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will micro itx board mount into Antec mini p180b?

K

Ksyder

Golden Member
Thinking about building a small home server to use for general file serving/backup duties, as well as to run a magic jack and probably act as a print server also. I recently obtained an Antec mini p180 and will probably use this case for the job since it can reasonably adapt to any configuration I throw at it.

My first choice for boards is this one here which is matx:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135247

otherwise I will take any of the atom 330 (m-itx) boards if for some reason that one doesn't work out.

My question is will the mini itx boards fit into a micro atx case?

Also any comments on the paragraph below are appreciated.

My main focus here is the low cost of power when running 24/7. I'm hoping it will only draw around 60 watts including the cpu/chipset/ram/hard drives and hence maybe only cost $5 or $6 a month (in Ohio where I'm guessing its around 12 cents per kwh)

Am I crazy? Does this seem possible?
 
Ksyder said:
My question is will the mini itx boards fit into a micro atx case?

Also any comments on the paragraph below are appreciated.

My main focus here is the low cost of power when running 24/7. I'm hoping it will only draw around 60 watts including the cpu/chipset/ram/hard drives and hence maybe only cost $5 or $6 a month (in Ohio where I'm guessing its around 12 cents per kwh)

Am I crazy? Does this seem possible?
Click to expand...

A mini ITX board uses the first four mounting holes around the CPU, so it will fit just about any case including micro ATX, ATX and even EATX.

60W or less using an Atom 330 with 2-3 hard drives should be possible. Just choose lower powered hard drives (5400RPM like the WD "Green") and a very low capacity yet efficient PSU (like a PicoPSU). This is kind of important because most (but not all) PSUs start being less efficient below 20% output and really inefficient below 10% output. Your typical 80+ certified 1000W PSU might be only 50% efficient putting out 50W.

Something like this will put out a bit more than you need and may get 80-90% efficiency for really low outputs.
 
Thanks, Zap, that is very helpful. What do you think of http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151086 for this application?

That one seems to be the lowest wattage I can find that is of reputable quality, 80+ bronze, and has the requisite 20 + 4 power connectors, as well as enough sata connectors to power the drives.

I like the dc brick power supply that you showed me as well, but of course I'd like to be able to use a standard form factor psu so that I can mount the psu in the way the case is designed for. Plus the seasonic is a bit cheaper as well.

However, with the efficiency numbers you are stating for the pico psu, that might be a good option if I can run 3 hard drives from it. Not sure if that would just require a splitter of some sort.

Also, I suppose I'd have to velcro or double side tape that brick into where the usual psu goes in my case.
 
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That 300W Bronze PSU would probably be a suitable unit. Should still be a hair over 80% efficient at 60W output.
 
Zap said:
That 300W Bronze PSU would probably be a suitable unit. Should still be a hair over 80% efficient at 60W output.
Click to expand...

so this would mean that at 60 watt output the PSU should be drawing roughly 75w from the wall?
 
Yes, roughly. If you are using an Atom 330 with three HDDs, you will probably be a bit under that in usage.
 
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