First mini-ITX Build (Hadron Air)

[shizngiggles]

Alright guys finally decided on upgrading my current desktop by actually downsizing while also upgrading the CPU and motherboard. Ended up building in the Hadron Air largely due to it's size and microcenter had it on sale for 139.99 after a MIB which isn't half bad considering it comes with a 500W Gold PSU. I am planning on installing an aftermarket CPU cooler once I decide on which one I want. Currently trying to find one that would allow me to keep using the Ripjaws, but also provide decent enough cooling. I'm also going to be replacing the 2 stock 120 mm fans in the top with noctuas probably as the ones they provide are noisy and one is already creating a slight ticking noise while under load. Will also eventually overclock the cpu hopefully to around 4.3 GHz. Any suggestions on cpu cooler that may fit in this case while also allowing me to use RAM with tall heat spreaders?

 

Anyways I'll go ahead and give you component comparison from before and after:

 

Previous Build:

 

CPU: Intel i7 960 @ 3.65 GHz

Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth X58 Motherboard

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 2 @ 8 GB (16 GB)

Boot Drive: Samsung 830 256 GB SSD

Storage Drive: Seagate Barracuda 3 TB HDD

GPU: MSI GTX 670 Power Edition

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100

Case: NZXT Switch 810

 

New Build:

 

CPU:Intel i7 4770k @3.8 GHz

Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Impact Z87

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 2 @ 8 GB (16 GB)

Boot Drive: Samsung 830 256 GB SSD

Storage Drive: Seagate Barracuda 3 TB HDD

GPU: MSI GTX 670 Power Edition

CPU Cooler: Stock Intel Cooler

Case: EVGA Hadron Air

 

UPDATE: Alright I finally took the time to shoot some photos, however as you will notice I'm kind of living in a hotel at the moment and was left with taking photos with my phone so the quality isn't the greatest. Alas, I have uploaded them and will upload new shots once I've installed the noctua fans and heatsink this weekend.

 

[asickduckie]

Alright guys finally decided on upgrading my current desktop by actually downsizing while also upgrading the CPU and motherboard. Ended up building in the Hadron Air largely due to it's size and microcenter had it on sale for 139.99 after a MIB which isn't half bad considering it comes with a 500W Gold PSU. I am planning on installing an aftermarket CPU cooler once I decide on which one I want. Currently trying to find one that would allow me to keep using the Ripjaws, but also provide decent enough cooling. I'm also going to be replacing the 2 stock 120 mm fans in the top with noctuas probably as the ones they provide are noisy and one is already creating a slight ticking noise while under load. Will also eventually overclock the cpu hopefully to around 4.3 GHz. Any suggestions on cpu cooler that may fit in this case while also allowing me to use RAM with tall heat spreaders?

Is it true that the PSU is quite the noisy one?

[shizngiggles]

Is it true that the PSU is quite the noisy one?

 

I haven't had any problems with the PSU noise so far. I originally thought the noise of the fans/ticking noise was the PSU, but it definitely ended up being one of the 120 mm fans.

[venturizhou]

I'm currently using the Noctua NH-L12 in my build an it will clear the Ripjaws. The only other low profile cooler that seemed to perform well and actually fit was the Silverstone NT-06 Pro.

Just don't raise your expectations too high, it's a small enclosure with not that great airflow. I would just say it's better to find a blower style cooler GPU if you plan on changing it.

[asusfan]

Can't wait to see finished pictures.

 

for a cpu cooler i know if you want to keep it air and better than stock that will fit then look at the Zalman CNPS7X LED

http://www.zalman.com/eng/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=614

Link to this cooler it has a 92mm fan so might be a good fit and the design of the cooling fins should allow more room around your ram.

 

http://www.zalman.com/eng/product/CategorySecond_Pic.php

^^^more products from Zalman coolers.

 

for years its all i have used and never had a problem. you can also fit Noctua fan if you want.

