A sandybridge mini-ITX gaming build

[Remko]

I was thinking about buying a laptop for my room at the military base. While looking at some high end laptops like Alienware, I thought why not build a cheaper and way faster mini-itx gaming system

I got an e-mail yesterday that my order was complete, hurray!
I picked up the parts today and assembled the system.

The parts:

The Intel DH67CF board with ram and cooler installed:

The board installed in the SG07 chassis:

Wow, the HD6950 is huge and heavy, I had some trouble installing this beast. The power connectors are on top of the card and press against the top of the chassis. This puts a lot of pressure on the PCI slot and motherboard making it bend downwards, not good. I solved this problem by putting a piece of hard foam between the card and the bottom of the chassis to support it and relieve pressure from the motherboard:

And here is the case fully assembled:

Specs:

Sandy bridge I7-2600
Corsair XMS3 8GB
Corsair Force 120GB SSD
Sapphire HD6950 2GB
Sony optical drive

Everyting stock atm, maybe I will flash the 6950 to 6970 later.

I installed Windows7 ultimate on the SSD, boot time is superfast, around 5 seconds. My other system with an intel postville SSD boots in 11 seconds. This suprised me a lot.

Windows rating:

3DMark:

Idle temps around 30 and under load around 60 degrees with fan speed on low:

So far im very happy with the result

 

[DaveSimmons]

Nice build, this makes me even more tempted to do something similar.

How are the idle and gaming noise levels with the intel cooler and Silverstone PSU?

 

[Dice144]

I hate you! Now I really want ITX system. nice choice of gear.

 

[simonizor]

I like the build; it looks very clean. How much did this cost you?

 

[Chinoman]

Very Interesting. I'm planning the very same build but in a SG05 and with a 6950 1GB non-reference design. Is the noise noticeable?

 

[simonizor]

Very Interesting. I'm planning the very same build but in a SG05 and with a 6950 1GB non-reference design. Is the noise noticeable?

The 6950 will not fit in the SG05 case. The max card length for that case is 9" and the 6950 is 10.6" at least.

 

[yottabit]

This build is beautiful and well rounded. I approve

I'll be doing my own mini-ITX gaming build soon, but with some "outdated" core i5 and Radeon 5xxx hardware

 

[erikistired]

did the case come with the screws needed to mount the dvd drive? and did the drive come with the cable adapter?

 

[Brainonska511]

I like the size of ITX systems, but I don't think I'd ever build one using a case that could take full-height cards. Mainly because I'd want the system to be as small as possible.

Regardless of my raining on your parade - it looks like an awesome system with a solid solution to the GPU problem (motherboard flexing). Does that case take standard ATX supplies or did it come with one?

Edit:
I see it comes with a PSU; disregard the last question.

 

[llee]

The 6950 will not fit in the SG05 case. The max card length for that case is 9" and the 6950 is 10.6" at least.

I've been able to fit the HD5870 inside my SG-05 with a little modding. All you have to do is cut out a section of the frame behind the front bezel.

 

[Chinoman]

I've been able to fit the HD5870 inside my SG-05 with a little modding. All you have to do is cut out a section of the frame behind the front bezel.

With the new non-reference 6950 I don't think I'll even need to mod

 

[Remko]

Nice build, this makes me even more tempted to do something similar.

How are the idle and gaming noise levels with the intel cooler and Silverstone PSU?

Thanks, I dont have gear to meassure the dB levels but my non scientific opinion is that is pretty quiet.

In the top of the chassis is a huge 18x18 cm fan blowing down on the mobo which is only 17x17 cm. That fan is only running at 450rpm and really quiet.

I like the build; it looks very clean. How much did this cost you?

Thanks, I live in the Netherlands and it sat me back 1090 Euro, not sure how that converts to dollars. A straight EU - Dollar conversion probably isnt accurate cause hardware generally is a bit cheaper in the US.

did the case come with the screws needed to mount the dvd drive? and did the drive come with the cable adapter?

Yes the case came with the screws to mount the optical drive, these screws are very small btw.

The drive did not come with a slimline sata adapter, I knew this on forehand and ordered one with the rest of the parts.

Also the 2,5 inch drivebay requires the use of angled sata connectors.