My Mini-ITX Gaming Build

Black Hat

Black Hat

Black Hat

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15 Apr 2009
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Hey guys thought i would post up a build log of my mini itx setup.

Current specs (temporary to get it up and running) :

Intel Xeon 3040 1.8ghz Dual Core
Zotac 9300ITX Motherboard
Seagate 120gb 5400.2
Optiarc 7670S Slot Loading DVD-RW
4GB Kingston HyperX
Hoojum Cubit 3
150w Pico ITX PSU + 150w FSP Sparkle Brick

Proposed Spec (when payday comes hehe):

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200S
Zotac 9300ITX Motherboard
Seagate 500gb 32mb cache 7200.1 Constellation
Optiarc 7670S Slot Loading DVD-RW
Zotac 9600GT Green Edition (59w)
Thermalright AXP-140
4GB Kingston HyperX
Hoojum Cubit 3
150w Pico ITX PSU + 150w FSP Sparkle Brick

Here are some build pics:

dsc00473nrg.jpg


dsc00474pcb.jpg


dsc00479u.jpg


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More pics to follow when the new components arrive :).
 
Aren't you going to have cooling issues in that case? with the quad core?
Wouldn't it be better in the sugo 05 case?

also couldn't you spring for the new ati 4770 ? i think its more powerful than the 9600?
 
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chumpit said:
Aren't you going to have cooling issues in that case? with the quad core?
Wouldn't it be better in the sugo 05 case?

also couldn't you spring for the new ati 4770 ? i think its more powerful than the 9600?
Click to expand...

No its a 65w quad core so outputs the same amount of heat as the dual core xeon i have in there now plus i will be using a thermalright cooler aswell so heat is definatly not an issue.

The SG05 case is cheap and nasty compared to this case which is a lot smaller and solid aluminium.

It has a 150w power supply and the 4770 consumes 80w paired with a quad its to much, the 9600gt is fine for my needs.


Tute said:
Where's the PSU?
Click to expand...

Im using one of the below pico itx power supplys (24pin not the 20pin below) with a 150w laptop styl brick.

psuf.jpg
 
Mini update, just went to a cetain highstreet electronics store to get an energy monitor to see what it uses and what ive got left to play with for the graphics card.

BIOS : 50w
Idle: 39w (speedstep)
Orthos : 74w
Orthos + Ati tool : 81w

which leaves me 69w left of the 150w psu and with the 9600gt using 59w thats going to take my load up to 140w - the onboard gpu power usage so hopefully somewhere around 130w.
 
Mmmmm. that looks strangely like my old case ;)

Be careful with putting too much load of those Pico PSU's I wouldn't trust putting near 150W on it.
I know a HD4670 does work off 120W when combined with a 2.5" hdd, optical and T2600 on a commell LV-677DC, so if you're careful you should get away with something good.

One more thing, looks like you've forgotten to plug in your exhaust fan in the pics :) (sure its just for the pics, but definately don't forget or you're going to have an expensive cool looking case)
 
Guardsmon said:
Mmmmm. that looks strangely like my old case ;)

Be careful with putting too much load of those Pico PSU's I wouldn't trust putting near 150W on it.
I know a HD4670 does work off 120W when combined with a 2.5" hdd, optical and T2600 on a commell LV-677DC, so if you're careful you should get away with something good.

One more thing, looks like you've forgotten to plug in your exhaust fan in the pics :) (sure its just for the pics, but definately don't forget or you're going to have an expensive cool looking case)
Click to expand...

Ahh thanks for the info, the rear case fan is plugged in :), the HD4670 uses more power than the new 9600gt so i think i will be ok, ive got a energy monitor now so i can monitor whats happening, im not going to let it get anywhere near 150w if need be i will underclock the cpu a tiny bit to aloow extra hedroom.
 
Hi there,

Nice build, but I'd also be worried about gaming with that small a power supply!

I'm thinking of doing something similar using that motherboard, do you mind if I ask a few questions?

1) What CPU cooler is that, and how high is it?

2) Is that a standard sized back plate for the rear pannel conectors?

3) How come you're not using the included wifi module?

Cheers,
PK!
 
You will almost certainly be exceeding the recommended sustained limits for the PicoPSU:

PICOPSU Installation guide said:
Combined and sustained output should not exceed 65% of total power or or
ensure PSU surface temperature should not exceed 65C, whichever comes first.
Click to expand...

Also an energy monitor that looks only at the AC power intput to the laptop brick isn't much use here, it certainly won't tell you how much margin you have since you don't know what the efficiency of the laptop PSU is. The peak efficiency of the PICOPSU is quite high at 95%, but that still means the laptop PSU will be limiting the total power you can supply to the system.
 
misterPK said:
Hi there,

Nice build, but I'd also be worried about gaming with that small a power supply!

I'm thinking of doing something similar using that motherboard, do you mind if I ask a few questions?

1) What CPU cooler is that, and how high is it?

2) Is that a standard sized back plate for the rear pannel conectors?

3) How come you're not using the included wifi module?

Cheers,
PK!
Click to expand...

1) Its a standard Intel low profile stock cooler that came with an E8600 i had not sure on the height i will let you know when im at home.

2) Yep standard size backplate.

3) Its not needed and with my already limited power supply i didnt see much point installing it.


Dogbreath said:
You will almost certainly be exceeding the recommended sustained limits for the PicoPSU:



Also an energy monitor that looks only at the AC power intput to the laptop brick isn't much use here, it certainly won't tell you how much margin you have since you don't know what the efficiency of the laptop PSU is. The peak efficiency of the PICOPSU is quite high at 95%, but that still means the laptop PSU will be limiting the total power you can supply to the system.
Click to expand...

Ahh didnt see that, FSP list the powersupply as greater than 87% efficiency, i guess i will be doing more underclocking than i orginannly thought still its going to be powerfull enough for my needs, realisticly the computers not going to be at 100% load very often if at all.
 
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Guardsmon said:
rather than underclocking loads, you might just want to consider either not getting a Quad or turning off 2 of the quad's cores.
Click to expand...

Quad uses the same amount of power as any of the intel dual cores all 65w. Turning off 2 cores would it not just tun it into an E8200 and still use 65w?
 
Thanks for the answers, much appreciated! Don't worry about getting your tape measure out, now I know what it is I'm sure it will be on the internet somewhere!

PK!
 
dunno why, but all motherboards in that case look warped. Mine did and so has everyone else's I've seen. its strange really. I think the plate at the bottom might dip a little giving the illusion
 
Looks like barrel distortion from the lens. It was taken with a K850i so if that's anything like my W810i it'll suffer a bit.

TBH my hoojum looked the same when i photographed it up close.

gt
 
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