Level Twelve...."because it's one more" I am lucky enough to have been chosen to compete in Lenovo's Mod Contest discussed in this thread: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=192658 My goal in this contest was to get picked as one of the finalists 'cause I like the idea of getting a new computer and a $2,000 modding budget. Having to compete in the final popularity contest is mostly a bummer but what the hell. There are a lot of unanswered questions yet like sponsor support and publishing worklogs elsewhere besides Lenovo's website. I'm going to assume that I'll be able to post my worklog here. The idea for my contest application was based on the K320 model which is Lenovo's Core i7 ATX gaming tower. They excepted my entry but want me to use the much, much smaller Core i3 H320 micro tower instead. Bummer. Now I have to scramble around to come up with another idea before Tuesday the 12th. Here is Newegg's product page for the H320: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883108316 Any thoughts or opinions? Anyone else picked for this thing?
The first question I asked Lenovo was if I could replace any of the stock system components. They say I can but I have to use an Intel i-series CPU because Intel is sponsoring the contest. That is news to me. Apparently Intel has decided to get onboard. The first order of business is to shove as much performance as I can into the tiny chassis. Everything will go. Motherboard, power supply, hard drive, optical drive...everything. Proposed hardware list: Gigabyte GA-H55N-USB3 Mini-ITX motherboard Intel Core i7-875K CPU Corsair CWCH50-1 CPU Cooler PowerColor Low-Profile Radeon HD 5750 1GB Crucial 8GB DDR3 (1,333MHz) Crucial C300 256GB SSD Samsung Spinpoint 2TB F4 HDD Plextor Model PX-B320SA Blu-Ray Drive Mini-Box PW-200-M 200W Power Supply FSP Booster X5 450W Supplemental Power Supply The weak link here is the low-profile video card. There is a GTS 450-based model available but it is a much longer card than the 5750. Gigabyte has hinted that they might let me use a P67 Sandy Bridge but that might be considered cheating. Any thoughts or recommendations on how to spend $2,000?
OK when I saw that small case, and the idea of a low profile card, mmm. I thought about this. it's an extension above the cad, with fans in it (ovals here) so that you can put a more powerful, normal size card in there.
That certainly would fix the "problem". Here are a few drawings I've been playing with...hey that looks familiar. Since I need room inside the case for fun stuff I've decided to move the optical drive and storage hard drive into the support box. They will now be external USB 3.0 devices. Gigabyte loves pimping the USB 3.0 and I would like to play around with it myself. This is turning into a combo Level Eleven/Mission where the H320 case is self-contained and slides out the back. There will be false spaces above and below the installed H320 to add extra vent ducts and fans. I'll need to provide power to these external fans from the external drive power source. Or...I could do something completely different once I get the actual case in my hands. Soon I hope.
Firstly congrats on being chosen! Sounds like you have the plan pretty much laid out - I love the idea of basing it on a level eleven too. My first port of call would be the paint scheme or externals of the case. I agree with Razer2007 too, an extension to allow for larger graphics cards would be interesting and hopefully not too tricky! Look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Thanks. I've been kicking around the idea for a mini-ITX Level 10-type rig for awhile now. Thermaltake is rumored to be developing one. The short fuse of this contest entry re-design (4 days) kinda forced my hand. I would rather come up with something new and different but it won't happen before tomorrow's deadline. First on my list will be figuring out where to mount the Corsair's 120mm radiator/fan. The decorative stuff will come much later after I get a chance to squint at it for awhile. I can live with the low-profile video card. It is still a quantum leap over the stock arrangement. 5750 or GTS 450 is the big question. The GTS is faster but the 5750 has dual fans and might overclock better. Opinions are welcome.
Nice looking idea and hardware and plans there, gonna keep an eye on this. Tough call on the graphics. Based on the couple of reviews I've seen, the difference at stock speed wouldn't be enough for me to make a choice. I've had plenty of success in overclocking the normal HD5750's and atleast Powercolor low profile card doesn't seem half bad: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_5750_Low_Profile/31.html So maybe get the Ati? TBH popularity contest shouldn't be a huge problem for you Though I can't blame you for not looking forward to it.
damn, why did i miss this untill now? Anyway, don't let yourself be limited by the low-profile case! Get an angled risercard, an chuck in a 5870 or a nice GTX460! I'd advise staying away from the NF100 fermi's, they simply cannot be cooled in this case. Also, do yourself a favour and stick with a 675K. The 875K is simply too heavy a processor to have any overclocking headroom on this ITX board, and will therefor have to run at either stock or very unimpressive speed, whereas with the 675K you stand a good chance of ending up with a very healthy 4 - 4,5GHz. The best way to go as an overall design perspective would be to put the case on some sort of stand, that either supports, suspends or balances the thing in a visually attractive way. With Lenovo and Intel going out of their way to sponsor you with great kit and modding budget, i'd try to put in a little effort to at least keep the case somewhat recognisable. I'm actually getting insprired, so i'm going to draw up a few sketchup quickies
Thanks. They havn't launched this thing yet so I'm just waiting around. It was suppose to start Oct 15th. Thanks for that link Jipa! Sounds like I can easily squeeze more out of the 5750 if I wanted to. I guess you should of entered the contest yourself Xtrafresh. I'm not sure about an 675K. I've never heard of those. The 875K has the quad core and 8MB L3 cache that I like. I went with the unlocked version because for some reason I might need to underclock the processor to dial in power and thermals.
I guess these are the ten finalists.... http://www.whatsyourideaoffun.com/us/meet-the-mods I must be missing something. 2 of the 10 are already completed. Maybe more. Hopefully the fog will lift soon. Congrats to the finalists, especially the bit-techers. Good luck to all.
I see you and Boddaker got in. You guys should form a tag team. $2000... no veneers this time! -and find a nice semi-precious stone for your power button.
