Designing Slim ITX Case: Need Input Part 2

[yottabit]

Which would YOU prefer?

Option A:

Option B:

You can see my previous poll:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2140371&highlight=sff
asking what kind of video cards you guys would like in a SLIM SFF case. Now the design is coming together and I basically need to choose between supporting a ~9" graphics card with 2.5" disk drives or a ~10.5" card with 3.5" disk drives.

The change in overall dimensions between the two isn't that great, but it seems even a couple inches at this size makes a big difference. At a certain point it's not so small form factor anymore. The power supply I have has 400 W on the 12v rails, so it can power a decent card. So far cooling is coming along well and the system isn't too noisy unless it's heavily loaded. (aka Furmark)

Edit: Also in this depiction, Option A is using the standard slot bracket mounting mechanism whereas Option B would require the slot bracket being removed from the vid card. That's how the length is reduced to 15.5", and that tactic can be employed on either case. A custom bracket would be fabbed to match the card.

EDIT: Poll fail. Accidentally hit save changes before I added the poll, mods could you delete or somehow add the poll for me? In the mean time just tell me your opinion

Thanks everyone!

 

[DaveSimmons]

How wide is the PSU? I might prefer option "C" where the case is taller but only 12" long instead of 16"

 

[yottabit]

How wide is the PSU? I might prefer option "C" where the case is taller but only 12" long instead of 16"

Just under 4 inches. The height is the only thing I'm really set on with this design as it's what differentiates it from the other ITX cases out there (mostly either cubes, or slim PC's like this but can't take a decent video card)

Why is the 12" length important to you?

I'm envisioning this as an under-monitor or in your home entertainment center type case. Someone brought up the idea to me of making an XBOX/PS3 style stand that would allow you to stand the case upright and I'll be looking into that.

For reference, Option B has a smaller footprint than a 17" Macbook Pro. Option A is closer to a typical 17" Desktop Replacement Laptop in footprint. Both designs will end up < 2.5" thick, probably within 2.25 to 2.375"

 

[piasabird]

Well Athena Power makes a 1U 500W power supply that is 1.57X3.93X8.66 (inches). Could put drives on top of that. This is 1.57" high. I have seen some cases that are putting the power supply in the front of the case and the drives bays are put on the top. Or you could run the power supply along the side.

I just used the Athena as an example, because it was the first 1U power supply I found. You will find you need the base to come up a little and then you also need the mounting for the motherboard to have some space between the MB and the mounting platter to keep from grounding.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817338054

 

[yottabit]

Well Athena Power makes a 1U 500W power supply that is 1.57X3.93X8.66 (inches). Could put drives on top of that. This is 1.57" high. I have seen some cases that are putting the power supply in the front of the case and the drives bays are put on the top. Or you could run the power supply along the side.

I just used the Athena as an example, because it was the first 1U power supply I found. You will find you need the base to come up a little and then you also need the mounting for the motherboard to have some space between the MB and the mounting platter to keep from grounding.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817338054

Yup, I already have a 1U power supply (and that's what's modeled). I went with an FSP Group 460 W. Unfortunately there's not enough room above it for a 3.5" desktop hard drive, only a 2.5 inch drive in my current configuration. The motherboard will use standard standoffs. I should mention I already have everything more or less constructed and working, I'm just looking on input as to whether people would value the use of desktop drives enough to sacrifice a couple extra inches.

 

[mfenn]

I'd prefer the 2.5" drive config because I'd be using an SSD and 7200RPM 2.5" drives are quite cheap nowadays.

 

[yottabit]

Thanks for the input everyone. Here's a physical mockup:

Design A

Design B

Size comparison: Dell Studio 15 laptop

Size comparison: Sony HDMI Upscale DVD player

Some fun shots:

Don't worry, the wood, rubber bands, duct tape, and cardboard won't be present on the final version.

 

[mfenn]

Don't worry, the wood, rubber bands, duct tape, and cardboard won't be present on the final version.

Awww...

 

[Athadeus]

I'm still worried about the small fans being present! bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I vote option B

 

[yottabit]

I'm still worried about the small fans being present! bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I vote option B

The fans I'm using are Evercool ball-bearing fans in 40 and 50mm and they are actually very quiet (inaudbile over the graphics card/cpu fan at idle) and move a surprising amount of air. The only fans that buzz a bit are the ones in the PSU, and I think I have a solution for that. It's really the cheap sleeve bearing fans that give the rest of them a bad name

I'm going to be doing temperature and noise testing once the final product is complete.