mini Itx system

[Guest]

Hey
So i want to build a Mini ItX computer and ill admit that this will be my first computer that i will be building. I just wanted some input from this great community here on Tom's.
I am thinking of an Intel I5 with 8gb of DDr3 Ram i havent really decided on the mother bored yet, i know i need a mini ITX bored.
My Q is, I'm choosing a case now and was wondering how big of a power suppply do you think i will need, i wont be running a discrete graphics, the PC will mostly be used for home use and some light photo editing (not very often) my main goal here is to keep things small and clean.

If anybody has any reccomendations for a nice case thats not too tall or wide that would be great!

Thanks in Advance for all your help

 

[13thmonkey]

if you are absolutely definately not using discrete graphics ever, then you could do something like this with a DC power brick.

Otherwise 300W would be more than sufficient, and I only say 300 as getting good quality smaller than that is difficult.

I would say that a mini-itx build is difficult, and not a great choice for a first build as the cable routing is tricky.

Bitfenix prodigy is a good case, it can take a full size PSU (recommend modular) and can take a full size gpu. It's the case i'd choose for a mini itx build with a possible GPU.

 

[iiTzzDeFuze]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87E-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.46 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Lian-Li PC-A04B MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 360W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($23.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $714.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-07 15:26 EDT-0400)

 

[Guest]

if you are absolutely definately not using discrete graphics ever, then you could do something like this with a DC power brick.

Otherwise 300W would be more than sufficient, and I only say 300 as getting good quality smaller than that is difficult.

I would say that a mini-itx build is difficult, and not a great choice for a first build as the cable routing is tricky.

Bitfenix prodigy is a good case, it can take a full size PSU (recommend modular) and can take a full size gpu. It's the case i'd choose for a mini itx build with a possible GPU.

Thanks for the info.
I was actually looking into the Bitfenix prodigy case but I wanted to see if i can find something with a little bit of a smaller footprint.

I know that the wiring is going to be complicated for a first timer like me but one of the main reasons i am building this is that i couldnt find anything at retail store/online that suited my needs in the SFF pc area. Plus i figured it would come out cheaper or about the same price and i would have the experience and braggin rights 😀 of building my own PC.

I was also wondering about the Os i currently have a SSd in my laptop that i was gonna pull out and slip into this unit. Is that something that i can do. Will the system allow me to just swap out the hardrive with the os or do i need to do a clean install?

 

[13thmonkey]

if you are absolutely definately not using discrete graphics ever, then you could do something like this with a DC power brick.

Otherwise 300W would be more than sufficient, and I only say 300 as getting good quality smaller than that is difficult.

I would say that a mini-itx build is difficult, and not a great choice for a first build as the cable routing is tricky.

Bitfenix prodigy is a good case, it can take a full size PSU (recommend modular) and can take a full size gpu. It's the case i'd choose for a mini itx build with a possible GPU.

Thanks for the info.
I was actually looking into the Bitfenix prodigy case but I wanted to see if i can find something with a little bit of a smaller footprint.

I know that the wiring is going to be complicated for a first timer like me but one of the main reasons i am building this is that i couldnt find anything at retail store/online that suited my needs in the SFF pc area. Plus i figured it would come out cheaper or about the same price and i would have the experience and braggin rights 😀 of building my own PC.

I was also wondering about the Os i currently have a SSd in my laptop that i was gonna pull out and slip into this unit. Is that something that i can do. Will the system allow me to just swap out the hardrive with the os or do i need to do a clean install?

sorry I meant to add this link: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/377449-31-mini-build

 

[Guest]

if you are absolutely definately not using discrete graphics ever, then you could do something like this with a DC power brick.

Otherwise 300W would be more than sufficient, and I only say 300 as getting good quality smaller than that is difficult.

I would say that a mini-itx build is difficult, and not a great choice for a first build as the cable routing is tricky.

Bitfenix prodigy is a good case, it can take a full size PSU (recommend modular) and can take a full size gpu. It's the case i'd choose for a mini itx build with a possible GPU.

Thanks for the info.
I was actually looking into the Bitfenix prodigy case but I wanted to see if i can find something with a little bit of a smaller footprint.

I know that the wiring is going to be complicated for a first timer like me but one of the main reasons i am building this is that i couldnt find anything at retail store/online that suited my needs in the SFF pc area. Plus i figured it would come out cheaper or about the same price and i would have the experience and braggin rights 😀 of building my own PC.

