Here's my built!
Since I'm the first to buy this case on this forum(I didn't see anyone else talking about it at least) Assassins ask me to take lots of pictures... So here comes a lonnng post
(image all have been resized to 640x480 to reduce loading time).
Parts:
Case: In Win BP671
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16811108396
CPU: i3 2100
Motherboard: ASRock H67M-ITX (I didn't take the special package with the remote control and I chose the version without WiFi because I hate WiFi!
)
HDD: Crucial RealSSD C300
RAM: G.SKILL 2 x 2GB DDR3 1333MHz (PC3-10666)
Blu-Ray drive: LITE-ON ihes108-29
The case has place for 2x 3.5'' HDD, 1x 5.25'' optical disc drive, includes a 200W PSU and a 80mm fan.
The good:
- Design.
- Well built, you do not have to force anything to get holes to line up.
- PSU not over the CPU like in most m-ITX cases.
- Everything screws in solid, nothing loose. The metal that the case is made of is a not as strong as what I'm used to, but it's still plenty solid when all together. For the price it's really well made.
The less good:
- Cable management isn't great, but it isn't in most of m-ITX cases since they are so freakishly small.
- The front door to access the 5.25'' drive and USB port doesn't open smoothly.
It can be open easily without any kind of force but it won't go down by itself after pushing the "push here" button.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
BUY NORMAL RAM (see pictures near the end). The RAM is under the end of the 5.25'' drive so if you choose RAM with an heatsink the 5.25'' drive will NOT fit.
For those already bored, final though: the case is good...
For those interested, here comes the good ol'HTPC porn!
All the parts:
The case comes well protected:
Size comparison to help you know how small (or big, depending what you're used to) it is.
For those of you who know how to have fun:
For those of you that doesn't:
Compared to my other two computer:
The mammoth is a Lian-Li PC-V2000B. It's my main rig, I looove this case! For those who often build computers space is a luxury, and this one is a Bentley!
The normal size case is an Antec Three Hundred.
I'm pretty sure I can make Russian dolls with them!
In Win supplies with the case the power cord, rubber feet (not cheap plastic, those really grips on surface), screws (more than enough to loose some) and the bracket(feet) to safely hold the case in vertical position (won't be using it myself).
Case open:
Front cover removed:
As you can see the "white slot" is actually for the power(white) and HDD(yellow) LEDs. I'll probably remove them or change the color someday...
On this pictures there's my 2.5'' SSD where the drives connections are. As you can see there's lots of space to connect the drives without the cable being forced by the cover when closed.
The power supply spec:
... and the connectors:
3x sata, 1x IDE, 20+4 power connector and the 4 pin CPU connector. No 3.5V connector and that's the way it should be (death to Floppy!).
The fan (I haven't turned it on yet, I'll edit about it's noise when I do):
It's held in place by a plastic bracket, at first I though it was cheaper because it wasn't screwed in the casing. But I realized after why it was made like that. When the case is placed vertically the screws would be ugly and also the plastic bracket might act as a noise cancelling (less vibration to the metal).
As you can see the plastic bracket is REALLY close to the USB and audio connector. But it doesn't force the connectors so it's fine
There's space between the side of the case and the fan so you can put in a dust filter, there's also space between the bracket and the fan to put one it too.
Bracket removed:
The fan comes placed to pull air out of the case (for vertical installation). Since I'll use it horizontally I switch it to push air in. Air will come from the front of the tv cabinet (air is cooler there) and will be exhaust at the top.
The case connectors come well identified:
The motherboard, man it's tiny... Never built anything smaller than ATX, so building this was really strange for me!
(again with a good and tasty size comparison!)
With the motherboard installed:
Like I said cable management isn't great if you want to keep a good air flow, but I've seen worst in bigger case.
The back panel:
At the top of the back panel there is some pre-made cutout to add 2 USB, 1 Firewire and 1 e-Sata brackets. These are small details, but they are rare on cheap case, so I'm really happy to see them in this one.
The HDD/ODD bracket can be removed:
The case with the bracket removed:
I had forgotten that my 2.5'' needed to fit in a 3.5'' bracket. So I didn't ordered an adapter. So here's the "ghetto install" of this post:
The drive is held in place by two screws on one side and it supported by a piece of (forgot the name of it, but it's a plate of highly compress saw dust/cardboard) with ty-rap! Not great, but it does the job perfectly fine!
With everything in place:
Sadly I didn't have an extension for the sata power connection (otherwise it would have gone underneath the HDD bracket like other wires. I ty-rap them to it, so it won't touch the fan.
This is why I was warning people about the RAM height:
Any normal RAM will do, just don't get fancy RAM with heatsink.
The cable "management":
The audio wire is going underneath the HDD Bracket, the rest is tuck against the PSU.Air flow shouldn't be a problem. The PSU's fan as lots of wire in front of it, but the air can still pass easily (I guess about 10-20% flow restriction, so no big worry there).
Closed and done:
Overall good case, cable management isn't ideal, but considering the form factor it's normal.
I won't be starting it for a couple of days. I have other computers waiting to be fixed for friends and family. So when I'll start it, I'll edit about the fans noises.
I hope you have enough pictures Assassin
