WIP: Minimalistic MiniITX System

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A

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,648
4
81
Since the main components are here, I'll just go ahead and post some pics.
Components so far: H61N-USB3, i5-2500k, 2 x 4GB Samsung LP/LV DDR3
Missing: SSD, PicoPSU 120w (150w/160w just to be safe)

To Do: Going to have to modify the case.
Note that I reversed the orientation of the back I/O plate to opposite of how it's supposed to be (higher), in order to fit the cooler.
Debating on cutting a hole for the CPU fan, or finding a Scythe Kozuti (and maybe drill in air vents)
There are versions of the acrylic case that are bigger, but didn't like them - will have to figure out what to do.

The case I got here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/C0AA-S1-1-P...1552?pt=US_Computer_Cases&hash=item337f673210
Alternate Versions: http://www.ebay.com/itm/I0P15B-H1-1...5789?pt=US_Computer_Cases&hash=item4ab8202aed

t06E44I.jpg


ElfAQIS.jpg


oDO6xTb.jpg


Gonna dual boot Win7/OSX 10.8, heheh...


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4/15/13 update

it's almost done! i got the parts for the AC power brick i wanted.
also got the 2 x 120mm x 12mm height fans :)
in the meantime, i changed to a z77 board and got a dual core ivy bridge instead.
the tricky part is wiring it all together to the PicoPSU and hoping it doesn't fry everything i've done so far :p

the top -
fmaz7VT.jpg


the bottom -
zP6Xsp9.jpg


i/o ports -
WMq9mrk.jpg


side angle -
nAyj3Br.jpg


you can see the gap underneath the i/o ports

there is a design decision that i could make - i'm still debating on whether i want that 120mm fan underneath the motherboard. should i just remove it completely and lower the motherboard?
 
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2

2timer

Golden Member
Apr 20, 2012
1,803
1
0
Wow, that looks nice, so cool to see something in it's actual form!

I'm looking to build a SFF PC, so I have questions - lots of questions! :)

Q: It's hard to tell, but are the sides of the case just open air? It looks like there is a top to protect against any collisions, but I can't tell if the sides are open or closed.

Q: I don't see the standoff screws - is the mobo just resting on top of the tray? Are you planning to fasten it in with standoffs?

Q: Regarding the HDD, so your plan is to buy an SSD and just remove the outer enclosure? Interesting!

Thanks, great build!
 
2

2timer

Golden Member
Apr 20, 2012
1,803
1
0
*Edit*

Ahhh I see what you did there. The CPU cooler wouldn't clear the top in the original orientation, so you flipped the case upside down for more clearance! Nice.

I'd drill a hole using a circular bit on the top, to give the fan some clearance.
 
A

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,648
4
81
2timer said:
Wow, that looks nice, so cool to see something in it's actual form!

I'm looking to build a SFF PC, so I have questions - lots of questions! :)

Q: It's hard to tell, but are the sides of the case just open air? It looks like there is a top to protect against any collisions, but I can't tell if the sides are open or closed.
Click to expand...

no, the sides are also acrylic :)
i'm considering drilling holes in the top to allow airflow. technically you shouldn't have the top open in case of spills/etc.. but maybe i'll side load it (or not drink anything near it :p)

2timer said:
Q: I don't see the standoff screws - is the mobo just resting on top of the tray? Are you planning to fasten it in with standoffs?
Click to expand...

There are standoffs, however I did not use the ones that came w/ the acrylic kit in this picture. w/ your reply below (how i 'turned the case upside down'), i actually just turned the back plate's lcd part (not the i/o plate) upside down.
because of how the build is done, i'm considering not even using the back acrylic plate. the dimensions don't match to what i need..

2timer said:
Q: Regarding the HDD, so your plan is to buy an SSD and just remove the outer enclosure? Interesting!
Click to expand...
yes, and i've already done that.
you can kind of see how it looks in this picture.

eZ09OVw.jpg

(that is the standard sata connector - not microsata or whatever, haha)!
it's also as thin as it looks!

