Case for quiet Mini-iTX build with i5-3570K

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stsdr

Junior Member
Jan 24, 2013
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I'm looking to build a quiet SFF system with the i5-3570K. Has anyone built a similar system with either the m350 or the Realan e-i7? I prefer the external power brick like with the PicoPSU.

I'm looking for suggestions on cases and cooling and I'm concerned about heat with either of these systems.

Thanks!
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
What else will be in the system -- what drives, and will there be a video card?

SilentPCReview.com has reviewed a bunch of m-ITX cases including fanless ones, but I don't recall seeing either of those models.
 
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Sleepingforest

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2012
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I recommend the TJ08-e by Silverstone. It's whisper quiet under full load and silent when idling or doing less strenuous tasks, like basic web browsing. It's also recommended by SilentPCReview, if you were worried about the weakness of anecdotal evidence.
 
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unokitty

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2012
3,346
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stsdr said:
I'm looking to build a quiet SFF system with the i5-3570K. Has anyone built a similar system with either the m350 or the Realan e-i7? I prefer the external power brick like with the PicoPSU.

I'm looking for suggestions on cases and cooling and I'm concerned about heat with either of these systems.

Thanks!
Click to expand...


M350 worked fine for me. (Other than a slight issue with the on/off buttion.) Make sure that you can live with its removable front plate. (Accessing the front USBs require the removal of the front plate.-- Not an issue for me as I just leave it off anyway.)

Three sides of the case have holes in a mesh pattern. My perception is that the cooling is pretty good.

You will have to use an external power brick. And you should be careful with your choice of CPU cooling fan since there won't be much between you and any noise that the fan would make.

While it has room for two laptop sized hard drive, I only use one... It came with the mounting needed for a single drive. Can't remember if the mounting for the second drive is an extra cost item or not. No room for an optical drive. (When required, I use external optical drives anyway.)

If you can live with the limitations of a small case, the M350 is pretty nice. Overall, I prefer it to the other two mini-itx cases that I've used.

Uno
 
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AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,643
3
81
I'd recommend the Antec ISK 100/110, but the PSU's too weak..

Consider downclocking/undervolting the CPU!
 
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Talaii

Member
Feb 13, 2011
34
0
66
AkumaX said:
I'd recommend the Antec ISK 100/110, but the PSU's too weak..

Consider downclocking/undervolting the CPU!
Click to expand...

I ran a 3770 (non-k) in a M350 (other specs: Intel DQ77KB motherboard, mSATA crucial M4) with a Scythe Kozuti cooler, ran pretty quiet. But there wasn't room for the drive brackets with the cooler, hence the mSATA drive. It got fairly warm under heavy load (and was audible), but unless I was encoding video it was almost silent. Not sure how well it'll run with the stock cooler, though.

I'm not sure if using a more normal motherboard (the thin ITX boards have the CPU socket in an odd location) would let you install one of the hard disk brackets, it may. Otherwise you could use some tape to attach the SSD to the edge of the case somewhere - there's definitely room to do that, and it's safe to do with a SSD. I was just a little wary of trying to tape a traditional disk directly to the case, since they have moving parts.
 
ecosmartpc

ecosmartpc

Member
Aug 15, 2012
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www.ecosmartpc.com
Realan E-i7 will work fine with the i5-3570K as long as you don't plan to overclock. You'll want a bit beefier CPU cooler like the Scythe Kozuti and at least one 80mm case fan. You'll also want to upgrade the AC adapter to the 120W AC adapter instead of the standard 84W.

Are you going to use a optical drive? If not, there's enough clearance for a Scythe Shuriken if you install the SSD vertically on the side of the case.

Where are you planning to get the E-i7 from?
 
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AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,643
3
81
Talaii said:
I ran a 3770 (non-k) in a M350 (other specs: Intel DQ77KB motherboard, mSATA crucial M4) with a Scythe Kozuti cooler, ran pretty quiet. But there wasn't room for the drive brackets with the cooler, hence the mSATA drive. It got fairly warm under heavy load (and was audible), but unless I was encoding video it was almost silent. Not sure how well it'll run with the stock cooler, though.

I'm not sure if using a more normal motherboard (the thin ITX boards have the CPU socket in an odd location) would let you install one of the hard disk brackets, it may. Otherwise you could use some tape to attach the SSD to the edge of the case somewhere - there's definitely room to do that, and it's safe to do with a SSD. I was just a little wary of trying to tape a traditional disk directly to the case, since they have moving parts.
Click to expand...

In tiny mITX cases like the M350, an SSD is the way to go (no way i'd stick a mechanical hdd in there..)

Funny, today I actually stumbled upon the Scythe Kozuti. How do you like it? Looks like they're hard to find at a good price..

Also, it looks like I'm going to try and get the new SanDisk Ultra Plus SSD (2013 SSD). The unique thing about it is the physical size of the PCB itself (not the outer casing, which is a typical 2.5" laptop hdd size).

See:

DSC_9194sm.jpg
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
AkumaX said:
I'd recommend the Antec ISK 100/110, but the PSU's too weak..

Consider downclocking/undervolting the CPU!
Click to expand...

The PSU is just fine for an Intel quad using integrated graphics and one SSD.

AkumaX said:
Also, it looks like I'm going to try and get the new SanDisk Ultra Plus SSD (2013 SSD).
Click to expand...

AnandTech review: SanDisk Ultra Plus SSD Review (256GB)

Looks like good read speeds, lousy write speeds. Cut down Marvell controller with a mere 4 channels. Performance reminiscent of the Samsung 840 non-Pro with TLC.
 
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AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,643
3
81
Zap said:
The PSU is just fine for an Intel quad using integrated graphics and one SSD.



AnandTech review: SanDisk Ultra Plus SSD Review (256GB)

Looks like good read speeds, lousy write speeds. Cut down Marvell controller with a mere 4 channels. Performance reminiscent of the Samsung 840 non-Pro with TLC.
Click to expand...

I had trouble w/ a PicoPSU 90w on my i5-2500k underclocked/undervolted. I'd do 120w+ just to be safe.

Not too worried about speeds, since it's going to be in a SATA2 system. The size convenience is what is intriguing. See other thread... ;)
 
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