Question List for a Tricky project

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C4PSL0CK

n00b
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Oct 17, 2009
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Well I'm currently working on a build and it isn't a regular one. I've assembled PCs before, no problem, but this will require some modding. Since it the subject of these questions vary alot I decided it would be best to put it in "General Hardware" so I wouldn't have to made a seperate thread for every question.

So here are my questions:

MOTHERBOARD
(1) Now I happen to know I can remove some I/O ports and still have the motherboard work by disabling it in the BIOS, but how about moving it? I don't really need to move them far, it's rather positioning. If I bust the metal boxes but leave the wiring intact would it still work?

(1b) Is it possible to get a Shuttle Form Motherboard without actually buying a ... Shuttle?

GPU
(2) Are there any aftermarket Vapor Chamber coolers? I know Sapphire has them but I'm not interested in the card, just the cooler. How about reference coolers (in general), any way to get them without buying the GPU that's attached to it?

FANS
(3a) Are there any fans that work pure horizontally? You're probaly asking yourself what the heck I mean. Let's take graphic cards for example. The air is drawn into the card (vertically) and is blow throw the card (horizontally) out of the case. So I'm looking for fans that draw air from 1 side and exhaust it on the otherside, thus the airflow is completely horizontally.

(3b) How about blower fans? Where can I get those? Centrigufal/squirrel cage fans, same thing. I don't mean those flimsy $2 piece of ****. Quality fans.

PSU
(4a) I'm looking for a PSU, about 1.5-2.5" inch in height. The problem tends to be the length, some reach up to 300mm. Isn't there a series that aims at compact PSUs? Or atleast a specific way to search for PSU based on height? Or how about taking it out of the casing to reduce its height, any guide for that? I don't want to zap myself.

(4b) How about picoPSUs, are there any capable of powering a HD5850?

COOLING
(5a) Those liquid cooling glossy packs in laptops, (a) what are they called, (b) is it possible to buy them somewhere and (c) how effective are they really?

(5b) Has anyone tried using GPU heatsinks on their CPU? I'm interested because the're capable of dissipating alot of heat without having it stick out for atleast 3 meters.

Thanks in advance!
 
Well first of all it's a project, it isn't a build I happen to need right now but I'm aiming to build in the upcoming months.

The goal is the size of a PS3/X360 so that's roughly 300x300x80mm. It has to fit a mATX/Core i5/HD5870/32-40A PSU. The main problem will be heat and as you might have noticed all my questions concern either heat or size.

mITX is a no-go unless it doesn't sacrifice performance/valuable features.
 
as far as the power supply is concerned, is making it external out of the question? take a regular psu and mod it with an umbilical cord , and have it break back out inside of the case, this would solve your height/ length issues, remove a heatsource from within the pc, and give you more room to work with, as well as quite possibly a ton more power that you could find in a sff/pico psu.
 
Questions for you:

What is the primary purpose of this "project"? Gaming? Multimedia DVD/server? Hardware firewall? What?

Do you have to have a Core i5 or an HD5870 to make this project work?

Which monitor resolution does this system have to support? Are you going to game at that resolution?
 
Thor said:
as far as the power supply is concerned, is making it external out of the question? take a regular psu and mod it with an umbilical cord , and have it break back out inside of the case, this would solve your height/ length issues, remove a heatsource from within the pc, and give you more room to work with, as well as quite possibly a ton more power that you could find in a sff/pico psu.
Click to expand...

Well that's the challenge, otherwise it would be rather easy. ^_^

tiraides said:
Questions for you:

What is the primary purpose of this "project"? Gaming? Multimedia DVD/server? Hardware firewall? What?

Which monitor resolution does this system have to support? Are you going to game at that resolution?
Click to expand...

A slick all-in-one machine that I could place next to my consoles and happens to be upgradable. So it's for everything, but mostly gaming in 1080p.

tiraides said:
Do you have to have a Core i5 or an HD5870 to make this project work?
Click to expand...

Well, what else are you proposing? A Core 2 Duo? 65w TDP? Core i5 65 TDP are sheduled for 2010 Q1 so I'm not sure if having a Core i5 in it is such a problem.

As for the HD5870, well a HD5850 is fine too. It's rather the size of the HD5870 I want to take into account so I don't have to completely redesign the case when I upgrade my GPU since they seem to be only increasing in length more and more.

SSD, 80Plus (Silver/Gold) Certified PSU, Elpida 40nm DDR3 ram (sheduled for 12/09') should help reduce heat aswell.

Now if I could just find someone that would answer my questions. ^_^
 
I doubt it's the power issue with a i5, it's likely the fact of a serious lack of itx 1156 boards, where you can get the zotac in 775. Pair that up with a C2D, and your GPU of choice. I would imagine your going for a custom case? Maybe take a peek over at the Case mod forums. They'll give you some good ideas about how to locate your PSU etc in the case.
 
The folks at the Small Form Factor Systems forum are constantly "reviewing" new and upcoming micro ATX and mini ITX cases and boards there. They may also be able to answer some of your questions.
 
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