Description

On the release of GTX 1080, I decided to upgrade from my RVZ02 build that can be found here, https://pcpartpicker.com/b/9m9WGX I changed the cooler, motherboard and graphics card. MoBo had to be changed due GPU clearence issues in the MSI motherboard (CPU socket is very near to the pcie slot

I heard a lot of good things about Fractal Design Core 500 and Scythe Kotetsu. Thus went them right away , Boy I see a drastic improvement in overall temps, GPU (The 1080 G1 overclocked to around 2050) runs at 74 C with default fan curve, this in a mini itx which is great. I overclocked the i5-4690k to 4.4Ghz Stable at 68C load

This case I feel has a great balance of size , comparability and cooling potential.

Cable management was a bit difficult but still, It was pleasure to build in. As silent pc review says, this may very well be the best mini itx case out there

Regarding the GTX 1080 G1. This card is a beauty. I was able to hit 50-60 fps on AC Syndicate @4K, on ultra settings (PCSS off )

This could be the first card giving really playable 4k gaming at near max settings.

Overall I am on to the 4K age , with my TV and this shoe box

UPDATE: Added one more 140mm exhaust at the top helped temperatures a bit , GPU down to 72 C, and CPU down to 65 C

Part Reviews

CPU Cooler

Scythe Kotetsu 79 CFM CPU Cooler

Awesome cooler, I agree with the silentpcreview

Video Card

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 8 GB G1 Gaming Video Card

Loving this card so far

Case

Fractal Design Core 500 Mini ITX Desktop Case

Great case, possibly the best mini itx case out there

Comments

  • 42 months ago
  • 7 points

I see your jungle of cables have grown may it flourish in your quest of computers

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

hahaha :D

  • 42 months ago
  • 2 points

Yay another person with the Core 500 case! :)

I'll pass on some tips for cable management in this case. You can put cables between the front panel plastic panel and the metal frame (where the front ssd mount is) there are two holes to put cable through the large 5.25" bay and a small hole in the bottom left.
Doing this can remove cables from the main area or just store the extra cable length in there.

Glad you like this case as much as I do!

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

Thanks for the suggestion :), will rework it later this week

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

Good to hear. At least you don't have a 150mm ATX psu like me...

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

Yup reused the SFX I had before, with a ATX bracket, It does save some space

  • 42 months ago
  • 2 points

How's the noise on the GPU?

  • 42 months ago
  • 2 points

Runs at 62% fan speed max, barely audible

  • 42 months ago
  • 2 points

Why not an m.2 ssd?

  • 24 months ago
  • 1 point

The MoB does not have a slot for it.

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

So I see a couple of those unifying receivers in your front IO. You can use the Logitech software to combine those into one receiver by pairing all of your devices with one of the usb dongles.

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

great suggestion will look into it

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

i always thought AIO cooling was the best option for ITX builds cause the cramped space is bad for airflow..

  • 42 months ago
  • 2 points

This case is really well designed for air cooling

  • 42 months ago
  • 0 points

It is preferred.

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

Case is fantastic; 3 x 140mm fans in an mITX form factor, only case I'm aware of that can do this. I notice you have the fractal High flow fan on the rear exhaust, are you using these for the top intake also?

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

I am looking to buy a fan for the top, have not decided whether to use it as an intake or exhaust. Will update the post once i install the second fan

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

I thought aftermarket cards weren't out

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

Only 1 8pin connector for the 1080?

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

crazy :)

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

Did you preorder your card or just get super lucky?

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

I got it when it went up on newegg for the first time

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

Where did you get your 1080 g1 gaming from? Also nice build

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

Thanks :) newegg

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

Ah lucky

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

Love the build. How feasible would it be to fit two HDDs, two SSDs, one 5.25 drive, and the Scythe cooler in this case? I'm building one but with a non-k i7 so I might go low profile instead to gain space nd maybe add an intake fan on top.

  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

A Non K CPU would have better temps with a smaller cooler like zalman cnps89000

I guess considering cable management I would say 3 drive should fit without an issue, that is two SSD and one HDD

More than that , I would not recommend

  • 41 months ago
  • 1 point

$1000 i7-gtx 1080 full build https://pcpartpicker.com/user/omarshiha/saved/

  • 41 months ago
  • 1 point

hi there! Looking to buy myself that case as well. How good is the clearance for a 160mm high air cooler with exhaust fan on top of the case? Did you have to fight with the case or does the 170mm clearance take into account the place for a fan?

  • 40 months ago
  • 1 point

with the Kotetsu installed there's a little over 2cm of clearance, so not enough for a standard-width fan. http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1479-page4.html

  • 41 months ago
  • 1 point

Hey, nice build. Do you think a ATX SPU would fit?

  • 40 months ago
  • 1 point

Cool build I just cringed when I saw the carpet, lol.

  • 38 months ago
  • 1 point

What a AMAZING build in a core 500!

  • 42 months ago
  • 0 points

That case is soooo bad m8, why didn't you get the Thermaltake core v21 it would've looked so much better...

  • 42 months ago
  • 0 points

Agree the thremaltake v21 looks better, but this one is smaller and does the job. So no issues for me :)

  • 42 months ago
  • 0 points

and it comes with a fan

  • 42 months ago
  • 0 points

Why such an under-powered CPU with such an overpowered GPU?

  • 42 months ago
  • 3 points

the 4690k is under powered..... I guess you must be used to server grade processors with 64 cores or some ****. Also you could pair a GTX 1080 with a 6100 and still be fine. processors these days don't hold back GPUs anymore, games haven't gotten much more computing heavy than before, and CPU speeds have gotten much better (even hit a bit of a ceiling).

  • 42 months ago
  • 2 points

i5-4690k is not under-powered in my opinion, genereally none of the i5's intended for gaming are, in games you get 2-3 FPS/no difference in 98% games. The real difference is comes in video editing and advanced 3d applications

  • 41 months ago
  • 0 points

You're getting no airflow from the front of the case, the direction from which the CPU fan is trying to pull air. I would try reversing the rear fan so it's an intake, and (if there's room) put the CPU cooler fan on the opposite side and have it pull air directly from the rear of the case. Or keep the CPU fan in the same location but flip it around so it's pulling air in from the rear.

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  • 42 months ago
  • 1 point

Thanks mate :)

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