What's the absolute smallest SFF case you can get

MiL0

MiL0

MiL0

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that will take a micro-atx motherboard? I'm actually looking for something smaller than a Shuttle case - is that even remotely possible? I'm not too fussed about not having any room for a dvd drive or any pci/pci-e cards and the psu can be external if need be. This is because I want to build a Core 2 Quad Q9550 based SFF pc that's small enough to fit in my hand luggage and all the ITX stuff only takes mobile processors.

Any ideas?

Or am I going to have to get my Dremel and welding torch out build this thing myself!
 
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Cube-style cases are your best bet for mATX. But you'll be limited to small PSUs and mid-range graphics cards (stuff like the HD4800 etc are either too tall or too long to fit a cube).

Edit: Wait, you want something smaller than a Shuttle? With a Quad? Sorry, not going to happen...
 
I'm talking about something that is not much bigger than the actual motherboard! All I need is a case that will take the mATX motherboard, a 2.5" hard disk, the quad cpu and the necessary cooling. The psu and dvd can be external and I'm not fussed at ALL about graphics cards - on board will do me fine.

gonna have to be custom isn't it?

edit: and I know this is kinda possible since there are laptops that take quadcore desktop processors...
 
You'll probably have to buy a cube and hack into the case. :p

MiL0 said:
and I know this is kinda possible since there are laptops that take quadcore desktop processors...
Click to expand...

No. They're lower clocked quads, with reduced FSB and specially engineered for the socket with reduced voltage requirements.
 
okay, thanks :)

So assuming I don't go the hacking option, what options do I have? I don't really want to get a shuttle case as I want to use a proper mATX motherboard (don't like proprietary). What's the absolute smallest mATX case on the market right now? Preferably something that isn't complete rubbish as well!
 
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You might want to remove the swearing ;) before a moderator sees it.

The mini-ITX boards simply don't have the power regulation required for a Quad (and probably not enough space either). Not to mention it'd get pretty toasty in there...
 
AbsenceJam said:
Go for the DG45FC, it's a much better board than the others. I have one on the way myself.
Click to expand...

do you think it's likely/possible that it'll be able to take a quadcore processor at some point? maybe with a bios update?

what's the best c2d processor you can put in it currently?

edit: and what do you think about this motherboard:

Advansus iQ965-CI Intel Q965 Core 2 Quad Mini-ITX Main Board

costs 281 euros but takes quadcore and is made by Asus so can't be too bad...

Advansus_iQ965-CQI_Mini-ITX_MotherBoard.jpg
 
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The new Zotac mini ITX will be better... not the 610i one but the 630i one that the nice Zotac people sent me the specs for.. inc Gb lan and 7150 GF VGA
 
Methanoid said:
The new Zotac mini ITX will be better... not the 610i one but the 630i one that the nice Zotac people sent me the specs for.. inc Gb lan and 7150 GF VGA
Click to expand...

that looks incredible - if it had just one normal PCI slot it'd be absolutely perfect!

any ideas on price? and when is it due out?
 
That is seriously tiny, especially because it's quad core ready and 4GB RAM slots!!!!!

Code: 
Advansus iQ965-CI Mini-ITX Main Board  [iQ965-CI]  
 
Intel Q965 Core 2 Quad Mini-ITX Main Board with some unique features. Onboard TPM chip.  
 
  Details  
 
The iQ965-CI is perfect choice for security sensitive, graphics or audio demanding applications.

Advansus iQ965-CI is powered by the Intel Q965 chipset, Core2 Duo processor and Intel GMA 3000 technology.

Main features

* Support 65 nm Intel Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Duo / Core Duo / Pentium 4 / Celeron D CPU
* Intel 82965Q Express Chipset
* Two DIMMs up to 4 GB 2-CH DDR2 533/667/800 SDRAM
* Intel Graphic Media Accelerator 3000
* Realtek ALC888 supports 5.1+2 CH Dual Audio Streams, with Additional 5W Amplifier Onboard
* Realtek RTL8111B PCI-E Gigabit LAN
* 1 PCI-E x16 Slot, Supports ADD2 VGA/DVI/LVDS Card
* 2 Powered COM, 6 USB, 2 SATA
*  An onboard Infineon SLB 9635 TPM (Trusted Platform Module) security system
* TPA3005D2 5W Stereo Amplifier 
 
Specifications  
 
System

* CPU: Support Intel LGA 775 Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Duo / Core Duo / Pentium 4 / Celeron D processor 
with 65 nm process technology
* FSB: 533/800/1066 MHZ
* BIOS: Award 8MB
* System Chipset: Intel Q965/ICH8
* I/O Chip: Winbond W83627DHG-A
* System Memory: Two 240-pin sockets up to 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 533/667/800 SDRAM
* Watchdog Timer: Reset: 1 sec.~255 min. and 1 sec. or 1 min./step
* H/W Status Monitor: Monitoring CPU temperature, voltage, and cooling fan status. Auto throttling control 
when CPU overheats
* Expansion: One PCI Express x16
* TPM: Infineon SLB 9635 TCG 1.2 compliant trusted platform module (TPM)
* S3: S3 Support
* SmartFan Control: Yes

