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Unofficial mini-ITX case thread - Page 8

post #211 of 643
5/4/11 at 7:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colaholic View Post

There is another rebadge/reseller of the Athenatech/Rosewill RC-CIX-01/CFI A8989 case from the company Ace of Sweden.
Ace Polly:
http://www.aceofsweden.com/ace/case/...lly-black.html

I've been really happy with the builds I've done with this case. I've built a few with a D525 board, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD, DVD-RW and Windows 7 for under $350. It's very quiet and the comment on the look is usually "it's cute!". It's horrible for fingerprints though. The people who bought are still very happy with it for the minimal tasks they do -- surf the web, email, look at pics, listen to music, MS Office, etc.
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post #212 of 643
5/5/11 at 10:19am
Has anyone here ever used this case from newegg? They had a "shell shocker" deal on it a week or so ago for $35 and unfortunately I missed it...

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post #213 of 643
5/7/11 at 9:34am
For those interested in my review of the In Win BP-671 case:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...9#post20405329



P.S. It should be added to the front page, great case!
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post #214 of 643
5/9/11 at 1:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrPatate View Post
For those interested in my review of the In Win BP-671 case:




P.S. It should be added to the front page, great case!
MrPatate,
Thanks for very detailed pictures of the case. I got mine delivered and i build my HTPC on Thursday night. I started taking pictures as I was building it but I gave up after a few. I could not have done as good of a job as you did.
One thing i learned quickly was that with small case sequence in which you install component is very important. I had to take out the drive cage to install the mother board because it would not slide in its spot after the full size DVD ROM was installed. I did 1. install hard drive, install mother board, and install DVD drive, with a short screw driver that can slide on the side of the case once the fan was removed.
I also noticed that power supply fan seems to draw the air in unlike other power supplies. Also case fan when it is setup to draw air in, makes noticeable noise.
I agree with you, it is a great case, I vote for this case to be listed in front page.
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post #215 of 643
5/9/11 at 5:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bhaveshr View Post

MrPatate,
Thanks for very detailed pictures of the case. I got mine delivered and i build my HTPC on Thursday night. I started taking pictures as I was building it but I gave up after a few. I could not have done as good of a job as you did.
One thing i learned quickly was that with small case sequence in which you install component is very important. I had to take out the drive cage to install the mother board because it would not slide in its spot after the full size DVD ROM was installed. I did 1. install hard drive, install mother board, and install DVD drive, with a short screw driver that can slide on the side of the case once the fan was removed.
I also noticed that power supply fan seems to draw the air in unlike other power supplies. Also case fan when it is setup to draw air in, makes noticeable noise.
I agree with you, it is a great case, I vote for this case to be listed in front page.

Thanks!

I've had the same problem. Installed everything and forgot the HDD... Had to remove the cage and bluray drive. Never built something so tiny, so I didn't thought about sequence either. Have you thought of a better way to route cables?

How noisy the fans are(PSU and case)? Can you ear it well from a few feet or is it worst? Because I still haven't start it yet. Can't wait to start it!
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post #216 of 643
5/9/11 at 5:44pm
From reading the reviews on newegg it looks like that case is the same case as the BP655 (which many AVSers also like) just with a different face/front.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...8196&Tpk=BP655
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post #217 of 643
5/9/11 at 6:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrPatate View Post

For those interested in my review of the In Win BP-671 case:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...9#post20405329



P.S. It should be added to the front page, great case!

Done, especially since the review features Guinness. Well done.

If anyone else has a case w/ review they want me to add just let me know.
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post #218 of 643
5/10/11 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
Here's an interesting article on Anandtech about nettops and mini-ITX builds. Do you agree or disagree? I will add this to the first page.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4282/n...x-buyers-guide
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post #219 of 643
5/10/11 at 7:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by StardogChampion View Post

Here's an interesting article on Anandtech about nettops and mini-ITX builds. Do you agree or disagree? I will add this to the first page.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4282/n...x-buyers-guide

I thought that article was junk.

As someone else stated there is better information in my buyer's thread. And anywhere on AVS for that matter.
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post #220 of 643
5/10/11 at 7:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

I thought that article was junk.

As someone else stated there is better information in my buyer's thread. And anywhere on AVS for that matter.

Yeah, it was pretty thin on the details but at least they tried out some of the cases and platforms we discuss around here.

They missed the part about none of the cables on the PC-Q09 PSU being able to reach the motherboard or the HDD, though .
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post #221 of 643
5/11/11 at 8:28pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I finally got my Lian-Li PC-Q09F review up. What was once just pictures now has some words around it.

http://outsidethestb.blogspot.com/20...h55n-usb3.html
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post #222 of 643
5/13/11 at 9:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrPatate View Post

Thanks!

I've had the same problem. Installed everything and forgot the HDD... Had to remove the cage and bluray drive. Never built something so tiny, so I didn't thought about sequence either. Have you thought of a better way to route cables?