Anonemous said:
hmmm are you going to stick a discrete card in the pci x16 slot? Was thinking of building something like this for a ceton streaming/dvr box. Also where are you planning to put the ssd?

edit: Ah, there's space under the mobo:

http://www.lcdmodkit.com/specification/I0AA-H1.pdf
Click to expand...
however, i do not intend to use the space underneath for the ssd (see pic :))
in my picture, the itx mobo is lowered because i didn't use the included standoffs (i used my own)
also, that pic is of the 'recommended' case to be used with a core i3 setup.
the case i got was technically only made for integrated setups (using an atom or via cpu).
- http://www.ebay.com/itm/221204772256
i'll figure out a way.. ;)


----------

when i started this project (months ago), i've never even heard of thin-itx.
i researched it and initially i didn't consider it because it wasn't (easily) hackintoshable.
but it seems like the newer motherboards are, so i might consider switching out the new Z77N-wifi...
i wouldn't have had to worry about the picopsu if i went that route.

p.s. the parts i wanted came in so expect updated pics tomorrow :p (including a new cooler, picopsu, and that scythe :))

-----------



a lot has changed since then (but not worth updating.. yet - if i finish my next milestone this week i'll update it).

main goal of this build is to dual boot osx/win8
luckily for me, i was fine with the HD3000 (now HD4000) graphics.
board has changed to a Z77N-Wifi.
cpu downgraded from i5-2500k (a quad) to i3-3225 (dual), although graphics have changed
also got a couple of scythe slim slipstreams (120mm x 120mm x 12mm high) fans

the original design of this pre-built kit was that there are riser holes that raise the itx motherboard 17mm from the bottom of the plate
- to allow for clearance of a couple of 2.5mm hdds
- a small 40mm x 10mm height fan

since i no longer need the clearance for the 2.5" drives, i could either a) lower it and eliminate the fan completely or b) slightly raise it to put in the 12mm height 120mm fan

this reply got to long, should probably move to my thread haha
 
Last edited:
A

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,648
4
81
4/15/13 update

it's almost done! i got the parts for the AC power brick i wanted.
also got the 2 x 120mm x 12mm height fans :)
in the meantime, i changed to a z77 board and got a dual core ivy bridge instead.
the tricky part is wiring it all together to the PicoPSU and hoping it doesn't fry everything i've done so far :p

the top -
fmaz7VT.jpg


the bottom -
zP6Xsp9.jpg


i/o ports -
WMq9mrk.jpg


side angle -
nAyj3Br.jpg


you can see the gap underneath the i/o ports

there is a design decision that i could make - i'm still debating on whether i want that 120mm fan underneath the motherboard. should i just remove it completely and lower the motherboard?
 
2

2timer

Golden Member
Apr 20, 2012
1,803
1
0
Where's the SSD? I don't see it in the update.

Unless you can squeeze the SSD up top, I'm guessing there will have to be a slight gap between the mobo and bottom side, anyway. Are your thermals worrisome that you need the fan on bottom?
 
A

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,648
4
81
2timer said:
Where's the SSD? I don't see it in the update.

Unless you can squeeze the SSD up top, I'm guessing there will have to be a slight gap between the mobo and bottom side, anyway. Are your thermals worrisome that you need the fan on bottom?
Click to expand...

I could have squeezed it up top or bottom. But them found out it could fit on the side :p

TsJqyAp.jpg
 
F

firewolfsm

Golden Member
Oct 16, 2005
1,848
29
91
Motherboard components don't really need cooling. Just lower the motherboard and widen the vents to increase air flow to the cpu. I think a quad core could easily fit in this system.
 
M

MrX8503

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2005
4,529
0
0
Very cool. How did you know which SSD has the smaller PCB when you cracked it open?
 
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