Any interest in PicoPSU based Mini-ITX case?

loneindustries said:
Any chance you could locate an old/free ATX PSU to try out? That would allow you to eliminate the motherboard/software as being the cause.
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I'm actually running on a SFX 450 PSU, on that it boots and everything including usb ports work. But when I plug my HD plex 250W or HD plex 160W into the motherboard running off the Dell 240W brick it boots up everything runs fine i can get into windows...but none of the USB ports on the motherboard works....been scratching my head on this for a while now.
 
chaego said:
I'm actually running on a SFX 450 PSU, on that it boots and everything including usb ports work. But when I plug my HD plex 250W or HD plex 160W into the motherboard running off the Dell 240W brick it boots up everything runs fine i can get into windows...but none of the USB ports on the motherboard works....been scratching my head on this for a while now.
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That's really strange. At least you know that it works with the SFX PSU. Have you contacted HDPLEX support to see if they have heard of this problem before?
 
loneindustries said:
That's really strange. At least you know that it works with the SFX PSU. Have you contacted HDPLEX support to see if they have heard of this problem before?
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Yea I've checked with HDPLEX they couldn't figure it out ether, haven't seen reports on anything similar to this on their forums aswell...but then again I don't see many people with this particular motherboard (MSI Z97i AC) so my only assumptions are:

1. 240W brick is faulty...but if it's faulty why does it power my system right into windows but doesn't power the motherboard's USB ports? (and its only the USB ports not working, the video and sound ports on the motherboard all work)

2. Incompatible motherboard...strange but it works ok with a SFX PSU which gives it plenty of power, but powering off the HDPlex 250W/ 160W even with just CPU and motherboard and ram alone nothing else connected I don't get USB power it boots up but i can't use mouse or keyboard...
 
I noticed on that MSI Z97i AC mobo there's only a 4-pin CPU connector rather than an 8-pin and just plug into the left side 4. Wonder if there's some different hookup between PSU and mobo they're doing that messes with the USB power.
 
Stevo_ said:
I noticed on that MSI Z97i AC mobo there's only a 4-pin CPU connector rather than an 8-pin and just plug into the left side 4. Wonder if there's some different hookup between PSU and mobo they're doing that messes with the USB power.
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arent the left or right 8pin the same? and most mini itx mobos have 4pin cpu connectors anyways right? i know asus uses 8pin
 
chaego said:
arent the left or right 8pin the same? and most mini itx mobos have 4pin cpu connectors anyways right? i know asus uses 8pin
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Yeah should be the same, I've only used ASUS mobos so I guess I was skewed there (except for an ASROCK but it's so low power it only has the main ATX connector). That one is running off an HD Plex 150W.
 
Stevo_ said:
Yeah should be the same, I've only used ASUS mobos so I guess I was skewed there (except for an ASROCK but it's so low power it only has the main ATX connector). That one is running off an HD Plex 150W.
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So I just bought a HP 120W brick and tested it out on the board with only cpu,cooler and ram connected with both HD Plex 160W and 250W USB still doesn't work...

So for some strange reason this particular motherboard just isn't compatible and i can't figure out why. :confused:
 
Sorry if I missed it, but did you try a normal ATX PSU with the motherboard? (Edit: Nevermind, saw you tried a SFX)
 
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Hey Lone,

I've just discovered this case and it looks really nice! I've been using an Antec ISK 300 with a Pico PSU and I was wondering if it might be possible, one day, to do a version that is about 20mm taller?

Reason I ask is because it might allow a dual-slot low profile video card in there, and the larger Pico PSUs (the 150/160) could support an i3 and a GeForce 750 pretty easily... could make for a speedy mid-range low-power gaming setup.
 
deruberhanyok said:
Hey Lone,

I've just discovered this case and it looks really nice! I've been using an Antec ISK 300 with a Pico PSU and I was wondering if it might be possible, one day, to do a version that is about 20mm taller?

Reason I ask is because it might allow a dual-slot low profile video card in there, and the larger Pico PSUs (the 150/160) could support an i3 and a GeForce 750 pretty easily... could make for a speedy mid-range low-power gaming setup.
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lol he did make one, the L2 in another thread, unfortunately not in production anymore
 
deruberhanyok said:
Hey Lone,

I've just discovered this case and it looks really nice! I've been using an Antec ISK 300 with a Pico PSU and I was wondering if it might be possible, one day, to do a version that is about 20mm taller?

Reason I ask is because it might allow a dual-slot low profile video card in there, and the larger Pico PSUs (the 150/160) could support an i3 and a GeForce 750 pretty easily... could make for a speedy mid-range low-power gaming setup.
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Like this L2? Yeah you missed out. i7 3770K with 750 Ti card, even enough leftover to mildly OC to 4.1GHz. Keep an eye on the classifieds here and on overclock, they come up occasionally

WP_20140828_004_zpscb8150ac.jpg
 
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Is that your case? Did you test temps with stock fan (assuming 120mm) vs the 140 you have there?
 
yolostrats said:
Is that your case? Did you test temps with stock fan (assuming 120mm) vs the 140 you have there?
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Yes my case. I tested 4 setups 140, 120 thin prolimatech, noctua 92x14, and stock 100mm.results were 140>120>92>100. Stock fan sucked and was loud at higher RPMs
 
I just figure out something very interesting about my MSI z97i AC seems like its not compatible with the HDPLEX because on pin 20 of the mobo's atx connector it is "reserved" not connected to anything but on other motherboards asus gigabyte ect. that pin 20 is -5v.

