I will build me a mini-ITX machine now that Ivy Bridge chips are coming out. I have dreamed of building something small for a long time now, and got an itch for new hardware after about 2.5 years since my last purchase. I do not really need it for performance, got an undervolted i7 860 and a HD5850 that fills 1920x1200 pixels perfectly fine for my needs. Excuses to scratch the itch is size and heat (cooling /noise). And if I save enough $ I will buy a monitor with higher resolution over the next two years, ie within this new PC's life.
Lian Li PC-Q11 http://www.lian-li.com.tw/v2/en/pro...ex=545&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=64&g=f Im also considering PC-Q25 or others, such as Fractal Design Array R2 (larger boxes, accommodates larger GFX, and perhaps HDD suspension), but would rather not have bigger than Q11, however.
ASUS P8Z77-I http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z77I_DELUXE/ Expensive, but lekker indeed - I'm a little unsure what I think about the extra circuit board with VRMs, but 17x17 cm with everything and then some
I plan to put in a i7 3770 K or S, well see about prices and availability first, but I do want the HD4000 graphics. Probably I get the K and try undervolting @ stock Hz, the T model being a lurker here. If the i5 3475S has good watt / performance / price ratio I may go for it, as I don't really need i7 performance (but I like it, and it will last longer).
I guess 8 GB low profile RAM will be sufficient for a while - but which brand / model / speed? Suggestions are very welcome as I think RAM can be a confusing market. But I'm looking for something I can trust.
And then, I really want to get hold of a Seasonic TFX SS-300/350 80 plus gold PSU http://www.seasonic.com/product/pc_tfx.jsp and try to fit it in the top back of the Q11 - perhaps by taking it apart, and /or remove the lid, or Dremel whats needed. The supplied 80mm fan lives dangerously, but is apparently passive at low loads. In order to get good air circulation I may make some modifications to the Q11 chassis too. I guess the power cable / connector will give me some problems, but hopefully nothing impossible. So far these are hard to find in Europe, but I want to hear if this Czech web shop http://interlink.tsbohemia.cz/seasonic-ss-300tgw-tfx-300w-80plus-gold-bulk_d140406.html can send to Norway. Not expensive, before delivery anyway.
Before these (reasonable) Seasonic units recently appeared, I considered PicoPSU or Electrodacus solutions, and have wondered quite a bit if I could use two, one for CPU and one for the video card? (Anyone?) X-400 was also evaluated, wondering if I could take it apart in a way, and move the pieces around to fit the CPU cooler. When mounting the PSU into the top of the enclosure can I use a tower heat pipe cooler for the CPU, like Scythe Mugen / Ninja or TR HR-02 Macho or anything else (big) designed for low air flow. I believe it will be HR-02, please shout if you got any objections /opinions /options.
What I really struggle the most with is how I can get enough power if I want to insert a graphics card with one six-pin external power requirement. Can not SS-300/350 provide power to a 77w CPU and a high-mid GPU? PSU as it is does not have connectors for this at all;
http://www.seasonic.com/pdf/datasheet/NEW/Bulk/PC/TFX/SS-300-350TGx Active PFC.pdf
Is it possible for me to cheat (I mean fix) and plug /screw /solder on da PSU so I get the six-pin connector I need for the GPU? Is it possible to run a graphics card with a juryrigged Pico PSU solution? Do I have to make do with a GPU that gets max ~ 75W from the internal PCI-e slot? Should I butcher a different PSU?
I will still consider my desire for additional graphics power versus PSU operating within its optimal range when the computer is idle/websurfing, which is often. So I have not quite decided if I want 300W or 350W and if I need modular cables or not, but availability may determine this - 350 Modular most likely.
I'm not building for gaming immediately, but I'm pretty sure I will later try to put in as much GFX power that I can fit (240-250mm length) and get power for. A new SSD I have to get, but that will mostly just be like going to the candystore ... and then Ill see whattodo with my hard drives (... sigh). I'm not sure if I should bother with an optical drive, maybe just to have the BR for the future - but again, I dont really need it now, so .. Its very possible the cabinet fan is redundant if I get room for a HR-02 with TY-140 on push, a little ducting inside can also do wonders dont have to look nice just work.
