Moving to Mini ITX

LEK-89 · 29 Jan 2013 at 19:27

Hi all,

I've recently took to a new direction with my PC & you could say a new project too, I have already ordered a BitFenix Prodigy and I just want a bit of assistance with choosing the right motherboard. I've had a look around and I think I have narrowed down my searches to the MSI Z77IA-E53 (I like MSI boards) & the ASRock Z77E-ITX. I did also consider the Gigabyte Z77N-WIFI but I've read that they are overclocking compatible.

Both boards that I am looking at have got everything I need (SATA 3, USB 3, Realtek onboard audio & mild overclocking) but the only thing holding me back is that I've not used an ASRock board in maybe 10 or so years & I am also looking to use my existing Be Quiet Dark Rock Advanced cooler. As you all will know, CPU coolers are very much narrowed down when it comes to Mini-ITX boards due to the lack of space. So, do any of you know if the Dark Rock Advanced is compatible with either boards?

Thanks all - Liam

LEK-89 · 29 Jan 2013 at 22:12

Well after some more researching tonight, it looks like I'm limited to the Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe if I want to continue to use my Dark Rock Advanced, so pending more researching on this board it will likely to be the one I choose.

Liam

KraniX · 30 Jan 2013 at 07:30

I'm thinking of doing the same, I liked the look of the Prodigy cases but only just saw the magma orange one and it looks fantastic... I need a new project to keep me busy and this might be it.

Bit concerned about moving to Mini-ITX due to limitations in cooling and size but could be fun.

LEK-89 · 30 Jan 2013 at 18:17

I had my concerns with moving to Mini ITX & cooling too but as I have now gone with the Asus P8Z77-I motherboard, I am not really that limited when it comes to coolers (when compared to most other Mini ITX boards) so I can still use the high end performance ones if I like, though I'm still going to be using my Dark Rock Advanced as mentioned.

I suppose the only real obstacle with cooling is monitoring & regulating the case airflow and make as much free space as possible. I'm really looking to setting mine up this weekend, it should be interesting lol. I think I'm going to start a project log in the project forum too

Thanks to the mod who moved this thread to the right place,

Liam

KraniX · 3 Feb 2013 at 16:15

You'll have to put up some pics and let us know how you got on with the build.

LEK-89 · 3 Feb 2013 at 21:41

KraniX said:
You'll have to put up some pics and let us know how you got on with the build.

The rig is currently up & running with the Prodigy case but I've got a new PSU arriving tomorrow that can properly fit inside the Prodigy case so I will most likely end up stripping most of the rig out again to totally re-build around the new PSU & carrying out cable management too, so I will get some photos taken during the process & put them up in the next couple of days

Liam

LEK-89 · 4 Feb 2013 at 21:06

Just a quick photo update of the rig running on the new PSU tonight. I've also decided to remove the DVD drive & the bay to make more room for airflow and to be honest, who uses DVD drives anymore? The only time I ever used mine was to install Windows and the odd driver - which can all be done from USB drives nowadays lol. As you can see, the new PSU was a perfect fit but there was still some slight resistance when trying to push it in due to the modular cables sandwiched against the back.

Liam

LEK-89 · 5 Feb 2013 at 19:46

Sorry that the images are way oversized, I will try and scale them down.

Also, I've noticed with my new Silverstone PSU that after powering off the machine, the fan on the PSU still continues to spin for around a minute or so. Is this normal?

Thanks - Liam

alfalavala · 6 Feb 2013 at 15:23

LEK-89 said:
Sorry that the images are way oversized, I will try and scale them down.

Also, I've noticed with my new Silverstone PSU that after powering off the machine, the fan on the PSU still continues to spin for around a minute or so. Is this normal?

Thanks - Liam

It's a smart function as when you turn it off it doesn't instantly go cold and still has a lot of heat in it. leaving the fans running for a bit helps protect everything.

edit: Love it btw! The more Prodigy builds I see the more I want to do it myself!

Resized by imgur:

LEK-89 · 7 Feb 2013 at 20:16

alfalavala said:
It's a smart function as when you turn it off it doesn't instantly go cold and still has a lot of heat in it. leaving the fans running for a bit helps protect everything.

edit: Love it btw! The more Prodigy builds I see the more I want to do it myself!

Resized by imgur:

Many thanks

Unfortunately the new 600W PSU has gone back as the fan on it made a very distinct noise which was quite noticeable and so it's suspected to be faulty. So instead I decided to go for the 500W version (SST-ST50F-P) to save some money and after more research that 500W is more than enough for powering my rig.

Anyway, I received it today and it's all up & running again now very nicely

Future plans for the rig? Still deciding but I may retire the Dark Rock Advanced and upgrade to something newer and hopefully a little smaller. I'm also thinking about getting one of those solid front panels for the case too, in mesh so that I can fit a massive blue LED 200mm fan at behind it

Liam

steveinspain · 7 Feb 2013 at 20:30

Anyone know if the mesh fronts have any sort of filter behind them, or if one is available for it ?
I may just be getting a prodigy having seen yours Liam !

Diagro · 7 Feb 2013 at 21:17

Yes they have a mesh filter under the metal mesh, though i found that just restricts airflow so i removed it and left a gaping hole

steveinspain · 7 Feb 2013 at 21:33

Thanks Diagro !
I don't plan to overclock much if at all so don't expect too much of a problem with airflow and the idea of a huge 200 or 230mm fan spinning oh so slowly sounds good to me and I don't like dust getting in to my case too much (or maybe I am just plain dirty !)
Alternatively I do have a bunch of Noctua 120mm fans so may use one of them - just a thought - does anyone know if the Bitfenix 200 or 230mm fans can be slowed down by using a Noctua low noise adapter cable that just slows them down further or will they just not spin ?

LEK-89 · 7 Feb 2013 at 21:38

Thanks for clearing that up about the dust filter Diagro, all the more reason for me to now get the mesh front panel

Steveinspain - I imagine that the Noctua low noise adapter would work with the 200/230mm BitFenix fan as all it is, is just a 3-pin adapter which is modified so that the fan runs slower with the volts reduced to 9V - instead of the normal 12V.

Liam

steveinspain · 8 Feb 2013 at 21:46

I figured as much Liam, but having had a few fans refuse to spin up under low voltage wasn't sure, but given the investment it has to be worth a try...!

However, from what I interpreted from a webnote from OC'UK the mesh grills do not have a filter - there is a mesh on the case, but not a filter as such (ie some tightly stretched stockings) behind the mesh grill front panel but I guess it wouldn't be too hard to fit something - I'll let you know when my prodigy case arrives in a few days....!

Marine-RX179 · 8 Feb 2013 at 22:28

steveinspain said:
Thanks Diagro !
I don't plan to overclock much if at all so don't expect too much of a problem with airflow and the idea of a huge 200 or 230mm fan spinning oh so slowly sounds good to me and I don't like dust getting in to my case too much (or maybe I am just plain dirty !)
Alternatively I do have a bunch of Noctua 120mm fans so may use one of them - just a thought - does anyone know if the Bitfenix 200 or 230mm fans can be slowed down by using a Noctua low noise adapter cable that just slows them down further or will they just not spin ?

My Bitfenix Spectre Pro 230mm comes with a 7V adapter cable, so I don't see why a 9V cable wouldn't work since it is higher voltage

There's a dust filter for the front matt of the case anyway, so there wouldn't ben too much dust getting inside (and worse case is probably give the inside a clean with compressed air what not once every half a year if you must?

)

I myself is in the middle of the BitFenix Prodigy build as well (only installed the Bitfenix Spectre Pro 230mm fan to the front lol), as I'm still waiting for some stuffs to arrive. I couldn't figure out how to bloody used the provided Anti-vibration Rivets on the fan, so end up having to use good old fashion screws).

Diagro · 8 Feb 2013 at 22:43

steveinspain said:
I figured as much Liam, but having had a few fans refuse to spin up under low voltage wasn't sure, but given the investment it has to be worth a try...!

However, from what I interpreted from a webnote from OC'UK the mesh grills do not have a filter - there is a mesh on the case, but not a filter as such (ie some tightly stretched stockings) behind the mesh grill front panel but I guess it wouldn't be too hard to fit something - I'll let you know when my prodigy case arrives in a few days....!

OCUK are wrong then, There is three layers.

metal mesh
Thin mesh material
Plastic frame

By all means the "mesh" that's sandwiched is not at all fine and i feel would let fine dust through, but its removable.

I use the Round Very fine mesh filter in its place and it actually allows much more air through and less dust.

steveinspain · 9 Feb 2013 at 09:01

Diagro said:
OCUK are wrong then, There is three layers.

metal mesh
Thin mesh material
Plastic frame

By all means the "mesh" that's sandwiched is not at all fine and i feel would let fine dust through, but its removable.

I use the Round Very fine mesh filter in its place and it actually allows much more air through and less dust.

Very reassuring Diagro - thanks again !
I guess I may end up with some stocking material attached to the inner mesh anyway, but will see how it goes when my case arrives on Monday !

steveinspain · 9 Feb 2013 at 09:03

Marine-RX179 said:
My Bitfenix Spectre Pro 230mm comes with a 7V adapter cable, so I don't see why a 9V cable wouldn't work since it is higher voltage

There's a dust filter for the front matt of the case anyway, so there wouldn't ben too much dust getting inside (and worse case is probably give the inside a clean with compressed air what not once every half a year if you must? )

I myself is in the middle of the BitFenix Prodigy build as well (only installed the Bitfenix Spectre Pro 230mm fan to the front lol), as I'm still waiting for some stuffs to arrive. I couldn't figure out how to bloody used the provided Anti-vibration Rivets on the fan, so end up having to use good old fashion screws).

i'd be interested to hear (see what I did there !) how quiet you find the 230mm fan with its 7v adaptor in place when you get it running - along with dust I also dislike fan noise..

dneill2006 · 9 Feb 2013 at 14:40

This is how the white prodigy looks with the black front mesh panel and a blue 200mm LED fan on mine

And I don't have any problems with airflow or dust. It's cool, quiet and the inside rarely needs cleaned. I do clean dust of the mesh once a week however as it tends to build up, but this only takes a minute or two to do.