HTPC in Node 202 - What will go wrong?

ItsTheDuckAgain · October 23, 2017

This is what I am going for:

https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/MvdztJ

(Partpicker says the CPU cooler will not fit, in fact it does, I double checked that)

Used for:

Feeding a 4K TV with "backup copies" of movies and some light gaming every now and then (nothing dramatic)

Must have criteria:

- SILENT <-- !!!

- low Profile RAM because of low clearance to CPU cooler

- a PSU that doesn't run it's fan all the time

- modular PSU to reduce cable clutter (tight in there anyway)

So:

Any suggestions / hint / critic is welcome - Thanks

xc3ll · October 23, 2017

Cooler fits in the case. I've got an 60mm+ (63 I think) in there. If you get rid of the filter, you gain quite a lot of clearance.

But from my experience the big shuriken can easily block the pci-e slot of itx-boards. When looking at the pictures of the Asus-board, it should by fine, but double check this right after you get the cooler. You might have to return it.

The PSU is an awesome choice. I've got my 202 with the fractal psu and was impressed how silent it is. You can't hear it over the case fans (I've used be quiets 120mm at ~800Rpm). But of course the 0 rpm corsair is better.

I wouldn't buy case fans for the node 202 again. Hoped they would be able to tame my 280X in there, but they reduced load-temps by around 2-3°C at 1500Rpm. The lower TDP 1050Ti should be fine by its own and I think it has a 0Rpm fan mode. Without spinning fans in the gpu-chamber the overall noise will be almost none and there will be literally no dust in there.