M300 ITX Build, please critique

J

jamesman32

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 11, 2009
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430
Here are the parts I've got lined up so far

Case - M300
http://www.mini-box.com/M300-Enclosure-w-Bootable-CF-Reader_2

PSU - 160W PicoPSU + 192W AC/DC adapter
http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-192-XT-192W-Adapter-Power-Kit

PCIe X16 Riser Card
http://www.logicsupply.com/products/pelx16j1_c10

CPU - Sandy Bridges i3 2120T
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115094

GPU - XFX 6670
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150545

RAM - 8gb Corsair XMS3 1333mhz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145315

Motherboard - ASRock H67M-ITX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157238

SSD - Crucial M4 64gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441


I already have the SSD, MB, and RAM on hand from a previous build.

Quick questions:
Will the PSU support the 6670? The power consumption graphs I've seen support that it should.
Will the Intel stock HSF be enough for the 2120T?
Are there any other extremely low profile HSFs that are decent for 1155?
Is it alright that the 6670 will be sitting directly on top of the HSF, more or less?


The M300 case doesn't have much airflow. With all these components, I'm thinking about cutting a large hole in the top of the case and replacing it with honeycomb mesh. This way the 6670 will draw in fresh air from the top of the case, and the M300's two 40mm fans will be able to draw in air as well.

Thanks in advance!
 
I was able to run that xfx card on a 120w pico psu w/ a 2100t... system only pulled 100w peak (playing borderlands).

That being said, that video card is loud as heck and tonally is exactly at the peak of annoying frequencies... it sounds like a dust-buster hand-held vacuum. Also, since the video card heatsink does not dump the hot air outside (like most full-length double-slot cards), you'll get a hotspot in the case (think like 90c hot... :eek: ), so best have that open to mesh so it can vent. (but that makes it even louder).

If you use a riser in that case the video card will be right over the cpu, so you'll need a slim hsf (think like gelim slim silence... I doubt the retail intel fan will work for you.

Just some quick comments while i'm running by the computer, I'll add more later!
 
Machupo said:
I was able to run that xfx card on a 120w pico psu w/ a 2100t... system only pulled 100w peak (playing borderlands).

That being said, that video card is loud as heck and tonally is exactly at the peak of annoying frequencies... it sounds like a dust-buster hand-held vacuum. Also, since the video card heatsink does not dump the hot air outside (like most full-length double-slot cards), you'll get a hotspot in the case (think like 90c hot... :eek: ), so best have that open to mesh so it can vent. (but that makes it even louder).

If you use a riser in that case the video card will be right over the cpu, so you'll need a slim hsf (think like gelim slim silence... I doubt the retail intel fan will work for you.

Just some quick comments while i'm running by the computer, I'll add more later!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info!

Perhaps this HSF would work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106152

I believe the clearance within the case for the HSF is about 45mm, 50 at max. The HSF above is 38mm so I'm cutting it close, but it seems to be the beefiest one that'll still fit.

As for the GPU, all I can really do is hope the ventilation from the mesh keeps it cooler and quieter. :eek:
 
I don't think you'll need too beefy of a hsf, a gelim of mine keeps a 65w cpu nice and cool (it is only 26mm tall), about the same price range too.

Mesh will definitely keep it cooler, but no chance at quieter :(
 
Just a mini-update. Finally put the order in for the parts after much deciding.

Foxconn H67S - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186211
Intel SB i5 2400s - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115075
Thermaltake Slim X3 CPU HSF - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106152
8GB G. Skill DDR3 1333mhz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422
OCZ Solid3 120gb SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227729
XFX Radeon HD6670 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150545
M300 Enclosure - http://www.mini-box.com/M300-Enclosure-w-Bootable-CF-Reader_2
150w PicoPSU kit - http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT-150W-Adapter-Power-Kit
PCIeX16 Flex Riser - http://www.hd-plex.com/pcie16.flexible.riser.html


And there it is, the whole build.

Stay tuned for benchmarks and build pics.
 
if you haven't order the riser, Check Ebay. I got a similar riser for 5-6 dollars
 
Well..did you read the pico psu description?

It says: NOTE: Will not work with M350/M300/M200 enclosures due to 4 pin din connection
 
ithanium2 said:
Well..did you read the pico psu description?

It says: NOTE: Will not work with M350/M300/M200 enclosures due to 4 pin din connection
Click to expand...

I called the company and they explained that the pair is now compatible after a design update that hasn't been reflected on the site yet
 
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