I/O

* MIO:
 - 2 x SATA
 - 2 x RS232
 - 1 x K/B
 - 1 x Mouse (COM 1, 2 with power output)
* USB: 6 x USB 2.0

Display

* Chipset: Intel 82Q965 GMCH integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 3000
* Display Memory: Intel DVMT 4.0 supports 256 MB video memory
* Resolution: 2048 x 1536 @ 32 bpp (@ 75Hz)
* HDMI: Through ADD2 HDMI Card
* LVDS: Through ADD2 LVDS Card
* DVI: Through ADD2 DVI Card
* 2nd VGA: Through ADD2 VGA Card

Audio

* Chipset: Intel ICH8
* Audio Codec: Realtek ALC888 5.1+2 Ch Audio Codec supports two independent Audio stream
* Audio Interface: Mic in, Line in, Line out
* Audio Amplifer: TPA3005D2 5W (per front channel) stereo amplifier

Ethernet

* LAN 1: Realtek RTL8111B PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller

Back Panel I/O Port

* 1 x PS/2 Keyboard
* 1 x PS/2 Mouse
* 2 x RS-232
* 1 x VGA port
* 4 x USB 2.0/1.1
* 1 x RJ45 Port
* Audio I/O (3 Jacks)

Internal I/O Connector

* 1 x USB connectors support additional 2 USB ports
* 1 x 20-pin ATX Power connector
* 1 x 4-pin ATX12V Power connector
* 2 x SATA connectors
* 1 x Audio amplifier connector
* 1 x System panel connector
* 1 x CPU Fan connector
* 1 x System Fan connector

Mechanical & Environmental

* Power Type: ATX
* Operating Temperature: 0~60°C
* Operating Humidity: 0%~90% relative humidity, non-condensing
* Size (L x W): 170 mm x 170 mm
* Weight: 0.4 Kg
 
MiL0 said:
do you think it's likely/possible that it'll be able to take a quadcore processor at some point? maybe with a bios update?
Click to expand...

been doing some research... looks like the DG45FC won't take a quadcore processor unless intel releases a 65w version.

The advansus board looks pretty good; shame its a bit too expensive and has only a 1066mhz fsb... I'd also like a pci slot hehe

the nice thing about the zotac boards is that they are pretty cheap... I think the 610i was 60 quid?
 
I think the issue here is going to be finding a ITX case that is not only cool enough but also has a big enough psu to power a quadcore processor. Most of the cases that I've got my eye on have 60/80w psu's which probably won't cut it.

How many watts (minimum) do I need to power a Q9550 cpu, one hard disk, a fan (or 2) and the motherboard?

edit: and would using a 2.5" hard disk save me some power? how about an SSD like the new OCZ SSD 64gb hard disks that have just been released? I guess they'd be cooler too?
 
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sr4470 said:
No. They're lower clocked quads, with reduced FSB and specially engineered for the socket with reduced voltage requirements.
Click to expand...

Not true...the few available laptops with quad core CPUs use a specially designed socket 775 motherboard. Intel has not produced any quad core CPUs for laptops, although some will be released soon now the 45nm shrink has reduced the heat output of a quad core.
 
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what about if I modded the case so that where the dvd drive would normally be (somewhere above the motherbard), I replace it with a huge case fan? I could mod the top of the case so that it allows for the fan to expel the heat properly (through some dremel'd holes or whatever).
 
You might want to have a look at nicks thread. Not been updated in a while, but still got some information that might interest you.

The main reason people don't put quads in m-itx cases is the heat. I have a T2600 (core duo 2.16 478 socket) CPU in my hoojum and although it doesn't get over 50 degrees I wouldn't want to put any 775 socket in there.

Nick my crazy mate, thought it would be a good idea to put a 775 quad in a custom built case that hes making. This to me any most people is just plain stupid. Though he is having to watercool the damn thing.
Its not completed yet cause hes been having problems with money and making the case, but if I were you I would either go for a 478 socket m-itx or get a m-atx and go for something like a 775.

Don't cross the 2 over, you're going to have some serious heat issues unless you water cool.

If you do want to have a look at m-itx board have a look at commell, iBase and portwell boards. There is also a company something about a globe and america that might help, but it sells on there, so I can't post link (its US based, but helpful)
I've got a commell fantastic board, I don't need a brick PSU inside the case as its built into the board. (120 Watts)
I've got a spair 120 Watt brick aswell, but have no use for it. - you'll need about that just to run the quad. Think you'll struggle to find a board supporting a 45nm quad.

But more to the point, why would you want a quad in a min-itx setup if you are going to be using built in graphics? Gaming goes out the window, so does graphics design, number crunching is OK, but are you really going to be doing that?
 
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