I was also wondering about the Os i currently have a SSd in my laptop that i was gonna pull out and slip into this unit. Is that something that i can do. Will the system allow me to just swap out the hardrive with the os or do i need to do a clean install?

sorry I meant to add this link: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/377449-31-mini-build

Thanks for the link.
So i have chosen my componets and wanted to know what everyone thought of this configuration and if you think i will have any copmpatibilty issues. Or if there is something else you would reccomend.
Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard
G.Skill Value 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit)
CASE M350 Universal Mini-ITX PC enclosure PicoPSU compatible
Mini-Box picoPSU-160-XT High Power 24 Pin Mini-ITX Power Supply
192w AC-DC Power Adapter, 12v 16A

 

[bnsfup1]

if you are absolutely definately not using discrete graphics ever, then you could do something like this with a DC power brick.

Otherwise 300W would be more than sufficient, and I only say 300 as getting good quality smaller than that is difficult.

I would say that a mini-itx build is difficult, and not a great choice for a first build as the cable routing is tricky.

Bitfenix prodigy is a good case, it can take a full size PSU (recommend modular) and can take a full size gpu. It's the case i'd choose for a mini itx build with a possible GPU.

Thanks for the info.
I was actually looking into the Bitfenix prodigy case but I wanted to see if i can find something with a little bit of a smaller footprint.

I know that the wiring is going to be complicated for a first timer like me but one of the main reasons i am building this is that i couldnt find anything at retail store/online that suited my needs in the SFF pc area. Plus i figured it would come out cheaper or about the same price and i would have the experience and braggin rights 😀 of building my own PC.

I was also wondering about the Os i currently have a SSd in my laptop that i was gonna pull out and slip into this unit. Is that something that i can do. Will the system allow me to just swap out the hardrive with the os or do i need to do a clean install?

sorry I meant to add this link: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/377449-31-mini-build

Thanks for the link.
So i have chosen my componets and wanted to know what everyone thought of this configuration and if you think i will have any copmpatibilty issues. Or if there is something else you would reccomend.
Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard
G.Skill Value 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit)
CASE M350 Universal Mini-ITX PC enclosure PicoPSU compatible
Mini-Box picoPSU-160-XT High Power 24 Pin Mini-ITX Power Supply
192w AC-DC Power Adapter, 12v 16A

That would work (I think) if you are wanting to upgrade to an unlocked cpu in the future, but if you are going to stay with a locked one, then there is no reason for the z87 mobo, at least from what I can see.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the link.
So i have chosen my componets and wanted to know what everyone thought of this configuration and if you think i will have any copmpatibilty issues. Or if there is something else you would reccomend.
Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard
G.Skill Value 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit)
CASE M350 Universal Mini-ITX PC enclosure PicoPSU compatible
Mini-Box picoPSU-160-XT High Power 24 Pin Mini-ITX Power Supply
192w AC-DC Power Adapter, 12v 16A
[/quotemsg]

That would work (I think) if you are wanting to upgrade to an unlocked cpu in the future, but if you are going to stay with a locked one, then there is no reason for the z87 mobo, at least from what I can see.[/quotemsg]

ok great. When loking for a mobo with 1150 socket i only found 5 or 6 different ones. would there be another one that you would reccomend. I only went with the z87 mainly because it has wifi and bluetooth built into it.

Thanks

 

[13thmonkey]

you might find that you need the odd extension cable, depending on precisely where the mobo headers are, but that should be fine. It'll be a tight build, think about the cabling, you might need a lower profile cpu cooler, mine was a 35W unit and so had a low profile cooler anyway.

 

[bnsfup1]

Thanks for the link.
So i have chosen my componets and wanted to know what everyone thought of this configuration and if you think i will have any copmpatibilty issues. Or if there is something else you would reccomend.
Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard
G.Skill Value 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit)
CASE M350 Universal Mini-ITX PC enclosure PicoPSU compatible
Mini-Box picoPSU-160-XT High Power 24 Pin Mini-ITX Power Supply
192w AC-DC Power Adapter, 12v 16A

That would work (I think) if you are wanting to upgrade to an unlocked cpu in the future, but if you are going to stay with a locked one, then there is no reason for the z87 mobo, at least from what I can see.[/quotemsg]

ok great. When loking for a mobo with 1150 socket i only found 5 or 6 different ones. would there be another one that you would reccomend. I only went with the z87 mainly because it has wifi and bluetooth built into it.

