Mini ITX /Ivy Bridge, PSU woes

khaakon

Junior Member
Apr 2, 2009
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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 I’m 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 :p

I plan to put in a i7 3770 K or S, we’ll 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 what’s 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 I’ll 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 don’t really need it now, so .. It’s 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 – don’t 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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Axon

Platinum Member
Sep 25, 2003
2,541
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IMO, there is no equal to the Silverstone SG05/06 w/450w PSU in terms of a combination of small size and gaming performance.

SG06: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163172

You can fit a GTX 680 in there, though it may take some funky maneuvering to do so. You can also power both that GPU and an Ivy CPU off the 450w PSU. Silverstone sells the PSU separately as well, but it may be off the market right now.

With that said, the Q11 houses a full on PSU, so if you want a big boy power unit, that's your best choice. And speaking purely in terms of what I needed in my itx build, I have never missed the optical drive. SSDs are also the way to go; very easy to house.
 

khaakon

Junior Member
Apr 2, 2009
8
0
66
Hi, thanks guys. I think the Cubitek case is too big for me, sorry. I was looking at SG05/06 for long time, and I still like them if you dont want too much combined CPU/GPU power. Q11 with mods still leads this race.
I'm still looking for RAM recommendations and PSU wizards :D
 
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Axon

Platinum Member
Sep 25, 2003
2,541
1
76
Well, I think you should move this to general hardware. Even though your question is PSU related, you're also dipping well into the general area. :)

With that said, I am running a GTX 680 and an i5 750 @ 3.8 off of my 450w silverstone SG05 case. My RAM is pretty standard G.Skill low profile DDR3 @1600 MHZ; nothing fancy there, and it gets the job done. G.Skill is great, as is Corsair, Mushkin, etc.

What I suppose I don't understand is why you feel you need more than 450 watts for a CPU and onboard graphics? Total power draw will likely be in the low 100s for the cpu, and the entire system is unlikely to go over 150w under PRIME95 stress testing.
 

khaakon

Junior Member
Apr 2, 2009
8
0
66
Yeah I should move it, but I don't know how? Maybe a moderator can help out?

The Q11 I think gives a little more options for solving cooling issues than the small Silverstones. If there were avaliable SFX PSU's with 80 plus gold rating, I could look again on SG05/06 (a good SFX PSU would be nice in a Q11 as well though). A bigger case also will help for less direct soundpaths, and gives maybe the option of optional soundproofing (not afraid of ghetto mods inside).
I will get a discreet GFX card (150W or less, 1PCIe pwrconn.) in a while, and should be able to get by with 300-350W PSU I guess - need not to run any torture loads on my PC, but there will be gaming (can't quit..), HTPC, browsing/nerding and some video conversion. I am pretty sure I will put on third party GFX cooling and some of them challenge height as well as length/width.
 
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khaakon

Junior Member
Apr 2, 2009
8
0
66
*bump, and some edits to the post above.

Having seen IB reviews today, I wonder if I should just wait awhile, atleast let the technology mature some more before purchase - for better prices/features and stability, and Thunderbolt not in the very least. Gawd, how I would have regret to miss that one for future proofing a system.
I do like the ASUS MB alot, featurewise - DP among others, and smartphone remote sounds great fun. Besides all the power awesomeness. And just now Lian Li released 5 (!) new m-ITX cases - the Q18 is looking interesting but not perfect (for me).
I'm still looking for a good solution for powering up the system as I see it today, but I guess new HW stuff over 4-6 months might change that.

...if only I could give up gaming...
 
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