r/sffpc • u/rickybambicky • 17h ago
Build/Battlestation Pics Sharing progress I've made with my long running Node 202 project.
This started just over 2 years ago when I wanted to run an AIO in my 202 but wanted to take advantage of the wasted space available. It started as a proof of concept by making my own custom AIO where the fan and radiator is stacked on top of the AIO pump. Thermal performance was okay, unfortunately to get things to fit I had to do a lot of cutting on the fan housing to get the fan blades as close to the radiator fins as possible. Unfortunately the end result was still being 2-3mm too high and the outer shell would bulge outwards!
That eventually evolved to me wanting to run a full custom cooling loop and basing the packaging off the original idea, and that would also solve the height issue. The next challenge was finding a CPU block that would be low enough to allow it. Eventually I came up with a solution which is a hybrid of a universal CPU and GPU block from AliExpress.
The next issue was the RAM height and the WI-FI RF shielding preventing the fan and radiator from sitting lower down. I was able to work around the RF shielding by cutting a notch into the corner of the fan. The RAM clearance was solved by just buying ULP sticks.
So where I'm at now is making a cradle to hold the radiator and fan, which will attach to the mounting bracket of the CPU block underneath. I currently have one made up out of some aluminium bar held together with adhesive, and there are definitely further tweaks and improvements to be made. I'm hoping to get it finished up before Christmas, and I can't wait to show the final result at the end!
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u/Jolly_Statistician_5 9h ago
Wow the first picture i thought it was Hunk’s gasmask, in miniature. Fooled me haha