Considering a SMALL Skylake build. Would love advice.

[ShintaiDK]

I have a feeling that Skylake is very far away, heck we don't even know what clock speeds are going to be offered

We do and its close.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2428363

 

[coolpurplefan]

Why full size PSU? You can get 600w SFX PSUs which is enough for any card+CPU you would want in a smaller case. Even 450w is enough for a non-overclocked HD4460 and HD7950.

So I can get a bronze, silver, platinum or gold certified power supply by a reliable manufacturer like Seasonic. I like a 500 watt PSU even if my system would use 250 watts max because I find they stay cool like that.

 

[Berryracer]

We do and its close.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2428363

Thanks chief

 

[cbn]

So I can get a bronze, silver, platinum or gold certified power supply by a reliable manufacturer like Seasonic. I like a 500 watt PSU even if my system would use 250 watts max because I find they stay cool like that.

If I was going to build a high power space efficient Mini-ITX in the near future using SFX PSU I would definitely be considering Corsair SF600 80 plus Gold. Major reason is the extra ventilation from the 92mm fan:

compared to the standard 80mm fan of SFX:

With that mentioned, I do hope Corsair makes some mid power units (450W or 500W) with that 92mm fan size as well.

(Crossing fingers we even see a Corsair value SFX (maybe 350W) with 92mm that could become a standard for lower end SFF builds in the same way the CX430 is a standard for lower end full size builds)

 

[cbn]

Additionally, what mini-ITX cases would you guys recommend? I don't mind paying well for quality but would really like something small and well-built.

Coolermaster Elite 110 would be a good budget recommendation. (It is currently $25.99 After promo code and $10 rebate with free shipping at Newegg)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119299

HardOCP did a pretty comprehensive review of it here (including how different drive configurations affected temperature) ---> http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014/04/09/cooler_master_elite_110_miniitx_case_review/1#.VXKpl0bG-Uk They gave it a editor's choice Silver award.

P.S. I actually have this case right now (but have not done my build up yet). It uses standard ATX PSU.

 

[Yuriman]

The Elite 110 is cheap but I found the power supply placement to be obnoxious enough that I quit using them in builds. There are smaller cases with better layouts for very little more.

 

[cbn]

The Elite 110 is cheap but I found the power supply placement to be obnoxious enough that I quit using them in builds. There are smaller cases with better layouts for very little more.

What length ATX PSU were you using? (140mm is the standard length, but they can be found 160mm or longer)

And what do you not like about the PSU placement?

 

[Yuriman]

What length ATX PSU were you using? (140mm is the standard length, but they can be found 160mm or longer)

And what do you not like about the PSU placement?

It was slightly longer than standard ATX, and was rather annoying when used in combination with an aftermarket cooler. I want to say I think the last build I used that case in was a Haswell i5 with a Big Typhoon (which my brother already owned), which technically fit but was a nightmare to install. I've since moved to cases and coolers that don't obscure motherboards from above with my ITX builds, as I don't like having to half disassemble it to add a hard drive or reset the CMOS.

EDIT: Considering the dead-space in the front, it just wasn't worth it.

 

[cbn]

It was slightly longer than standard ATX, and was rather annoying when used in combination with an aftermarket cooler. I want to say I think the last build I used that case in was a Haswell i5 with a Big Typhoon (which my brother already owned), which technically fit but was a nightmare to install. I've since moved to cases and coolers that don't obscure motherboards from above with my ITX builds, as I don't like having to half disassemble it to add a hard drive or reset the CMOS.

Here is a Elite 110 review from PCper using SFX PSU with adapter:

http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Cases-...ini-ITX-Case-Review/Installation-Power-Supply

PCper also had a few shots of a 160mm length ATX installation but the camera angles didn't match up with the SFX installation. Here is the best picture I could find:

I did, however, find this comparison of SFX PSU to 200mm ATX PSU (from the HardOCP review) that has the same camera angle:

What a difference in PSU sizes!

For a 160mm ATX PSU or 140mm ATX PSU just subtract 40mm and 60mm respectively from the length of that 200mm ATX PSU (pictured above). As a point of reference SFX PSU is 100mm in length.

 

[cbn]

EDIT: Considering the dead-space in the front, it just wasn't worth it.

Depending on PSU length:

1.) Maybe to better utilize extra space in the front, an AIO liquid cooler could be used? (see picture in previous post)

Unfortunately major downside of AIO liquid cooler is usually cost (but I need to research more before making my final conclusion).

2.) Maybe having extra space in front is useful for having ample access to drive bays?

 

[coolpurplefan]

I find 120mm fans are more silent. If you look at the SeaSonic M12II 520 (modular PSU), it has a 120mm fan.
(I currently have a SeaSonic S12II.)

 

[Yuriman]

I find 120mm fans are more silent. If you look at the SeaSonic M12II 520 (modular PSU), it has a 120mm fan.
(I currently have a SeaSonic S12II.)

I've found 120mm fans are generally better as well, but it's not a hard rule. I have Noctua 80mm fans in my two PCs right now and couldn't be more pleased with how quiet (silent) they are, while still being adequately cooled.

 

[ShintaiDK]

The best thing is to get a high efficiency PSU in terms of noise.

 

[gsilver]

I have an EVGA Hadron-based build:

Intel 4790k
ASUS GTX 970
Seasonic SS-500L1U 500w PSU (much quieter than stock, though only one PCI-E adapter)

Quiet, space-efficient, and one heck of a powerhouse.

 

[Headfoot]

The first time I looked at mini ITX, there weren't many models that took a full-sized PSU and the selection of coolers was also bleak. Now, there's more flexibility except I didn't find motherboards with the same kind of audio (Realtek ALC 1150) as I have now. If I could find a mini-ITX case that takes a reasonably-sized video card, full-size PSU and a good heatpipe cooler for the CPU and a motherboard with real high definition sound, I'd go for it.

For Mini ITX where you're likely putting it near a TV, offload all processing to your amplifier. Run digital out from the PC to the amp, no in-PC analog sound is going to be as low noise as a decently built dedicated amp/decoder unit

 

[swilli89]

I get the appeal of mini itx cases but I really enjoy having a mid tower case to have plenty of space to work in, space for drives, cable routing, and cooling.

How htpc I totally get it though. Have always wanted to try to cram as much power into a small box as possible, night life not included