[Build Log] Mini-ITX PC - Middle School

[tsuneo6]

Right, The reviews say that the fan sucks, though.

eTeknix says: Zalman’s CNPS10X Optima Shark’s Fin Blade CPU cooler doesn’t bring anything revolutionary in terms of its design but it joins the ranks of some of the best bang-for-buck sub £25 CPU coolers on the market and easily out performs many much more expensive CPU cooler options. What’s more the slightly quirky looking fan gives it a real edge over some of the more normal looking competition. With an attractive price, a two year warranty, an excellent mounting system, great bang for your buck, good RAM clearance and a compact design the Zalman CNPS10X Optima Shark’s Fin is a no brainer if you’re looking for a cheap but powerful CPU cooler.

from http://www.eteknix.com/zalman-cnps10x-optima-sharks-fin-blade-cpu-cooler/7/

 

[zeyuanfu]

I would still believe the customer reviews...
The only thing different about the fan is that it has some ridges on the blades and I doubt it'll help airflow at all.

 

[tsuneo6]

I would still believe the customer reviews...
The only thing different about the fan is that it has some ridges on the blades and I doubt it'll help airflow at all.

well i'm satiesfied with it. I was using the scythe grand kama cross 2 first, big dissapointment. the zalman cools alot better. doesnt make much noise. and and all fans nowadays have those ridges. it also to reduce noise apperantly.

and from all the reviews I saw, it was a 1 degree celcius difference with the hyper evo 212. so I thought I'd mention it.

 

[zeyuanfu]

Meh, 1 degree celsius doesn't make a difference (except when it's between 99 and 100 degrees, where throttling starts).

 

[tiny voices]

The CNPS10X optima is a VERY good cooler for the money. I would grab it for sure.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

We got two case fans, the PSU, and the HDD and SSD in place today.

Other builds for this case suggested this order, before putting the motherboard in, so I followed that.

 

[zeyuanfu]

I see you're back from school

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I see you're back from school

Actually, I'm still at school. I don't leave for another 40 minutes, but I have grading to do.

 

[zeyuanfu]

Ohh, haha.
How much time do you guys have after school to install the computer stuff?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

From 3:15 to 4:00 when the students are moved elsewhere. We need time to ourselves to get the grading and reports done, plus lesson planning, professional development ............

 

[zeyuanfu]

OK, seems like a lot of time.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

OK, seems like a lot of time.

Middle schoolers are wonderful, but it can be a bit like herding cats. It took about 15 minutes to get the fans in, 15 minutes to put the SSD on top of the riser card, and 15 minutes to get the PSU in the cage and the HHD on top.

A lot of learning, talking, and picture taking also occurs.

Motherboard on Wednesday.

 

[zeyuanfu]

Why not tomorrow? And how in the world does it take 15 minutes to put a hard drive in a case? Should take like 5, 10 if you take lots of pics.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Why not tomorrow? And how in the world does it take 15 minutes to put a hard drive in a case? Should take like 5, 10 if you take lots of pics.

I have a professional development meeting/training from 3:30 to 5:00 on Tuesdays.

There's a cage for the PSU and the HDD sits on top, When all this is assembled there are two screw attachments on the back side that are very hard to see, find, and guide the small screws into in the dark and with about 1/2" clearance.

Middle schoolers are need experience in deftness

You can see how crowded it is and with the cables in the way at the back of the PSU cage.

There are two mounting points at the back, just like those two at the front, only a LOT harder to get to.

 

[zeyuanfu]

Ohh, all right. Hope your stuff works.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Ohh, all right. Hope your stuff works.

Me too.

 

[tiny voices]

Why not tomorrow? And how in the world does it take 15 minutes to put a hard drive in a case? Should take like 5, 10 if you take lots of pics.

This is a very rude comment.

Watch yourself..

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Why not tomorrow? And how in the world does it take 15 minutes to put a hard drive in a case? Should take like 5, 10 if you take lots of pics.

This is a very rude comment.

Watch yourself..

I understand your concern as a Moderator who needs to monitor things. (I've done that job myself).

Based on the extended conversation we had been having, I understood that he was smiling when he said it.

I also realize the need for consistent standards.

 

[tsuneo6]

that case doesnt look like it offers many cable management possibilities. but, to work away those thick sata cables, you take a little stick and roll the sata cable on it. and you'll get a nice "spring"
just a little hint 😉

and was it here that I read about 3D printing for dust filters? anyway, the cheapest dust filters are panty hoses! or however it's written. just pull it around the fan and thigthen it. it works wonders for me

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Yes. I'm thinking of printing up some frames to sandwich hose between so they can be removable and external. The RVZ01 has magnetic detachable filters.

 

[zeyuanfu]

Just got back from exercising outside.
I'm terribly sorry if I was rude to you, I just thought putting some drives into a case was supposed to be easy...
Again, terribly sorry🙁

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Apology accepted and understood. You're from New York, right?

I understood exactly what you meant but, having been a Moderator myself, it's easy for us to forget that others who read this thread might copy what was said in other circumstances and start a firestorm.

It is supposed to be easy. Have you heard of the saying:

Too many middle schoolers spoil the build

 

[zeyuanfu]

I'm actually from Montreal. Us here use the NY time zone.

Yeah, I understand. They do want to try plugging something in all by themselves, right?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I'm actually from Montreal. Us here use the NY time zone.

Yeah, I understand. They do want to try plugging something in all by themselves, right?

Montreal is one of my favorite cities, especially at GP time! I nearly lost the tip of my nose and I did lose the tips of my ears walking down Rene Levesque, in bright sunshine (and -25C) with a 10kph wind blowing. Follow the Habs?

We have hockey here in Florida

Yes, but when the first fan went on not one of the four screws was the same! Then they had to decide which four should be used.

 

[tsuneo6]

Yes. I'm thinking of printing up some frames to sandwich hose between so they can be removable and external. The RVZ01 has magnetic detachable filters.

might be fairly easy. you can also make the frames yourself and pull pantyhose over it for the cheapest solution. get some alumium or something alike "bars" and solder them together in the right shape. then add some magnets to it and done!

if you have an old vacuum cleaner standing around, those have a good filter aswell!