Thanks [/quotemsg]

Yeah, now I see your reasoning for that board, it makes sense. However, the msi and the most expensive asrock z87 itx mobo all have wifi, even though it doesn't state it in the title. Not for sure about bluetooth, though.

 

[sol j]

Thanks for the link.
So i have chosen my componets and wanted to know what everyone thought of this configuration and if you think i will have any copmpatibilty issues. Or if there is something else you would reccomend.
Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard
G.Skill Value 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit)
CASE M350 Universal Mini-ITX PC enclosure PicoPSU compatible
Mini-Box picoPSU-160-XT High Power 24 Pin Mini-ITX Power Supply
192w AC-DC Power Adapter, 12v 16A

That would work (I think) if you are wanting to upgrade to an unlocked cpu in the future, but if you are going to stay with a locked one, then there is no reason for the z87 mobo, at least from what I can see.

ok great. When loking for a mobo with 1150 socket i only found 5 or 6 different ones. would there be another one that you would reccomend. I only went with the z87 mainly because it has wifi and bluetooth built into it.

Thanks [/quotemsg]

Yeah, now I see your reasoning for that board, it makes sense. However, the msi and the most expensive asrock z87 itx mobo all have wifi, even though it doesn't state it in the title. Not for sure about bluetooth, though.[/quotemsg]

upon further review i am going to be going with the MSI Z87I LGA 1150 Intel Z87 mobo (it does have bluetooth from what i read- you can see it has 2 antennas on the back) my configuration will likely be the same as what i posted above just with the MSI instead. I also like that it has display port as an optional display.
Thank you all for all your feedback i will try to post to pictures when i finish the build.

 

[13thmonkey]

check the cooler height and the height you can use in your case.

 

[sol j]

you are right about the Cpu cooler. i am not sure if the stock cooler will work but i am holding off on buying a low profile cooler until i have all the componets and and start building. i am not in a rush to build this system. so far i boight the CPU and the MOBO. getting there slowly 😀

 

[bnsfup1]

you are right about the Cpu cooler. i am not sure if the stock cooler will work but i am holding off on buying a low profile cooler until i have all the componets and and start building. i am not in a rush to build this system. so far i boight the CPU and the MOBO. getting there slowly 😀

I was going to buy as I go, like you are, but then I was told by another member on the forums that it would be a bad idea because if one of the parts was dead on arrival and you had to wait a while until you bought everthing to find out, you would be screwed.

 

[sol j]

that is a very valid point that i will take in to consideration. Maybe i will speed up my build time. I really only need to buy the case/Psu and Ram
as i already have a SSD and i am hoping i wil be able to use the same copy of windows that i currently have (maybe call microsft and have them issue me a new key) im almost there i guess, just need those last few peices.

Sorry for not replying but my computer is casuing me some issues and wont allow me to reply. so i am just making a new answer

 

[13thmonkey]

Set it up 'bread board' style to check if it works as soon as you can.

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=46&lng=en

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/news/Xigmatek-Releases-Janus-Low-profile-CPU-Cooler/7307

http://www.frostytech.com/top5_lowprofile_heatsinks.cfm

 

[sol j]

Set it up 'bread board' style to check if it works as soon as you can.

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=46&lng=en

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/news/Xigmatek-Releases-Janus-Low-profile-CPU-Cooler/7307

http://www.frostytech.com/top5_lowprofile_heatsinks.cfm

Hey just thought i would give you guys a quick update.

I have bought all my parts including a noctua low profile cpu fan. Thanks 13thmonkey

waiting for my case and psu to come and then we are off to the races as they say. I had an issue with the Ram that i bought, my mistake i didnt realize that the Mobo supports minimum DDR3 1600 and i bought 1333 ( i figured for my build that would be more then sufficiant but i ended up buying Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory for a great price $61. Anyways ill keep you guys updated as i go along.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[13thmonkey]

cool, please do. good luck.

 

[bnsfup1]

Sounds good! I have never been involved in a build this small. I have been involved in sff builds, but they always had a normal psu. I am kind of excited to see what this develops into. Post pics on pcpartpicker and send us a link!

 

[13thmonkey]

when I did it, it was very fiddly, and needed some extension cables for the switch headers etc. but it's a lovely little machine. It might get an SSD when I upgrade the one in my main machine.

