Mac Mini type 'Windows PC'

Martynt74 · 17 Oct 2011 at 15:49

What about the Dell Zino thing if he wanted a store bought option

koolpc · 17 Oct 2011 at 18:19

Dell Zino. No, he wants to build his own

DavidB · 17 Oct 2011 at 19:40

gropingmantis said:
Thats fine because the ITX2 has no expansion slot so you cant use it anyway and I know it wont take 3.5" HDDs thats why I suggested the Scorpio Blue as it is 2.5".

I did not just throw together a random selection of nice components.

My appologies, I thought you wrote the ITX7-2 . I wasn't accusing you of throwing together a collection of parts, I was simply trying to be helpful. I'm sorry if it came across differently.

gropingmantis · 17 Oct 2011 at 20:02

DavidB said:
My appologies, I thought you wrote the ITX7-2 . I wasn't accusing you of throwing together a collection of parts, I was simply trying to be helpful. I'm sorry if it came across differently.

Ah sorry I jumped down your throat there. Its so hard to work out someone's tone over written media.

DavidB · 17 Oct 2011 at 20:37

gropingmantis said:
Ah sorry I jumped down your throat there. Its so hard to work out someone's tone over written media.

No problem, the internets like that! Anyway, back on topic

chad · 18 Oct 2011 at 00:03

koolpc said:
What mobo would you recommend to go with the i3 2105?

Gigabyte GA-H67N-USB3-B3

koolpc · 19 Oct 2011 at 21:11

What about a low profile heatsink? Which one?

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 19 Oct 2011 at 22:22

koolpc said:
What about a low profile heatsink? Which one?

I would check this thread out:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-entertainment-pcs/1367633-wesena-htpc-cases-8.html

The people in that thread seem to have experience with Wesena cases.

If you are going for the ITX2, going for a 65W CPU will be pushing it seems:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=it...s=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

A 73W TDP Core i3 540 runs quite hot. This means even a Core i3 2100 or Core i3 2105 might run quite hot in an ITX2.

The ITX2 will not work with the standard Intel heatsink for their 65W CPUs as the maximum heatsink is around 40MM to 45NM. The lower profile heatsink on the Core i3 2100T will work though as it is between 30MM to 35MM.

Aftermarket heatsinks which should work are:
1.)Scythe Kozuti - 40MM
2.)Silverstone Nitogen NT07 1156 - 36.5MM
3.)Akasa AK-CCE-7106HP - 29.5MM
4.)Akasa AK-CC7118HP01 K25 - 29.5MM

According to the ITX2 review I linked to,standard height RAM clashes with the front panel. I use a Gigabyte GA-H67N-USB3-B3 myself, and like the Intel DH67CF used in the review, it will probably have the same issue. The Intel does have lower power consumption than the Gigabyte due to using less VRM phases.

Hence,I would consider looking for the following low profile RAM:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/__p96Ony2voA/TNG4TjO1NYI/AAAAAAAAEj4/KyEURqSpLxo/DSCF0523_thumb[1].jpg

It has the code Kingston KVR1333D3N9/4G and comes in both standard height and low profile versions.

gropingmantis · 19 Oct 2011 at 22:31

koolpc said:
What about a low profile heatsink? Which one?

See above.

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 20 Oct 2011 at 11:56

I just had a look at the ITX2 build on this website and can see the issue mentioned:

http://my.opera.com/nagynorbert/albums/show.dml?id=7784752

It looks like low profile RAM won't help:

http://my.opera.com/nagynorbert/albums/showpic.dml?album=7784752&picture=115612502

Looking at this article,it seems the Asus P8H67-I will be OK, and the Zotac H67ITX as the RAM slots are not at the edge and the front panel connector probably won't be obstructed.

