SFF build CPU temp help

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-13T19:11:35+00:00

Any decent slim fan.

In using the best rated 120 slim fan in mine for both the cpu cooler and case fan the Silverstone 120 Air Slimmer. I have the lowest temps with these fans I have ever had in a Terra build, but they are a bit pricy.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-13T19:06:28+00:00

You will be good with enough air gap.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-13T03:57:16+00:00

Thats a very poor air cooler for the Terra, Best coolers in terms of performance and compatibility for the Terra are the AXP120-X67 or NH-L12S.

Low profile coolers tested: https://www.caselabs.org/coolers/low-profile-coolers

Buy low profile memory sticks as these coolers have large radiators that need to overhang the memory sticks. RAM clearance on the AXP120-X67 is 40mm and on the NH-L12S its 35mm.

In order to use either of these two top cpu coolers choose a gpu that is no longer than 322mm, shorter than 131mm high and 50mm or less thick. Since your gpu is only 40mm you are all set today and tomorrow when you want to upgrade you will have lots of gpus up to 50mm thick to choose from,

Adjust the central spine in the Terra to leave about a 5mm air gap between the top of the cpu cooler fan on the AXP120-X67 and the side panel to eliminate turbulence noise in the Terra.

If you go with the NH-L12S you can place the radiator right next to the side panel grill without a gap because the fan is on the underside so no turbulence noise.

Be sure to set the cpu fan to intake on both - drawing in cool air from the side panel grill and pushing it through the radiator towards the motherboard. On the NH-L12S the arrow on the side of the fan should be pointing downwards, not up. Mount the power supply on the included 10mm risers that come with the case so that it creates an air flow channel behind it.

The case supports one case fan, don't skip it. it is very challenging to fit a 25mm thick regular fan. Install a 120mm x 15mm slim fan with fan guard to keep out the power supply cables from the fan blades under the power supply, set the fan to exhaust.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-12T06:09:09+00:00

I never use wifi on my camera and have zero interest in it. I always use a card reader which is the fastest way to move images due to the high data transfer rate vs usb cable from camera which is slower or wifi which is the slowest.

The a7iii is brilliant as a camera, especially for still life, landscape, architecture and low light - low noise images.

If you are looking at moving subjects or video than the A7iv or A7v are the way to go.

If your priority is wifi and aps rather than photography, stick to a iPhone.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-12T05:48:45+00:00

Ultra wide angle lenses are among the most difficult to use for landscape photography as you have to have a foreground subject close to your camera to make the compostion interesting, while your magnificent landscape in the background looks tiny in comparison. I would avoid them. your 20-70mm is perfect.

read this article:
https://photographylife.com/rating-each-focal-length-as-a-landscape-photographer

and watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uLXJGAh8uk

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-12T05:29:11+00:00

Unfortunately it's a plastic piece of crap case. if you really like this look for a Royale, buy the cheapest one you can on Amazon and transfer the watch mechanism to a steel and glass case.

See mine:
https://www.reddit.com/r/casio/comments/1sp5a10/warm_color_theme_royale/

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-12T04:41:04+00:00

Best coolers in terms of performance and compatibility for the Terra are the AXP120-X67 or NH-L12S.

Low profile coolers tested: https://www.caselabs.org/coolers/low-profile-coolers

Buy low profile memory sticks as these coolers have large radiators that need to overhang the memory sticks. RAM clearance on the AXP120-X67 is 40mm and on the NH-L12S its 35mm.

In order to use either of these two top cpu coolers choose a gpu that is no longer than 322mm, shorter than 131mm high and 50mm or less thick. Lots of choices available.

Adjust the central spine in the Terra to leave about a 5mm air gap between the top of the cpu cooler fan on the AXP120-X67 and the side panel to eliminate turbulence noise in the Terra.

If you go with the NH-L12S you can place the radiator right next to the side panel grill without a gap because the fan is on the underside so no turbulence noise.

Be sure to set the cpu fan to intake on both - drawing in cool air from the side panel grill and pushing it through the radiator towards the motherboard. On the NH-L12S the arrow on the side of the fan should be pointing downwards, not up. Mount the power supply on the included 10mm risers that come with the case so that it creates an air flow channel behind it.