 

[sol j]

Hey guys sorry it took so long to post this but its been kinda hectic.
here is the PC part picker list of my final build, all the parts are bought and i am just waiting to get my Mobo and my CPU this weekend from my friends house in NJ then i will start posting some pictures of this build as it goes along.

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1knlF) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1knlF/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1knlF/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54570) | $199.99 @ Newegg
**CPU Cooler** | [Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhl9i) | Purchased For $37.00
**Motherboard** | [MSI Z87I Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z87i) | $146.97 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/mushkin-memory-996995) | Purchased For $61.00
**Storage** | [Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7pc256dam) | $219.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $639.95
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-24 23:37 EDT-0400 |

It will be running either windows 7 or windows 8 depending on which ever one works from my old PC i am really trying to avoid having to buy it again. Also for those of you who dont remember I am using this as my case and Psu.

i just got it today and let me tell you its small and beautiful.

CASE M350 Universal Mini-ITX PC enclosure PicoPSU compatible
Mini-Box picoPSU-160-XT High Power 24 Pin Mini-ITX Power Supply
192w AC-DC Power Adapter, 12v 16A

 

[13thmonkey]

Its a great case. I want a family member to ask me to build one, as its a nice pc for non pc users.

 

[sol j]

ok people. I AM FINISHED! (almost) 😀

Here is what happened.

It took me about 5 hours all together this inlcudes building and trouble shooting. I started the build going slow putting in the cpu then the low profile fan then onto the Ram. I put the computer into the case and then had to take it out a few times to adjust for some cabling and things that I hadnet noticed the first time around. It was tight but it all fits perfectly, my Hardrive is a SSD from samsung thge 840 which i belive is a 7mm drive. Thank god for that because that was a tight fit, i didnt place it ontop of the cpu fan because then the fan wouldnt have any room to breath instead i placed jsut off to the side.

This is where the problems started. the case comes with 2 wires a usb header wire connector and led and power switch connector. The issue is these are 2 short to reach over the the cpu fan and into the correct port.
When i ordered the case from mini box they had an option for $2 to get some extension cable which i did just in case i needed them (i did!) good thing i got them otherwise i would have been in some seriouse trouble. after about 20 i figured out which way the usb header was supposed to go inside the socket. Now my biggest issue was that i could figure out where to connect the power and LED cables. I was looking for some sort of power lable on the MOBO or the manual when i should have been looking for the system connection ports ( i believe that what they where called) I had called MSI to help me locate the power connections
on the MOBO and after about 20 mini on the phone i gave up and decided to go it alone (sure at this point someone with
more experience would have not had this issue at all knowing what i know now but this is my first build and as
they say live and learn. once i finally located the pins and i found in the MOBO manual exactly which onces i needed
i couldnt get the power switch to turn on nor the LED i did turn on the computer by shorting the pins with a screw drive
but this wouldnt work long term obviously. I must have spend the better part of 2 hours just fixing this issue alone.
I tried every combination of wire placing that i would think of until i was just about to give up for the night when i
realized that next to the power there were the LED lights and next to that there was these 2 pins with kinda a black cap
on them that, the cap was only covering one of the pins, so i started playing with the cap putting it on and off until
eventualy i got the correct placement and now i have the LED lights working and the power switch. I put the black cap
on both pins tha ones that was labeled disabled. viola it now works. Thank god. i was getting nervous at the at end
over there. When i was shorting the MOBO with the Screw drive i powered on the PC the came on but not the computer,
What i did was, was to take out the RAM and reinstall it and then the computer powered on. So now the computer is closed
the power switch and LED work.
The only other issue that i have now and it you guys can maybe give me some input i woudl appreciate it. installed windows
from a USB drive that i downloaded the ISO files for and turned in into a bootable drive using a program called Rufus
( i believe thats what it was called) I used a winodws key from my laptop and it now says that i dont have a genuine
version of windows installed. I would obviously like to not have to but windows again can you guy think of a way
that i can get around this? I was thinking of maybe buying windows 8 pro upgrade do you think that will work on this windows
even though its not a verified version?

I have not forgoten about the pictures i have taken a bunch and i will be posting them as soon as i get home tonight.
I appreciate all the help from everyone and i hope this will serve to help someone else who is loking to build a mini itx pc
using a mini boc m350 case.

 

[13thmonkey]

it'll need a new license, not sure about the win 8 upgrade.

Like I said at the start it's a tricky build for a first one.

 

[sol j]

how do i upload pictures?