My Mini-ITX Gaming Build

Black Hat

Black Hat

Black Hat

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15 Apr 2009
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264
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:

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More pics to follow when the new components arrive :).
 
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?
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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?
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Im using one of the below pico itx power supplys (24pin not the 20pin below) with a 150w laptop styl brick.

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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.
 
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)
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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.
 
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!
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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.
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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?
 
Small update, my old trusty 120gb 5400.2 died today so i went down to my local computer shop and got a Seagate 7200.12 500gb :D, did some cable management at the same time and also did a benchy of the new drive. Unfortunately there's a downside to its speed and that is it takes up a lot more space and i cant fit a big cooler in there so instead i bought a new case fan.



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Thread update, so i bought a 9600GT and turns out Zotac have been lazy and just swapped the core from the old 9600GT meaning its a 9" card and with my case being just ove 8" theres no way it was going to fit, so after finding 0 specs on the net for the Zotac 9800GT Eco i decided to order one off a picture i saw, turns out my gamble paid off and its the correct size for the cas. I just didnt plan on running a 9800 so i think im going to have to rethink my power supply.

Pic of the card:

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Finnished build pics to follow later when i get home, quad will be ordered shortly.

Does anyone have any suggestions for CPU cooling?
 
gt_junkie said:
Is the CPU cooler presently causing problems?

I'd possibly place the power connector on the underside of the HDD tray and move the whole tray up by one slot if you are able. This should allow for better airflow over the CPU cooler.

GPU looks great - hopefully the PSU will manage. Going by wattage alone i'd say it should just work - i'd worry a touch about what amp rating the 12v rail has. :)

gt
Click to expand...

Yeah currently seing temps of 80 load on my Xeon with that stock cooler, i have recently changed the hard drive to a 3.5" one and moved it up one slot to allow better airflow, the case fan is 27cfm apparently which i think should be plenty for the cooling as it draws fresh air in through the cubit logo on the front.

Yes the power supply is abit concerning but i will be underclocking the cu a lot before stress testing just to make sure, ive also recently added a 60mm fan over the power supply and ram to keep everything cool as they are put under heavy load, we will se later.
 
Bit of an update, the 9800 used far to much power so ive had to use a 9500GT insted maing my total load 112w, so muhc for the 9800 being "eco" ended up making my system draw 175w, build is satying as it is for the time being due to some unexpected outgoings.
 
mcwildcard said:
Ooh Super, thanks for testing it out for me, looks like I'll be investing in some of that Kingston HyperX then! :D
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No worries its definatly good ram and the lifetime warrenty is appealing but i will warn you its bloody hot.


Small update to the build:

The current Pico psu im using is of low quality and emiting a high pitched squel during games so after further investigation i have a proper FSP DC - DC board on the way that should cope much better.
 
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