Thanks to all. After comparing Thermalright's no-backplate solution with just not using a backplate with the CM 212, I chose to stay with the CM 212 -- even though the TR design looks a little better. I used two washers underneath the motherboard at each standoff: a rubber washer to avoid damaging t...

Thanks, lodestar. Stayed with the CM Hyper 212 EVO. I used two washers underneath the motherboard at each standoff: a rubber washer to avoid damaging the traces, a nylon washer below it, and then of course the nut to tighten it. Seems plenty strong without a backplate. Slight concern that the rubber...

Thanks quest_for_silence and xan_user. As the Thermalright 120M and Hyper 212 weigh about the same (465-470g), I'm wondering if there's any difference between the Thermalright "no backplate, but fasten with screws and washers" solution versus just using washers and no backplate with the Hyper 212 (p...

Thanks, lodestar. As the Thermalright 120M and Hyper 212 weigh about the same (465-470g), I'm wondering if there's any difference between the Thermalright "no backplate, but fasten with screws and washers" solution versus just using washers and no backplate with the Hyper 212 (as suggested by xan_us...

I'd tried mounting a CM Hyper 212 EVO on an Asus H81T/CSM motherboard, but three small components on the underside of the board prevent the placement of the EVO's back plate (photo below). Can anyone suggest a similar cooler (tall, 120mm fan) with a back plate that will work with this motherboard? I...

The parts arrived, and there's enough headroom for the tall Hyper 212 EVO. BUT ... three small components on the underside of the H81T/CSM motherboard (near one of the cooler mounting holes) prevent the installation of the cooler back plate (photo below). So I'd appreciate suggestions for a differen...

Thanks to all for your suggestions and ideas. Today I ordered an i3-3140, because, based on your feedback, it sounds like it can be configured to run much like an i3-3140T. Also, the sale price of $110 (from TigerDirect, ends April 16) made the choice easier. In addition to your feedback, "Dougie Fr...

I would guess that you would be able to set the max multipler to a lower value than default, and thus underclock. Undervolting is less certain, I can do it on my ASRock H81 board, to my surprise. But this is a minor issue. Why do you want to underclock? It will only really make a difference at full...

Thanks, Vicotnik. Regarding downclocking, I understand the idea, but how can I find out if the BIOS supports it? For example, on my Gigabyte GA-H77M-D3H i7-3770S build, the BIOS shows a "CPU frequency" option (set to Auto), but pressing Enter doesn't offer any choices. Perhaps it would with a i7-37...

Thanks, Vicotnik. Regarding downclocking, I understand the idea, but how can I find out if the BIOS supports it? For example, on my Gigabyte GA-H77M-D3H i7-3770S build, the BIOS shows a "CPU frequency" option (set to Auto), but pressing Enter doesn't offer any choices. Perhaps it would with a i7-37...

No need to get a factory underclocked T-version of the CPU. You can get a normal one and downclock yourself if needed. There's also no need for a thin mini-ITX platform. Thanks, Luca. I'm interested to learn your reasons. My reasons for selecting a thin mini-ITX board are: 1. The power supply costs...

No need to get a factory underclocked T-version of the CPU. You can get a normal one and downclock yourself if needed. Don't know about having the fan only spin when needed. Usually normal onboard fan control doesn't work like that and there's really no need to. Having the fan spin slowly will be j...

Please advise on this silent non-gaming HTPC build: Lian Li PC-Q07 ($50) ASUS H81T/CSM thin mini-ITX board (includes a "normal" I/O shield) i3-4130T (35W TDP) Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO heatsink/fan (big and tall) ($30) 240GB SSD, 8GB RAM, 5.25" DVD reader/burner 90W external brick power supply ($2...

Check Vicotnik's HDPLEX H1-S and ASRock mini-ITX , i think either of his builds ... Thanks, Abula, for that info. As I don't need a small form factor, and taking some ideas from Vicotnik's post, I'm wondering if this build makes sense: standard mini-tower case that can accept a mini-ITX MB (~$50) A...

Update (which I should have posted much sooner): About 20 days after my last post (Nov 2012), I replaced the stock thermal paste with Arctic MX-2, and shortly after that the smell went away. But since the smell was already reducing, I don't know if changing the paste really made any difference. It c...

Would appreciate suggestions for building or buying a fanless non-gaming HTPC. I've read many posts on this and other forums, but most builds are for systems that can do gaming and/or seem to be more powerful than what I need -- which is: <$500, if possible (including $80 120GB SSD, $50 8GB RAM, $90...

i know you said you think its not the psu...but i had a similar issue with a psu before. do you have another one you can swap in and try? Thanks for your input. I might be able to use a power supply from another computer. But the reason I don't think the Seasonic fanless X-400 is the source is that...

My build: GA-H77M-D3H(rev. 1.1), i7-3770S, not overclocked, BIOS: F9 no video card, 120GB SSD (no hard disk), no add-on cards Crucial 8GB (2x4GB), 1600 (8-8-8-24) Seasonic SS-400FL fanless power supply Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo cooler (using one push fan) Silverstone PS07 case (using just one of t...

Speedfan reports nine temps, and I don't know how to interpret them. The temps (and my guesses) are: Tempx -- Idle/Load -- my guess at what SpeedFan is measuring ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Temp1 -- 34C/32C -- system board (pe...

Thanks, MiniMatt, for that info. In reading the links I also found this link http://www.silentpcreview.com/article22-page1.html which identifies possible temperature issues (as well as solutions) when using elastic bands. So if heat does become a problem, adding narrow aluminum side rails to the su...

Here's another useful link regarding S and T Intel core processors: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i5-3570-low-power,3204-15.html I'm guessing that, by selecting the 3770S, you want to have your cake and eat it, too, namely low heat and high performance. But if you have good cooling in yo...

Regarding quieting the hard drive with "two rubber bands", is there a particular kit that is known to do a good job, or do you literally mean some sort of modding using two rubber bands? If the latter, is there a description of how to do it? (This is my first build, and I'm not familiar with these ...

@ spcmhe According to Newegg, the i7 3770 lists for $300, the i7 3770S for $305. So, not much of a price difference, and if you aren't comfortable with underclocking, the S version might be the better choice. In my newest (last year's) build, I chose an i5 2400S and am happy with it. I'm not sure I...

I dithered between the Fractal Define Mini and the TJ08-E for a long while before finally settling on the Fractal. I now kinda wish I'd gone for the TJ08-E but I strongly suspect had I done so I'd now be kind of wishing I'd gone for the Fractal :) The mini is a darn fine case but a little bigger th...

My first question is, if you're not a gamer, why do you need the 3770S? I like speed, too, but the i5 family is fast enough for most needs. Also, I've read criticism about the S and T versions (especially here at SPCR). I've been looking at the TJ08-E, too, but like you I have some doubts about it....

My planned "cool and quiet" non-gaming build: Silverstone TJ08-E or PS07 case Seasonic SS-400FL 400W fanless 80 plus gold Gigabyte GA-H77M-D3H (no overclocking) Intel i7-3770S (65W TDP) CPU cooler (still looking) 8GB RAM (2x4GB) Crucial Ballistix Tactical DDR3 1600 (8-8-8-24) no video card (using th...