Description
Background story: I did try a 280 AIO mod in the A4-H2O, which didnt work out, then went with regular 240 AIO, but was extremely annoyed with the whole setup, as the AIO was getting mightly bent out of shape thanks to the rather neglected PSU mounting brackets (some kind of offset or even movable PSU mounting tray would vastly improve the situation). Also, the second m2 slot on the back of the mainboard is getting partially blocked by the middle / MB tray, which doesnt allow for adding a proper heatsink. Only choice would have been to cut out a bit with a dremel.
After having had to face all these annoyances, I decided to just go for the trusty S400 V2, which I had already built in last year, with my OBS streaming system (i5 13500 + 32 GB RAM + RTX 3050). I initally build with the AXP120-X67 as CPU cooler, but quickly realized that the panels wouldnt close, as the AM5 boards seem to be about 1 - 2 mm taller than Intel 1700 ones. Until I was able to replace the cooler with the AXP90-X53 Full copper, I went with neodym magnets, which would keep the side panel closed equally well, without damaging the CPU fan.
The CPU is set to the 105W Eco mode, to be able to even run smoothly in this kind of thermal-limiting setup. I originally planned to go with my 13700k and switch to AMD in early 2025, but with the Intel 13/14th gen "dying K CPUs", I decided it'd give myself a birthday present and do the switch much earlier on.
My main focus with this build is, as the name says, a portable workstation. I'm a developer (and DJ), so my main focus is computational power, not gaming. Hence the mid-tier GPU (Inno3D RTX 4070) vs. the top-tier CPU (Ryzen 9 7950X). I also dont use Windows, so a lot of issues dont apply to this system. GPU driver issues are universal though.
Part Reviews
CPU Cooler
Very solid. Together with the 25 mm fan bracket mod* or the fan brackets from the Silver Soul 110, one can easily use a 25 mm fan and achieve very solid results even with a top-tier CPU like the Ryzen 9 7950X (in 105W Eco Mode).
Albeit I wouldnt recommend it for a permanent usage, except with heaviny undervolting - its true CPU tier low to upper mid-tier, eg. a Ryzen 9 7900 (non-X) or a 7800X3D would pe perfect, also the Intel i5-13400 / 13500, maybe even 12600k.
ps: 25 mm fan bracket mod: which is technically not a mod at all, I just bent the original fan brackets so that they would fit the Noctua NF-A9.
Motherboard
Having had no issues with this one. Solid board, no m2 tower stack, except for this weird cooling contraption, which was immediatly retired and replaced with a be quiet m2 cooling enclosure.
Only issue is, that this does not feature an USB 4 port, which its Intel 1700 pendant does. Aside of that, the layouts are pretty much identical, but the AM5 board weights 350 g less than the 1700.
No coil whine, no BIOS update issues, and also, the UEFI BIOS feels a bit more accessible than the ones of MSI.
Memory
Has been with me since my 13700k build. Never had any issues with it.
Storage
Very reliable, decent performance, nothing bad to say here.
Storage
Its a VERY fast (and hot) SSD. Has performed incredibly well so far, but might need more active cooling (eg. a fan pointed towards the heatsink). Not the perfect SSD when it comes to tight spaces with limited airflow, ie. SFF PCs.
Video Card
I actually own the White Stealth, ie. where the GPU power cable is "hidden" behind the GPU. Its been extremely silent / low noise levels, and has performed flawlesly. No coil whine, no nothing.
Build quality is also really really good. Apparently Inno3D uses the same design / layout up to including the 4070 Ti Super.
Weight is 850g for the card itself, plus back cable cover (approx 4g) and additional cable (about 30g).
Power Supply
Its the GOAT of SFX PSUs for a reason, one of them being dead silent, even under sustained loads. Attaching the ATX cable onto the PSU was a bit of a wrestling act, but aside of that, everything else fit smoothly.
Case Fan
Has turned out to be the best 120 slim fan so far. Have used it on the AXP120-X67 before, performing really well (approx 5 - 8 C better than the original fan), but also a great case fan. Keeps the 7950X and the mainboard from getting too toasty.
Tested vs. various other slim 120 fans, including the Thermalright TL-C12015B, and the Scythe Kaze Slim 120.
As a case fan, this helps keeping the temps down below 95° C when going full load on a 92 mm low profile cooler. With other fans, this goes straight into max temp.
Case Fan
Used it as an external fan first, on my SAMA IM01 vertical tower build. Dropped the temps instantly by 8° C at 60% rpm. Also tested with AIOs, keeping everything between 3 - 5 C cooler on average.
Within the S400 V2, exhausts all the GPU heat and some from the MB.
Only run at full speed if you wear good air protection, or have a silent / dampened case :D
I'd call it the "bang for buck T-30 replacement" :)
Mouse
Got two of these. Best mouse in terms of productivity / development so far.
If you like the "free wheeling" scroll wheel, but dislike the bad / quickly degrading switches of the Logitech and similar mouse brands, this is the next best option: no too soft clicks, and even 2 years on, no "sticky" click issues either. Also, the surface texture is really solid and not annoying as with some "gamer performance" mice.
Custom
My current 10L favorite. Did several builds in this case so far. White finish is VERY good, nearly at the level of big brands like Cooler Master, Phanteks or Asus (eg. AP201).
DONT get the black version, the paint seems to corrode some of the surfaces, and also is a constant fingerpint magnet.
Perfect for an air-cooled build with mid-tier CPUs, like 13400 / 13500, maybe even 13600k, and OC 7800X3d / 9800X3D. GPU-wise, it allows for 65 mm thick (approx 3.5 slot) GPUs, with up to 335 mm length.
If your GPU is shorter than 205 (maybe up to 215ish) mm, you can also install a 120 mm AIO right behind the GPU.
Only disadvantage: PSU extension cord runs above the mainboard, so it blocks full cooling. This can be counter-acted with additional 60 mm fans / 40 mm fans, and using a very good 120 mm fan. Other option includes a custom mod, by replacing the original extension cord and routing it through the GPU side.
Custom
This is one really affordable mechanic keyboard with hot-swappable switches and keycaps. Also doesnt have any compatiblity issues with Linux, wireless works flawless, and got all the other boxes of your average keyboard nerd ticked.
Got it orginally to try out non-clicky, tactile switches, for improving my typing / less stress on the joints, which I've gotten used to by now.
Eventually going to replace the main A-Z switches with Kaihl Box Jade switches, because those are supposedly the best / most satisfying in terms of clicky switches.
Also still need to replace the keycaps with the ones from the RK84, because those are illuminated / shine-through keycaps of the same making as the RK98. I did try out several PBT variants, including Corsair, but in terms of surface most of them cant seem to keep their promises; also a lot of them are pretty bad in terms of illumination.
Lets also mention the fact that NON-US / EU-ISO keycaps are very hard to come by. You cant just wildly mix and match them either, because of the different surface layouts (eg. Cherry vs ISO).
Comments