Description

Mini ITX build for general PC use and one-day relegation to HTPC.

Built for Australian conditions (plenty of fans). Noctua NH-L9i CPU cooler fins specifically oriented 'cross-case', to aid exhausting in the same direction as overall air-flow in the case. ASRock mobo principally chosen for its layout. Wanted to go ASUS Z87i PRO, but the 'DIGI power control' would be in a very poor location against the fans (obstructing air-flow). For any other case - the ASUS would be the best mobo. Gigabyte mobo layout also a bit awkward for this case and stock power supply (okay if you go PicoPSU).

Components all fit well. Just need to be careful with USB3 header connection conflict with the hdd/optical drive rack.

Non-recommended mod included - removed power-supply cover to decrease noise from power-supply fan and increase ventilation.

All components purchased from PC Case Gear in Aus.

Thanks PC Part-Picker!!!

P.S. For a similar build and good reccomendations see here: http://mymediaexperience.com/mini-itx-htpc-guide/

P.S.S This was my first ever PC build.

Comments

  • 68 months ago
  • 2 points

Cheap, small, quiet computer.

  • 68 months ago
  • 2 points

I have one of those cases which I got on ebay for 22,obviously used. I was thinking on changing the psu for a seasonic SS-250SU which fits with some mods. I don't think the psu on this case is very trustworthy. You could change the fan on the psu for a NF-R8. Also on the link you recommended they use an AMD mobo which has the 24 pin connector on the right side which blocks the additional 80mm fan. This case doesn't have good ventilation. On your case its perfect as the mobo connector is not conflicting with the additional fan. here is one with a psu mod http://www.rtftechnologies.org/general/computer2.html

  • 68 months ago
  • 1 point

Yeah, I spent a decent amount of time selecting the mobo for this build. Also checking power demand. Looked at replacing the psu fan - but connectors are different so I stopped short of re-wiring. Was going to put the original antec case fan in place of the stock psu fan. I'd say that the case's ventilation is good if you get the right mobo layout and don't have a gpu. So yeah - it has it's limitations for sure.

  • 68 months ago
  • 1 point

that's a great mobo, you could had also mount a msata ssd on the back of the motherboard. That way you have less cables and maybe taking out the top part as you wouldn't need it and there would be more airflow.

  • 68 months ago
  • 2 points

I like it

  • 68 months ago
  • 2 points

Nice.

  • 68 months ago
  • 1 point

Awesome monitor! does anyone know it?

  • 68 months ago
  • 1 point

Thank you!

  • 68 months ago
  • 1 point

In Picture 4, I see the motherboard is placed on some sort of plastic bag. If that bag came from your motherboard, you sir are very lucky. The outsides of those bags could be covered in a conductive material.

If so, and if you had powered your Pc on outside of the case, you would probably have burned out your motherboard.

  • 68 months ago
  • 1 point

Cheers for the comments guys.

Yeah - i will definitely make the PSU mod as part of any future mods.

Perhaps I am lucky with the motherboard?? As noted in the description (refer PSS) this was my First Ever PC Build - so I'm still a little ignorant of the risks of static electricity. In saying that - I sure as hell didn't touch anything while it was powered.

Yep the Monitor is an ASUS mx279h. Purchased for approx $370(AUD) on Oo.com.au. Great monitor.

No GPU. Will be used primarily as home PC, some Numerical Modelling for work (matlab and other number crunching software) and a little cad/surfer work here and there. Relying on the integrated graphics for now. Would be very 'cosy' with a GPU. These days you can actually use the GPU to do the numerical number crunching (lots and lots of cores...).

I would say that the case can have good ventilation - but this is dependant upon mobo layout. It would be greatly improved if they added some holes above the CPU area (LHS of case in Photo #7).

  • 62 months ago
  • 1 point

You mention that you removed the cover from the power supply to cut down the noise. Was that because the fan was 'loud'? Is it possible to swap out the power supply fan and insert one of the Noctua NF-R8 fans?

  • 30 months ago
  • 1 point

I did investigate the option of ripping out the power supply fan - but it's a little too tricky, and I don't like fiddling with electricals.

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  • 68 months ago
  • 3 points

Quoting the first line of the description: "Mini ITX build for general PC use and one-day relegation to HTPC."

  • 68 months ago
  • 1 point

People typically buy GPU's for gaming and/or work purposes, and just because he doesn't have a GPU doesn't mean he can't see what he's doing. He's probably going to use the integrated graphics for simple web browsing or typical PC use.

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  • 68 months ago
  • 3 points

Why get something that he's not going to use effectively?

  • 68 months ago
  • 2 points

Was already at the limit of the PSU too (150W)

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