Another Build Thread: mini ITX

FXB

New Member
Hi guess I'm looking to do a new build to run to do streaming to an Apple TV
back up two macs and torrent. I also want it to convert all content that I download to an iTunes friendly format. (mp3 & mp4)

This has to play nice in the windows environment.

This will be on 24/7 it need to be quiet. Cable management is also a priority.

Budget is about 500$

OS I will either be running FreeNas or Windows I haven't really decided yet.

CPU: Intel Core i3-3225 145$

Case: As for the case I was thinking of getting the Bitfenix Prodigy case. It's small which is great I am just not sure about cable management. 79$ Any other suggestions for the case?

HDD: I have four SATA hard drives so thats not an issue. 0$

MOBO ASUS P8H77-I LGA 1155 Intel H77 105$

PSU SeaSonic X series SS-400FL Active PFC F3 400W ATX12V Fanless 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

RAM Kingston 4gb kit DDR3 240 pin 18$

GPU I will use Intel's integrated GPU.


Thanks in advance for your help.
 
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daisymtc

Active Member
CPU - LGA 1155. You could probably get i3-3225. That with HD4000

Case - I don't feel BitFenix particularly small.
Here is review from Anandtech, you can judge if it is good enough for cable management
http://www.anandtech.com/Gallery/Album/2000#1

If size matter, personally would go for SilverStone Sugo Series SG05BB-450-USB3.0
This include a good 450W PSU, which is enough to run add on video card if you want to turn it to gaming machine.

Mobo; Get Z77 if you can afford

RAM: they are so cheap nowadays. Go for single stick 4GB or 8GB.
 

FXB

New Member
CPU - LGA 1155. You could probably get i3-3225. That with HD4000

Case - I don't feel BitFenix particularly small.
Here is review from Anandtech, you can judge if it is good enough for cable management
http://www.anandtech.com/Gallery/Album/2000#1

If size matter, personally would go for SilverStone Sugo Series SG05BB-450-USB3.0
This include a good 450W PSU, which is enough to run add on video card if you want to turn it to gaming machine.

Mobo; Get Z77 if you can afford

RAM: they are so cheap nowadays. Go for single stick 4GB or 8GB.

Great thanks for the reply. I'll definetely get that CPU.

That picture gallery didn't show much. So far it's the best mini itx case I could find for the money I'll have to look into it more.

The silverstone case won't do because I need several 3.5" bays.

Why do you recommend the z77 chipset?

I'm not really concerned for ram I'm sure I can find some nice dual channel 4gb sticks.

What about a PSU?
 

FXB

New Member
I've been reading up on chipsets. It seems like the 6-series chipset do not natively support USB 3.0. I then looked into the new 7-series chipset. It seems like the H77 chipset would work well. I do not need to Overclocking abilities nor do I want to use a GPU.


I started looking for a motherboard. Here are a few that I like.

Currently editing this post

ASUS P8H77-I LGA 1155 Intel H77 105$
Good price
Natively supports USB 3
Nice SATA connector placement for cable management.
Six SATA connections for up to six drives
HDMI port
DVI port
VGA port

Does not include wireless without adding a NIC.

ASRock H77M-ITX LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA
Natively supports USB 3
VGA port
HDMI Port
four SATA connections (two 6gb/s, two 3gb/s)

Does not include wireless without adding a NIC.

Not a fan of SATA connector placement

Intel BOXDH77DF LGA 1155 Intel H77

Natively supports USB 3
HDMI Port
four SATA connections (two 6gb/s, two 3gb/s)

Does not include wireless without adding a NIC.

Not a fan of SATA connector placement

ASRock Z77E-ITX LGA 1155 Intel Z77
Do not like the price 175$
Integrated wireless
HDMI port
Does not include wireless without adding a NIC.

Not a fan of SATA connector placement

ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe LGA 1155 Intel Z77
Has the Z77 chipset
The SATA ports are vary well placed for cable management I can work with that.
HDMI port
 
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FXB

New Member
I have recently built a computer using the Bitfenix Prodigy, maybe you will find this thread a bit more useful.

http://www.computerforum.com/214157-white-dragon-watercooled-mini-itx-project-build-log.html

Also, this case may not be the smallest mini-ITX, but sure is probably the best for now in terms of what you can fit, how good cooling it has and, how quiet it is.

Thanks for the link I am currently looking at all the post. We seem to have very different needs. Great thread none the less. Could you recommend a modular PSU? Are you done building that rig?
 
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mr.doom

Member
Thanks for the link I am currently looking at all the post. We seem to have very different needs. Great thread none the less. Could you recommend a modular PSU? Are you done building that rig?

I'm pretty much done, few little things here and there, but nothing major. Corsair AX series is fantastic. It's semi-passive, that means that the fan doesn't kick in until certain temperature, which makes them entirely silent for most of the time. I used AX750 (admittedly, now I see it was a massive overkill), but you can get them in lower wattages too.
 

FXB

New Member
I'm pretty much done, few little things here and there, but nothing major. Corsair AX series is fantastic. It's semi-passive, that means that the fan doesn't kick in until certain temperature, which makes them entirely silent for most of the time. I used AX750 (admittedly, now I see it was a massive overkill), but you can get them in lower wattages too.

Looking forward to seeing the full photoshoot. I checked out the Corsair AX series PSU. The lowest wattage PSU for that series is 650w which in my case is probably massive overkill.

I'm looking for something with lower wattage. A semi-passive, low wattage modular PSU seems like the way to go.

Corsair does not offer a ~400watt modular PSU.
 
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mr.doom

Member

FXB

New Member
I'm looking at the connectors on the PSU. On the second section they all seem to have the same connector could I place the SATA cable in any of ports? I'm trying to get the best cable management of this rig.

Why are there two motherboard connections?
 

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kdfresh09

New Member
you can plug them in to any 3 of the "ide/sata" connectors labeled on the psu. vidoe card will go into the pci-e spots, ect ect
 

mr.doom

Member
I would think that every modern motherboard wil have a 24 pin connection, so use the one in the top line. Also, your CPU cable will have a split ending (4+4), but your motherboard will most likely have only 4 pin, in which case, any of the 4 pins on the CPU cable will do.
 

FXB

New Member
Great thanks for the advice does anyone have experience with NAS4Free? Formallly known as FreeNAS?
Also looking for at other PSU options any ideas in the 400W range?
 
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