MITX board into a HAF X query

avrc

avrc

avrc

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I'll get the obvious question out of the way first and that's why on earth do I want to put an MITX board into a big case? The answer is I messed up with going MITX. I didn't realise my graphics card fans would have to work overtime with the build up of heat in a small case. I had this same graphics card in a HAF 932 and it was lovely and quiet but now it's just stupidly noisy and without having the neighbours come round I can't turn my speakers up loud enough to drown the fan noise out and wearing headphones isn't always practical in a busy household with people trying to get my attention.

OK now on to my query. I'm looking at the HAF X because the 932 was such a great case for keeping components cool and not many cases use a side fan and can support a 240mm radiator which is another requirement. The HAF X specs do not list MITX compatibility however I've read that the mounting holes in an MITX motherboard are the same as an ATX board, there's just less of them so in theory the mounting should be fine. Is there any other reason as to why the MITX board may NOT fit? I've only just bought the motherboard and don't want to have to replace it with an ATX.
 
I think the holes would line up ok, and you would be able to secure the board. However using such a big case the graphics slots and expansion would be far lower down in the case. I would either try selling the board and go atx, or look at getting a phenom/prodigy type case. :D

Keep us informed
 
Various search results are telling me that an MITX board will fit into any case be it MITX or ATX. Would be nice to have confirmation on here though if anyone knows. Incidentally I just gamed for a few hours with the side and front off and saw a 10C reduction in gfx temperatures and in tern the fans didn't need to run nearly as fast so much less noise. In the short term this is a solution but there's no point of having a case that you need to leave the sides off
 
IMO, you should just use MSI Afterburner for setting up a custom fanspeed profile.

Make the fanspeed only just fast enough in keeping the GPU temp below 80-85C (which would reduce the fan noise level), and make sure there are fans at the rear of your 250D to exhaust the heat from the case.

Alternatively, rather than getting a new case, may be keep what you have but upgrade from your 280x to a much cooler running 970 with blower cooler?
 
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I've tried a few fan profiles but the result is always the same. To keep the card within a reasonable temperature range the fans need to be up at 80% which is silly loud. I've got an exhaust fan and front fan but due to the positioning neither of them actually blow/suck directly over the card. Taking the front and side panels off brings the noise into what I'd consider to be just over the edge of unacceptable when gaming. I've looked at the 970s as pricing up a Parvum (which I'm interested in) with decent fans and some nice colour coded braided cables brings the price up to 970 territory but potentially I'll face the same problem with poor air flow unless I swap the case.
 
What Mini ITX case did you use? What graphics card do you have? The only time the Titan in my signature gets loud is when it's running at full tilt for extended periods of time (like over 3 hours), so with a little more careful planning you could stick with mini ITX.

EDIT: I see a 250D in your sig. Frankly I find it to be an appalling case. Far too big for Mini ITX with no additional benefits for cooling and appalling airflow. I'm surprised though you're having cooling problems because your GPU will draw air in directly from outside (meshed side panel), but the Windforce coolers just dump air back into the case, so it'll warm up inside. Since the front intake fan is obscured by that massive front panel I doubt there's sufficient flow through to remove the heat created by the Windforce cooler.

Also bear in mind that the Windforce cooler is a loud cooler anyway, and the 280X is a hot card. Your idea of moving to a GTX 970 is a good one since the card is so cool it's unreal.

Yes I'd suggest another case, but ATX isn't the answer. Try a Sugo SG08, CM Elite 130 or even a Bitfenix Prodigy for ITX cases, or a SG09/10 for an ultra compact Micro ATX.
 
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Thanks for replying. I had the same 280x in a HAF 932 and noise was minimal but even with the front and side of the 250D off the 280x is still louder. Obviously the HAF had great air flow. It's not something that even crossed my mind, I guess one of those things you have to experience to realise you made a mistake.

I'm very temped with a Parvum S2 (MATX case). Unfortunately my basket has ended up looking like this and I'm not sure I can justify it just on a case and some aesthetics.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Parvum Systems S2.0 MicroATX Case - Black with Orange £139.99
1 x Parvum Systems Dual Vent Base - Black £20.99
3 x Noiseblocker Multiframe S-Series M8-P Fan - 80mm PWM (2000rpm) £12.95 (£38.85)
6 x Aerocool DS Edition Fan - White - 120mm £12.49 (£74.94)
1 x BitFenix Alchemy 24pin ATX extension 30cm - Orange £8.99
1 x BitFenix Alchemy 6pin PCI-E extension 45cm - Orange £6.49
1 x BitFenix Alchemy 6+2-Pin PCIe Extension 45cm - sleeved orange/black £5.99
1 x BitFenix Alchemy 8pin EPS extension 45cm - Orange £5.99
4 x Akasa Aluminium 12cm Fan Filter - GRM120-AL01-BK £2.99 (£11.96)
Total : £323.78 (includes shipping : £8.00).



The 6 Aerocools would be 2 on the front with clear line of sight to the gfx card, 2 on the base panel blowing up at the gfx card and 2 on my h100i radiator to replace the fairly noisy stock fans. 2x Noiseblockers exhausting above the card. With that amount of cooling I can't imagine I'd have temperature issues and they're all pretty quiet fans so I'm hoping noise would be to a minimum despite the amount of them?
 
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