m350 + i7 3770K

[ultimz]

Hi,

I'm almost done building my PC (Hackintosh) using the m350 case, just waiting on the CPU to arrive. I would like to know if anyone has the m350 case and an i7 3770k processor? If so, please can you share your experience with regards to heat and cooling options? Any other advice would be appreciated!

My build will include the following :

Mini-box M350 Case (R700) - GOT!
http://www.mini-box.com/M350-universal-mini-itx-enclosure

PicoPSU 160W XT (R500) - GOT!
http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-160-XT

150w AC-DC Power Adapter (R500) - GOT!
http://www.mini-box.com/12v-12-5A-AC-DC-Power-Adapter

ASRock Z77E-ITX (R1700) - GOT!
http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/asrock-z77eitx-intel-chipset-mitx-p-8620.html

Corsair CML16GX3M2A1600C10 Vengeance Low Profile 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 (2 x 8GB) (R1503.66) - GOT!
http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/c...-16gb-240pin-ddr3-sdram-ddr3-1600-p-8328.html

StarTech EPS48ADAP (R124) - GOT!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/STARTECH-ST...ltDomain_0&hash=item1e701b2c4e#ht_3266wt_1379

Intel Socket 1155 Ivy Bridge i7 3770K Quad Core 3.5GHz CPU With Fan (R3145,26) - ORDERED!
http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/intel-socket-1155-bridge-3770k-quad-core-35ghz-with-p-8432.html

Intel 330 Series 60GB 2.5'' SATA6G SSD (R801.42) - ORDERED!
http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/intel-series-60gb-sata6g-p-8441.html

IOGEAR GBU521 Bluetooth(R) 4.0 USB Micro Adapter (R116.99) - ORDERED!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290771986885&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160

Dell Half-Mini Wireless N Card DW1515 Atheros AR5BHB92 (R207.35) - ORDERED!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...36&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160#ht_500wt_1414

 

[ellroy80]

Check my thread here - http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1716369

Long story short - I think you're going to have problems finding something to reasonably cool it. I haven't come across anything as yet. Really need to use a very low profile cooler in this case.

 

[ellroy80]

Maybe, maybe you could get away with something like this: http://www.dynatron-corp.com/upload/Downloads/K129.pdf

 

[ultimz]

Thanks ellroy80.

I was considering the Kozuti but I'm going to see how far I get with the stock cooler. I know there won't be space to use the bracket for a HDD but I was thinking about just using double sided tape and sticking it on the cover inside.

That Dynatron is interesting - do you know if 1156 and 1155 are totally compatible? I'm wondering if I could fit that with a low profile 80mm fan stuck on top of it in the case...

 

[troisanh]

Thanks ellroy80.

I was considering the Kozuti but I'm going to see how far I get with the stock cooler. I know there won't be space to use the bracket for a HDD but I was thinking about just using double sided tape and sticking it on the cover inside.

That Dynatron is interesting - do you know if 1156 and 1155 are totally compatible? I'm wondering if I could fit that with a low profile 80mm fan stuck on top of it in the case...

Heat sinks are interchangeable ie same pattern.

 

[ellroy80]

Thanks ellroy80.

I was considering the Kozuti but I'm going to see how far I get with the stock cooler. I know there won't be space to use the bracket for a HDD but I was thinking about just using double sided tape and sticking it on the cover inside.

That Dynatron is interesting - do you know if 1156 and 1155 are totally compatible? I'm wondering if I could fit that with a low profile 80mm fan stuck on top of it in the case...

A Kozuti should fit if you're not going to use the HDD bracket. I like the Dynatron because it's just a big copper heatsink - nothing fancy, and should dissipate lots of heat. You should be able to fit a 100mm or 120mm Scythe Slipstream Slim fan on it (http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/acc/035/sy1012sl12_detail.html and http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/acc/068/sy1212sl12_detail.html)

Keep us posted on the build - I'd like to see lots of pictures!

 

[xyexz]

There is always this cooler available as well directly from the manufacturer of your case. Just saw it while surfing the case page, never used it so not speaking from experience or anything.

Seems they list it as being able to cool Core i7 and it's an all copper base as well.

Product description ripped from the page:

Low Profile LGA1155 Intel Core i3/i5/i7 CPU Cooler

Designed for compact cases, this low profile, high performance Socket 1155 cooler produces up to 24.35 CFM air flow and uses a pure copper heatsink for optimal cooling.

Socket 1155 compatible with Intel Core i3/i5/i7 CPUs. Simple push-pin design and pre-applied thermal compound for easy installation and removal.