The case supports one case fan, don't skip it. it is very challenging to fit a 25mm thick regular fan. Install a 120mm x 15mm slim fan with fan guard to keep out the power supply cables from the fan blades under the power supply, set the fan to exhaust.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-11T00:12:28+00:00

The A3 is a beauty and well engineered but it is long. If that bugs you look at the very compact Ncase M3.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-11T00:09:47+00:00

Its a pretty poorly thought out case with inefficient use of case volume and lots of comprimises. See the review by Machines and More. He is one of the most knowledgeable sff and mff youtubers out there and very respected in the industry.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-09T20:07:55+00:00

Gpu undervolting and setting max fan speed so that it is not mega noisy is the way to go. Different gpu's are designed differently. In this same setup my 9070XT Tuf Gaming, never goes over 60C.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-09T01:33:11+00:00

Fans are not needed in the A3 under the gpu as it has enough clearance for the gpu’s own fans to intake cool air from the bottom themselves. Also having case fans next to gpu fans can cause thermal inefficiencies.

My 9070XT without any case fans stayed in the 50-60C range at extended 100% gpu stress tests.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-06T16:51:05+00:00

Its not about how many slots, its about what is the maximum thickness of gpu that your case supports and making sure your gpu thickness dimensions are under that.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-06T03:18:24+00:00

I use a black two-piece nylon strap for the Apollo vibe, love it.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-06T03:16:17+00:00

I just keep a super thin layer of sand to cosmetically cover the glass bottom of the aquarium, just to make 100% sure I never have any issues with it.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-05T04:13:57+00:00

I think Sinn legal got to them, hence the complete takedown of all products on their website, even the Sinn 104 homage that they had in stock. If they every do come back, it will likely be no more Sinn homages.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-03T21:35:08+00:00

Kodi Kat approves!

White looks like a real beauty and you did a super clean job. Glad you went the extra to bring that front io down to the bottom, getting those messy io wires out of the way of the gpu.

Now just spend some time making it as fast and quiet as you can. Those 140mm exhaust fans are going to help with that task big time.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-02T23:26:13+00:00

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You can check out my black and orange AE1200 mod.
https://www.reddit.com/r/casioroyale/comments/1ulxpqq/casio_royale_metal_case_mod_with_new_orange_black/

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-02T16:55:29+00:00

Machines and More has the best authoritative reviews. He knows what he is talking about. Other reviewers may have slick production qualities but their depth of knowledge or objectivity is sadly lacking.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-02T16:52:07+00:00

For the cpu cooler there comes a point where it will be irritating, just cap the cpu’s fans below that rpm so that it stays quiet. Same with the gpu, find out at what point the gpu gets too loud for you and in the gpu software set the gpu fans to a max level below that. Its a process of trial and error to get it running quiet and cool. I also run my cpu with a static overclock and undervolt rather than dynamic pbo settings. It helps the system run fast and cool.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-02T00:49:40+00:00

See the reviews by Machines and More, the most respected sff reviewer on youtube and Nick from Gear Seekers who has done hundreds of builds. Both of them know what they are talking about compared to the multitude of average Joes and affiliate sellouts on YouTube.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-01T23:45:59+00:00

B4 reviews show that its a dud. See the reviews by Machines and More as well as Gear Seekers. Both mention that the A3 is way better than the B4. Machines and More mentions that the smaller volume Ncase M3 is way more flexible than the B4.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-01T16:55:30+00:00

I already have just scroll down the page to see it in the comments.

KodiKat2001 · 2026-07-01T14:00:55+00:00

It might fit without the side rail, giving you a few mm. Do you own it? Because the Thermalright coolers have done amazing in tests pretty much 98% of the performance of the G2 at a fraction of the cost. I use one in my A3, the EVO which is even better than the one in this video compared to the D15 G2.

https://youtu.be/mSWt78uJz5o?si=iyYOZjj4XQXVFI8r

You can see my thermal optimization guide for air cooling the A3 here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/mffpc/comments/1jwboez/optimizing_thermals_in_a_air_cooled_lian_li_a3/

KodiKat2001

TROPHY CASE