I have an existing SFFPC build. I would like to upgrade the case to a larger one for better cooling. The current case (LIAN LI A4-H2O) becomes untouchably hot within 10 minutes when I play games (with GPU set to 75% power level, GPU temps are usually under 80 deg). CPU temperatures quickly reach 100 deg and trigger throttling when I do video encoding. I built this PC when I was in a foreign country, and chose this small case for carrying in plane. Now, I am using it in Kerala where room temperature is in the 34-40 deg range with no a/c.
Please suggest a good case (budget: upto Rs. 9000) and a good AIO that would help me in keeping things cooler.
What is your budget?
Upto 9000 for case
[*]What is your existing hardware configuration (component name - component brand and model)
CPU - Intel - Core i9-13900K 13th Gen 24 cores 8 P-cores + 16 E-cores 36M Cache, 3 to 5.8 GHz LGA1700 Unlocked Desktop Processor
PSU - Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold Full Modular, 850W
Cooler - EK Nucleus AIO CR240 Lux D-RGB All-in-One Liquid CPU Cooler
Case - LIAN LI A4-H2O X4 Black Mini-ITX
[*]Which hardware will you be keeping (component name - component brand and model)
I will be keeping all, except probably upgrade the AIO to a larger one
[*]Which hardware component are you looking to buy (component name). If you have already decided on a configuration then please mention the (component brand and model) as well, this will help us in fine tuning your requirement.
CPU case
AIO if required
[*]Is this going to be your final configuration or you would be adding/upgrading a component in near future. If yes then please mention when and which component
I am open to upgrade/replace a component if it helps in lowering the CPU/GPU temperatures
[*]Where will you buy this hardware? (Online/City/TE Dealer)
Kerala, store preferred as I am worried about case damage for online purchases
Open to online purchase
[*]What is your intended use for this PC/hardware
Gaming
Converting videos from h264 to h265
Running local LLMs
[*]Do you have any brand preference or dislike? Please name them and the reason for your preference/dislike.
No
[*]If you will be playing games then which type of games will you be playing?
Avatar, GTA5/6, Red Dead Redemption 2, Battlefield, COD
[*]What is your preferred monitor resolution for gaming and normal usage
Gaming - 2560 x 1440
Desktop - 2560 x 1440
[*]Are you looking to overclock?
No
[*]Which operating system do you intend to use with this configuration?
This needs to be looked at. Are you on the latest Intel microcode ? Is this task making use of igpu or dgpu ? Even if it’s igpu, I thought quicksync was pretty capable. Is the cooler seated on the CPU properly ?
Well 13900k runs superhot even with the intel microcode and no performance enhancement features ON.
You want a good airflow case with atleast a 360mm AIO.
I would say a artic 360mm LF3+Lancool 207 is a good option you should look at.
The Lancool 207 makes sure that both gpu and cpu aio are fed with enough air to keep them cool.
the 207 is alot more compact compared to say 216 or 217.. and since you have a ITX case I feel like that is something that might be important to you.
Edit: you can also get away with a Deepcool CH360.. it will take a 360mm aio in the front.
Edit 2: now that I am thinking about this.. there are some more mff cases coming out pretty soon: deepcool CH270 for eg.
Lian Li A3 is also already available.
Have you considered just changing out the processor and board to a 9800x3d + b650i? it will solve your cpu temp issues.. you get a better gaming cpu and a platform which you might be able to upgrade lateron aswell.
this way you spend the money on a performance upgrade rather than a case or cooler.
Sorry, I am not sure about the microcode version (I won’t be in my house for another 2 weeks to check it unfortunately). But all software are latest (BIOS, Intel Management Engine, and all Windows drivers).
I use Handbrake for encoding, and always use the h265 CPU encoder (not the h265 nvenc encoder). So, I believe its using the CPU for encoding. The Intel igpu is disabled in BIOS, only nVidia GPU is enabled.
I re-pasted the CPU just last month, unfortunately no improvements in CPU temperature. I have a suspicion if the AIO is dead though. The AIO fans on the top of the case are spinning, but the air it blows out is never warm!
Thank you. Will checkout Artic 360mm LF3 & Lancool 207.
Lancool 207 shows out of stock in amazon, mdcomputers and vedant though.
Okay.. so you can easily check whether your aio is dead by touching the tubes and the cpu block.. if your cpu block+the tubes going from the cpu block to the radiator are hotter than the radiator itself.. that would imply your pump is not working..
the radiator should always be warmer than the block and tubes itself.
Sorry, I am not familiar with any online stores in Kerala. I know only the online stores from other states which were mentioned in TechEnclave threads such as these:
I will checkout Deepcool CH360 / CH270 & Lian Li A3 as well. Thank you.
To tell you the truth, I feel like I have already spend a lot of money on this build, and I don’t get much time to play games. So, don’t want to spend more for the next few years. My main motivation right now is to keep the PC cool so that it won’t die earlier because of the heat.
Thank you. I will test the CPU block and tubes by touch. I have previously checked the top outside part (the part shown in [this video](’
) at 11:56) of the AIO radiator several times (by touch) when the lower part of the LIAN LI A4-H2O case was untouchably hot, exterior of the radiator was never warm. Unfortunately, I can test only only after 2 weeks when I will be back home.
) - before I came back home and found the AIO fan mounting issue. I bought this case from a local store for Rs. 8400. I will transfer the components to the new case probably this week.
Thinking of also getting a new 360 AIO, saw Corsair and Lian Li models in the same store. Didn’t see any Arctic ones in store, will check with them again. Tempted to get the Corsair Titan AIO that costs about Rs. 18000.
That’s true. Unfortunately, I was in a different city for the last 2 months when I created this thread, and didn’t have access to the PC. I was anyway planning to get a larger case since I had concerns about the lack of airflow affecting the GPU life, and also wanted to experience the full power of the build. I have been running the GPU at 75% power level all these time.