The Mini-ITX build begins.

[Lazzer408]

Hard drive mounted with the screws recessed in the bottom. HD4870 double slot card shown. No modification will need to be done to the card's cooler. You can see that the intake for the graphics card is -slightly- blocked but that's only the edge of the intake and there's still 3/16" between the card and the hdd. There's a 60mm fan behind the hdd directly below the card to feed it some cool air. Remember the case fans on the other side of the case are blowing out and the whole videocard side of the case cover will be slotted. Major cool airflow to the graphics card. There's plenty of room for it's power connectors at the front of the case. There is over 7-1/2" in lenght for the Flex-ATX/1U power supply. No more modifying powersupplies! \/

 

[Lazzer408]

Now obviously with the videocard raised I need to extend the pcie port. Here are some options. A port extention to use the riser card I have, or just a flex riser.

 

[Geofrancis]

Now obviously with the videocard raised I need to extend the pcie port. Here are some options. A port extention to use the riser card I have, or just a flex riser.

http://forums.techpowerup.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30210&stc=1&d=1257060263

http://forums.techpowerup.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30215&stc=1&d=1257060436

http://forums.techpowerup.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30214&stc=1&d=1257060354

because you are sitting the card horizontally i would use the solid pci-e riser because you wont have much support on the slotside of the graphics card unless you can find some way of propping it up.

on the other hand the flexible riser will let you fit the card how you want rather than building the case around the size of the pci-e riser you can just bend it to size and there is also screw holes on the flexible riser so you could fix it to the case somewhere so that its as secure as the solid one.

 

[Lazzer408]

Fellow modders, how about some input on something?

I measured up for the riser extension and this computer is slowly working it's way to being bulky. I'm trying to keep it thin. I want this case to be as slim as possible. Here's the deal. If I don't use the riser extention I can still fit a double slot videocard but I'll have to use a laptop harddrive. Not a -huge- issue but it does add more cost since I don't have a good laptop drive. With a single slot card a 3.5" drive would fit fine but I'd still need the gpu heat duct mod. Staying skinny brings me back to the cpu cooling problem with the top of the case so close to the fan. Fans just don't work for $#!^ when something flat is close to it's intake. One option for cpu cooling would be a different heatsink/fan. If you've been watching Cuzza's thread, I could make a heatsink like that for this motherboard. It would easily take 1/2" off the cpu cooler height and cool the northbridge as well. My cpu duct would work with that system while still keeping the case thin. But again, time and money.

I just want people to see this thing and say "damn that's tiny" then really impress them with the gaming performance. Most people assume ITX systems and gaming can't be used in the same sentance unless it's a big ugly cube box. (sorry geo. lol) I'd like that sleek media center look but with POWAH!

When designing I try to think about everything from a retail standpoint. If I wanted to manufacture this as a complete system, for retail market, it would not be wise to have to custom modify any components. It should accept as many stock components as possible. It should support the "latest and greatest" graphics cards (x2 cards being the exception), support the fastest quad core (while keeping it cool) and alowing for mild overclocking, and use a standard size powersupply. ATX, Flex, SFX, 1U, ect.

So I guess my question is. Do I build this case from scratch for maximum performance (5870, core2quad) and the size just is what it is? Or should I cut back a bit on performance (4850, core2duo), keep the little case, have to do all the mods, and have to underclock everything to keep it cool? Keep in mind I might have to be building 5 of these. I'd like not to have to hand-mod them all.

 

[Cuzza]

Well, if you are capable of scratch building the case, that seems like definitely the best option to me.

 

[Lazzer408]

I think I got it. I can keep the height at 3" (less the feet). From the top of the aluminum plate to the top edge of my riser card is 2-11/16". If I go with a 1/8" base plate (like in my drawing) then the total height from the bottom of the case to the top of the riser would be 2-13/16". Add the 1/16" thickness of the cover and a 1/8" gap between it and the riser I'll wind up at 3" tall. Booyah!
I had to make shorter stand-offs for the motherboard. I may have to saw off 1/16" of the riser extension though. I'm not sure the print of it scaled well. It looks wrong but w/e. I can always go the flex riser route. That's not an issue.

Oh, I tested the Intel's fan by placing a piece of cardboard close to the top. Anything >1/4" doesn't have too much effect on it but <1/4" and the airflow just about stops. Crazy aerodynamics. With the layout now I'll have 1/2" above it for my intake duct.

Check out these nice feet I yanked off a junked Sansui CD player.

 

[Lazzer408]

Awesome, this looks sweet, I can't wait to see how this turns out. I want something smaller than the SG05, it's too big IMO

Ion I ment to get back to you. I took a look the SG05. :shadedshu I remember seeing that one when I was on my hunt. The cube cases just don't work for me. I like something that looks more like a/v equipment. Unfortunatly there just aren't any options to cram a powersupply in one without serious modifications but... ...to be continued.

 

[Lazzer408]

Here's the mock-up case. This one was welded/tacked together. I like to see things fit into place and not just rely on measurements. This is just a prototype. The final will be bent into shape, and straight.

Putting the two side by side it really isn't that much bigger but the size adjustments allow for a "normal" psu, double slot full lenght graphics card, standard 3.5" hdd, and a ducted fan intake for the cpu. I kept fighting that G-Atlanta case trying to mod everything and squeeze it all in wishing I had just a little more space. I need to pick up some rubber gromets for mounting the drive. The aluminum bottom really transfers the head movement noise.

