Welcome to the DIY Steam Machine Discussions!

[NexGen-3D-Printing]

👋 Welcome!

I'm using Discussions as a place to provide help on building my DIY Steam Machine's.

• I would like this to be a place to provide build information and help.
• Share ideas.
• Help with installing and setting up software
• Provide links to helpful videos and other guides
• Engage with other community members.
• Welcome others and are open-minded. Remember that this is a community we
  build together 💪.

[ian99rt]

Building the NewGen3d Water cooled BC-250.

Would milling a hole in the stock backplate and putting heatsinks directly attached to the VRAM chips be advantageous?

If not could I get a link to the large and shallow heatsink I've seen in photos that covers the whole area?

[NexGen-3D-Printing]

You do not need anything additional to cool the VRAM modules, the stock back plate is more than sufficient, its actively cooled in my case designs, the fresh air intake is past over the backplate cooling it, also if you build the machine to spec, you should have a thermal sensor attached to the centre of the backplate under the back brace, so you can monitor the VRAM temps from software.

You see the sensor placement here:

And the second sensor is to be placed here, these are the main VRM's that supply power to the GPU part of the APU:

Here is a shot of the system stats at idle with main system fans at under 50% which is silent in this case design

Here is the idle power draw at the wall

[zloymalefic]

The BC-250 already has a built-in PWM controller for up to 7 fans. Maybe you could make a version that doesn't require the Commander Duo. It would make the wiring a bit more complicated, but it would be cheaper and leave more room in the case for cable management.

[NexGen-3D-Printing]

Ill leave that up to someone else to adapt, but its certainly an option, maybe you can give it a shot and post results? I have way to many other things to do currently.

You don't have to use the Commander DUO, its optional, you can use a small low cost powered fan hub or even a splitter cable, I wanted the hub, as it runs the front ARGB light, has those thermal sensors so I can monitor VRM and VRAM, this is a DIY rig, you can build it how ever you like :)

Another thing I like about the hub, is I can connect to my machine via a web browser from any device on my network, and I can monitor, and adjust things dynamically, even while in a benchmark or playing a game, so you can control the cooling system from your phone, tablet, laptop what ever while a game is running, its a cool feature, but not 100% required.

[mwisniewski]

I just want to thank you for your effort - this repo is GOLD.
Any chance for some ATX psu version?

[NexGen-3D-Printing]

Unfortunately not, they are just too big, even with the Flex-ATX PSU, the case is only just suitable for printing easily, I have thought about SFX PSU, but the price of those where very much on par with FLX, so there was nothing to gain, and they require more space as well.

My recommendation is buy an FSP500-30AS of eBay cheap, the guy selling them often takes $10 to $15 USD for them, otherwise a used Server PSU is a good option, but the FSP500 is these best IMO, next is the Metalfish 500w, but that will require a Noctua 40mm fan to make it as quiet as the FSP500.