Building a Mini-ITX

For general computer discussion & help, come here

Moderators: Bakhtosh, EvilHomer3k

Post Reply
User avatar
Zarathud
Posts: 17208
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Zarathud »

The server box we currently use for the kid's computer is chugging along horribly (probably because the old 1GB RAM has been woefully inadequate for years). I'm building a $500 box around the BitFenix Prodigy case and mini-ITX form factor:

Image

The goal is to get a machine that can serve as a file backup and run LEGO, SEGA Sonic Racing and other kid games. A power gaming system is not required, and later upgrades are expected. Before watching Starship Troopers on Rifftrax with hepcat, I went with this:

Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI
Intel Core i3-4130 (3M Cache, 3.40 GHz)
Kingston 8GB HyperX (PC3-12800) CL9
Gigabite Geforce GTX 650 Ti
LG Blu-ray with DVD Burner
WD Blue 500GB SATA
Corsair CX430M

At the last minute, I decided to lower the Wattage on the Power Supply because I leave this box turned on all of the time and the Intel i3 really does have a lower power draw. The video card is overkill for a 6 year old running on a spare 1050p monitor.
Last edited by Zarathud on Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth
"The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
Top
User avatar
Daehawk
Posts: 66084
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2005 1:11 am

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Daehawk »

Started to say you could go cheaper on the video card.
--------------------------------------------
I am Dyslexic of Borg, prepare to have your ass laminated.
I guess Ray Butts has ate his last pancake.
http://steamcommunity.com/id/daehawk
"Has high IQ. Refuses to apply it"
When in doubt, skewer it out...I don't know.
Top
User avatar
Zarathud
Posts: 17208
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Zarathud »

I went with only a 1GB video card, so the price was $125 in-store. It's pretty small and runs a larger fan. I was only going to spend $75 on a NVIDIA card, but I started to get worried about the SEGA Sonic Racing -- one of the kid's favorite games. Its power draw is pretty small and overall ratings are great for its category, so I bent the budget a little.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth
"The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
Top
User avatar
Daehawk
Posts: 66084
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2005 1:11 am

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Daehawk »

heh its gunny how fast stuff changed. I got my GTX 560ti 1g card in 2011 and it was like $250. I think that one you got it about the same as mine and cost so much less :( Damn tech lol.
--------------------------------------------
I am Dyslexic of Borg, prepare to have your ass laminated.
I guess Ray Butts has ate his last pancake.
http://steamcommunity.com/id/daehawk
"Has high IQ. Refuses to apply it"
When in doubt, skewer it out...I don't know.
Top
User avatar
LawBeefaroni
Forum Moderator
Posts: 56313
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 3:08 pm
Location: Urbs in Horto, bonded and licensed.

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by LawBeefaroni »

I build a bunch of Shuttle mini-ITX boxes back in the day. They all eventually died because of the PSU. Just too small.
" Hey OP, listen to my advice alright." -Tha General
"“I like taking the guns early...to go to court would have taken a long time. So you could do exactly what you’re saying, but take the guns first, go through due process second.” -President Donald Trump.
"...To guard, protect, and maintain his liberty, the freedman should have the ballot; that the liberties of the American people were dependent upon the Ballot-box, the Jury-box, and the Cartridge-box, that without these no class of people could live and flourish in this country." - Frederick Douglass
MYT
Top
User avatar
Zarathud
Posts: 17208
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Zarathud »

The video card market is strange. I am also running a 560 Ti that's 2 years old and its ratings are still 25-30% faster than the 650 Ti. The power requirements of the new card is around 1/2 the older one, I believe.

The new system replaces an old Shuttle style box, and I'm impressed with how 4 more inches of height really matters for the layout.

The upgrade for my machine is going to be a 500 Gig Samsung EVO SDD. I just have to work out the data transfer from my boot drive to avoid a system reinstall.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth
"The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
Top
User avatar
Zarathud
Posts: 17208
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Zarathud »

double tap
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth
"The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
Top
User avatar
Cylus Maxii
Posts: 3352
Joined: Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:13 pm
Location: Denver, CO
Contact:
Contact Cylus Maxii

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Cylus Maxii »

I got a nice 650ti to upgrade my son's older Shuttle SFF box. It was a big step up from the 8800GT. He loves it.
My nephew, Jake - "I mean is there really anything more pure? Than sweet zombie monkey love?"
Top
User avatar
Isgrimnur
Posts: 85605
Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:29 am
Location: Chookity pok
Contact:
Contact Isgrimnur

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Isgrimnur »

The top 'decade' of each 'century' number are better cards than the bottom 'decade' of the higher 'century'. Click the link for a visual representation from GeForce themselves.
It's almost as if people are the problem.
Top
User avatar
AWS260
Posts: 12909
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:51 pm
Location: Brooklyn

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by AWS260 »

How did the build go? I am thinking of accelerating my build-a-new-rig plans, since my current box recently had a serious brain fart that required a clean Windows installation to fix. I'd like to go mini-ITX, just for funsies.
Top
User avatar
Zarathud
Posts: 17208
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Zarathud »

Lovely case, very easy to work inside, except you need space on the right for USB plugs. I ended up getting a fan power converter for the third fan. Runs very quietly but I have to make sure the kids don't put stuff underneath -- the PSU vents in from the raised bottom.