Just wanted to post a link to a forumtread at HardOCP where a guy managed to put another PSU in the same place I think of (yes, page 31, just scroll down a bit) http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1523097&page=31 many good builds in the thread .. and another very inspired Q11 build, I like that he has polished hard drives and cleaned caps, etc. for appearance; http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?276040-Project-Lian-Li-PC-Q11
*this post also posted on SPCR by me
Lian Li PC-Q11 http://www.lian-li.com.tw/v2/en/pro...ex=545&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=64&g=f Im also considering PC-Q25 or others, such as Fractal Design Array R2 (larger boxes, accommodates larger GFX, and perhaps HDD suspension), but would rather not have bigger than Q11, however.
ASUS P8Z77-I http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z77I_DELUXE/ Expensive, but lekker indeed - I'm a little unsure what I think about the extra circuit board with VRMs, but 17x17 cm with everything and then some
I plan to put in a i7 3770 K or S, well see about prices and availability first, but I do want the HD4000 graphics. Probably I get the K and try undervolting @ stock Hz, the T model being a lurker here. If the i5 3475S has good watt / performance / price ratio I may go for it, as I don't really need i7 performance (but I like it, and it will last longer).
I guess 8 GB low profile RAM will be sufficient for a while - but which brand / model / speed? Suggestions are very welcome as I think RAM can be a confusing market. But I'm looking for something I can trust.
And then, I really want to get hold of a Seasonic TFX SS-300/350 80 plus gold PSU http://www.seasonic.com/product/pc_tfx.jsp and try to fit it in the top back of the Q11 - perhaps by taking it apart, and /or remove the lid, or Dremel whats needed. The supplied 80mm fan lives dangerously, but is apparently passive at low loads. In order to get good air circulation I may make some modifications to the Q11 chassis too. I guess the power cable / connector will give me some problems, but hopefully nothing impossible. So far these are hard to find in Europe, but I want to hear if this Czech web shop http://interlink.tsbohemia.cz/seasonic-ss-300tgw-tfx-300w-80plus-gold-bulk_d140406.html can send to Norway. Not expensive, before delivery anyway.
Before these (reasonable) Seasonic units recently appeared, I considered PicoPSU or Electrodacus solutions, and have wondered quite a bit if I could use two, one for CPU and one for the video card? (Anyone?) X-400 was also evaluated, wondering if I could take it apart in a way, and move the pieces around to fit the CPU cooler. When mounting the PSU into the top of the enclosure can I use a tower heat pipe cooler for the CPU, like Scythe Mugen / Ninja or TR HR-02 Macho or anything else (big) designed for low air flow. I believe it will be HR-02, please shout if you got any objections /opinions /options.
What I really struggle the most with is how I can get enough power if I want to insert a graphics card with one six-pin external power requirement. Can not SS-300/350 provide power to a 77w CPU and a high-mid GPU? PSU as it is does not have connectors for this at all;
http://www.seasonic.com/pdf/datasheet/NEW/Bulk/PC/TFX/SS-300-350TGx Active PFC.pdf
Is it possible for me to cheat (I mean fix) and plug /screw /solder on da PSU so I get the six-pin connector I need for the GPU? Is it possible to run a graphics card with a juryrigged Pico PSU solution? Do I have to make do with a GPU that gets max ~ 75W from the internal PCI-e slot? Should I butcher a different PSU?
I will still consider my desire for additional graphics power versus PSU operating within its optimal range when the computer is idle/websurfing, which is often. So I have not quite decided if I want 300W or 350W and if I need modular cables or not, but availability may determine this - 350 Modular most likely.
I'm not building for gaming immediately, but I'm pretty sure I will later try to put in as much GFX power that I can fit (240-250mm length) and get power for. A new SSD I have to get, but that will mostly just be like going to the candystore ... and then Ill see whattodo with my hard drives (... sigh). I'm not sure if I should bother with an optical drive, maybe just to have the BR for the future - but again, I dont really need it now, so .. Its very possible the cabinet fan is redundant if I get room for a HR-02 with TY-140 on push, a little ducting inside can also do wonders dont have to look nice just work.
Just wanted to post a link to a forumtread at HardOCP where a guy managed to put another PSU in the same place I think of (yes, page 31, just scroll down a bit) http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1523097&page=31 many good builds in the thread .. and another very inspired Q11 build, I like that he has polished hard drives and cleaned caps, etc. for appearance; http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?276040-Project-Lian-Li-PC-Q11
*this post also posted on SPCR by me
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