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Mini-itx build

B

bytes

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 18, 2011
Messages
263
Hi, im downsizing my pc to mini-itx. This is the first time im going to be building a mini-itx so just want to make sure it will be okay.

These are the components i currently own:

CPU: i5-2500k
RAM: Corsair 8GB 1866
HDD: WD RE4 1TB

These are the components i was thinking of getting:

Motherboard: AS Rock z68m-itx
Case: Nexus Psile
Power Supply: ????

I wont be gaming on it so was going to use the pci-e lane for wireless with the Edimax EW-7612PIn if that will work ?

If everything in my list is fine what form type and wattage of power supply would i need to run this and could you recommend a good cpu cooler ?

Thanks.
 
You could pick up a PICO PSU to power your system since you are going to be using the IGP. The wireless card should have no issues.

As for a CPU cooler, I am unable to find the distance from the motherboard to the top of the case, but given that there s an 80mm fan hanging with a heatsink under it, I think there s a good 100mm of space. You could easily use something like the thermal right axp140 with a 25mm fan. Maybe a short tower heatsink could be used if you find the max height.
 
joarce said:
This case + power supply is an alternative

And this low profile cooler
Click to expand...

I'm not sure why these are recommendations...

1. His 3.5" HDD will not fit in the M350
2. PSU is a bit inadequate for his setup.
3. It will hot and loud because of the TDP and small space.

A small setup is an option, but the OP would have to purchase some different parts. If anything he could opt for a Silverstone SG05/06 since it is a similar size to the Nexus Psile and comes with a PSU.
 
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Yeah thanks for the suggestions but i don't want to sell the cpu, ram and hdd as its just more hassle and im happy with them. Im pretty much set on the nexus psile, i like the look of it and the way the interior is set out. Most mini-itx cases iv looked at, they have the power supply hanging over the motherboard which means if i want to change the cpu, ram, hdd, change a cable etc iv got to take the power supply out pfffft no thanks lol.

Iv just come across this cpu cooler Iceage 80. Thats the sort of thing id ideally like as then i could put the case fan to the rear of the heatsink and have both fans in the case working in tandem. Does anybody know of a heatsink like that ideally under 100mm in height that fits a 1155 socket ?
 
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So, I couldn't really determine it from the website, but what form factor psu does that case run/require and does it come with one?
 
I couldnt determine that either, thats why i asked :). I did find this though and hes using a 150W picoPSU + 150W power brick. I also see in his photos that his cpu cooler is a scythe shuriken which i think is 76mm in height and it appears to come to half way up the 80mm fan at the back. So i beleive it could take a 100mm high heatsink no problem.
 
I wouldn't get that board, if I were you, it has a tendency of overheating under load, and overclocking isn't really possible with those size and power constraints. I'd go i5-2400 (if not i3-2120) + Asus H61 Mini-ITX board, it'll power what you need, cost less, and be more reliable.
 
bytes said:
I couldnt determine that either, thats why i asked :). I did find this though and hes using a 150W picoPSU + 150W power brick. I also see in his photos that his cpu cooler is a scythe shuriken which i think is 76mm in height and it appears to come to half way up the 80mm fan at the back. So i beleive it could take a 100mm high heatsink no problem.
Click to expand...

PSU will either be a picoPSU or you use a dc board as shown here with an AC adapter. It is mounted in the front of the case.

Based upon the pics in that SPCR thread, it looks to be about 100mm of space since the shrunken is 64mm tall and it goes about half way up an 80mm fan. Cooler is kind of your call depending on how much noise you want to tolerate. Personally, I prefer to use 120mm fans since their tone is easier on my ears. That is why i recommended the Thermalright axp-140, but the cooler you linked should cool just fine. As to whether it fits, you would need to make sure it is short enough. It may bump into something at the top of the case.
 
Amzee said:
I wouldn't get that board, if I were you, it has a tendency of overheating under load, and overclocking isn't really possible with those size and power constraints. I'd go i5-2400 (if not i3-2120) + Asus H61 Mini-ITX board, it'll power what you need, cost less, and be more reliable.
Click to expand...

Id really like to keep my i5-2500k and stay on z68 and the only two boards i can find are the asrock i linked to or the zotac. Are there other boards for z68 and which would be the best ?

kjeldoran said:
PSU will either be a picoPSU or you use a dc board as shown here with an AC adapter. It is mounted in the front of the case.

Based upon the pics in that SPCR thread, it looks to be about 100mm of space since the shrunken is 64mm tall and it goes about half way up an 80mm fan. Cooler is kind of your call depending on how much noise you want to tolerate. Personally, I prefer to use 120mm fans since their tone is easier on my ears. That is why i recommended the Thermalright axp-140, but the cooler you linked should cool just fine. As to whether it fits, you would need to make sure it is short enough. It may bump into something at the top of the case.
Click to expand...

A dc board would be great as they seem to be higher wattage but i dont really know what im looking for. If you could link to a good one, that would be great. I also like to use 120mm fans on my heatsinks but for this case i think the airflow would work better with a tower heatsink and an 80mm fan if possible. That way i can use two of the same 80mm fans which should work pretty good and help with noise.
 
I'm running a Giada Z68 board right now, it works for me (1 full size mSATA port for my SSD, 1 half size mPCIe port for my wireless card). AXP-140 should be arriving here shortly, so I'll take a pic with that mounted if you'd like. Giada is kind of the dark horse in the mITX realm, not seen too much outside of China. Quality has been iffy in previous boards, but I haven't had any issues with the Z68 one ::knocks on wood::
 
bytes said:
Id really like to keep my i5-2500k and stay on z68 and the only two boards i can find are the asrock i linked to or the zotac. Are there other boards for z68 and which would be the best ?
Click to expand...

If we're talking about readily available, basically the AsRock and Zotac are your best bet. I haven't seen Giada being sold anywhere here in the U.S. So honestly can't comment on that. It pretty much comes down to which is the lesser evil rather than which one is the best. And that "lesser evil" title belongs to the AsRock Z68 at least here in the U.S. While I wouldn't trust the quality of either AsRock or Zotac mobos in general, the AsRock is just a little more trustworthy.

If you're not overclocking nor are using a SSD but if you're looking for quality, you're basically looking at some Asus and Intel H67 and H61 mITX mobos.
 
I would highly recommend AGAINST that Zotac board... I purchased two and both arrived DOA...
 
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