M-ITX HTPC Build

[WarHeaD]

Hi all,

So I got most of my goodies yesterday, and decided to start building the machine after work.

Parts list:

CM Elite 120 Advanced
Core i3 2120
Zotac H67-ITX-C-E
El'Cheapo Hynix 4GB DDR3 1333
Gigabyte GeForce GT520
80GB System Drive
1.5TB Data Drive (Another one on the way when chowzen moves his butt. )
For now running a generic 400W PSU, but my CM Silent Power 420W M2 (Modular) has been bought, just waiting for it to arrive (Thanks Inn3rs3lf)

This is connected to my Samsung Series 5 40" LCD TV (Updrade needed soon).

First off, unpacked the case and took it apart to check everything out:

Then the motherboard:

Then the CPU Cooler, but sadly this cooler doesn't fit this board as it blocks the PCI-E slot with the heatpipes, it be up for sale:

Splitting posts...

 

[WarHeaD]

So I had 2x 120mm CM BC white fans left and they're DEAD quiet, so I thought I put them in the case:

I also put the other one behind the drives, the case comes with awesome little pins that hold the fans, so not a mission to mount the 2nd fan there.

Another brilliant thing on this case is the cables for the case buttons and LEDs are all done in nice black cables, glad to see Coolermaster finally got rid of the fugly rainbow cables - OCD does not approve of rainbow cables.

So continued with the rest of the build:

Didn't take pics of when everything was in, will do this when I get the PSU.

And then the i3 3220 that was destined for the GF's rig, but sadly seems to be dead, going to take back to the supplier today:

Must say, I finished just after 12:00 last night and put on some 1080p movies, playback is super smooth, I had a copy of "9" that made my previous HTPC sweat, this runs without a single jerk or anything, so me = velly heppie.

 

[Ageless_ZA]

What case is that?

 

[PancakesZA]

What case is that?

Coolermaster Elite 120.

 

[Off-The-Chart]

so the parts were ordered long ago?

curious cause with Neo's thread also mentioning the CPU cooler that goes over the PCIe slot.

 

[WarHeaD]

so the parts were ordered long ago?

curious cause with Neo's thread also mentioning the CPU cooler that goes over the PCIe slot.

Different cooler.

But no biggie, running an i7 3770k copper core intel cooler, so should still be better than the stock i3 cooler.

 

[Sn00zE]

ITX FTW!! Nice buddy! Want to see how it runs next time i visit!

 

[Off-The-Chart]

what I meant was, in his thread there was discussion of the cooler hanging over PCIe and he got some recommendations.

the one in his ITX build log as far as I could see, is also still hanging over, which is why I think he is changing.

what will you be running in regards to media managing?

 

[WarHeaD]

what I meant was, in his thread there was discussion of the cooler hanging over PCIe and he got some recommendations.

the one in his ITX build log as far as I could see, is also still hanging over, which is why I think he is changing.

what will you be running in regards to media managing?

Oh okay... I didn't really read through everything on his thread, only saw it was a Zalman CNPS8900 or something, I read a review of the case with that cooler and they had no issues, but obviously the CPU spacing must've been different then as they ran a GTX570 in that test with the same cooler on another board, only thing I was really worried about was the clearance between the cooler and PSU, meh.

But in all essense, I'm not too bothered, the i7 copper core cooler will do the job, and the case is in my TV cabinet and the case is closed, i.e. no window, so it's not visible.

As for media management, I'm not too sure yet, will play around, but for now, just use VLC and a wireless mouse.

Actually just found this for CPU cooling now, might just work, but only seems to support LGA775 :

Zalman VF2000 LED

 

[Off-The-Chart]

thread referring to:
http://www.carbonite.co.za/f29/help-needed-challenge-you-mo-37251/

and just curious on the media manager cause would like to see how a setup like yours would do if using Plex.

 

[§~Sir.ÐJ.Neo~§]

+1 for not reading what I said..

And yes the CM would be fine for the case like I said too, but seeing as the Zotac mobo and the low end Asus mobo has the CPU slot TOOOO close to the PCIE lane its an Issue

Yet, will be getting CM Vortex next week and poping other one likely on CARB, yet not that that Media PC needs a GPU for now... Will see what I decide before next week...


OH and that V2000F
126(L) x 110(W) x 45(H) mm

Not going to fit over the card or the RAM Just a heads up... CM Vortex only one that will fit for this current chassis. Prodigy would fit an Antec or Corsair Water unit

 

[WarHeaD]

@ OTC... thanks for posting thread.

@ Sir DJ Neo... soz I missed that thread. As I said, not really bothered, PC is running fine as is now, copper core i7 stock intel cooler is more than ample. Good luck with your build dude!! That said, if you do get the CM Vortex Plus and it works, give me a shout please man. Looks quite nice.

 

[§~Sir.ÐJ.Neo~§]

Vortex gets a +1 for fitting EPICALLY perfect and temps havent really increased. Yet running G840 now instead of G620..

Yet cold. And will soon be adding GPU

Sent via Galaxy S2 - CM10 - 4.1.2

 

[Smurfy]

ITX RULE!!!! Started my own build as well. Copy of this one but budget was to small he he. Got a ref gtx 580 and it was too long. Need’s a zotac gtx 670. Still need a lot of ppc parts.

Link of the one i want to copy: [Build Log] Mini Elite Crusher - Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced

 

[§~Sir.ÐJ.Neo~§]

ITX RULE!!!! Started my own build as well. Copy of this one but budget was to small he he. Got a ref gtx 580 and it was too long. Need’s a zotac gtx 670. Still need a lot of ppc parts.

Link of the one i want to copy: [Build Log] Mini Elite Crusher - Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced

Yeah sure, but thats pure for performance, I shoved a 460 HAWK in there, with 2x3TB, a 2TB, 320GB Dump drive, 64GB ssd and DVD drive, gotta love 6 sata ports on a M-ITX mobo. Lol.

But the cooler was a squeeze.. CM Vortex does the job perfectly, shoving k series CPU in there is a problem though, but hey I`m rocking G840 in there and its running 30c

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2