Very small HTPC chassi cases for Mini-ITX motherbards discussion thread

Very small HTPC chassi cases for Mini-ITX motherbards discussion thread - Printable Version

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Very small HTPC chassi cases for Mini-ITX motherbards discussion thread - ZTOctavian - 2008-12-29

Couldnt find a thread to aid people in getting together a list of project options in terms of hardware and I have spent some time looking for a decent small glossy case with possible upgradeability in terms of PCI-E x16 without having to change case if needed but for now this will definitaly do the trick approx price:

€330 - 350 euros.

Apex MI-100BK mini-ITX Case w/250W PSU (NB: mATX PSU internal and PCI Slot!!)
DG45FC x4500 HDMI Media mITX mobo
Intel e8400 CPU @ 3.0Ghz
HIPER HFC-10828-C2 ultra-slim heatsink
4gb of Kingston pc6400 RAM
Hard drive undesided but anything goes

There you have it! anyone wishing to post other specs fire away!
Keep it clean for newcomers to just view specs not to make it a discussion thread! Wink

Regards,
Nick.

- joflow - 2008-12-29

anyone know if its possible you get audio via HDMI working in linux with that board?

- nugentgl - 2008-12-29

I experimented with that setup and ended up pulling the internal PSU out of the case and installing a PICO PSU. Also, cut a window on each side with fans for better airflow.

- eriksmith200 - 2008-12-29

For a quiet, small, cheap, 720p capable replacement for my old xbox I will build the following system:

Case: In-Win BM639, black, 120W, dimensions (D x W x H): 264*112*230mm
http://www.in-win.com.tw/products_pccase_series.php?cat_id=1&series_id=49

Jetway NC62K (GeForce 8200 chipset, onboard audio with S/PDIF)
AMD Athlon X2 5050e (45W tdp)
Kingston ValueRAM KVR800D2N5/2G (1x2GB)
Samsung SN-S083A slimline dvd-rw drive
AC Ryan ACR-CR51004 Cardreader 50++ 3.5"
Nexus PWM Real Silent Case Fan 80 mm to replace the BM639 case fan

I have a 60GB 2.5" HDD leftover from my macbook.

All this will cost me < 300 euro. I've just ordered the case, will order the other components once I've received it.

Open issues:

I need a quiet, low profile CPU cooler. I'm looking at a Scythe Shuriken but I'm not sure if other components like memory are too close to the CPU... Does anyone have suggestions for a CPU cooler?
The case fan of the BM639 is 80x80x20mm, I'm not sure whether there is enough space between the motherboard and the case for a 80x80x25mm fan. Guess I'll find out :p
In the future I will probably replace the PSU with a 120W picoPSU with a 90 or 110W external adapter
This setup will probably not play most(?) 1080p content, but for me that's no problem

By the way I propose to make this thread specific to ITX setups, not necessarily 1080p ITX setups. There are plenty of 1080p / 720p hardware threads (and it's all just about CPU anyway).

- eriksmith200 - 2008-12-29

nugentgl Wrote:I experimented with that setup and ended up pulling the internal PSU out of the case and installing a PICO PSU. Also, cut a window on each side with fans for better airflow.

Which picoPSU + adapter did you get and what's your CPU's tdp?

- nugentgl - 2008-12-30

PICO PSU - http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-120-power-kit;jsessionid=0a0101431f43a0045656785c404b80b7a60a9a862d4f.e3eTax4KaN0Le34Pa38Ta38Oa3v0?sc=8&category=981

I am running an Intel E8500 which is a 65W proc.

The inside of my case was extremely hot (even after switching to the PICO PSU) until I cut a window on each side and installed a fan on each side (one pushing and one pulling). I dressed up the windows with trim and modders mesh and now it looks good and runs very cool.

- eriksmith200 - 2008-12-30

nugentgl Wrote:PICO PSU - http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-120-power-kit;jsessionid=0a0101431f43a0045656785c404b80b7a60a9a862d4f.e3eTax4KaN0Le34Pa38Ta38Oa3v0?sc=8&category=981

I am running an Intel E8500 which is a 65W proc.

The inside of my case was extremely hot (even after switching to the PICO PSU) until I cut a window on each side and installed a fan on each side (one pushing and one pulling). I dressed up the windows with trim and modders mesh and now it looks good and runs very cool.

The external power brick from that link is 60W, is that the one you have as well?

- quake101 - 2008-12-30

nugentgl, are you willing to share pictures of your setup? I wouldn't mind getting a smaller case for mine.

- nugentgl - 2008-12-30

eriksmith200 Wrote:The external power brick from that link is 60W, is that the one you have as well?

Sorry, I got the 110W version. I called the company and told them my PC specs and he recommended the 110W brick.

- nugentgl - 2008-12-30

quake101 Wrote:nugentgl, are you willing to share pictures of your setup? I wouldn't mind getting a smaller case for mine.

No problem. I will snap a couple pics tonight after work.

- nugentgl - 2008-12-30

Sorry guys, I have the Apex MI-008 mini-itx case not the MI-100.

This is mine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154091

Sorry for the confusion. Maybe I will learn to read soon...

- Dwolf - 2009-01-03

my recent windows XBMC htpc build.. which replaced the xbox in my main room

DG45FC x4500 HDMI Media mITX mobo
Intel e8600 CPU
HIPER HFC-10828-C2 ultra-slim heatsink
Patriot 64gb 2.5'' warp SSD
4gb of Kingston pc6400 RAM
120watt PicoPSU
Aopen S120 mITX case (cheap, tiny, and very nice piano black finish)
Logitech Harmony One Remote + USB-UIRT to control everything

- SystemLord - 2009-01-06

I'm also planning to build a small system based on a mini itx (DG45FC) with a
E8400, preferable a total fanless system.

Searching for a way to cool the E8400 and the DG45FC chipset passice & nicely i came across this case:

http://www.atechfabrication.com/information/DG45FC_Blu-ray_player.htm

When i first saw this system, i was in love until i noticed the prices.... Shocked

To be honoust, the price is reasonable for the quality you get, but the question is do you want to spend it...

- SpiffBB - 2009-01-06

Hello
Yeah, nice but expensive. I have found another case also without fans and a bit cheaper. Se:
http://www.mcubed-store.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=52_54&products_id=305
About 330 Euro for case with heatpipes and powersupply (about 180 Euro for just the case).

- SystemLord - 2009-01-06

SpiffBB Wrote:Hello
Yeah, nice but expensive. I have found another case also without fans and a bit cheaper. Se:
http://www.mcubed-store.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=52_54&products_id=305
About 330 Euro for case with heatpipes and powersupply (about 180 Euro for just the case).

Yes, i am aware of the hfx cases. Only the micro as you described can't cool a E8400 passive (my goal). The mini heatsink is not desgined for that (35w max) and the case (max 50W) Then i doubt if it fits 3 heatsinks (CPU,NB,SB), which is 1 heatsink which covers all with the heatsink 2500 from a-tech.

So, the closest option is the HFX Mini or Home server, but this case is bigger, and more expensive than the mini...