CAT's mini-ITX rebuild!!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

A few of you might remember this thread:

http://forums.hexus.net/pc-hardware/...decisions.html

Anyway,a few days ago I was considering getting a new case so I could use the HD5850 and the Core i3 together. However,the cases I wanted were either too large or too expensive.

Then,I realised why not mod my current case some more??

However,ATM I lack sufficient mod tools so I got Bagnaj97 to assist me.

I have added some pictures to show the new changes.

I replaced the Corsair HX520W with a Shuttle PC63J 500W PSU. The existing Corsair Vengeance DDR3 was replaced by a some Corsair Vengeance LP DDR3 and an 80MM fan was inserted as a system exhaust.

I had to cut some more of the case so I could insert the HD5850 1GB.

The system has two hard drives,but the newer one decided to start having some SMART issues the moment I put in the system!! It had been in an external caddy before.

The 5.25" drive is only occupied by an SSD ATM. I am thinking of adding a card reader or VFD display. I will also need to get some shorter SATA cables too.









The new system is smaller than the Shuttle P2 chassis.



It also smaller than the current H3 and H7 chassis too.

[UseItNow]

Just cut the thing to pieces already mate!

I'll take the Core i3 and HD5850 off you LOL.

I feel your pain, know what you mean ABOUT the price of smaller nice cases!

[Biscuit]

for the service you do for hexus we should be paying for your new stuff

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I have added a size comparison to an SD37P2.

Just cut the thing to pieces already mate!

I'll take the Core i3 and HD5850 off you LOL.

I feel your pain, know what you mean ABOUT the price of smaller nice cases!

A 65W Core i7 or 80W Xeon will replace the Core i3 at some point.

The cases I am interested in are the Shuttle J1,J2 and J3 which will take a mini-ITX motherboard. However,the J1 has a fascia I don't like. The J2 and J3 have better looking fascia but have steel bodies but are expensive. The Shuttle R4 can also take mini-ITX motherboards and is all aluminium but has a fascia I don't like.

My current mod is based on the all aluminium G2 chassis which is smaller.

for the service you do for hexus we should be paying for your new stuff

I like the sound of that!!

[mycarsavw]

for the service you do for hexus we should be paying for your new stuff

+1

Send your CV and start reviewing kit!

[Biscuit]

+1

Send your CV and start reviewing kit!

Agreed

[UseItNow]

+1

Send your CV and start reviewing kit!

Ditto.

[MSIC]

Tritto.
Cat, you da man.

Nice work by the way on the mod, i'll try to get around to posting my new HTPC hardware shortly.
I'm curious though - can I ask in what way you feel the Core i3 isnt sufficient for you?
I ask because i'm using a couple of Pentium G620's as you may know, and am really quite impressed by them.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement!!

Nice work by the way on the mod, i'll try to get around to posting my new HTPC hardware shortly.
I'm curious though - can I ask in what way you feel the Core i3 isnt sufficient for you?
I ask because i'm using a couple of Pentium G620's as you may know, and am really quite impressed by them.

TBH,the Core i3 2100 is fine for the games I play and for the image editing I do. If I built a full sized rig I could have got a Core i5 2500K though but I value small size and less weight over outright performance.

I would like a Core i5 or Core i7 but ATM I am finding it hard to justify it TBH! Probably down the line I might get a better CPU if I need the extra performance or get a good deal on one.

The Pentium G620 should be around E8400 or E8500 level performance AFAIK so it is not slow either.

[Pob255]

Ahhh so that's what the two of you where doing the other day.

Surprised you only went with an 80mm fan in the top.

Should of got a 120mm or at least a 92mm fan in there.

If you need a bigger fan to stick in there give me a shout I've got a few kicking about and I'd happily send you one.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Would have done a 120MM hole but we only had a borer which was closer to 80MM and I lacked a free 92MM fan. However,the borer was fail so had to use a multi-tool instead!!!

It might be worth extending the hole to 120MM though.

Edit!!

I was thinking of getting the Scythe Kozuti to replace the stock cooler but it looks like the clearance with the PCI-E slot might be not enough:

http://www.hksilicon.com/kb/articles/34015/HTPC-2

[Biscuit]

I can donate either a 120mm apache(PWM), 120mm noctua(3 pin) or 92mm enermax(PWM) if its of interest

[Sputnik]

Would have done a 120MM hole but we only had a borer which was closer to 80MM and I lacked a free 92MM fan. However,the borer was fail so had to use a multi-tool instead!!!

It might be worth extending the hole to 120MM though.

I use a 'Tank cutter' to make holes for fans. You can just temporarily screw or clamp a piece of thick wood in first to centre the cutter and also it supports the sheet metal.

[Bagnaj97]

I use a 'Tank cutter' to make holes for fans. You can just temporarily screw or clamp a piece of thick wood in first to centre the cutter and also it supports the sheet metal.

We were using a 76mm holesaw for this, but it was a cheap Lidl job that decided to bend and fall apart, shredding the inside of Cat's case - unsurprisingly he didn't post pics of that! We finished the job with a dremel but because of the damage wrought by the cheap holesaw the hole isn't as neat as it could be and the inside looks terrible.

Cat, buy a decent holesaw of the appropriate size and we'll cut a 120mm fan hole next time you're down this way (which should also cut out the damaged part of the case).

Lesson learned on cheap tools!

[Pob255]

The problem of hole saws is most are designed for wood not metal.

Personally I get round the whole issue (pun intended) by cutting octagonal holes with my rotary-tool it's easy to do and if you use a fan grill to cover it then you'll never notice anyway.


That gives me an idea . . . I'll do some checking and get back you you.

EDIT: lol I just found this on wiki under moose

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Why is this in the motherboard section??