Unofficial mini-ITX case thread - Page 12

Yeah, just saw this today. Might pick up for my test server

Aaagghhh, look at that!!

I saw the "HTPC 1U Computer Media Server Kit" referenced earlier in this thread but was wondering if anyone had seen a review or actually tried using it.

do you know how many expansion slots has this case?

Where did you order from?

Or does anyone else know where to get these? Im trying to get a single unit shipped to Europe but when I searched for it, all I can find is Chinese wholesalers.

Thanks for the info.

I found some sellers in UK & Europe but they are too expensive, about €80 shipped; too close in price to real premium stuff like the Lian Li PCQ09.

I don't really want to spend that much (trying to build a very low budget HTPC for a friend) but if it came to a point where I was spending €80 on a case I would just spend the extra €20 and get the Lian Li.

I will keep looking, thanks.

which is the cheapest mini-itx case that fits a 2-SLot gaming VGA?

Link

None cheap.

I just put my HTPC together and am using the Rosewill RC-CIX-01 and am using the PSU that comes with it. My PSU makes a high pitched sound when it is working hard (ie. HDD copying or doing any other major operation). I've read that this is due to poor components used in the PSU. Has anyone else had this high pitched sound come from their Rosewill PSU? I know this is the source of the sound because I plugged in my Antec PSU and the sound went away. I might also add that it ran a lot more smoothly as well.

Should I return this guy or just get a new PSU? What type of PSU would fit in this case? Is it a FLEX PSU?

Get a new PSU, it's called an SFX type. The CFI one that comes with the case, is weak. Read the feedback on NewEgg.

You can take a chance getting another SFX power supply that fits and performs, or shell out the money for a Pico power supply.

Really? In that case , I would just get a silent Pico PSU (and a StardogChampion mounting plate!!) and be done.

Thanks to the both of you for the input. I had been looking at the picopsu but I also wanted to see what all my options were. The internal power adapter idea makes me lean even more towards the pico.

I too went with the Rosewill being discussed, I got 2 of them to house desktops with full height ODDs, Intel ITX 67CFs with picoPSUs (decided before I purchased I would junk the 150w PSUs that came with them). In general I like the case (except I keep thinking its Vaders helmut lying on my desk :-)).

EXCEPT:

I hate the ODD drive door. The poor little ODD drive when it slides out has a heck of a time opening the door. Im wondering if some tinkering with the spring mechanism would help.

On the plus side, its cheap, has good front side USB and audio connectors.


One question : does anyone have any recommendations for replacing the rear fan? It seems kind of whimpy - I would like to get better airflow. Can I get any standard size 80mm fan? whats the best one to get?

is this Cooler Master a good choice? can be had for $9, free shipping.

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/prod...roduct_id=2943

This one doesnt appear to be PWM? I wonder if the CoolerMaster I linked is a better choice for a few more dollars - its PWM, RPM varies from 800 up to 3000, and moves a lot more air at the higher end.

I'm kind of new to caring about fans, so what do you see the pros and cons of the choice being?

OK, thank you for the info. I'm actually gonna order both and see which works out better - I have 5 or 6 systems to put fans into.

Thanks again!

Interesting article, though, I do find my Rosewill RC-CIX-01 HTPC case a wonderful budget case.

Any suggestions on a mini-ITX case similar to Antec ISK300-150 but one that can accommodate a full size bluray drive? I have the Antec and really like it, am building another system and want to use a BR drive I already have.

I bought a couple of these (for $10 bucks more than the $39 price as of today 12/8/2011!) and they're very nice indeed:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...8196&Tpk=bp655



I guess it's bigger tho than the Antec you reference kb.

EDIT: I just built one and I like the case a LOT, but with my DH57 board and the oversized cooler I put in it, my LG BD drive is just slightly too long/deep to fit. A Lite-On DVD drive is shorter and fits just fine. Now I have to learn how to make sure of the dimensions of these fullsize drives--at least, I don't see them typically given.

Nice find! I like the PC-Q05. The article is wrong; it's using an Intel DH61AG motherboard (already have one ). The heatsink is by Intel as well. I had seen this case in an Intel PDF for the DH61AG that I found somewhere, and downloaded. Looking back at my download history here is the link to the PDF. There is supposed to be a decent amount of cases coming out for the DH61AG http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/...121_488121.pdf

Another that interests me more is the In-Win K1 HTPC. this is the best picture I've found to date http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.ph...=862&Itemid=46 I emailed In-Win to ask if they have any better pictures and if they could tell me when the case would become available and they told me "There will probably be an updated version sometime during march."

I was looking forward to the updated PC-Q09 with 3.5" bay and 3x(!) 2.5" bay but the new one looks like a toaster oven. So i'll reserve further criticism until I see better pictures.

I didn't like the new Lian-Li cases. Saw them a few weeks back.