[shizngiggles]

I'm currently using the Noctua NH-L12 in my build an it will clear the Ripjaws. The only other low profile cooler that seemed to perform well and actually fit was the Silverstone NT-06 Pro.

Just don't raise your expectations too high, it's a small enclosure with not that great airflow. I would just say it's better to find a blower style cooler GPU if you plan on changing it.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. That was one that I was actually considering. It's between that or the noctua nh u9b se2. There were others that I saw on other forums that had fit taller ram in with that cooler in a hadron. Also, when I do decide to upgrade to another gpu i will definitely be switching over to a reference card I just couldn't justify upgrading right now considering there wouldn't be a significant enough performance increase for me to consider spending another $400-700 on the build.

[ThatSweetGamer]

Why would you go from water cooled to stock air cooled?

[AuXDubz]

Why would you go from water cooled to stock air cooled?

That is a question I would very much like to know the answer to haha - unless it was due to compatibility issues

[shizngiggles]

Why would you go from water cooled to stock air cooled?

 

Because no AIO watercooling kit will fit in the hadron and i picked the hadron because I needed something far more portable than the monolith of a case I was using before. Additionally, I'm only doing minor overclocking to the cpu. I'll probably end up repurposing my old components to be used as a VM box for work.

[ThatSweetGamer]

That is a question I would very much like to know the answer to haha - unless it was due to compatibility issues

There shouldn't be a compatibility issue.

[shizngiggles]

There shouldn't be a compatibility issue.

 

There is. With the Impacts VRM you cannot fit a radiator in the top of the case. I purchased an H60 originally hoping it would fit, but it wouldn't fit unless I made some modifications to the case.

[Osmium]

Because no AIO watercooling kit will fit in the hadron and i picked the hadron because I needed something far more portable than the monolith of a case I was using before. Additionally, I'm only doing minor overclocking to the cpu. I'll probably end up repurposing my old components to be used as a VM box for work.

 

Actually the hadron hydro comes with an AIO WC kit from EVGA.

Edit: Not AIO but it is a custom kit.

 

But overall I like your build. I can't wait for pics!

[AuXDubz]

There is. With the Impacts VRM you cannot fit a radiator in the top of the case. I purchased an H60 originally hoping it would fit, but it wouldn't fit unless I made some modifications to the case.

 

Oh ok, makes sense...

[shizngiggles]

Actually the hadron hydro comes with an AIO WC kit from EVGA.

Edit: Not AIO but it is a custom kit.

 

But overall I like your build. I can't wait for pics!

 

I was considering the hydro originally, but that extra height would kind of defeat the purpose of purchasing the hadron all together for me. If i really wanted to stick with watercooling I probably would have picked up a node 304 or maybe a prodigy. Also, I purchased the hadron heavily discounted ($139.99). At $210 the hydro is just too expensive for my taste. I'm overall downsizing due to the fact that I travel/fly a lot and I was actually able to fit the hadron into a duffle bag (padded for cushioning of course) and taken on the plane as a carry on so I could take it with me while out on contract for work.

[Mouse-Potato]

You could get a piece of plexy cut to size with a cutout located over your cpu socket and place a single fan watercooled unit just like the one origin sells: http://www.originpc.com/gaming/desktops/chronos/, it would add airflow into the case and you could overclock the cpu a bit

[ohitsluca]

pics?

[shizngiggles]

You could get a piece of plexy cut to size with a cutout located over your cpu socket and place a single fan watercooled unit just like the one origin sells: http://www.originpc.com/gaming/desktops/chronos/, it would add airflow into the case and you could overclock the cpu a bit

 

Damn, didn't even think of that. I could easily just drill out holes on the plexiglass that's already there, but i already ordered my noctua nh-u9b and will be picking it up at my home when i fly back this weekend along with 2 noctua nf s12a's to replace the noisy ass fans that came with the case.

[shizngiggles]

pics?

 

sorry for not posting them yet. Been pretty busy with work the past week or so and haven't gotten the chance to take pics. I WILL take them and upload them tonight.