Processor Support: Socket 1155 (LGA1155)
Rated Voltage: DC 12V
Operating Voltage: 10.8V ~ 13.2V
Start Voltage: 7V
Fan drive mechanics: Dual ball-bearing
Life: 50,000 hours
Dimensions: 82.6mm x81.0mm x 27.8mm
Height: 27.8mm

Doesn't say anything about max TDP though so may want to email them or something to clarify that.

 

[ellroy80]

Nice find xyexz!! FWIW I did a quick google search and found it weighs 150g, so I assume it wouldn't be as good as the other Dynatron one. You can use a thicker fan on it though, so that might compensate for the lack of weight???? (you could probably push more air through it)

 

[xyexz]

Nice find xyexz!! FWIW I did a quick google search and found it weighs 150g, so I assume it wouldn't be as good as the other Dynatron one. You can use a thicker fan on it though, so that might compensate for the lack of weight???? (you could probably push more air through it)

Yeah I would probably do a fan swap as their fan didn't push a lot of cfms, might not be any better than the other one that someone else found from dynatron but I thought I'd mention it since it was from same source.

I'd put little thought into the weight, thermals go off of more than just thickness of block etc, fin design such as length/height and width come into play for making things more efficient.

Definitely something to look into though.

 

[ultimz]

Ok so I've received all the parts and put it together - CPU temps are not that good but I wasn't expecting it to be but here goes -

IDLE :

LOAD (5 mins) :

LOAD (10 mins) :

Will post pics of the build later today. I know the temps aren't great but I'm really impressed due to the size of this thing and the kinda speed I'm getting.

Please let me know your thoughts etc - any advice is appreciated!

 

[ellroy80]

Geez mate, temps are REALLY high - I wouldn't run it like that for too long!!

 

[ultimz]

Yeah I know... but that's at full load and this machine will not be doing any heavy processing like that. I get your point though and am already busy underclocking this puppy. What would be an acceptable temp at full load for 10 mins?

 

[xyexz]

Yeah I know... but that's at full load and this machine will not be doing any heavy processing like that. I get your point though and am already busy underclocking this puppy. What would be an acceptable temp at full load for 10 mins?

Actually you shouldn't need to underclock at all, just undervolt, I was able to run my Core I5 3570k @ -0.185v and it dropped temps by almost 20C under full load.

 

[ellroy80]

Actually you shouldn't need to underclock at all, just undervolt, I was able to run my Core I5 3570k @ -0.185v and it dropped temps by almost 20C under full load.

I agree. Start with an undervolt. Then underclock if you have to. I'd aim for 60-70C under load, though I don't have a good idea of what IB proc's can handle. I'm happy if my Sandy is in that range though.

 

[ultimz]

Thanks guys, I'm new to this so what settings would I change in the BIOS? and could I damage any components if I undervolt?

I see in the BIOS it has options for :

DRAM Voltage (currently set to 1.500V)
VTT Voltage (currently set to 1.053V)
VCCSA Voltage (currently set to 0.928V)

Will be doing a bit of reading up now on undervolting

 

[ultimz]

Oh and I see a CPU Voltage option (my bad) - that must be it... it's set to Auto at the moment.

 

[xyexz]

You have the same motherboard that I have in my build, I made a post about undervolting in my blog here.

Esentially use the eXtreme tuning software to do it from within windows, every drop of voltage run a quick 10min test of prime95. Use offset instead of fixed voltage that way the voltage will scale with turbo clock and lower.

Once you start BSOD back it up a bit and run a longer prime95 or AIDA.

Also just work with VCORE as anything else you won't be able to drop nearly as low to see any heat savings on the CPU.

EDIT: Not sure if the 3770k chip has iGPU but make sure to disable it if you don't need it, the option is in BIOS, that dropped temps for me slightly - not as much as VCORE but everythiing helps.

 

[ultimz]

Thanks xyexz - I've reduced the CPU Voltage (Using offset to -0.150v) and now getting these temps at load :

I'm happy now but will continue playing around with it. Unfortunately I cannot disable the iGPU as I'm using the m350 case which does not allow me to install a discreet graphics card. Also using the stock intel cooler.

Edit : in the picture look at the maximum temps

 

[ultimz]

I think I've found the sweet spot.

Running CPU Voltage using offset at -0.165v and iGPU using offset at -0.010v. I had to set BLCK to 95 (default 100) to get it stable.

Been running Prime95 for about 2 hours now at full load and max temp is 76C - not bad for a 3770K in a m350 case right?

Going to install Mountain Lion on Monday