M-ATX am4 board ideal for quiet computers Perfect for sleeper systems Reliable design for low-power setups
M-ATX am4 board ideal for quiet computers Perfect for sleeper systems Reliable design for low-power setups
The standard Bang/Buck motherboard atm is the B450 Tomahawk MAX. The X570 model won’t launch until you’re within your budget. The B450 offers some constraints but they might not be significant. It supports PCIe 3.0, accommodating just one graphics card and one NVMe port. Still, it’s a top-tier gaming platform. General advice for sleepers is ensuring sufficient airflow without appearing cluttered. The lower case can be fully open, and possibly the upper case too if you’re okay skipping a functional DVD drive. This setup lets you utilize some side airflow from the front without a dedicated front fan. Three 120mm liquid cooler fans should face inward; maybe add an 80mm fan due to the holes on one side. The PSU should be integrated into the airflow path, pointing downward to expel air from behind. You’ll need a PSU that fits this configuration. A standard sleeper approach works well here.
Great, thanks! With the PSU you could simply flip the fan direction if needed, or is that problematic? Also, would it be more effective to use an AIO cooler instead of a custom loop in a small setup, especially since it's a sleeper unit and nobody will notice its internal components?
It wouldn’t happen if you removed an air intake opening. The issue is creating a gap reduces cooling efficiency. AIO offers some advantages but also drawbacks. Contemporary CPUs tend not to overheat much, making overclocking less effective, whereas GPUs generate significant heat. A large front-mounted AIO can help cool the GPU (using adapters) while airflow keeps the CPU running cooler. Alternatively, you could modify the bottom to cut an opening for better airflow or combine a custom loop with this setup. Your GPU is probably generating twice as much waste heat as your CPU.
Essentially everyone agrees. That’s what the aftermarket offers. I don’t really care much about aftermarket air coolers. Overclocking isn’t as effective anymore, so stock CPU coolers are less crucial. If you’re using an AMD processor, opt for an “x” variant—it usually comes with a slightly larger built-in cooler, which should suffice for most setups (except in hot climates like Egypt). In such places, maintaining temperatures is essential.
Also, if you choose an AIO water cooler for the GPU, you’ll need adapters to connect the card and the cooler itself. These adapters are quite rare and don’t fit every device. Updated December 12, 2019 by Bombastinator
rarely anything new to say, just thinking about those Optiplex 7010 photos whenever I see them. Wish I’d had the right knowledge and options back then to follow that path when setting up my current system. Thermaltake H18s are solid, but a sleeping dragon on your desk is not ideal.