![[H]ard|Forum](/styles/hardforum/xenforo/logo_dark.png){kind=logo}
Project Kronos... The HTPC that's roughly the size of an Xbox with infinitely more power.
The Vision:
PC gamers are victims of circumstance.. we started out the only real way to game, and the best way at that.. and now.. we have to compete with PS3 / Xbox (no one takes the Wii or Wii U seriously.. at least that's my opinion).. how do we combat this epidemic? We adapt the PC to be more accessible.. because let's face it, we have the best platform already, and I don't mean windows.. I am talking about the open platform... Where user content can be user generated.
Now, there is an outbreak of mini indie consoles coming (OUYA, which got bad beta reviews) but I highly doubt they will become the next big thing.. why you ask? Because the console market is dwindling in my humble opinion. Sure the next gen of consoles is coming out.. but guess what, they are using technology that has been available to the PC for about a year already.. and by the time the console comes out the next generation of PC hardware will be ready for release or already have been released (give or take a few months)... Heck, Intel is already slated to release gen 4 of its i7 processor.. any way.. enough of that..
So with all that being said, the purpose is to create a PC that is as small as possible, quiet (for the most part) and is able to be used in a home theater set up as an all in one, fast, multimedia and gaming machine.
The Proposed Specs:
LGA 1155 Intel Z77 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard (with USB 3.0, WiFi and 3rd gen PCI-E x16 slot)
Intel Core i5-3470 LGA 1155 Quad-Core Desktop Processor
ASUS GeForce GTX 670 DirectCU Mini (6.7" deep) 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16
16GB DDR3 1600mhz RAM
Slim Internal Blu-ray Burner - Slot Load - Drive
500GB SATA III 2.5" 7200RPM HDD (upgrade-able to SSD)
560 / 600W Single Server Power Supply - 80PLUS Gold
Additional Items:
(3x) 70mm Slim Computer Cooling Fan 70mm Case Cooling Fan (2 in, 1 out)
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Dongle
Slimline SATA to Standard SATA Adapter
PCI Express Riser Card / Ribbon PCI-E x16
Low Profile Black Case Feet
USB 3.0 Module w/ Audio I/O
DEMCiflex 150mm x 70mm Rectangular Filter - Ferrous Black
DEMCiflex 110mm Square Filter - Ferrous Black
Standard Power Switch
C14 Standard PC Power Inlet
Standard Power Switch
Total Cost of Hardware: ~$1370 (not including case)
I haven't got an estimate on the case yet.. but I was going for a 3mm thick aluminum or steel. I wasn't sure about stability issues and such with 3mm.. if anyone has experience please let me know what a good solid thickness is.
Also in case the question comes up, I have researched the various parts in depth that I want to use for the case.. so if the part is on the list I know where to acquire it from, I still need to search out the cheapest pricing for some parts however.
The Case Layout:
Due to the new DirectCU Mini GTX 670 it's possible to create a very small form factor computer. I have some stuff I archived from previous designs using the larger 10.5" graphics cards but they were all about 13.5" x 12.25" x 4"... thanks to this smaller video card, new power supply and revamping of the system layout I was able to shave off about 1.3" from the width, 1/4" from the depth and about 1" from the height.
My only concerns are the fans and heat.. I have 2 intake fans and 1 exhaust fan to try and keep positive pressure in the system (also to offset the filters)... on top of that there is the video card sucking in air and blowing a small portion of it out the side, as well as the power supply blowing air out. The top mounted exaust fan is placed there to pick up the exhaust heat coming from the CPU and Video card so that they aren't blowing as much hot air on each other.
The drive mount rail doubles as a sort of "heat shield" so to speak to keep direct heat of the power supply away from the optical and hard drive. I understand this can restrict a bit of airflow but I thought the trade off would be worth it.
The front panel has a basic power button, USB 3.0 and audio out / mic in ports.. and the main feature I thought was a necessity for certain types of video games was the Xbox 360 sync hardware which would be a retail USB receiver that either is mounted to the front panel, or is a remoted button, the receiver being mounted elsewhere in the case (such as on the drive drive mount rail or something.
I haven't mapped out the mounting holes on the case or motherboard and such, but all the measurements to the components were done in millimeters and in some cases to avoid making the case to small I added a couple mm to ensure enough space. Any input on this design is greatly appreciated as it is my first design.
Side Note: I forgot to write this in before, but the power supply plug in - inlet would be remoted to the back panel using an inlet and power switch combination. I think I have enough space for both mounted next to each other, however I have not yet made the holes for the I/O shield for the motherboard and PCI-E double slot mount for the Video Card... Something I need to do soon. Either way though, the power cables would be neatly tucked away in one of the corners.