How noisy the fans are(PSU and case)? Can you ear it well from a few feet or is it worst? Because I still haven't start it yet. Can't wait to start it!

Sorry for late reply.
Originally the fan was loud enough that at night, i had to turn up the TV a bit to cover the fan noise. I did two things to reduce the fan noise.
1. Changed out the fan, i had a spare that i believe had better quality ball bearing
2. Changed the fan speed in BIOS to 50% and Temp threshold of 55 degrees. I forgot exact BIOS menu path for that setting.

After those two changes, the fans are MUCH quieter.

Bhavesh R

P.S. I have taken a picture of my 'cable management' but i have not had a chance to post it. I will try to do it later today from home
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post #223 of 643
5/18/11 at 10:58am
Hmm, I only see pictures. Still no words.
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post #224 of 643
5/18/11 at 11:53am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kipa View Post

Hmm, I only see pictures. Still no words.

Yeah, the whole thing disappeared off my blog back to the old version. I have no idea how it happened.

Edit: looks like there was some kind of system-wide rollback -- lots of people are reporting their posts disappeared.
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post #225 of 643
5/19/11 at 3:49am
Hi,
Does anybody have any experience with the Wesena Cases? I'm looking to build a i3 HTPC.
Should I go 2100t or 2100?
Thanks.
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post #226 of 643
5/19/11 at 2:02pm
I put together an HTPC consisting of:


* Habey EMC-600S
* I3-2100T
* Asus P8H61-I
* WD Scorpio Black 500gb 7200rpm 2.5" hdd
* G.Skilll Eco 2x2gig ddr3-1333 cas7 1.35v
* 5010-B fan

It turned out great. Fan is audible but not very loud.

Idles 42-48 depending on usage and ambient temperature.

Maxes 58-67 depending on what kinds of loads are present and for how long.

This is in Texas with inside apt temps between 75 & 84 F

Under $450 and it looks, acts, feels slick.

Ubuntu 11.04 with hardware acceleration 1080p flash any hd seems to be a-okay.

Rarely see over 30% cpu usage.
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post #227 of 643
5/25/11 at 10:48am
The Rosewill Mini-ITX case is back from the dead! Its finally in stock!!!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147133

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post #228 of 643
5/25/11 at 2:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by unityemissions View Post

I put together an HTPC consisting of:


* Habey EMC-600S
* I3-2100T
* Asus P8H61-I
* WD Scorpio Black 500gb 7200rpm 2.5" hdd
* G.Skilll Eco 2x2gig ddr3-1333 cas7 1.35v
* 5010-B fan

I'm also considering a Habey EMC-600B. But after reading some reviews here I'm scared that it won't fit what I need based on heatsink and fan height and PSU wattage...

I am contemplating this processor as I want power with lower power consumption...
AMD Athlon II X4 610e Propus 2.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 45W Quad-Core Desktop Processor AD610EHDGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103899

on this motherboard...
Giada MI-R880G-01 AM3 AMD 880G ATI 4250 HDMI+VGA eSATA ITX Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813176005

And then probably a 2.5" SSD drive as I'll be using MediaMall's PlayOn via DLNA vs using it as an HTPC.

I guess overall I'm rethinking my CPU choice, I need more power than an Atom as PlayOn transcodes on the fly from Netflix and Hulu, but I want low idle power consumption as well. Thoughts? I'm open to expert knowledge...
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post #229 of 643
6/22/11 at 1:53am
Does anyone have any experience with the HD-Plex cases? They're pretty $$$, but their H3 SODD case got a great review at silentpc...
http://www.silentpcreview.com/HDPLEX_H3.SODD
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post #230 of 643
6/22/11 at 2:39am
Is this the H3.SODD unit? Would it support an Intel Core i3-2100T w/stock fan on miniITX board? Too, what BD/DVD unit would work in that slot-load?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lymzy View Post

Speaking of thickness , slot loading, and self promotion, how about 15mm thick faceplate with 9mm heatsink panel.





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post #231 of 643
6/22/11 at 5:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by netarc View Post

Does anyone have any experience with the HD-Plex cases? They're pretty $$$, but their H3 SODD case got a great review at silentpc...
http://www.silentpcreview.com/HDPLEX_H3.SODD

I've lost all interest in heatsink cases since most of the hardware I use in SFF systems is cool enough that it doesn't need it. In the pictures above, the HS case is going to waste since nothing is connected to the side via heatpipe. A normal case the same size would do just as good.

EDIT: After close inspection, I noticed that the heatpipes had not yet been installed.

BT
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post #232 of 643
6/25/11 at 3:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bjterry62 View Post

I've lost all interest in heatsink cases since most of the hardware I use in SFF systems is cool enough that it doesn't need it. In the pictures above, the HS case is going to waste since nothing is connected to the side via heatpipe. A normal case the same size would do just as good.

EDIT: After close inspection, I noticed that the heatpipes had not yet been installed.

