of the front (opposite the PSU) is a good place to mount a few SSD or 1 HD if that is ever needed. That's one of the few "dead space" inside the tightly fitted rig.
I haven't gone too far with with the external panels yet, I will continue to work on various design of panels that can be attached to this skeleton/framework to form a finished case.
Update #10
I've got some old parts from a friend ( Foxconn H67s + i7-2600k + DDR3 RAMs) so I figure I'd use this spare system to test the V3 concept with a GTX 1080 ti Mini. The mini's length is perfect to house a full NH-D15 with the 2 fans mounted at the opposite ends.
I don't have a spare pcie riser set so the GPU is mounted normally in it's regular pcie slot. Here you can see a full stack of the D15 mounted on the GTX 1080 TI and a 120MM AIO sandwiched right in between.
Holy moly the temps! The GTX 1080 TI Mini never got above 40C and it dles around 21C with fan speed around ~30%... Insane temp! (Now I'm questioning why I'm going to a RTX 2080 Ti lol!)
The i7-2600k runs around ~55C under gaming load, but it's on a much lower process and I'm using only a slim 120mm aio, I suspect a 140mm would give it better result, and if u're using a modern CPU it would even be better.
Will try a full stack once I've got another PCIE riser soon.
But there's none of that limitations with ITX builds!
I dub this the "Noctua Tower" builds. Here's a 3D render of them.
V1: Double NH-D15 stacked. Would be the tallest
V2: Using the CH-C14s for the CPU would compromise a bit of performance but should still be plenty to cool the CPU
V3: Hybrid Air-Liquid build. A smaller 120/140mm AIO can be sandwitch in between the D15 heatsink towers. This further reduces to overall height. Down side is possible extra noise from pump, plus side is can use full size ATX PSU since there are extra space cause by the length of the long fullsize GPU.
V2-B: Using BeQuiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 and Dark Rock TF.
I name it the "Dark Tower" build:
Objecttives:
0) (Noise == Performance ) > Size > Aesthetics
- Very compact build that compact all the components together.
- No performance compromise
- Minimal use of fans to make this a silent built
- 6.7x6.7" base, height is variable base on final design.
Specs:
i7-8086K
RTX 2080 TI
Asus Z370-i
512GB 960 Pro Nvme
480GB Adata XPG Nvme
RipJaws 16gb 3200Mhz RAM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Progress Album:
Google Alternative:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uoJL7DwtJ3BTUgBh9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update 1 : Starting build log. So far have tested GPU with Noctua d15 mounted. Very good results, GPU running at 50C under load
The D15 is mounted to the 2080 Ti by using a backplate to clamp down on on the heatsink and using nuts/bolt (homedepot 1.5" #4 bolt/nut) works well. The new throughholes is almost perfectly matched to the old LGA 775 socket so you can try to find them online
Something like that should work. Personally, I just grabbed the backplate that comes with the Enermax AIO cooler .
Update 2:
Conduct test for V3 concept with radiator sandwich in between the D15 heatsink plates. Very good results still. 2 140mm fan is used for push-pull running through both the radiator & D15 heatsink. Both GPU & CPU running around ~50C under load. Under OC, 2080 ti can go to 2100Mhz @ ~60C. Great results! I am liking V3 so far for how compact it is and cheaper to put together. (smaller AIO are cheap, shorter pcie riser, etcs). And full size ATX PSU are quieter and run cooler also.
Update 3:
Added concept for enclosure design. Thinking front/top/bottom could be wood. Sides can be tempered glass, and the back can be a full metal mesh. With a full metal mesh back, I might not have to add more vent holes on the sides. That would keep the complexity down.
Update 4:
Testing TT 600mm riser cable, V3 appears to be difficult to put together due to GPU I/O being in the way of most placements. When GPU output ports is on the bottom, it interfere with the PCIE riser and it's hard to work around. V2 is looking good right now:
Update 5:
NH-C14s came in today so I tested the V2 concept. Amazing temps still all fans running at~30-40%
So far, this is the easiest to put together. Everything just fits like a puzzle . The sfx PSU will sit on top of the stack and there's still be plenty of riom to route wires
Update 6: Testing PSU wiring on V2 build
Wiring was a breeze, all the crevasses was enough to run all the wires, and everything except for the 24 pins was stock sfx length, I needed an extension for the 24 pin.
Update #7: Zotac GTX 1080 Ti Mini Build
Some people are requesting for a mock for a gtx 1080 ti mini build so here it is:
Update #8 : The "Dark Tower" build
The Dark Rock Pro 4 & TF combo came today so I'd put it together for testing. I call this the "Dark Tower". I absolutely love the 'be quiet!" logo on the side, it's exactly what this project is about!
With this combo, there's no change in temp performance, if anything the GPU now runs 1C lower! But thats within margin of error so I'd deem the performance the same as the noctua d15 & c14s combo.
But the biggest difference here is obviously the "dark look", it's probably more appealing to most people. AND I was able to shave some about 1L in volume (~1 inch shorter stack and some side space)
It's now standing ~13 inch tall. So that's 6.7*7.5*13 = 653 in^3 => 10.7L!!
Update #9.
I made some effort toward case design today as performance testing is paused until I get Li-Heat PCIE riser that he's gracefully offered.
For simplicity, here's a first draft of the case design:
Here is a "frame design", the internal skeleton of the case. The red plate is what the GPU will be mounted directly to, it can have various mounting holes for different type of GPU models. I will need to work that out when testing different card. The mounting bracket then will be screw and attached to the frame.
Also, not included in the above pic, I think the top part of the front (opposite the PSU) is a good place to mount a few SSD or 1 HD if that is ever needed. That's one of the few "dead space" inside the tightly fitted rig.
I haven't gone too far with with the external panels yet, I will continue to work on various design of panels that can be attached to this skeleton/framework to form a finished case.
Update #10
I've got some old parts from a friend ( Foxconn H67s + i7-2600k + DDR3 RAMs) so I figure I'd use this spare system to test the V3 concept with a GTX 1080 ti Mini. The mini's length is perfect to house a full NH-D15 with the 2 fans mounted at the opposite ends.
I don't have a spare pcie riser set so the GPU is mounted normally in it's regular pcie slot. Here you can see a full stack of the D15 mounted on the GTX 1080 TI and a 120MM AIO sandwiched right in between.
Holy moly the temps! The GTX 1080 TI Mini never got above 40C and it dles around 21C with fan speed around ~30%... Insane temp! (Now I'm questioning why I'm going to a RTX 2080 Ti lol!)
The i7-2600k runs around ~55C under gaming load, but it's on a much lower process and I'm using only a slim 120mm aio, I suspect a 140mm would give it better result, and if u're using a modern CPU it would even be better.
Will try a full stack once I've got another PCIE riser soon.
Last edited:
