Moving to Mini ITX

[LEK-89]

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]

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

 

[LEK-89]

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

 

[LEK-89]

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]

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]

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

 

[LEK-89]

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

 

[LEK-89]

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

 

[LEK-89]

dneill2006 - very nice setup there mate

Funny you should post that up, as I have just ordered the Black/Silver Mesh front for my Prodigy & the Cooler Master Mega Flow 200mm Blue LED front fan too

Liam

 

[LEK-89]

Thanks

Mine has the Black/Red Mesh front and the Cooler Master Mega Flow 200mm Blue LED front fan also.

Going to order the windowed side panel on Monday now that OCUK have it in stock, just hoping it doesn't effect the temps of my 670, it currently idles at 27°C.

Although I've thought of buying 2 and perhaps drilling perforated holes

I was seriously considering getting the Windowed side panel as well, but for me it's seems pointless to as if I did - the only thing I would be able to see through into the case would be my 7950 lol

Liam

 

[LEK-89]

Show off! haha Looking good mate

I received my new front panel & fan today too;

Edit - after looking at your photo again mate, did your removable front panel also come with the BitFenix (well Fred Perry according to my Step Dad LOL!) logo on it?? As mine didn't!

Liam