Zalman HD160 - New Build for Conroe

SimonMaltby

SimonMaltby

SimonMaltby

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Joined
25 Nov 2002
Posts
2,218
Location
Somerset
Build is nearly complete...

The build quality of this case is second to none, although some of the installation is difficult... just like the early shuttle days.

Also very impressed with the temps. CPU is up, but chipset has gone down with this case compared to the Stacker :eek:

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p4radox said:
Dude, that is one hell of a system. The case looks gorgeous! Is it in a living room?
Click to expand...

No... i actually use it as a serious workstation. It sits in my home office under the desk looking nice. I dare say it will end up going under the TV next time i change the office case :)
 
Wow that looks great - I never thought about using a flat case like that....

what were the main problems in build, and when you say the CPU is up - what temps are we looking at??

ok so far with no overheating - i really like that system nice

:)
 
Amadeus said:
Wow that looks great - I never thought about using a flat case like that....

what were the main problems in build, and when you say the CPU is up - what temps are we looking at??

ok so far with no overheating - i really like that system nice

:)
Click to expand...

Build issues... small screws in awkward places were the main issues. To change or move the hard drives you have to remove 4 screws and then need a long driver... a magnetic driver to replace is a god send. Other than that the build was trouble free. I really took my time and ensured the cables were as neat as possible. I also added an 80mm silent fan under the HD rack - there is a vent under there and space for the fan.

Heat... In the stacker i had a 120mm fan on an Si-120 HS, here i have changed to the Zalman HS. the fan speed is lower. Its tricky to tell how much of the increase is due to the HS and how much the case. with the 805 at 3.6Ghz in the stacker was at circa 40c idle to 52c load. Now its circa 46c idle and 54c load.... perfectly stable though.

The Xfired graphics is cool as it was in the stacker... absolutly no issues there :)

Concerns... things i'm keeping an eye on
I'm watching HD and RAM temps carefully, these could easily get out of control in this tight space. So far so good and its still hot today. If the Ram gets too hot i can route another fan from a floor vent, so there is a solution.

I would also add a note about the display and remote control that come with the case. They are designed for MS media Centre and dont really work with XP or Server 2003... After a few hours of playing i did manage to set the display manually... it now displays 'Motor mice' and the system time (Motor mice is my company name :)) By default it just shows the date and time. The remote is useless with Xp and only works with Media centre.
 
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Looks good.
Whats the noise like?
As the only flaw i can find with that is your using quiet coolers for the CPU & both video cards, yet you've got a mobo with a HSF on it! lol. :p
 
:(
BoomAM said:
Looks good.
Whats the noise like?
As the only flaw i can find with that is your using quiet coolers for the CPU & both video cards, yet you've got a mobo with a HSF on it! lol. :p
Click to expand...

Noise is ok... the NB fan is totally silent :)... the most noise is from the 2 rear fans becuse i have to run those at full speed atm due to a 28c ambiant room temp :eek:
 
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