Also,you need to be careful and choose a DC-DC PSU which is not too tall:

http://my.opera.com/nagynorbert/albums/showpic.dml?album=7784752&picture=115612592

http://my.opera.com/nagynorbert/albums/showpic.dml?album=7784752&picture=115612692

koolpc · 20 Oct 2011 at 12:05

Lots to think about there then! Does anything fit the case! lol

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 20 Oct 2011 at 21:14

If you look at this picture you can see the rough location of the connector and how far it protrudes into the case:

http://files.myopera.com/nagynorbert/albums/7784752/DSC03863.JPG

Take notice of the mounting hole at the top.

Now look at the Asus and Zotac motherboards:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/cms/include...ight=366&cache=1&quality=100&aspect=0&format=

http://www.silentpcreview.com/files/images/zotac-h67itx/03.jpg

The connector will be a tight fit but if RAM without heatsinks is used it should be fine.

koolpc · 21 Oct 2011 at 18:10

Still need to find a motherboard and a CPU that will be ok in that case and be cool and powerful! Help

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 22 Oct 2011 at 02:47

koolpc said:
Still need to find a motherboard and a CPU that will be ok in that case and be cool and powerful! Help

The motherboards in post 30 should fit,although the clearance for the front connector wille be tight.Use RAM which has no heatsinks as it means more clearance and use standard height or low profile RAM. You should look at the pictures in post 32 very carefully.

The Core i3 2100T has a 35W TDP and the cooler is less than 35MM so will fit in the case. The Core i5 2390T dual core also has a 35W TDP. Anything more will be pushing it due the poor ventilation in the case. Even a Mac Mini uses i5-2415M,i5-2520M or i7-2620M dual cores which have a 35W TDP.

Aftermarket coolers are mentioned in post 28 and should fit according to the information on AVForums regarding the cooler height. I would check the components choices with them too.

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 22 Oct 2011 at 14:58

AVForums seems to have a Wesena representative so like I said it is worth checking over there too!

koolpc · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:27

So, here is my list can you let me know if ok:

Zotac H67ITX-C-E H67 or Asus P8H61-I Intel H61
Intel Core i3 2100T 2.5GHz Socket 1155 3MB L3 Cache Retail Boxed Processor
Akasa CC7118HPO1 Heatsink
4gig Ram DDR3
Wesena ITX2 Case
320gig 2.5 Hard Drive
Samsung slot loading DVDRW
160w Pico PSU with power brick

Total approx £500

Already got a Retail Windows 64bit so is the above ok? Can anyone make it cheaper for me!! lol

Would i need any special sata cables etc?

Or, get a Lian Li PC-Q07

Thing is, i like the smaller cases!!

koolpc · 22 Oct 2011 at 21:55

Anyone?

Cat, anyway i can make this cheaper but just as powerful using the same case?

Would a build with the Lian Li PC-Q07 be better / cheaper? Is so, what components would you recommend?

flibbage0 · 22 Oct 2011 at 22:51

WAIT.

I would be careful with the Samsung DVD drive, are you sure the button fits the button hole of the case.

According to the Wesena website they say that the Sony DVD drive fits perfectly. So if you're just saving a few pounds for the sake of saving a few quid, then don't unless you know the button is in the same position.

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 23 Oct 2011 at 01:00

koolpc said:
Anyone?

Cat, anyway i can make this cheaper but just as powerful using the same case?

Would a build with the Lian Li PC-Q07 be better / cheaper? Is so, what components would you recommend?

I would also be careful what picoPSU you are using:

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1037429274&postcount=580

You might need to get this adaptor:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-032-AK

TBH,a Lian Q07 based build will be easier,cheaper and easier to upgrade.

You could use a cheaper Core i3 2100 and a standard ATX PSU. However,it would be a good idea to use a PSU which uses ball bearing fans as the PSU acts as system exhaust. This means the CX430W is not a good idea.

This PSU is a good choice and is not long:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-006-XF

However,it is hard to get hold off ATM.

You can also use a standard 3.5" hard drive and standard 5.25" optical drive which will be cheaper.

koolpc · 23 Oct 2011 at 23:24

Are there any quad cores that have a low power outage?