Any interest in PicoPSU based Mini-ITX case?

loneindustries said:
I'm sorry to hear that. I'm not an audiophile by any means, but I do care about audio quality. I wonder if the tech support at Mini-box.com would have any ideas? They replaced a PicoPSU for me at no charge once, and were very interested in helping resolve my issues (this was in the VIA M1000 days though).
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:) You got me tempted again - I do have an ITX mobo/cpu sitting around, and you do have revised cases coming out... Feeling an itch!
 
I've been following this thread for a while and wanting to wait for a better low profile video card to come out. If a 750 comes out I'm pretty sure I might have to get one of these cases.
 
The 750(ti) will be a game changer for this case and we'll finally see some really decent performance. I'm definitely excited to see the cards that are coming.
 
This case will probably be my go to case once Galaxy or Zotac release a half height 750ti.
 
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loneindustries said:
Cool! :) Are you interested in the revised L1, or the dual slot L2 (currently fictional)?
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Not sure, the gamer side of me wants the dual slot, audiophile side wants the single. Could always build two :) If I had to make a vote from a business standpoint, the dual slot version would be better, many more gamers than audiophiles out there.

I'd love to see you do a steambox-esque design. Keeping the Lone Industries aesthetic (beautiful), and going a bit bigger and a bit more powerful. I know that you set out to make a small case that uses Pico PSUs, but I think you really accomplished that. Would love to see you take on a new challenge (selfishly since I still think the Pico + brick introduced a crazy ground loop or RF issue).
 
@loneindustries do you have any ETA on the L2? Just wondering or if it was still kinda in the idea stages.
 
@ Shockwave
I am surprised you would doing critical listening straight from a computer. Optical out of the mobo to an external dac is the ticket if you want to eliminate all noise. Check out the Fiio E17 for that function.

@ Loneindustries
Put me down for one of the L2s and two if they are close to $100
 
It's fun to see all the thoughts about the case. Some think of it as an HTPC, other as Audio PC some as an extra gaming system and some as me primary computer.
 
cbinvb said:
@ Shockwave
I am surprised you would doing critical listening straight from a computer. Optical out of the mobo to an external dac is the ticket if you want to eliminate all noise. Check out the Fiio E17 for that function.
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That's actually a really good point - I'm not using optical for a couple of reasons:
1) I'm not a huge noise floor nut. I don't listen to much classical music with silent passages, so I don't mind some hiss. However, when the noise is within the audible frequency bands and is noticeable along with program material, then I get concerned.
2) I'm lazy, and already had USB powered DACs around - totally my bad.
2) I use DSP units for active crossover processes, and they're powered by USB as well and interface straight to the computer using USB. The units I use only have analog inputs, not optical.

Like you mention, I may solve some noise by going optical out, but my DSP units would still be hooked into the computer and would suffer the same noise issue. If I still had the L1/pico combo handy I could test it - Guess I may have to build a new one :)

I still have my fingers crossed for a slightly larger one (SFX PSU) with the same sleek, minimalistic aesthetic.
 
Shockwave818 said:
Not sure, the gamer side of me wants the dual slot, audiophile side wants the single. Could always build two :) If I had to make a vote from a business standpoint, the dual slot version would be better, many more gamers than audiophiles out there.

I'd love to see you do a steambox-esque design. Keeping the Lone Industries aesthetic (beautiful), and going a bit bigger and a bit more powerful. I know that you set out to make a small case that uses Pico PSUs, but I think you really accomplished that. Would love to see you take on a new challenge (selfishly since I still think the Pico + brick introduced a crazy ground loop or RF issue).
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Thank you. I may consider doing something larger someday. My free time sort of comes and goes.
 
Saint001 said:
@loneindustries do you have any ETA on the L2? Just wondering or if it was still kinda in the idea stages.
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No ETA at the moment. I'm seriously considering it though, and I am currently leaning towards making it. I would like to see a few more people interested though.

cbinvb said:
@ Loneindustries
Put me down for one of the L2s and two if they are close to $100
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Done. :)

I am hoping the price won't be too much more than the L1. If there's not enough interest, then I'll only produce a few. The downside is the price would be higher.
 
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I'd probably be down for an L2(just in case I want one of the bigger vid cards for whatever reason), need to see how the L1 works out first though

loneindustries said:
No ETA at the moment. I'm seriously considering it though, and I am currently leaning towards making it. I would like to see a few more people interested though.



Done. :)

I am hoping the price won't be too much more than the L1. If there's not enough interest, then I'll only produce a few. The downside is the price would be higher.
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I'm definitely on the buy list. You might consider posting your designs silentpc forums and any other av forums. I'm sure you would generate a lot of interest.
 
Exactly.
Will build and post on Sweclockers that will give some publicity. Should produce atleast a handful orders.
 
loneindustries said:
No ETA at the moment. I'm seriously considering it though, and I am currently leaning towards making it. I would like to see a few more people interested though.



Done. :)

I am hoping the price won't be too much more than the L1. If there's not enough interest, then I'll only produce a few. The downside is the price would be higher.
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Understood. I think if/when you get some cases out there and others see the builds people post I would see it being more popular than the L1 in the long run. I would like to see some colors but even if you offer just a bare unfinished case along with the black it wouldn't be too hard to paint at home.
 
I can provide unfinished cases, but I wouldn't recommend it. It would only save about $15 off the price. Not sure if that's worth it, since you can still paint or powder coat an already powder coated case.

I should have the L1 2014 parts back from the powder coater by the end of the week.

I had some custom case feet made, but it doesn't look like they're good enough to use (too soft, poor finish). The closest off the shelf alternative I've found is this 3M bumpon. I've already shipped some with the last couple L1 (2013) cases. If I am able to finally make the case feet I want, I can always send them out to people who want them for a couple dollars.

SJ-5009 (22.4 x 10.2 mm):

mediawebserver
 
Saint001 said:
Good call, I guess. I might play around with paint on my L1 at some point.
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Well, if there's a trend where everyone just has to have a <insert colour here> case, then that may be a good time to change. :)

White is pretty safe. I really wish I would've had some white ones done.
 
Haha Truth :)

I really like the sleek black of my case. I think I juse have the itch to customize :D
 
Stevo_ said:
Picked up one of these on final clearance(missing a fan screw) at Frys last weekend, at L150 x W81.5 x H40.3 (mm) much more doable, gonna experiment with the L1 but for an L2 a slam dunk up where the drives are I think.
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Here's the L1 with that Flex ATX PSU stuffed in it. :) 32 mm clearance top and bottom. Very little room up top with a second case fan.

 
ellroy80 said:
No slot for low profile cards.
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Now that's just being defeatist.

2013-09-06235130.jpg


Though this is, admittedly, not the best solution, but it does work fairly well with a single slot card.


That flexPSU is interesting. What's the noise level like? And how long are the cables? It looks like it doesn't have a PCIe power cable, but maybe an adaptor could work.
 
Drown Babies said:
Now that's just being defeatist.

Though this is, admittedly, not the best solution, but it does work fairly well with a single slot card.


That flexPSU is interesting. What's the noise level like? And how long are the cables? It looks like it doesn't have a PCIe power cable, but maybe an adaptor could work.
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Haha point taken. minimum air flow then ;) I've only hooked it up to PSU-tester so far and it didn't strike me at the time as loud but I'll check it again(as with anything like this I'm sure quieter fans are available and it can be remove without busting the case open it appears). The cables are easily long enough, I'll take some pics after work and post them up.
 
loneindustries said:
Here's the L1 with that Flex ATX PSU stuffed in it. :) 32 mm clearance top and bottom. Very little room up top with a second case fan.

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Yeah, just eyeballing it looked like it could go there, then it's where to put the SSDs but I think it could be done, though I'm still in for the Pico PSU at this point.
 
loneindustries said:
Approximate shipping to Canberra, Australia:

Ground (4-6 weeks delivery) - $18 CAD
Air (Up to 6 days) - $40 CAD
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Thx lone. How does that compare to shipping to Milwaukee, WI, USA? Sorry to ask, and to thread hijack, but I'm moving back to Aus at the end of the year, so I'll need to decide if I buy one when I'm back there or buy it while still here and take it back with me.
 
ellroy80 said:
Thx lone. How does that compare to shipping to Milwaukee, WI, USA? Sorry to ask, and to thread hijack, but I'm moving back to Aus at the end of the year, so I'll need to decide if I buy one when I'm back there or buy it while still here and take it back with me.
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Not a problem. Shipping to Milwaukee, WI, 53202 (used a UPS Store zip) is $16 CAD (about 5-7 days delivery).
 
Drown Babies said:
That flexPSU is interesting. What's the noise level like? And how long are the cables? It looks like it doesn't have a PCIe power cable, but maybe an adaptor could work.
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Looks like about 12" of 24, 6, and 4-pin connectors, the Molex, Sata etc go about another 8" past that. You would need to consider shortening I'm sure, though the 3rd Sata could go as well as second Molex, snip, snip.

As far as fan noise, it would probably be the noisiest in the case as is, but I think that can be dealt with. I'd have to hear everything in the case to really get a gauge though.

flex_zps6c0d0958.jpg
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I just read a test of the streacom nano pico psu and they'd measured 102 degrees celsius on the psu part. That is crasy high.
The flex atx alternative looks better from that point of view.

How would you manage the cables into the psu (power) if you got it into the L2?
 
sgtspiff said:
I just read a test of the streacom nano pico psu and they'd measured 102 degrees celsius on the psu part. That is crasy high.
The flex atx alternative looks better from that point of view.

How would you manage the cables into the psu (power) if you got it into the L2?
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For sure a C14 socket panel mount with a cut to length extension right/left angle c13 at the PSU, ATX/CPU/SATA/Molex cable would need trimming also. Maybe put the C14 socket up top on the back by the fans, right angle from the socket there also as it'll be custom anyway. Still need to get the L1 in my hands to get an idea for the L2.

Another possibility;

ip-ad160-2 160W flex atx inwin uses these in the h-frame mini, you can get them all day on ebay $35-45.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IN-WIN-IP-AD160-2-T-BM-160W-PSU-4CM-20-IP-AD160-2-T-/400666767871?pt=PCA_UPS&hash=item5d4999b1ff
 
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Stevo_ said:
For sure a C14 socket panel mount with a cut to length extension right/left angle c13 at the PSU, ATX/CPU/SATA/Molex cable would need trimming also. Maybe put the C14 socket up top on the back by the fans, right angle from the socket there also as it'll be custom anyway. Still need to get the L1 in my hands to get an idea for the L2.

Another possibility;

ip-ad160-2 160W flex atx inwin uses these in the h-frame mini, you can get them all day on ebay $35-45.
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Flex ATX with a little more juice

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151116
 
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