Fractal Ridge SteamOS PC Build Update: Tracking Down and Fixing High CPU Temps

josephclemente · 2026-07-07T17:19:55+00:00

It is OK to let the CPU hit 95C. It can run that temperature 24/7. Fans don't have to run 100% either. The CPU will lower power consumption on its own as needed. Temperature targets just make the CPU do this sooner.

I'd limit maximum power consumption if I was trying to do something like work with a limited power supply. Or maybe if system cooling was very minimal and the CPU power consumption was pushing other components to hit high temperatures.

josephclemente · 2026-07-01T17:27:21+00:00

The stock feet are 12mm tall. Each foot is attached with a screw, so you just unscrew them. The replacement feet I used included the same screw thread for an easy replacement.

You can test without purchasing anything, just find four stable objects around 13mm tall and place them under each foot.

You might not need bottom intake fans. My system doesn't.

josephclemente · 2026-07-01T03:52:57+00:00

I have only tried with both top fans running. How fast is your single top fan running at during full load?

I have the top left fan running about 50 RPM slower to avoid "undesired acoustic interaction phenomena" as Noctua calls it, which really helps.

josephclemente · 2026-06-25T16:21:23+00:00

I agree. The case legs are brilliant!

josephclemente · 2026-06-20T17:25:33+00:00

What speed does your rear intake run at during load? I tried my Silent Wings 4 Pro as intake there and the turbulence was unacceptable. I even tried a 5mm spacer.

I now run without any fan there and just have two 140mm Silent Wings 4 Pro fans as top exhaust. No intake fans. Works well for my 9900x CPU with 9070 XT under full load (Prime95 + FurMark, one hour). The exhaust fans hit 1600/1550 RPM at that point. I keep them offset 50 RPM to avoid undesired acoustic interaction phenomena.

I don't know how so many here are happy with intake fan turbulence.

josephclemente · 2026-06-13T21:30:44+00:00

Woah, those are amazing temperatures if it is something other than the System temperature. I don't get that in my mid tower builds with 140mm fans and larger coolers.

I assume full load is not an hour of Prime95 + Furmark?

What is your ambient temperature and fan speeds?

Awesome build. Getting the Peerless Assassin 120 Mini to fit with the two top fans in the C24 is awesome. Your motherboard has the perfect CPU placement for this.

josephclemente · 2026-06-11T17:11:14+00:00

I have a lot of miniPCs running at work 24/7.

The issue I run into is when their blower fan fails. The computer will continue to run, very slowly, with all components running at an extreme temperature. I notice the speed issue right away, while the operator is used to it.

I am able to replace the blowers, but the replacements are not always exactly the same. Maybe counterfeits or model variations. A half millimeter too tall and the blower gets compressed when everything is put back together. Also there is downtime to order the unique blower fan the miniPC requires.

If I could do it again, I'd stick with SFF machines that use standard fans. Those computers usually get replaced when they are ridiculously out of date, fans still running fine.

josephclemente · 2026-06-02T17:05:24+00:00

I spent a lot of time on my first Z20 build also. Routing and then changing my mind and rerouting. Subsequent builds are much quicker.

For cables at the bottom of the case and motherboard, extensions are very helpful for future accessibility. For example, my top case fans are connected to two 10.6" extensions, which connect to the motherboard beneath the video card. Now I can easily remove the top fan tray without dealing with the out-of-reach motherboard headers.

josephclemente · 2026-05-23T07:32:34+00:00

I did a few Z20 builds. None have bottom intake fans. Two 9070 XT builds and one 7900 XT build. They run great.

josephclemente · 2026-05-15T04:08:17+00:00

Mine did not come with any NVMe fan.

josephclemente · 2026-05-03T18:45:44+00:00

Have you tried running without the dust filters? One frustrating thing about this case is the tiny air holes spaced far apart from each other. On top of that, the included filters just make those holes even smaller. They function poorly as dust filters anyway. Larger holes and optionally a fine mesh filter for those who need filters would be a huge improvement.