Now on the HD PLEX units that same pin is labled as 12v SENS so I'm assuming since msi's pin is not active the 12v Sens doesnt detect anything so no USB power but on other mobo that pin is -5v.

i dunno if that makes any sense lol
 
Ha, that's what I get for being late to the party! Thanks all - I'll have to watch for the L2 on the trade forum. It isn't listed on the website's page.
 
chaego said:
I just figure out something very interesting about my MSI z97i AC seems like its not compatible with the HDPLEX because on pin 20 of the mobo's atx connector it is "reserved" not connected to anything but on other motherboards asus gigabyte ect. that pin 20 is -5v.

Now on the HD PLEX units that same pin is labled as 12v SENS so I'm assuming since msi's pin is not active the 12v Sens doesnt detect anything so no USB power but on other mobo that pin is -5v.

i dunno if that makes any sense lol
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On my Hd Plex 150W there is a remote pin coming off of pin 20, got out the meter and measured it. There is actually -5VDC on that line, so it's backwards compatible with the old ATX spec. Can't easily measure that on the 160 and 250W PSUs.
 
Stevo_ said:
On my Hd Plex 150W there is a remote pin coming off of pin 20, got out the meter and measured it. There is actually -5VDC on that line, so it's backwards compatible with the old ATX spec. Can't easily measure that on the 160 and 250W PSUs.
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yea my 160W also has that remote pin coming out of pin 20 aswell so i would think its the same. Damn I guess only solution is to switch boards if i really wanna built a USFF machine.

I guess a heads up on anyone who is thinking about using HD plex psu to stay away from MSI boards they may not be compatible
 
Stevo_ said:
I wonder if you pulled the pin 20 from the connector if it would work.
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yea i wonder too, I'll try it tonight hopefully it solves the issue. I also wonder whats the purpose of the 12V SENS wire in the HDPlex's diagram
 
Stevo_ said:
I wonder if you pulled the pin 20 from the connector if it would work.
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So took out PIN 20 (12VSENS) from the HDPlex's ATX connector and left it blank and plugged it into my motherboard USB ports still don't work, but the weird thing is when I shutdown the system they work momentarily until the power cuts out totally but they don't work while the system is on...

I took a closer look at the HDPlex's ATX connector, I notice that it uses 20 awg wires while my SFX PSU uses 18awg wires.

Could this cause the HDPlex to not provide enough current to power the USB ports on my motherboard?
 
I don't think the ATX cable is long enough to drop that much especially with multiple wires for each supply, my Nuvoton mobo chip reports same values as the power tester and I see very little movement running prime95 plus Kombustor.

From your last description it sounds almost like something about the way the power comes up and down is screwing with the bios and or windows power state. It might be worth a shot to turn it off in bios at least. Both my ASUS and Asrock have USB power even when shutdown. I share the keyboard and mouse thru a port sharing device and either box will power that up when shutdown.
 
chaego said:
what should i turn off in bios?
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Not sure how the MSI is but in mine I'd turn off the power management or tuned to max performance for starters then if you can then maybe look at the USB2.0 legacy settings, I have mine enabled. The Windows device manager if you can get to it should have at least for some of the USB controllers a radio button as to whether the computer is allowed to turn it off.
 
Stevo_ said:
Not sure how the MSI is but in mine I'd turn off the power management or tuned to max performance for starters then if you can then maybe look at the USB2.0 legacy settings, I have mine enabled. The Windows device manager if you can get to it should have at least for some of the USB controllers a radio button as to whether the computer is allowed to turn it off.
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MSI BIOS, only power management settings are. enable/disable EUP 2013 and Restore after ac power loss both are diabled

and as for usb settigs i have em all enabled otherwise i wont get usb support on bootup, i havent checked device manager though
 
I stuffed a needle down pin 20 on my 160W, also -5VDC as expected or not as they don't spec that supply voltage.

EDIT: I was looking at the PWR_OK signal on my 150W and this appears to be +12V rather than the +5V according to spec, possibly an issue, will look at the 160W later. Neither the ASUS nor Asrock mobo seem to have a problem but long term not so sure. Need to re-check this weekend.

EDIT2: 160W version also has PWR_OK line pulled up to 12V rail contrary to ATX spec. Some motherboards definitely might have issues with that, possibly even damage them.
 
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Are there any plans of coming up with more stock for either the L1, L2, or is there a new design coming out? Planning a super small 4 core haswell hackintosh and these cases are superb.
 
mark_haus said:
Are there any plans of coming up with more stock for either the L1, L2, or is there a new design coming out? Planning a super small 4 core haswell hackintosh and these cases are superb.
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I am (slowly) working on plans to do something (likely a minor revision), but don't have an ETA right now. I had some free time during the holidays and it felt like I was making progress, but since being back at work I haven't had the time or energy.
 
I found this thread a bit by chance while looking for the smallest possible mini ITX case with dual expension slot.

This case looks perfect for my HTPC/Game/Steam machine. Is this project still alive?
 
sonnyp said:
I found this thread a bit by chance while looking for the smallest possible mini ITX case with dual expension slot.
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As far as I know there is no Mini iTX mainboard existing, with dual expansion slot.
 
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