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

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by confusis, 8 Nov 2010.

  1. confusis

    confusis Kiwi-modder

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    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:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    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 -
    [​IMG]
    Harder to do than expected!
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    And here's the MOCA-AR board in place:
    [​IMG]

    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
     
    Last edited: 29 Mar 2011
  2. bulldogjeff

    bulldogjeff The modding head is firmly back on.

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    Wow of to a flying start. The color of that case is lovely. Good start mate:thumb:
     
  3. Mork

    Mork What's a Dremel?

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

    back on topic - I LOVE those small mITX builds, and I'm really looking forward to seeing this one come together! :)
     
  4. jrs77

    jrs77 Modder

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    Yay... good choice of colour and formfactor :thumb:

    You gotta love those >3 litre boxes... I've got one with 19x19x8cm myself, using a Zotac IONITX-A-E :naughty:
     
  5. jhanlon303

    jhanlon303 The Keeper of History

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    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
     
  6. confusis

    confusis Kiwi-modder

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    Thanks guys :)

    I thought i'd do proper SFF after trying to do SFF with a e-atx board :p
     
  7. confusis

    confusis Kiwi-modder

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    Arg double post!
     
  8. Bounty`

    Bounty` What's a Dremel?

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    Looks like this will be a very cool little case!
     
  9. DeadP1xels

    DeadP1xels Social distancing since 92

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    Wow thats pretty cool looking already!
     
  10. CoolModder2010

    CoolModder2010 What's a Dremel?

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

    confusis Kiwi-modder

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    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..

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Back ports still a little messy but I have plans for this..
    [​IMG]
    One SATA 2.5" HDD, one xbox SATA cable, one flexi PCIex16 riser:
    [​IMG]
    One Sapphire HD5450 (DX11 yay!.. or not)
    [​IMG]
    In place:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    STILL waiting on my atx -> mini-atx power adapter after 1.5 months! gah..
     
  12. Paradox42

    Paradox42 What's a Dremel?

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    Wow an awesome start... subbed
     
  13. confusis

    confusis Kiwi-modder

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    One x Socket 479M, similar in construction to a mPGA478B (sorry for blurries)
    [​IMG]
    Wait whats this?
    [​IMG]
    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
    [​IMG]
    Random macro shot. Didn't realise my crappy Point and shoot Sanyo camera did macro so well..
    [​IMG]
    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
    [​IMG]
    Clippity clip. Sorted!
    [​IMG]

    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!
     
    Mik3yB @ CCL likes this.
  14. asura

    asura jack of all trades

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    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...
     
  15. confusis

    confusis Kiwi-modder

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    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!
     
  16. confusis

    confusis Kiwi-modder

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    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
     
  17. confusis

    confusis Kiwi-modder

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    Quickie update:

    It's allivveee:
    [​IMG]
    A closeup of the protoype power adapter:
    [​IMG]

    In the case, spaghetti!
    [​IMG]
    Top down view:
    [​IMG]


    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.
     
  18. Big_malc

    Big_malc Minimodder

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    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 :D and i reallyy like that orange
     
  19. Richy1204

    Richy1204 What's a Dremel?

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    Awesome :)
     
  20. confusis

    confusis Kiwi-modder

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    Armed with my trusty dremelclone I have almost completed the side panel:
    [​IMG]

    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!
     
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