BT

Know you get this now, but you can see more here. http://www.silentpcreview.com/HDPLEX_H3.SODD

Open frame PSU connects to one side of the chassis, CPU to the other.
I think its a pretty cool case and plan on getting one when they start shipping.
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post #233 of 643
6/25/11 at 5:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by VikingBoy View Post

Know you get this now, but you can see more here. http://www.silentpcreview.com/HDPLEX_H3.SODD

Open frame PSU connects to one side of the chassis, CPU to the other.
I think its a pretty cool case and plan on getting one when they start shipping.

I can't make-out the BD drive used in it--not mentioned that I can see. Is there a "preferred" slim-style optical drive that people like for this type of slot-loading case? Sturdy and quiet?
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post #234 of 643
6/25/11 at 7:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laserfan View Post

I can't make-out the BD drive used in it--not mentioned that I can see. Is there a "preferred" slim-style optical drive that people like for this type of slot-loading case? Sturdy and quiet?

Not sure I was going to pick up the SOny 5600 slim slot loader - its cheapish on ebay etc and seems to do a decent job of playing back BR and DVD.
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post #235 of 643
6/25/11 at 10:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by VikingBoy View Post

Not sure I was going to pick up the SOny 5600 slim slot loader - its cheapish on ebay etc and seems to do a decent job of playing back BR and DVD.

Well I see they have other models that accommodate a full-height 5.25" drive. Pricey devils, these, but very handsome!

Found the drive that is in the pics, the Sony Optiarc BC-5600S, though I don't see it's readily available from at least my usual suspects.
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post #236 of 643
6/29/11 at 8:14am
Thread Starter 
I am ordering the Apex MI-008 today and I am going to "picoPSU" it. I'll have pix next week or so when I get the build done. I have a PC-Q07 for my bedroom HTPC but I don't like the tower sitting on my dresser -- I want something lower. Plus, I haven't been able to fool around with one of these cases yet .

The build will be:
Intel Pentium G620 (new)
ASUS H61 motherboard (reuse)
2GB RAM (reuse)
64GB SSD (reuse)
Samsung DVD-RW (reuse)

Since it has a 3.5" external I might see what I can find for hooking up an internal IR.
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post #237 of 643
6/29/11 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by StardogChampion View Post

I am ordering the Apex MI-008 today and I am going to "picoPSU" it. I'll have pix next week or so when I get the build done. I have a PC-Q07 for my bedroom HTPC but I don't like the tower sitting on my dresser -- I want something lower. Plus, I haven't been able to fool around with one of these cases yet .

The build will be:
Intel Pentium G620 (new)
ASUS H61 motherboard (reuse)
2GB RAM (reuse)
64GB SSD (reuse)
Samsung DVD-RW (reuse)

Since it has a 3.5" external I might see what I can find for hooking up an internal IR.

My build is that case and power supply. It's pretty stupid easy to put together (I did it after all), so I'm sure you'll have excellent success. I had to RMA my mobo, so I'm patiently waiting for the replacement right now. Looking forward to hearing about your experience.
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post #238 of 643
6/30/11 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 
I ended up getting the Rosewill RS-MI-01-BK instead since it was 30% off. It's basically the same case except with a different front.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147131

I'll probably just sell the power supply that comes with it. Since the PSU is SFX12V I already have a backplate for it to cover the PSU hole and mount the picoPSU jack.
LL
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post #239 of 643
7/2/11 at 11:27am
Anyone have any good suggestions for internally mounting IR on the InWin BP671?

Just built 2 PCs based on this both running a 120W PicoPSU:

MSI E350IS-E45 Zacate
2GB Ram
1 Seagate 1TB
1 WD Green 1TB
1 Samsung F3 1TB
1 OCZ Agility 60GB SSD
Windows 7 w/ FlexRaid + subsonic + uTorrent
Replaced Fan with a Noctua 80mm fan with ULN adapter

I couldn't fit 3 drives in there using any of the standard mounts. So I used the rubber grommets from an antec case, and attached the 3rd HD to the top of the case securing the screws through the grill.

Gigabyte GA-H67N-USB3-B3 mini-itx
i3-2100 underclocked to 2.5Ghz at 1V (microcenter combo, 99 for the chip and 60 for the mobo after savings)
2GB Ram
1 WD Green 2TB
1 C300 60GB SSD
Windows 7 for Media Center
Replaced Fan with a Noctua 80mm fan with ULN adapter
Samsung Bluray Drive

I had tried to put a HIS passive 6570 in there, but it wouldn't fit because the heatsink hit the i3 heatsink's fan. In the process of dremeling the heatsink, it slipped and I hit the board. It didn't work after that, so I ordered the same reference design card with a fan and worst case I can switch the already dremeled heatsink onto it. Now I just need to figure a good way to get IR into this thing.
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post #240 of 643
7/2/11 at 4:00pm
What's a HIS 6570 and a ULN adapter?

Sorry to hear about the dremel accident, thats the sux
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