3D Mock-ups
The Vision:
PC gamers are victims of circumstance.. we started out the only real way to game, and the best way at that.. and now.. we have to compete with PS3 / Xbox (no one takes the Wii or Wii U seriously.. at least that's my opinion).. how do we combat this epidemic? We adapt the PC to be more accessible.. because let's face it, we have the best platform already, and I don't mean windows.. I am talking about the open platform... Where user content can be user generated.
Now, there is an outbreak of mini indie consoles coming (OUYA, which got bad beta reviews) but I highly doubt they will become the next big thing.. why you ask? Because the console market is dwindling in my humble opinion. Sure the next gen of consoles is coming out.. but guess what, they are using technology that has been available to the PC for about a year already.. and by the time the console comes out the next generation of PC hardware will be ready for release or already have been released (give or take a few months)... Heck, Intel is already slated to release gen 4 of its i7 processor.. any way.. enough of that..
So with all that being said, the purpose is to create a PC that is as small as possible, quiet (for the most part) and is able to be used in a home theater set up as an all in one, fast, multimedia and gaming machine.
The Proposed Specs:
LGA 1155 Intel Z77 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard (with USB 3.0, WiFi and 3rd gen PCI-E x16 slot)
Intel Core i5-3470 LGA 1155 Quad-Core Desktop Processor
ASUS GeForce GTX 670 DirectCU Mini (6.7" deep) 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16
16GB DDR3 1600mhz RAM
Slim Internal Blu-ray Burner - Slot Load - Drive
500GB SATA III 2.5" 7200RPM HDD (upgrade-able to SSD)
560 / 600W Single Server Power Supply - 80PLUS Gold
Additional Items:
(3x) 70mm Slim Computer Cooling Fan 70mm Case Cooling Fan (2 in, 1 out)
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Dongle
Slimline SATA to Standard SATA Adapter
PCI Express Riser Card / Ribbon PCI-E x16
Low Profile Black Case Feet
USB 3.0 Module w/ Audio I/O
DEMCiflex 150mm x 70mm Rectangular Filter - Ferrous Black
DEMCiflex 110mm Square Filter - Ferrous Black
Standard Power Switch
C14 Standard PC Power Inlet
Standard Power Switch
Total Cost of Hardware: ~$1370 (not including case)
I haven't got an estimate on the case yet.. but I was going for a 3mm thick aluminum or steel. I wasn't sure about stability issues and such with 3mm.. if anyone has experience please let me know what a good solid thickness is.
Also in case the question comes up, I have researched the various parts in depth that I want to use for the case.. so if the part is on the list I know where to acquire it from, I still need to search out the cheapest pricing for some parts however.
The Case Layout:
Due to the new DirectCU Mini GTX 670 it's possible to create a very small form factor computer. I have some stuff I archived from previous designs using the larger 10.5" graphics cards but they were all about 13.5" x 12.25" x 4"... thanks to this smaller video card, new power supply and revamping of the system layout I was able to shave off about 1.3" from the width, 1/4" from the depth and about 1" from the height.
My only concerns are the fans and heat.. I have 2 intake fans and 1 exhaust fan to try and keep positive pressure in the system (also to offset the filters)... on top of that there is the video card sucking in air and blowing a small portion of it out the side, as well as the power supply blowing air out. The top mounted exaust fan is placed there to pick up the exhaust heat coming from the CPU and Video card so that they aren't blowing as much hot air on each other.
The drive mount rail doubles as a sort of "heat shield" so to speak to keep direct heat of the power supply away from the optical and hard drive. I understand this can restrict a bit of airflow but I thought the trade off would be worth it.
The front panel has a basic power button, USB 3.0 and audio out / mic in ports.. and the main feature I thought was a necessity for certain types of video games was the Xbox 360 sync hardware which would be a retail USB receiver that either is mounted to the front panel, or is a remoted button, the receiver being mounted elsewhere in the case (such as on the drive drive mount rail or something.
I haven't mapped out the mounting holes on the case or motherboard and such, but all the measurements to the components were done in millimeters and in some cases to avoid making the case to small I added a couple mm to ensure enough space. Any input on this design is greatly appreciated as it is my first design.
Side Note: I forgot to write this in before, but the power supply plug in - inlet would be remoted to the back panel using an inlet and power switch combination. I think I have enough space for both mounted next to each other, however I have not yet made the holes for the I/O shield for the motherboard and PCI-E double slot mount for the Video Card... Something I need to do soon. Either way though, the power cables would be neatly tucked away in one of the corners.
3D Mock-ups
Last edited: