Case options for MINI-ITX motherboards

J

jhstuckey

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 30, 2008
Messages
168
I've started this thread for the discussion of cases suitable to the MINI-ITX standard, in particular, those suitable to the Intel G45 MINI-ITX motherboard.

MINI-ITX would appear to be identical to the MICRO-ITX standard, though smaller and more energy efficient (1). My interest in this board comes primarly from it's energy efficency, and the fact that intel provides the documentation necessary for the development and implementation of their hardware in Linux(2).

Using one does however require a case and I've so far not been able to find a suitable one. I've seen the Silverstone LC12B [How do I add a picture of it?] which, though astehetically pleasing, comes with an integrated 60W power supply. This will not work since, according to the intel specification sheet for the DG45FC, a 150w power supply is recommended as the minimun for a system with a 65 W multi-core processor, 512 MB DDR2 RAM, one hard disk, and an optical drive. (I find it interesting here that a 250W power supply is recommended when using 1GB DDR2 RAM, and I wonder if a 450W power supply unit would be recommended when using 4GB DDR2 RAM . Perhaps someone can clarify this.) I've seen something called a PICO PSU which is supposedly efficient and able to supply 150W(3). Perhaps modifying the LC12B to use the PICO 150W unit would be benificial.

There is also the "hec Black 0.7mm Thickness SECC 7K09 Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case", as seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121027. It would seem to be a good buy at 50$, but there isn't much information listed at newegg regarding the power supply that comes with it. As I'm interested in building an efficient computer I want a certified 80 Plus power supply.

Then there's the Silverstone LC17-B (listed on newegg at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163055). This case is certainly nice, however newegg lists it as only accepting Standard ATX and Micro ATX motherboards. Does anyone know if using a MINI-ITX board in this case would be possible?







-----------------------------
1. According to http://www.silentpcreview.com the Intel DG45FC idels at 35w. See the review at http://www.silentpcreview.com/article869-page5.html.
2. http://www.linuxtoday.com/developer/2009041602035NWHW
3. http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT?sc=8&category=981
 
Last edited:
cyberkost, that case looks like the one they made for the Xbox360 reconfigured for PC use. Looks nice!
 
jhstuckey said:
This will not work since, according to the intel specification sheet for the DG45FC, a 150w power supply is recommended as the minimun for a system with a 65 W multi-core processor, 512 MB DDR2 RAM, one hard disk, and an optical drive. (I find it interesting here that a 250W power supply is recommended when using 1GB DDR2 RAM, and I wonder if a 450W power supply unit would be recommended when using 4GB DDR2 RAM . Perhaps someone can clarify this.) I've seen something called a PICO PSU which is supposedly efficient and able to supply 150W(3). Perhaps modifying the LC12B to use the PICO 150W unit would be benificial.
Click to expand...

The reason why Intel is recommending a 150W to 250W PSU is to account for the sheer number of shitty PSus out there. In addition, you do not want to load a PSU all the way up. From HardOCP's own PSU editor:
Paul_Johnson said:
Yes and a quick search would turn up this topic a million times over. Here is the recap:

1) APFC can fool Kill-A-Watts into giving you abnormally low readings (some times giving better than 100% efficiency)

2) Power supplies derate with temperature anywhere from 2w/c above a nominal rated at value to 10w/c.

3) Kill-A-Watt's and most power meters sample too slowly to catch transient loads (the Transient load from our tests is 117w and is COMPLETELY missed by Kill-A-Watts).

4) Power supplies last longer if you stay in the 40% to 60% range of their output.

5) power supplies are quieter if you stay in the 40% to 60% range of their output.

6) Power supplies are cooler if you stay in the 40% to 60% range of their output.

The power meters in UPS software are just as bad. You have to spend some change before you get anywhere near an accurate power meter when your PSU has APFC.
Click to expand...

Oh and a 450W PSU is not necessary for 4GB of RAM. A quality 150W PSU would be enough.

jhstuckey said:
There is also the "hec Black 0.7mm Thickness SECC 7K09 Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case", as seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121027. It would seem to be a good buy at 50$, but there isn't much information listed at newegg regarding the power supply that comes with it. As I'm interested in building an efficient computer I want a certified 80 Plus power supply.
Click to expand...

HEC tends to over-rate their PSUs. So whatever HEC PSU you see, it's fair to say you should automatically assume that they are crap.
 
Only problem with the Lian is that it uses full size DVD drive, HDD, and ATX PSU... means it's nice because those parts are cheaper/easier to find... but also much bigger, sort of defeating the purpose of Mini-itx.
 
I personally like the idea of a ATX PSU, Full HD and Full Optical Drive. Of course I'm not buying to be super ultra tiny.
 
Then you could find a M-ATX case/motherboard and a E1200 or E1400 for the same purposes/price-range

Meh =)
 
Blazestorm said:
Only problem with the Lian is that it uses full size DVD drive, HDD, and ATX PSU... means it's nice because those parts are cheaper/easier to find... but also much bigger, sort of defeating the purpose of Mini-itx.
Click to expand...

True. Good for cascading old parts though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top