[Build Log] Mini-ITX PC - Middle School

[tiny voices]

I love this build. It makes me really want to buy a cheap mITX board and case and tear my build apart.

 

[tsuneo6]

I love this build. It makes me really want to buy a cheap mITX board and case and tear my build apart.

I second that...
I would even be able to take that on the airplane with me in my cabin bagage so I can get rid of this craptop of mine.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I'll get a picture of me holding it, so you can see the bulk or the lack there of.

I'm glad this build log is interesting. I'm surprised that there are not more of them or does everyone build the thing in five minutes and not think it worthy of recording or reporting?

 

[tiny voices]

Most people build stuff fast and don't make a log. There also isn't really a dedicated spot for build logs on this forum. Us regulars hangout in the Member System Discussion Thread where we talk about random things and show/ talk about our builds/progress.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Yes. I stuck my head in there, but it's tough to catch up with everything and understand what's going on. Too much 'insider jokes' Maybe I'll start a new trend

 

[tsuneo6]

well i've changed so many things in my build the last 10 months but no, I never made a log of it.
I did some slight modding to my case even, more to be added later after I try some things out with an old case and some old acryl panels.

but like tiny said, i'm concidering getting myself a mitx build as I travel alot to portugal and my laptop breaking.

 

[tsuneo6]

on the partpicker websites there are alot of build logs though. so why not here right?

 

[tiny voices]

We just don't have a dedicated place for them. The Member System Discussion Thread is more or less the unofficial build log thread.

 

[tiny voices]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1980287/member-systems-discussion-thread/page-121.html

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Yes, I noticed those an hoped there would be some here. The other board I was involved with before I became ill, was a Fantasy Wargaming and modelling board. There were lots of building project logs.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

that case doesnt look like it offers many cable management possibilities. but, to work away those thick sata cables, you take a little stick and roll the sata cable on it. and you'll get a nice "spring"
just a little hint 😉

and was it here that I read about 3D printing for dust filters? anyway, the cheapest dust filters are panty hoses! or however it's written. just pull it around the fan and thigthen it. it works wonders for me

The thick cables are the USB 3.0 cables and because of the plug that joins the two of them it is impossible to twist them as you suggest 🙁. I will loop them instead and pack them in the back of the case (I hope)

 

[tsuneo6]

jus tbe carefull when putting cables close together. I had some problems with distortion because the little cables from my front panel were to close to my power cables. which influenced the electromagnetic field and all those electronic things...(you know what i'm talking about)

some motherboards and cases come bith an "anti distortion" ring though. you just have to loop those cables through the ring once and it shouldnt give a problem.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I know what you mention and I plan to keep them away from the power cords. I think I have some old RF chokes around. I'll keep things away from my main AC lines, which is tricky in this case due to the way power is routed to the PSU.

 

[tsuneo6]

yes I was seeing that in the pictures., but it should be doable, you can even use some tape to tape those little cables against the side of the case and use some tie wraps(I think this is the right name for those plastic zip ties) to keep the power cables together, and tie them near the hard disk, this seems like the best option, but I may be mistaken ofcourse!

 

[tsuneo6]

you can even take on of the fans out for a second and put the little cables between the fans. that seems like a good option aswell 😉

 

[DonkeyOatie]

The little cables are the LED lines, the power button, and the reset. They won't care about stray AC much and I'm thinking of removing the whole PSU cage and routing them around the other side.

I've looked at pcpartpicker build logs to see how this PSU and case have been handled.

There's really no room between the fans. Remember that the GPU riser needs to cover the fans.

I had to rotate one of the fans because a little piece of it interfered with the metal support plate at the back, by the PSU. I then removed that plate from the case, temporarily, to give better access to the connectors on the PSU under the HDD.

 

[ZandaThebigbluePanda]

Thanks tiny voices. It took 20 minutes to put one fan in !!!!!!!! My remaining hair is in danger of being torn out. They are so eager to do stuff that they refuse to plan and check!

I kinda wish I knew the feeling of having a small awkward small case.

Just built my first Build about a month ago, the corsair 900D was Huge but at 14 I'm 6' 3" It was easy enough to work with..

Also, cable ties? there cheap, easy to put on, and keep wires off fans.
And are those 2 fans intake or output?
Btw no moving parts on the SSD you can just double sided type them to the side panel.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Thanks Zanda. I have plenty of cable ties, but I want the students to think about planning properly and not just strapping things up afterwards.

To keep the dust out, they are intakes. I'll be running positive pressure.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Thanks Zanda. I have plenty of cable ties, but I want the students to think about planning properly and not just strapping things up afterwards.

To keep the dust out, they are intakes. I'll be running positive pressure.

I've had tape fail after a couple of years and I'd rather do thing properly, especially when showing things to my students. They don't know enough yet to know what short-cuts to take.

Which part of the country are you in? I was from Auckland.

 

[ZandaThebigbluePanda]

Which part of the country are you in? I was from Auckland.

Hey, Auckland here too.
also great because the CPU would run hot, really hot. the stock cooler pulls very little air from the sides.
as long as you A: put the side panel on.
or B: put the PSU cage on.
the cooling would be less effective with out the side panel on for this type of case.
and if you worry about the type failing use a Velcro roll.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I have used Velcro, my sister used to work for them. Maybe things have improved this century.

This case is supposed to run coll. Do you have specific knowledge of it?

I have room for another fan over the CPU cooler for exhaust if needed.

 

[ZandaThebigbluePanda]

I have used Velcro, my sister used to work for them. Maybe things have improved this century.

This case is supposed to run coll. Do you have specific knowledge of it?

I have room for another fan over the CPU cooler for exhaust if needed.

no, its just the fact that the 2 fans with intake would not be effectively cooling the CPU if you did't have the side panel on, because of the air flow

 

[tiny voices]

I disagree. I think the 2 fans will be perfectly fine.

 

[ZandaThebigbluePanda]

I disagree. I think the 2 fans will be perfectly fine.

I don't think you fully understand, the air flow would be going up and cooling nothing if you did't have the side panel on. as long as your keeping the side panel on the fans should push air over the cpu cooler and it should more effectively cool the CPU than if you did't have the side panel on. As long as you don't want to run the build open then it should be 100% perfect

 

[Novuake]

Boring them into somnolent silence is an approach used by some. Owning dogs helps with the patience.

EDIT: I have moved copies of all the photos to the first post to make things more friendly for visitors.

I disagree. I think the 2 fans will be perfectly fine.

I don't think you fully understand, the air flow would be going up and cooling nothing if you did't have the side panel on. as long as your keeping the side panel on the fans should push air over the cpu cooler and it should more effectively cool the CPU than if you did't have the side panel on. As long as you don't want to run the build open then it should be 100% perfect

Hot air rises. None of the components used have very high TDPs.