Hello, I've recently come across Supermicro X9SCM-F motherboard, with passive heatsink installed on it.  It's from a 1U server, and I'd like to use this board and move it to my regular Mini Tower chassis. 

 

The reason I like to use this board is mainly because of it's passive heatsink.  In the existing 1U chassis, it has a blower that is directed towards it so that it keeps cool.  I don't want to use any fan whenever possible.  Will this heatsink be able to support the processor that it comes with originally on the motherboard?  Core i3-2120.  The heatsink in question comes together with the motherboard, SNK-P0046P heatsink with BKT- 0028L bottom bracket

http://store.supermicro.com/heatsink/1u-passive-cpu-cooler-snk-p0046p.html

 

In a 1U server, there is almost no convection, so forced flow is needed. In a tower case, typically you will at least have a PSU exhaust, and there should be a good amount of unobstructed air around the heatsink. The board would be mounted vertically instead of flat, so convection should do a fair job of keeping things circulating.

 

No guarantees, but I'd say you have a pretty good chance of it working without extra airflow as long as there is some exhaust out of the case in general.

Thanks Jonathanm for the reply.  Am happy you answered that instead of the other way around.  Yup, prefer it to be fanless, to be as reliable as possible, and as silent as possible.  I'll try to manage the wires so it is free of obstruction the best I can.

Has your case got a top or bottom mount PSU? If possible for passively cooled CPUs, try and use a case with a top mount. That way you can generally get away with just one fan in the whole system.

 

I've done that a couple of times, albeit with a bigger passive cooler, and never had any dramas.

I have a Hec Raptor 500, top mounted. Underneath the psi is a big fan. I think that should draw heat away from the cup nearby.

I have a Hec Raptor 500, top mounted. Underneath the psi is a big fan. I think that should draw heat away from the cup nearby.

Lol at autocorrect.

 

Also, if possible the fins on the CPU heatsink should be vertical, so the air can rise through them. If they aren't oriented that way already, you may be able to switch it. Just be very cautious of clearances if the heatsink isn't perfectly square.

Hahaha,  yeah, autocorrect :-) Thanks for the tip!

 

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

 

Well if that's the case, then you should be set!

 

And yes, that terrible pun was intended. I'll see myself out.