• Mini-ITX Build - Build log with pictures
    8 replies, posted
Hello: it's been a while since i've posted anything on facepunch at all, so I thought I'd post up a build I just finished- my first mini-itx system. It's pretty much the most compact thing I've ever built, lucky I have pencil-fingers. I went with something a bit more powerful than an average Atom chip on this one too, and made use of some spare ram I had laying around. Here are the specs, anyway: [b] Zotac 9300 Intel E7400 2Gb DDR2 PC2-5300 Kingston Compucase 8K07 + 120w psu 500gb Hitachi Desktar Generic slimline drive [/b] The total came to ~£345, which I don't think is bad at all. It does everything pretty nicely, and can play most source games >80fps when on lower-mid settings. It's blazing fast in Windows, aswell. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=1.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] This is what it came in, a huge-fucking-box. I ordered it off Scan this time, which is a first. Never usually used anyone else other than overclockers, but whatever. Ordered 5pm yesterday, arrived at 11am today! [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=2.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_2.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The contents. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=3.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_3.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Some of the largest bubble wrap I've ever seen in my entire life. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=12.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_12.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=10.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_10.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The E7400. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=4.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_4.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=8.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_8.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=9.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_9.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The plastic clips to attach it to the motherboard came snapped on this one, so I ended up using the stock intel hsf. I'm going to probably send this one back. How fucking dare they break. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=5.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_5.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=7.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_7.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=11.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_11.jpg[/IMG][/URL] My 500Gb Hitachi Desktar, and some generic slimline (laptop) drive- staying in their package sleeping-bags. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=14.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_14.jpg[/IMG][/URL] First look at the motherboard. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=13.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_13.jpg[/IMG][/URL] First look at the generic stuff that comes with the motherboard. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=16.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_16.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=15.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_15.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=19.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_19.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Here's a size-comparison of this little baby; that monitor is the Acer X243HQ (~24"). It is ludicrously small. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=17.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_17.jpg[/IMG][/URL] They're right, those things are fucking deadly. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=23.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_23.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The thermal compound, remover and purifier I shall be using. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=21.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_21.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=24.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_24.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=22.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_22.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=25.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_25.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=26.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_26.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=27.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_27.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Here are some more shots of the case. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=31.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_31.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The interior, empty at the moment. It's actually got more room than I first expected. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=30.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_30.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Another size comparison. Didn't have a ruler laying around, but I guess everyone knows the size of a DVD/ game case. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=32.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_32.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Lold a bit when I saw '9.5a' on the +12, haha. I suppose it's to be expected, it is the 120w model. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=35.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_35.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=37.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_37.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=36.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_36.jpg[/IMG][/URL] You know there's no hope for recovering from nerdiness when your own mother buys you a 'cable-management kit' as a gift. This is the one time where the thought DOES [b]NOT[/b] COUNT. Either way, I made use of the cable ties in throughout the build, as airflow is such an issue at this form factor. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=38.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_38.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The quite odd mounting-system of the 3.5" drive, although it worked. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=41.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_41.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The rear of the slimline DVD+RW drive. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=42.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_42.jpg[/IMG][/URL] This is where that adapter comes in. It basically converts the SATA data/ power connector from the slimline (laptop) drive to a 4-pin molex and SATA cable to be used on a normal mobo. Clever. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=44.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_44.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Urgh. These fucking screws were horrifically annoying to get in. I must of dropped them about 30 times just to line it up with the screw hole, and I have the thinest fingers on the planet. I'd advise the smallest phillips head with a magnetic tip, and a lot of patience. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=46.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_46.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Completed! Shazam- boots up first time. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=51.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_51.jpg[/IMG][/URL] A poor quality shot of the front. [URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/?action=view&current=50.jpg][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/onnet7/mITX%20Build%20Log/th_50.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Installing Windows 7 Beta 64-bit. So yeah, hope you enjoyed that. It's basically for anyone who may be interested in starting a build, and getting some proper size-comparisons, aswell as moderately detailed shots of that particular case (Compucase 8K07), as I couldn't find any elsewhere. And there we go, bro.
I see you like stickers.
He also likes battle field 2
If only there was a cheap and good looking mini-itx case with VESA mountings :sigh:
D'awww.
Be great as a media center solution.
Look at how cute it is, I just wanna pet it! That is one small motherboard...
[QUOTE=ManningQB18;15931302]Look at how cute it is, I just wanna pet it! That is one small motherboard...[/QUOTE] [IMG]http://mini-itx.com/reviews/pico-itx/images/pico-itx-0009L.jpg[/IMG] The one in the OP is 17 x 17 cm. This one is 10 x 7.2 cm more info here: [url]http://mini-itx.com/reviews/pico-itx/[/url]
[QUOTE=ManningQB18;15931302]Look at how cute it is, I just wanna pet it! That is one small motherboard...[/QUOTE] I must say, it did make my heart melt a little bit. It's a baby-motherboard.
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