Zap builds an SG05

[Zap]

PARTS LIST
Silverstone SG05 case with 450W PSU
Core i5-3570K CPU @4.2GHz undervolted
ASRock Z77E-ITX motherboard
some cheap ass $16 CPU cooler undervolted
8GB Samsung RAM
180GB Intel 330 SSD
512GB Crucial M4 SSD
256GB Patriot TorqX SSD
some random slot load slim optical drive
120mm LED fan and some random LEDs because she wanted it to light up purple
Zotac GTX 660 Ti graphics card

OLD RIG
Lian Li PC-60FNW case
Core i5-2500K CPU @4.5GHz
Asus P8P67 Pro motherboard
Cooler Master Hyper 212+ CPU cooler
8GB random RAM
180GB Intel 330 SSD
1TB Samsung F3 HDD
some random optical drives
random LED fans and cold cathodes because she wanted it to light up purple
Galaxy GTX 560 Ti graphics card
was using BFG ES-800 PSU, since "upgraded" to Rosewill Capstone 450W just because

PURPOSE OF BUILD
Because wife's old computer was already 1½ years old. Also, to make it smaller for possible LAN party use. Her old system was in a Lian Li mid tower, which is just one big empty box. In fact, I could have just gotten the case and motherboard, and recycled all her old parts in this tiny case. That's how much empty space was in the big tower. With the other new parts, I estimate similar CPU performance and much improved GPU performance. Oh yeah, she was also running out of SSD space, so I vastly increased SSD capacity and ditched the HDD.

CASE & PSU STATS
8.7" x 6.9" x 10.9"
222mm x 176mm x 276mm
10.8 liters in volume
3.58kg in weight for empty case with PSU
36A of +12v power
Case part # SG05BB-450-USB3.0. This means SG05 case in Black inside, Black outside, with 450W PSU and USB 3.0. Yes there are versions with 300W PSU, with only Black outside or White outside, without USB 3.0.

LINKS
Review of case
Silverstone SG05

PICS AND COMMENTARY
Mobo+CPU was a combo deal from Micro Center. I also got the CPU cooler from Micro Center, though Newegg also has it. Both places also have the RAM, though I got mine from Newegg with a coupon code.

Bought a new case for her new build. Had an older one used for a LAN rig, but Amazon has this case for $125 shipped with the 450W PSU. Plus, black on black is teh sexy. The old one has too much silver showing through the vents.

Motherboard with RAM, CPU and cooler installed. The cooler is a Logisys Theta 31. It is similar to the stock Intel quad core cooler in that it uses a PWM fan (albeit at higher RPMs), is a radial aluminum design and has a copper core. It improves on the Intel stock coolers in three ways. First is the fan is a higher RPM unit (which means you need to really reduce fan speeds in BIOS, but it can ramp up higher). Second is the heatsink is significantly taller than the Intel cooler. Think of what the old Core 2 Quads came with, not the tiny ones with the Core i5. Third is that it comes with a backplate and is a bolt down design. I figured it was worth $16, and I was right. The CPU is overclocked to 4.2GHz with a negative voltage offset (thus undervolted). I figure it is close enough in performance to the 2500K at 4.5GHz. OCCT pegs temps at mid 80's ºC. Acceptable, since it spends time web browsing and playing games at much lower temps, and will probably never be stability tested again.

Graphics card in all its shortness, next to the slim optical drive. I don't know why other cards aren't released this short (including the GTX 670). The cable is the slim optical drive adapter. Silverstone continues to be retarded in not including the proper power connector for slim optical drives. Antec and In Win manages that feat just fine with their cases that use slim optical drives.

Graphics card side sans card. One SSD in the 2.5" drive bay. Two SSDs in a 3.5" adapter. Cables are unavoidable.

I did run some wires underneath the motherboard. Really, it looks worse than it is.

Other side showing the four SATA cables nicely routed, and the unavoidable USB 3.0 cable.

Close-up of the SATA cable routing.

Graphics card installed. Wow, leaves a lot of space in such a tiny case.

 

[spencers]

Love that SG05. Been thinking about building a similar setup with the 660ti

 

[ViviTheMage]

So did I

http://vivithemage.com/2012/10/silv...77-i-deluxe-noctua-nh-l12-the-itx-mini-beast/

My cooler and GPU are bigger

 

[DaveSimmons]

Nice work. I was really tempted to do something like this for my early 2012 build, but decided it would run cooler and quieter going the opposite direction with an Antec P280 and regular ATX motherboard.

It takes up 5 times as much space, mostly empty, but it was easy to build and does run quietly under load.

 

[Iron Woode]

I built one for my friend last month using an SG02.

its an AMD setup on a Asrock N68C-GS FX, a single sata hdd, dvd burner, floppy drive(lol).

It took me about an hour or less to complete. Really nice case.

 

[Zap]

So did I

http://vivithemage.com/2012/10/silv...77-i-deluxe-noctua-nh-l12-the-itx-mini-beast/

My cooler and GPU are bigger

Compensating much?

Nice work. I was really tempted to do something like this for my early 2012 build, but decided it would run cooler and quieter going the opposite direction with an Antec P280 and regular ATX motherboard.

Consider this. How much air volume does each 120mm fan have to push to recycle all the air in the P280, versus the one 120mm fan in the SG05? I think there is fewer cubic feet of air per 120mm fan in the smaller case, thus it is easier to cool.

As for quiet, part of what makes the P280 quiet is the indirect air path, meaning no open grill in front. You can get that in the SG05, by going with the SG06.

 

[TheStu]

I am looking at putting together a Mini-ITX myself. I want a Mac on my desk again, and if I have to spend money to get my current rig Hack compatible, I might as well build a new computer altogether (that makes sense right?). Actually, I'll be able to re-use a bit, and sell or re-purpose the rest.

I was looking at the FT03 Mini myself, anyone have any experience with that case?

 

[Skott]

I love to see Zap Builds. How is that Zotac gpu? When Zotac first came out they had some quality issues but I heard less about this problem with their GPUs now. Their mobos still are questionable IMO however. Anyway I'm curious if its safe to buy Zotac GPUs. Do they hold up over time? Also which optical drive model did you go with?

 

[Skott]

So did I

http://vivithemage.com/2012/10/silv...77-i-deluxe-noctua-nh-l12-the-itx-mini-beast/

My cooler and GPU are bigger

Do you run your NH-L12 hsf with one or two fans inside the SG05 and also which way are they blowing? Down onto the cpu or upwards away from the cpu?

 

[Zap]

I was looking at the FT03 Mini myself, anyone have any experience with that case?

AnandTech reviewed it

I have not used it, but it is basically the same internal chassis as the SG05, but oriented differently and with a different shell (and drive cages).

How is that Zotac gpu? When Zotac first came out they had some quality issues but I heard less about this problem with their GPUs now. Their mobos still are questionable IMO however. Anyway I'm curious if its safe to buy Zotac GPUs. Do they hold up over time? Also which optical drive model did you go with?

Zotac graphics cards are fine. Yes, I do agree that their motherboards are questionable. In fact, the Zotac H67ITX-C-E motherboard in my LAN box seems to have given up the ghost*. I think I've had two other Zotac boards die, and currently still have a Zotac Atom board that is unstable.

*It still turns on, but my existing Windows install locks up and it won't boot off install media. Also, it will turn itself off when exiting BIOS. In fact, for a couple months it was requiring a double boot - first power on would result in locking on POST, then a reset will go automatically into BIOS. Oh yeah, speaking of the reset button, it sometimes does, sometimes doesn't, and sometimes... it will reset after a delay. Yes, these things developed over time. D: What. The. ...

I actually wasn't even going to buy anymore Zotac motherboards, but it was on a super duper discount.

I think it was a Sony/Optiarc slot load drive that I used. Had it for a while in my stash. Heck, I even still have a Lite On slot load EIDE slim drive in my stash, but I haven't found a use for that yet. D:

 

[Skott]

Zap,
Do you think the new modular 450w psu Silverstone has would be more helpful in a SG05 build than the current supplied one? Lets forget about the extra cost of buying another psu for a moment. What is your opinion of having the new modular in the SG05 vs the current supplied 450w unit?

 

[Zap]

Do you think the new modular 450w psu Silverstone has would be more helpful in a SG05 build than the current supplied one? Lets forget about the extra cost of buying another psu for a moment. What is your opinion of having the new modular in the SG05 vs the current supplied 450w unit?

Let's take a look at my build for a moment. I am using all cables from the PSU. I'm not necessarily using all of the individual plugs, but I am using at least one plug from each cable. If I had the modular, I would be using all of the cables too. Thus, I fail to see what modular would give me.

With the Silverstone PSUs specifically, the modular unit is also 80Plus Gold, versus Bronze of the included PSU. However, it would probably take an entire decade to pay off the extra $100 just from the savings alone (random guess based on similar discussions elsewhere).

Since you didn't mention efficiency, I would assume you are interested in the modular cabling. To that, I ask one word.

Why?

You will need the 24 pin and the 8 pin for the motherboard.

You will need the PCIe for the graphics card.

You will need the SATA for any HDD/SSD, since all plugs are on one strand.

You will need the peripheral (AKA Molex™) for the adapter for your optical drive, plus fan if you aren't plugging it in to the motherboard.

 

[Skott]

Ok, that pretty much answers my question. I was wondering if there were any advantages of the included bronze unit over the new modular as far as the SG05 was concerned. As always Zap your info and input is greatly appreciated and respected.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Do you run your NH-L12 hsf with one or two fans inside the SG05 and also which way are they blowing? Down onto the cpu or upwards away from the cpu?

bit late, but I am using two fans ... both blowing down if I recall. I had to get a scythe slipstream linky so it could fit on the top and not hit the PSU...I had to use zip ties to mount it, which you can see in pictures...works great though. I use a volt modifier to turn it down a bit as well, so it is nice and silent.

Actually building a second rig for my brother in law shortly.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

*drool*

(I pick up my parts tomorrow.)

 

[Skott]

I havent built anything yet. Waiting for some money to come into my possession. Got my eye on that ncase project though. Its either that or a SG05 I guess. Thanks for the reply Vivi.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

The SG05 build wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.

Install the GPU LAST.

Disappointed it didn't come with a mini-SATA adapter for the slim optical drive. The samples they sent out to review sites did. (Mine's ordered, Amazon Prime, measly $5, no biggie.)

I kinda have to wonder how many mini-ITX rigs actually have optical drives, honestly. Those motherboards really should come with drivers on a USB stick.

 

[Zap]

Disappointed it didn't come with a mini-SATA adapter for the slim optical drive. The samples they sent out to review sites did.

That's been a disappointment to me too. Antec's ISK 300/310 comes with the correct slim power connector built into the PSU. Obviously Silverstone can customize the plugs on their PSUs since the 300W version has a 6-pin PCIe power plug that no other FSP unit has (such as one in Lian Li cases, or sold as an FSP). What a huge oversight. Not like the case is brand new either.