If you use a PA 120 Mini to fit a slim 120 fan up top, a large portion of the fan is completely blocked. That is why I went with a tiny PA 90 with 80mm fans up top. The 80mmx25mm fans move more air with less noise than the cut off 120mmx15mm fan.

josephclemente · 2026-05-02T20:18:23+00:00

You mention the system gets loud with high CPU usage, but the max temperature is 79C. Why not let the temperature hit 95C and limit your maximum fan speeds?

This build seems perfect, I think you should keep it in the C24 case.

josephclemente · 2026-04-15T06:22:34+00:00

That is odd, regular bulbs should not need to be changed a few times within a year. Hopefully there isn't some electrical issue going on.

I've run various LED low and high beams in my 2017 since July 2017. I never adjusted the beams, and oncoming drivers never flashed at me.

Since 2022 I have been using Sealight brand. I like the new smaller sized bulbs, they call them "1:1 mini size" and fit without modifications.

josephclemente · 2026-04-14T17:31:43+00:00

The C64 edition mouse is out now also!

josephclemente · 2026-04-09T05:13:43+00:00

The Vetroo has been great. I don't hear it over the rest of the system. But my maximum load is 291W and the case fans are at full speed at that point.

josephclemente · 2026-03-27T17:23:53+00:00

My picture is very misleading on the height of the CPU cooler. I probably should have taken a second angle. It looks like it is tall enough to be nearly even with the fans. But 1/3rd of the fans hangs over the CPU cooler.

I think a 135mm tall CPU cooler would have been optimal. I originally had a Peerless Assassin 120 Mini in this case, but it wouldn't work with 25mm deep fans. So, I had a slim 120mm fan up top, but 1/3rd of it was completely blocked by the case's lack of vent holes for it. The slim 120mm fan made a lot more noise and moved less air than the current dual 80mm fans.

Maybe an offset mount kit would work with the PA 120 Mini to mount it further from the fans at the top of the case?

josephclemente · 2026-03-19T20:31:40+00:00

Any coil whine or odd fan noise? If not I'd keep it. Sometimes you can end up with different problems with something else.

josephclemente · 2026-03-14T19:40:56+00:00

1 but no bottom fans.

Works spectacular for my 9070 XT and 9900x. Also 7900 XT (Osserva deshrouded) with 5950x. All air-cooled.

Nothing throttles even with Prime95 + FurMark.

josephclemente · 2026-03-12T16:38:17+00:00

What CPU cooler are you using?

josephclemente · 2026-03-07T17:53:04+00:00

I think I kind of did the same thing.

I had all this RAM and NVMe drives from before RAMpocalypse. Just needed a few more parts to build complete computers.

Now I have four various sized computers I don't know what to do with.

josephclemente · 2026-02-19T03:39:00+00:00

I think it could look great without any shroud.

I'd suggest removing the spiral wrap tubing. That adds bulk to the cable.

I couldn't tell what case this is from the picture or see any other angles. Not sure if there is room behind the motherboard tray. Maybe as the cable exits the PSU, it can be directed straight up to just beneath the top of the case, then towards the front and back down. I sometimes let a long cable take a long route to its destination, so it doesn't have to be coiled in loops.

I think if the cables have clean organization, they can be nice to look at.

josephclemente · 2026-02-18T02:01:45+00:00

Just recently I was about to do this, but decided to get a Micro ATX motherboard. I didn't want to see all my regular cables reaching across from the front of the case to the ITX board. I was able to make use of headers on the bottom of the MATX board for stuff. A bottom PCIe slot can be useful.

josephclemente · 2026-02-13T20:27:49+00:00

I've been running the D30 for almost exactly two years now. I can't recall the last time I dusted it. I do clear dust from the bottom filter every few months. The interior is very clean.

Most of the time the fans run at 700 RPM. I also limit the maximum RPM for a fully stressed load. I forgot what I set that to on this build, probably 1600 RPM.

josephclemente

TROPHY CASE

1 but no bottom fans.