Scratch Build – In Progress think_micro [complete(ish) 29-3-11]

Here we go again...
To follow Projects Aurora, Think, and o², we have....think_micro!

Game Plan:
After dealing with the noise, power consumption and poor cooling of project o² I have decided to go from e-atx to m-itx!
Requirements:
<150w
Silent/very quiet
Efficient
Powerful
Sexy

Shopping list: (items in red still to be sourced/delivered)
1x SATA cable, Sourced from an xbox 360
pico-PSU & power brick
Slim 92mm fan (Scythe Slipstream)
Custom made 3mm Acrylic case comprised of smoked and translucent orange acrylic, bent and bonded to final design from my awesome local plastics supplier
HP/ASUS MOCA-AR mainboard
SATA2 320gb HDD
Flexi PCIex16 riser
ATX->mini-atx adapter (the atx power connector on the board is of the micro variety!)
Socket 479 CPU (Core2Duo when funds allow)
2x SODIMMs (1x 2gb 1x 512mb)
Gigabyte GT240 GDDR5 512mb/Radeon HD5550 LP
Suitable CPU cooler (looking at northbridge cooling solutions as the socket 479m CPUs put out <35watts! )

After finalising designs and after numerous name changes, this will be my new build:


The case itself is 2.8L in volume. Much better than the 57L of o²'s replacement case.
(base design subject to change without notice)

And here we go!

My local plastics fab company produced an awesome base for me to build the case from, from my specs. The case is made from 3mm smoked/orange transparent acrylic, bent and bonded.

I begin by cutting the holes for the motherboard ports and GPU card, with my trusty rotary tool -

Harder to do than expected!





And here's the MOCA-AR board in place:


You may have noticed I have blanked off the PS/2 ports (no need for them to be honest)

To do:
Mock up HDD mount
Mock up GPU mount
Decide on my GT240 (unsure if it will fit!) or a HD5550 Low profile

 

Wow of to a flying start. The color of that case is lovely. Good start mate

 

So, Confusis.. after watching a few of your mods I couldn't help but to think if even your toothbrush is black and orange.

back on topic - I LOVE those small mITX builds, and I'm really looking forward to seeing this one come together!

 

Yay... good choice of colour and formfactor

You gotta love those >3 litre boxes... I've got one with 19x19x8cm myself, using a Zotac IONITX-A-E

 

And confusis has joined us on the Dark Side! Welcome to mini-ITX and a seriously nice design.

Be warned though, SFF is addicting.

john

 

Thanks guys

I thought i'd do proper SFF after trying to do SFF with a e-atx board

 

Arg double post!

 

Looks like this will be a very cool little case!

 

Wow thats pretty cool looking already!

 

Very nice, I look forward to watching this build. Cheers

 

Thanks guys!

Update!

After stuffing the stencil up painting the logo on the front I decided to try something different! Have a guess what the white is..




Back ports still a little messy but I have plans for this..

One SATA 2.5" HDD, one xbox SATA cable, one flexi PCIex16 riser:

One Sapphire HD5450 (DX11 yay!.. or not)

In place:




STILL waiting on my atx -> mini-atx power adapter after 1.5 months! gah..

 

Wow an awesome start... subbed

 

One x Socket 479M, similar in construction to a mPGA478B (sorry for blurries)

Wait whats this?

And on the other side? Intel states it's for an EMI shield..reminds me of how we used to mount Socket A heatsinks..hmm

Random macro shot. Didn't realise my crappy Point and shoot Sanyo camera did macro so well..

Supplies at the ready. I used the clip from a socket 370 HSF assembly, and the cooler is a northbridge heatsink from a dud server board

Clippity clip. Sorted!


There will be a 120mm fan above this area so cooling the 31w TDP cpu should be no issue

Will be buying a HP Slimline psu (the original from the PC that this board came from) as a temporary measure (the power adapter has gone AWOL in the post.. GAH) . Will eventually use the mini-atx connector (Molex Micro-Fit 3.0 officially) and adapt it to a pico-psu. Sorted!

 

8th of November, how did I miss this, looking very smexy there, though it's somehow a shame that you, who finally inspired me to think e-atx, have gone mini...

 

the e-atx board will be put into a new project when this is done, trust me. I was just sick of the noisy huge power hungry e-atx pc! Going to create a server with it, but with a custom case of course!

 

Text update:

Finally fabb'd a power adapter, and I am currently posting this from think_micro!

Good points:
Basically silent
Temps: Room is @ 20 degrees, CPU Idle is 22-24 degrees, 100% load is 45 degrees.

Bad points
My HD5450 doesn't seem to work in the board. It works in another rig but I shall continue testing.
Power adapter currently looks nasty

To source:
Pico-PSU

Case work to do:
Cut vent in side panel for 92/120mm fan
Cut exit vent near CPU HSF

Build a base.. maybe

 

Quickie update:

It's allivveee:

A closeup of the protoype power adapter:


In the case, spaghetti!

Top down view:



As mentioned, cooling is acceptable with the homemade HSF assembly. Witha room temp of ~20 degrees, idle is 20-22 degrees, Full folding load temp is 41-45 degrees.

 

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

ok thats it on going sifi Dune lol

love the chock blocks and i reallyy like that orange

 

Awesome

 

Armed with my trusty dremelclone I have almost completed the side panel:


Needs some finishing work. The mu symbol is relatively clear Also the cuts sticking right out (the 6 long ones) are to the extents of the 120mm fan. As this system doesn't require huge airflow it shouldn't be an issue!