I would recommend making sure you use the Windows 7 64 bit DVD rather than throwing in the first disc you find -- for the full 8 GB memory. Completely forgot about that issue!
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth
"The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
Top
User avatar
Zarathud
Posts: 17208
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Zarathud »

Should have said you need space OUTSIDE the side of the case for USB ports.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth
"The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
Top
User avatar
AWS260
Posts: 12909
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:51 pm
Location: Brooklyn

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by AWS260 »

So, has anyone built in a DAN Case A4-SFX? It looks like fun.

Image
Top
User avatar
coopasonic
Posts: 21230
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2005 11:43 pm
Location: Dallas-ish

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by coopasonic »

Interesting idea of fun you have there...
-Coop
Black Lives Matter
Top
User avatar
AWS260
Posts: 12909
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:51 pm
Location: Brooklyn

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by AWS260 »

It's been four years since my last build, and I'm getting the itch...
Top
User avatar
ColdSteel
Posts: 3029
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:03 pm

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by ColdSteel »

It's a terrible time to build a new box. Video card prices are insane thanks to the bitcoin mining asshats. I just had my old one die and almost died myself of sticker shock when shopping for a replacement. I ended up paying 50% more than I would have for the same card in back 2016. Ram prices are also insane right now.
"This game is best played with a warm cup of Folger's coffee in your hands, so you can actually smell the oppression while you relive the greatest period of all time. The period when white people discovered the world, and decided they didn't like it." - EUIV Steam user review
Top
User avatar
AWS260
Posts: 12909
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:51 pm
Location: Brooklyn

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by AWS260 »

The last time I posted in this thread, I managed to exercise self-restraint for about a year before caving and building an ITX machine. It's been almost five years since then, and I am feeling that hankering again. This case just looks so nice...

Enlarge Image
Top
User avatar
Hamlet3145
Posts: 1538
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 2:27 pm
Contact:
Contact Hamlet3145

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Hamlet3145 »

AWS260 wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 10:04 pm The last time I posted in this thread, I managed to exercise self-restraint for about a year before caving and building an ITX machine. It's been almost five years since then, and I am feeling that hankering again. This case just looks so nice...

Enlarge Image
I really like the looks of that Fractal Terra. Though I recently just ended up ordering a KXRORS S400 for my new build.

Enlarge Image
Top
User avatar
AWS260
Posts: 12909
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:51 pm
Location: Brooklyn

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by AWS260 »

It has a handle!
Top
User avatar
Blackhawk
Posts: 46586
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:48 pm
Location: Southwest Indiana

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Blackhawk »

"Does not occupy desktop space, is a beautiful decoration on the desktop."

It's an inside-out Tardis!
What doesn't kill me makes me stranger.
Top
User avatar
Hamlet3145
Posts: 1538
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 2:27 pm
Contact:
Contact Hamlet3145

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Hamlet3145 »

Blackhawk wrote: Wed Apr 17, 2024 2:33 pm "Does not occupy desktop space, is a beautiful decoration on the desktop."

It's an inside-out Tardis!
Somebody on Reddit turned his into a "Marshall Amp."

Enlarge Image

:D
Top
User avatar
Blackhawk
Posts: 46586
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:48 pm
Location: Southwest Indiana

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Blackhawk »

Nice. My first thought on seeing it was that it was full of poker chips. It's not ugly - but it's also not a decoration.
What doesn't kill me makes me stranger.
Top
User avatar
AWS260
Posts: 12909
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:51 pm
Location: Brooklyn

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by AWS260 »

Well, it's happening.

Image

Apparently there's something called cable management that I really ought to look up.
Top
User avatar
coopasonic
Posts: 21230
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2005 11:43 pm
Location: Dallas-ish

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by coopasonic »

Seriously just looking at that picture stresses me out.
-Coop
Black Lives Matter
Top
User avatar
Hamlet3145
Posts: 1538
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 2:27 pm
Contact:
Contact Hamlet3145

Re: Building a Mini-ITX

Post by Hamlet3145 »

I got my s400 case last week and dig it. Better quality that I expected for the price, to be honest. Now to wait for some sales on the rest of the parts lol. I'm going to be recycling my 6700xt for a GPU, but everthing else will be bought new. I'll be going with a Ryzen 5 7600 for the CPU and 32gb of DDR5 RAM.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “General Computing”