 

[pantherx12]

Looks really nice man!

 

[Lazzer408]

Looks really nice man!

Thanks man. Takes time but I'll get what I want. bwahaha

 

[Error 404]

Have you considered flipping the hard drive over so that it can use the bottom of the case as a heat spreader? It looks like its going to get awfully cozy next to that 4870...

 

[Lazzer408]

Have you considered flipping the hard drive over so that it can use the bottom of the case as a heat spreader? It looks like its going to get awfully cozy next to that 4870...

The airflow into the case is from that side so cool air will be flowing right between the videocard and hdd. The bottom plate is aluminum and will take some heat away but not much. Actually... I have to mount the drive on rubber so there wouldn't be any contact with anything. I hept an eye, or finger rather, on the drive when I was testing the other case. It wasn't any hotter then my desktop.

 

[pantherx12]

By the by, found a copper heatsink that might be handy if you ever want to upgrade the PSU cooling
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_2624.html

I imagine you could find one like it for cheaper

 

[Geofrancis]

when you say your putting a full sized power supply in it do u mean full sized atx / micro atx with the case still on it or just the pcb like before?

 

[Lazzer408]

when you say your putting a full sized power supply in it do u mean full sized atx / micro atx with the case still on it or just the pcb like before?

A Flex ATX or 1U server supply.

 

[Lazzer408]

This isn't another variation to my project. I was just considering options for thin computers. It wouldn't be hard to make this heatsink out of extruded fin-stock and passively cool the cpu and chipset. Ignore the circle. With fans pulling air through the case, the top of the case almost against the tips of the heatsink fins, and the fins themselfs 1.5" long, There would be good airflow through this design. Add my 4-pin PWM circuit to control the case fans and it would be a sweet setup. A low profile cooler could certainly be used but good luck overclocking. Aside from my Gaming HTPC build, I'm still keeping the G-Atlanta in mind for someone, like [Ion], who was looking for something small and powerfull.

 

[pantherx12]

Hey just have to say this thread has inspired me to build my own mini PC.

Going to go With M-ATX instead and quite a different layout.

Won't be able to for a while due to low funds but still

 

[Lazzer408]

Hey just have to say this thread has inspired me to build my own mini PC.

Going to go With M-ATX instead and quite a different layout.

Won't be able to for a while due to low funds but still

This thread shows the potential that a SFF computer can have but it took hours to find the right combination of components and mods to make it work. If you go with the G-Atlanta case I can vouch for a few things. You CAN fit a double slot graphics card in the case IF you use a laptop harddrive and attach it to the bottom below the card. If you use a single slot card you will have cooling issues due to how the single slot cards vent into the case but a full 3.5" hdd will fit below it. The stock Intel cooler will fit but you'll want to put some holes in the top cover or use a low profile cooler.

The ONLY powersupply that I found that can cram under the optical bay is this one.

http://www.sparklepower.com/pdf/SPI250F4BB.pdf

81.5x40.5x150mm (3.21x1.6x5.9")

250w 80+
5v 16a
3.3v 14a
+5sb 3a
-12 0.3a
12v1 15a
12v2 15a

And here's the case.

http://www.g-alantic.com.tw/g-ga630ibk.htm

There are two versions of the case. Make sure to specify the 2 slot version and don't forget to grab a GA620RSE PCIe riser and SATA adaptor if you use a SATA slim optical drive.

 

[pantherx12]

I might try and build the case from scratch, I can't imagine it be to insanely difficult.

Its the only way I'm going to be able to build it how I've envision it in my head.

I'll draw a rough sketch and upload it later on actually : ]
I'll think you'll like what I plan on doing with the the graphics : ]

 

[Lazzer408]

I might try and build the case from scratch, I can't imagine it be to insanely difficult.

Its the only way I'm going to be able to build it how I've envision it in my head.

I'll draw a rough sketch and upload it later on actually : ]
I'll think you'll like what I plan on doing with the the graphics : ]

Alright cool. Looking forward to it. Had If I had any artistic talent I'd try and make something fancy but I'm limited to function with no form.

EDIT - Oh btw. This is a free and easy CAD program that has the feel of Microsoft paint.

http://www.cadstd.com

 

[pantherx12]

Thanks that will be really useful.

Drawing by hand is hard haha

 

[Lazzer408]

Did I ever mention I have WAY too much time on my hands? I didn't exactly have a hunk of extruded fin heatsink stock to cut up, so, I made this out of 4 AMD ones. Finally, AMD hardware that's good for something. Like cooling my Intel! Curiosity killed the cat and I'm dying to try this. I bet a thin 120mm fan would work wonders.

NO it's not photo-shopped this time.

 

[pantherx12]

What the hell! HA HA HA

That's so OTT its amazing

be sure to stick some plastic to areas that might touch other bits and short stuff out!

 

[p_o_s_pc]

how did you get those heatsinks together? Also AMD hardware is good for more then just cooling your Intel.(if you didn't know all my new(er) rigs are AMD and no i'm not a fanboy)

 

[pantherx12]

By the by, I have a copper block you could use on the bit that makes contact to the CPU.

Can have it for free if you do : ]