Getting cold feet

zelollarn · Nov 1, 2015

I'm getting cold feet when I was just about to order the parts for an HTPC.

I feel like the case is not gonna be cool enough.

Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced
CPU: AMD A6 7400K
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN WiFi
PSU: EVGA 500B 500W
HDD/SSD: ADATA Premier Pro SP900 64GB, WD Red Caviar 2TB
RAM: 8GB of ADATA 1333hz RAM from a previous build. (2x4gb)

I don't feel like splurging out a bit extra for some new fans just to keep the case cool when I can pick a different case that might cost a bit more but will do the job without replacing the already installed case fans.

Also, will I need a CPU cooler for a HTPC? The CM case won't allow any CPU coolers larger than 65mm so the options for that are limited aswell.

PsyKhiqZero · Nov 1, 2015

So long as the case itself is kept in open air then you shouldn't have any cooling issues with that setup and case. But a side fan is like 5 bucks. Do you really wanna spend 30 or more on a "better" mini itx case?

zelollarn · Nov 1, 2015

PsyKhiqZero :

It's gonna be kept in my TV stand so it's gonna be a bit cramped up.

PsyKhiqZero · Nov 1, 2015

Then the TV stand is the biggest factor. No case will be able to cool your components if the case itself is enclosed in a TV stand. However if it's in a open air TV stand (one without doors) then it should still be fine.

They do make fans for enclosed TV stands. You will need to mod the cabinets if you expect to keep a PC cool inside one.

zelollarn · Nov 1, 2015

PsyKhiqZero :

It's an open TV stand, but it's cramped in there with my TV box and PS4. But I guess it's fine.

Which fans would you recommend on using? 80 and 120mm fans.

13thmonkey · Nov 1, 2015

zelollarn :

you will always need a cooler on some kind. personally on this type of build I've gone for lower power versions of regular processors, like a 35W i3 (t series) so that the cooling was more manageable.

zelollarn · Nov 1, 2015

13thmonkey :

zelollarn :

you will always need a cooler on some kind. personally on this type of build I've gone for lower power versions of regular processors, like a 35W i3 (t series) so that the cooling was more manageable.

That's a bit over my budget for just the CPU, it's more than double the price of the CPU I've currently got.

zelollarn · Nov 1, 2015

[strike]Okey added a scythe shuriken cpu cooler 64mm heigh when maximum is 65 (eek)[/strike] and a be quiet! Shadowwings SW1 80mm and Scythe Slip Stream Slim Fan 120mm 800 rpm. Will this do the trick? I swapped out the PSU with a modular PSU aswell, the Fractal Design Integra M 450W which is 140mm, I'm hoping the airflow will be alright with this setup.

Edit: Okey I swapped the cpu cooler out for a Noctua NH-L9a instead, a bit more expensive but whatever.

13thmonkey · Nov 1, 2015

You probably need about 150W total, so even 450 is overkill.

I built with an elite 120 about a year ago, providing the cpu cooler is low enough, with no GPU you'll be fine.

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