Completed Build: Semi-Passive SM560

Completed Pics:

https://preview.redd.it/4h6aogul04y31.jpg?width=2016&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9eca80e73129d9717369036689d81b06b04fd030

https://preview.redd.it/cjvl1v2l04y31.jpg?width=2016&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cdbd2e0a50d331d77d6204177d87f8f2782e01a9

https://i.redd.it/s2kthaq9qpw31.png

What originally started as a case transfer ended up as an "almost" completely new build. I decided on a modern CPU when I came to terms with my severe CPU bottleneck, and that my i5-6500 could not keep up with MH: World (my FPS hardly differed between 1080p and 1440p and microstuttered regardless of what I did). Because neither my MOBO or CPU supported overclocking, I realized I had very few options left.

Relevant Specs:

• GPU: MSI GTX 1060 6gb
• MOBO: ASUS ROG b450-f
• RAM: Trident Z Neo (2 x 8Gb), ddr4 3600, CAS 16
• CPU: Ryzen 3700x

Build Experience: Building in the Sliger was not particularly difficult. I think 12 L hits a sweet spot where the fit isn't tight enough to pose any challenges. If going Semi-Passive, the Shadow Rock LP makes mounting the motherboard somewhat difficult, you have to angle your placement because there's little clearance for the heatsink.

Key Decisions:

Although Sliger is known for the vented option, I went with unvented side panels. My current dinky apt has a huge dust problem. 2 weeks is enough to see a microscopic layer of dust on any untouched surface. I'm not responsible enough to remember to dust my computer every few months (I know it's not hard, but if you know me, simple things require more effort than difficult things). I wanted to take advantage of the DemiFilters on the bottom, so I switched to the windowed panels.

There didn't seem to be many performance differences between semi-passive and an air-cooler if I had already restricted the airflow with unvented side panels, so I said why not for semi-passive.

I chose the 3700x over 3600 because I was paranoid about future-proofing my CPU. I bought the i5-6500 when the internet considered it THE budget processor, and within two years, it couldn't keep up. These fundamental decisions led to temp issues that I'll discuss below.

Temps:

I didn't realize that the 3700x runs hot, even for regular rigs. Therefore, the processor would get uncomfortably/dangerously hot in this SFF case. The CPU hits the mid-60s in the BIOS, would idle in the mid-40s, and the slightest load would put it in the 60s. Gaming would put it in the high 70s and low 80s, and a stress-test put it in the 90s within minutes before I decided to stop the test. I was paranoid about the longevity of the CPU under these conditions, and the fans of the Noctuas would drive me nuts once it passed 70%.

I got my temps under control with an undervolt and an underclock. I had no experience with any manual tampering of the CPU. To undervolt? Wtf is PPT? It was a lot of information at once, and everyone had different opinions, which I would have to test for myself. /u/IceAcolyte had a good recommendation in this comment.

I undervolted to 1.2V max and underclocked to 3.6 GHZ max in Ryzen Master. Idle temps got under control to high 30s low 40s. Temps under load settle in the mid-60s. Stress test temps peak at mid 75.

Future Plans:

I'm nerfing my CPU a bit, but for now, it doesn't seem to matter. My GPU is the bottleneck now, and I don't plan to upgrade it for 1 or 2 more generations. I hit a stable 60+ fps in MH: W at 1080p and 40 fps at 1440p, with the vast majority of superfluous settings at max. There's no micro stuttering at all like there used to, and G-Sync takes care of the rest.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Eco-Mode will offer once it's released.

Eventually, I'm going to want to switch to an AIO for better temps and getting my money's worth. Unfortunately, it looks like only Asetek offers a 92mm AIO, and those are rarely in stock too. With the GPU bottleneck, I don't need to upgrade immediately, and I hope there are more options 1-2 years down the road.

Other difficulties:

I've had to turn off RGB completely. ASUS's software does not recognize the motherboard, so I can't control anything or get the RAM to sync with the motherboard backlights. Many people have the issue, and fixing it is more trial and error than anything else. I spent 4 hours Saturday Night trying different things without success, I can't waste any more time, so I've turned it all off. The RGB issues are such a shame since ASUS already charges a premium on their product.