The transision from mATX to Mini iTX ...

[malfunction]

Hi, no I haven't. My PC with this new PSU is switched on for the last 8 hours and the adapter feels just warm.
The PSU on the motherboard feels between cool and warm.

Of course that would change as soon as the system runs at full load for a longer period of time. But I haven't tried that out yet.

Don't forget that all the PicoPSU is doing - as far I'm aware - is converting some of the incoming 12V to 3.3V, 5V, etc. The 12V is coming from the external brick not the PicoPSU itself so that's the one you should be checking for temps and fan speed (if the brick even has a fan).

What are you planning on doing about the big whole in the back where the PSU's supposed to go? Interesting to see there's already a hole in the case that fits the Pico PSU's power plug!

[scaryjim]

That's a nice looking build Cov, although I'm interested that you went for such a (comparitively) big case and decided to go with a PicoPsu - that case looks a similar size to my Antec Aria (NSK1300 predecessor). Any particular reason you went with the PicoPsu when that case can obviously take a bigger PSU?

[Cov]

... Thanks for the advice Cov.

You are most welcome and please don't hesitate to ask whatever you want to know.

Come on get on with it and fire up Cod 5

I installed Halo (Combat Evolved) just yesterday, it works on highest resolution (1200 x 1600) and highest settings. The FPS vary between 30 to 60.
However, I doubt very much that any more demanding game will be playable at all.

I am very curious if there will be really an HD 4750, bus powered only.
Thanks for the tip CAT !!

Don't forget that all the PicoPSU is doing [...] is converting ...

Hi, you are right. The adapter develops some heat while the 24-pin molex-connector feels almost cool.
I noticed that the cables between adapter and molex-connector are a little thicker than the others.

By the way, the adapter is inaudible because it has no fan. I'm happy I went with this one instead the 110W version with fan.

What are you planning on doing about the big whole in the back where the PSU's supposed to go?

Good question ! I really don't know .. since I can't see it anyway (it's only on the back), I think I just leave it like it is.
Or maybe fitting in an additional case fan right into that hole ? Hmm ..

Interesting to see there's already a hole in the case that fits the Pico PSU's power plug!

Yeah, the hole fits spot on !! Lian Li might have planned this hole for either a wireless antenna or for those wanting to use a PicoPSU.

That's a nice looking build Cov, although I'm interested that you went for such a (comparitively) big case and decided to go with a PicoPsu ...

Hi Jim ! Well, my reason for this case is purely a matter of personal taste, plus I prefer tower style over square cases.
Yeah, there is so much unused space now, but it's ok .. I don't mind.

Any particular reason you went with the PicoPsu when that case can obviously take a bigger PSU?

Oh Jim, I must tell you that a few days before the PicoPSU arrived, I decided to put the full size ATX PSU into that case - just for the time being.
First of all I wonder how people are able to fit in all the normal length cables, because even my PSU with extra short cables for SSF cases fits in just about.

There was hardly any space at all left for airflow !!
In fact, when the system was running, the temperatures for CPU, IGP and even HDD went up so much, that I got worried and put the PSU outside again, while leaving all thecables connected.

The temps went quickly back to normal then.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would definitely look at undervolting the Q9550 if options exist in the BIOS of the motherboard.Of course software tools like RMClock and NHC should do the trick too.

[Cov]

Hi CAT, as you may know, this Zotac board does not support undervolting.

• the idle voltage when Speedstep is active, is 1.10V
• as soon as the CPU is under load, the voltage goes up to 1.25V

I have tried out the RightMark CPU Utility v2.35

At first I was unable to run this software, but after ages of research I found an easy fix.
If you want to run RightMark CPU Utility on a 64-bit OS, you need to download this sys file (15kB) to replace the original sys file (7kB).
Once you have done this, it suddenly works !

• the software allows me to undervolt the load voltage from 1.25V to 1.10V, but not any lower. That's a pitty because the Q9550 is known to work stable at 1.024V (according to SPCR).
• for some reason, the multiplier is 8x (2.66GHz) instead of 8.5x (2.83GHz).
• for that to work, this software has to be active.

I just hope there will be some better Mini iTX boards in the future, maybe for i5.

• two SATA sockets are ok, but four would be better.
• I'm happy that floppy & PATA sockets have been finally abolished (PS/2 is still there).
• I wish the BIOS would allow to undervolt / underclock
• RAM has become really cheap, but 2x 4GB modules cost still four times the money of 2x 2GB ones.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I have posted a review of the HD4750 too.

[simonw]

I just hope there will be some better Mini iTX boards in the future, maybe for i5.

• two SATA sockets are ok, but four would be better.
  ...

Revision 3 of the Zotac 9300 ITX will come with 3 sata ports.

And there is the COMMELL LV-67A, comes with 6 sata ports. Even though it is an industrial product, at least we know more sata ports are feasible on mini-ITX.