Small Form Factor

niceguyrichy · Apr 14, 2005, 11:49 AM

Just built my first small form factor system, using a mini ATX case.
That's actually meant to read MICRO-ATX case, was initially gonna build a mini itx just to stream mp3 (so had the word 'mini' on the brain), but decided to build a more powerful system capable of some gameplay. The 2.4Celeron I put in it will overclock easy up to 3.0G should the need arise!
Uses the Intel 845GV chipset with integrated graphics, a 2.4 Celeron, 512mb DDR and an 80G Barracuda.
Any thoughts on how best to keep the CPU cool??? Space is pretty tight, using a regular cooler at the moment, and only a quarter of the fan is actually getting any clear air. The CPU is running at around 48%C most of the time, even hotter still if I try to run anything.
Been looking at those low profile cpu coolers, but there's not a whole lot of them around and none of the sites have customer reviews of them, so I'm wary.
This thing is going to act as my mp3 server, so it'll be sitting in my living room, so I'd prefer it to be fairly quiet. At the moment it roars like a goddamn rocket!!!

pr0digal jenius · Apr 14, 2005, 02:16 PM

what miniATX case do you have?

I HIGHLY reccomend an Asus S-presso case

niceguyrichy · Apr 14, 2005, 04:28 PM

Got an XP4 EVO.
Already had 2 systems based around socket 478, Found the XP4 for £50 NEW (barebones), no brainer really. Bargain.

pr0digal jenius · Apr 14, 2005, 04:33 PM

sounds good

My guess though is a lot of the heat issue is case design. Ventilation/placement comes into play much more in a box that size then it does in a tower

Can i get a link to that XP4?

niceguyrichy · Apr 14, 2005, 05:24 PM

Here's the official site:-

http://www.iwillusa.com/product_2.asp?p_id=75&sp=Y

usual stuff.

There really is no room for any kind of standard cooler in the case, height wise anyway, the hard disc covers the fan almost completely.

Apr 14, 2005, 11:49 AM	#1
niceguyrichy hunter of tablets Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: spread all over my keyboard.. Posts: 6,868 Rep Power: 302 System Specs	Small Form Factor (Micro-ATX) Just built my first small form factor system, using a mini ATX case. That's actually meant to read MICRO-ATX case, was initially gonna build a mini itx just to stream mp3 (so had the word 'mini' on the brain), but decided to build a more powerful system capable of some gameplay. The 2.4Celeron I put in it will overclock easy up to 3.0G should the need arise! Uses the Intel 845GV chipset with integrated graphics, a 2.4 Celeron, 512mb DDR and an 80G Barracuda. Any thoughts on how best to keep the CPU cool??? Space is pretty tight, using a regular cooler at the moment, and only a quarter of the fan is actually getting any clear air. The CPU is running at around 48%C most of the time, even hotter still if I try to run anything. Been looking at those low profile cpu coolers, but there's not a whole lot of them around and none of the sites have customer reviews of them, so I'm wary. This thing is going to act as my mp3 server, so it'll be sitting in my living room, so I'd prefer it to be fairly quiet. At the moment it roars like a goddamn rocket!!! Last edited by niceguyrichy; Apr 18, 2005 at 09:15 AM.

Apr 14, 2005, 02:16 PM	#2
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	what miniATX case do you have? I HIGHLY reccomend an Asus S-presso case

Apr 14, 2005, 04:28 PM	Thread Starter #3
niceguyrichy hunter of tablets Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: spread all over my keyboard.. Posts: 6,868 Rep Power: 302 System Specs	Got an XP4 EVO. Already had 2 systems based around socket 478, Found the XP4 for £50 NEW (barebones), no brainer really. Bargain.

Apr 14, 2005, 04:33 PM	#4
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	sounds good My guess though is a lot of the heat issue is case design. Ventilation/placement comes into play much more in a box that size then it does in a tower Can i get a link to that XP4?

Apr 14, 2005, 05:24 PM	Thread Starter #5
niceguyrichy hunter of tablets Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: spread all over my keyboard.. Posts: 6,868 Rep Power: 302 System Specs	Here's the official site:- http://www.iwillusa.com/product_2.asp?p_id=75&sp=Y usual stuff. There really is no room for any kind of standard cooler in the case, height wise anyway, the hard disc covers the fan almost completely.