Antec NSK2480 case with HD4850 video card. Cooling options

holtzboy · Post by **holtzboy** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:56 pm

So I did some searching and did not find a final 100% for sure answer about this. I am building an HTPC that can be capable of gaming at times. Here are the specs I am shooting for:

Case - Antec NSK2480
PSU - Corsair 520HX
Mobo - GA-MA78GPM-DS2H
CPU - Athlon X2 6000+ with Scythe Mini Ninja
RAM - G.Skill 2x2GB PC8000 Kit
Video - Powercolor HD4850 512MB
OS HD - Western Digital 6400AAKS
Storage HD - Undecided 1TB (WD Green probably)
DVD Burner of some sort

I am guessing the stock cooler on the 4850 is not going to be up to par inside the cramped Antec 2480 case, at least not without cranking up the fan to be annoying while watching movies. I was wondering if anyone has actually fit an aftermarket cooler in this case yet. I have seen a couple of posts that state the Zalman VF1000 might fit, but nothing for sure.

Lawrence Lee · Post by **Lawrence Lee** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:13 pm

Accelero S1... just need to bend the last few fins.

Any particular reason why it's an AMD build? For your situation, I would go with an Intel E5200 instead of the 6000+. The E5200 performs similarly but consumes less power and is easier to keep cool.

holtzboy · Post by **holtzboy** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:34 pm

I did a lot of research on the different motherboard's features and one of the main things I am looking for is one that supports Dolby Digital Live / DTS Connect. The few Intel boards that have this for one reason or another didn't work for what I need. The closest was this Gigabyte but the PCI-Ex graphics card slot was only 4X and not 16X or something really strange like that. It seems really weird going AMD but the MA78GPM seems to be a really nice mobo that everyone likes.

Lee, do you have the case then or did you see this posted somewhere else? Pics would be awesome just so I can get a visual on what has to be done to make it fit.

felix_w · Post by **felix_w** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:04 pm

Lawrence Lee wrote:Accelero S1... just need to bend the last few fins.

Lawrence , have you tried yourself installing an Accelero S1 in an NSK2480?

If yes, do you have any pics available?

Thanx...

holtzboy · Post by **holtzboy** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:48 pm

Bumpage, just seeing if there are pics floating around somewhere or some more detailed info about cramming an aftermarket cooler in the NSK2480 case successfully.

Spare Tire · Post by **Spare Tire** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:37 am

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/ha ... eview.html

This one looks like it would fit into the NSK2480 as far as height goes. I'm not sure if it was meant to be run passive though.
I was always under the impression that the default HD4850 PCB was too long to fit into the NSK2480. Is yours a custom PCB?

holtzboy · Post by **holtzboy** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 11:57 am

No, its just a standard Powercolor 512MB 4850. There's a picture of a chick with armor on the stock HSF. I took some pics here:

http://www.jacqui-of-all-trades.com/shane/antec_htpc/

maf718 · Post by **maf718** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:56 am

There are some pics of bending the accelero to fit in Antec htpc case in this thread for those who are interested: link to thread

Just don't try sawing part of the pipes off like someone in another thread did.....

felix_w · Post by **felix_w** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 5:52 am

Thanx...

Seems like i had thought it the opposite way...don't want to waste my 2 PCI slots...

A thermalright HR-03 with modified base-plate may be better for me...

Modo · Post by **Modo** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:33 am

Why not buy the Gigabyte version with their Silent-Pipe 3 fanless cooling? It should fit the NSK 2480 (I know the Silent-Pipe 2 does), and it is perfectly suited for this enclosure (the design profits greatly from negative case pressure). Plus, you don't have to break the card apart, possibly voiding the warranty.

holtzboy · Post by **holtzboy** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:12 pm

Hmm I don't think I want to bend an accelero that much, looks kind of scary! So its either that Gigabyte fanless 4850 (this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814125237) or go with the Thermalright low profile cooler and hope it fits the case which it looks like it should.

Do you know if you can attach a fan to the Gigabyte fanless cooler for extra cooling?

Modo · Post by **Modo** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:05 pm

holtzboy wrote:So its either that Gigabyte fanless 4850 (this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814125237).

Yes, this one.

holtzboy wrote: Do you know if you can attach a fan to the Gigabyte fanless cooler for extra cooling?

Nothing a few zip ties can't handle.

I doubt you will need a fan, and it would take a lot of space (the heatsink itself takes two slots).

holtzboy · Post by **holtzboy** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:16 pm

Well it turns out the Gigabyte passive card does NOT let the top cover of the NSK2480 close and secure properly... I could really yank down and force it but that's obviously not good for any of the components. For now the lid can lock in front but is popped up in the back resting on the top fins of the card's heatsink.

ilratman · Post by **ilratman** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:16 am

Lawrence Lee wrote:Accelero S1... just need to bend the last few fins.

Any particular reason why it's an AMD build? For your situation, I would go with an Intel E5200 instead of the 6000+. The E5200 performs similarly but consumes less power and is easier to keep cool.

I quote you!

It's the best solution for 2480/fusion

I've done it for may 8800gt amp and work fine, max 60Â°, with an scythe jyu 100x100x12 as you see in this two pictures, without a fan i have 85Â° max but the fan is not udible so it's better to take it.

Saxel · Post by **Saxel** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 4:05 am

holtzboy wrote:Well it turns out the Gigabyte passive card does NOT let the top cover of the NSK2480 close and secure properly... I could really yank down and force it but that's obviously not good for any of the components. For now the lid can lock in front but is popped up in the back resting on the top fins of the card's heatsink.

I managed to put the top cover on without forcing it too much. I don't see any damage on the fins when removing the top cover. Plus the cover gets hot under load as well which in turn removes the heat, although not much I guess

I have the Fusion 430w but should have the same internal size as the 2480

MavSPCR · Post by **MavSPCR** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:56 am

Lawrence Lee wrote:Any particular reason why it's an AMD build? For your situation, I would go with an Intel E5200 instead of the 6000+. The E5200 performs similarly but consumes less power and is easier to keep cool.

and which Motherboard would you suggest?