Case & PSU questions for Atom Mini-ITX System

Hi guys. So I'm at work building a Solaris NAS based on the Intel D945GCLF2 Atom 330 based board. It comes with an integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 and an integrated Realtek 10/100/1000 NIC. In addition to the motherboard, I plan to buy 2GB RAM, 2 1TB Samsung Spinpoint SATA 300 disks, a case, a power supply, and also install a DVD+R drive.

I need a little bit of help regarding the power supply and case.

I heard that the Atom 330 processor uses about 55 watts when fully loaded. Graphics and network will come from the built-in chips, hence not much power here. But will be using the two HDs and also burn DVDs at time. What kind of silent power supply would you recommend? I read that the MB is pre-wired to work with the regular Mini-ITX (20 pin) ATX power connector. Can I use a power brick PSUs, e. g. the ones here: http://www.tranquilpc-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Power_Supplies_and_accessories.html or here: http://linitx.com/viewcategory.php?catid=151&pp=149,151? I want a quiet PSU which draws just the right amount of power.

Will the mini-itx motherboard fit in cases made for atx motherboards or do I need a special mini-itx case? And does anyone know of some cool smallish tower cases for the Intel board (need to fit two drives and the regular-sized DVD+R)? The Antec Sonata Solo (http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=08500) seems pretty cool, especially as it features a HD suspension system which minimizes HD noise and protects them from bumps when I move. I also like this Micro-ATX Gigabyte case: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...me=Gigabyte GZ-M1 Black Micro-ATX Case No PSU. Will this work with Mini-ITX?

Another big question I have, many cases, even Mini-ITX ones, seem to have built-in USB and audio ports in the front, or are they sometimes just holes for MB provided ports? My Mini-ITX MB will have just one set, I believe, only on the back. Or maybe the back is the "front"? And if the case provides extra ports, how do I connect them to the MB?

Also, are there any cases which just have a small hole for a DC power supply cable to enter the case, rather than the big hole in the back for a normal ATX PSU?

Thanks a LOT for any help.

I've been looking at the Chenbro NAS ES34069. It has 1 internal 3.5 and 4 hotswap 3.5 drives, pretty sweet. They also make a 2 hotswap drive version.

http://www.chenbro.com/corporatesite/products_detail.php?serno=100

You'll need to use a laptop DVD drive with it, but they're only around $50...

You'll need something akin to the picoPSU if you want to use a power brick.

Mini-ITX motherboards will indeed fit in any case that'll accommodate a uATX motherboard, which includes practically every ATX case in existence. Of course, the case will be way bigger than you need, but the mounting holes will line up.

Which mini-ITX cases have you been looking at? It would be easier to answer the USB/audio question if I had pictures. Generally, the ports which are built into the case have cables on the inside which plug into headers on your motherboard.

ND40oz: Thanks for the tip. Yes, that case does look very cool! However, I think it's a bit expensive for the budget I want to spend. Thanks to Mohonri's help, I now know I can use more or less any ATX case. Have checked the Lian-Li cases, which are awesome as well, and feature measures to reduce HD vibration. Think I will get something like:
http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=154&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=62
or
http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=194&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=62

Don't think they have the extra ports anyways.

Mohonri: Thanks for the tip regarding picoPSU, will get one of those! I see there are picoPSUs with 80, 90, and 120 watts. Which one will I need for my Atom 330 with built-in graphics system and running 4HDs?

I also see there are power bricks with outputs of 5A, 6.6A, and 8.5A and 60, 80, and 102 watts etc. What is the relation of amps to watts, and which one would be the right one for the system? I suppose I should go google it myself, just thought I'd ask.

Will a 120 watt PSU or powerbrick draw more power than an 80 watt PSU or power brick at the same system load?

Watts = Volts * Amps. The power supply is 12V, so 5A * 12V = 60 Watts.

A power supply will only draw as much power as is demanded of it, so for a given load, all the power supplies will draw the same amount.

For Samsung Spinpoints, it appears the max power usage is around 6 watts per drive. so 24 watts for 4 drives.

Hi guys. Thanks for all the info. I'm going to buy the 120 watt picoPSU + 102 watt power brick (so won't be able to utilise all 120 watts, but think it should be fine for my system). I've now also changed the setup to an Intel Dual Core E7300 plus a Gigabyte GA-EG31MF-S2 G31 chipset MB. I did this cause I'll get 4 SATA connectors instead of 2 and be able to put in 4GB RAM instead of 2. As I am building a Solaris fileserver, being able to add more HDs is good, and as I will use ZFS to RAID them, more RAM is good, as ZFS uses it all as a cache. I've been told to really get as much RAM as possible if using ZFS, and RAM is cheap.

The CPU and chipset/MB use very little power, as a Tom's Hardware test found out, 38 watts idle and 60 watts under load. They did use one HD, I will use two. I'll measure the power usage to see if I'll also be able to burn DVDs with my current drive without maxing the power brick. If I can't, I'll have to get a slimline DVD burner.

Right, gonna buy the parts now, will report back on how this worked out!