recommendation for (semi-)passive cooling

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Hallor Forum,
I am currently planning to build a new home server system running on Linux and based on a brand-new motherboard based on the Intel C206 LGA1155 platform. The motherboard is from IEI and neither widely used nor well known. The processor will be a Xeon E3-1260L processor. The processor has a TDP of just 45W and the system should therefore work very well with (semi-)passive cooling only (i.e. no dedicated processor cooler fan). The case is very spacious with a separate area for drives in one half and the motherboard in the other half. Case fans would be added if and when necessary.

As far as I understand the Ninja 2 Rev B (provided it is still available for sale) or the Orochi Rev B (w/ mounting kit) would be good choices for my planned (semi-)passive cooling approach - but I am absolutely open to other recommendations as well.

One thing however that strikes me as a possible area for problems is a paragraph, all in bold, in the user manual for the motherboard which reads as follows:

WARNING:

DO NOT attempt to install a push-pin cooling fan.
The pre-installed support bracket prevents the board from bending and is ONLY compatible with captive screw type cooling fans.

This section was specifically added between revision 1.0 and 1.1 of the user manual and is therefore obviously something the manufacturer consideres of great importance. My understanding now is that the Ninja (and probably most other Scythe coolers) uses push-pins to fasten and secure the cooler.

Or would the Orochi Rev B be a better choice? Allegedly the conversion kit for the Mugen to LGA1156 should work with the Orochi as well. What I am not clear about is whether the Orochi would even work for a pre-mounted support bracket on the motherboard?

Any comments greatly appreciated. Answers or suggestions using the German language are also welcome.

Many thanks and best regards,

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[Oli]

Orochi for 45W is overkill. I am cooling the 35W TDP i3-2100T with the Ninja 3 with 500 rpm fan.

Orochi is the strongest Scythe cooler regarding passive setup. Although there is nearly no difference between passive and 500 rpm. Orochi is a very big monster.

For 45W TDP I would advise Mugen 3 or Ninja 3 with a very slow fan. In my main system there is a Mugen 1 with two fans running with 300 rpm. This setup is quiet but has enough performance to cool a 85W TDP CPU.

Ninja and Mugen in Revision 3 are both wit backplate and screws.

Ninja 2 is end of life.

[Atom2]

Hi Oli,
many thanks for reply and the recommendations. I have done some measurements in the meantime and it appears that I am somehow restricted in height.

From the three coolers (Orochi, Mugen, Ninja) we discussed, it looks as if Orochi is the smallest in terms of heigth with 155mm versus 157mm for Mugen and 160mm for Ninja 3. I can only do definitive measurements once the motherboard is here and the processor installed - whcih will most likely take a few more weeks, but I'd nevertheless be interested to know whether the conversion kit for Orochi - which according to my understanding is required for LGA1155 sockets - adds to size in height.

In any case it will be a very tight fit/no-fit with Orochi currently in the lead. According to information on here and on the internet Orochi is also the only approved passive cooler (?up to 65W TDP?).

By any chance does anybody have measurements of how much the processor adds heightwise above mainboard level for a LGA1155 socket and what the retention kit adds on the back of the motherboard? The latter information might make sense as motherboard standoffs are available in different sizes.

Many thanks for your continued and valued input and best regards,

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