Cheap ITX System

Associate
Joined
7 Nov 2004
Posts
299
Hi all, Looking to build a cheap mini-ITX system.

So far I have the following components:

Intel Pentium G620 2.6GHz Socket 1155 3MB L3 Cache Retail - £48.00

Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333MHz HyperX Memory - £18.00

Asrock H61M-ITX H61 Socket 1155 onboard graphics mITX Motherboard - £54.00


All I need now is the HDD, ODD and the case.

Questions:

I was looking to get the Perspex case by lcdmodkit on the bay, would that be ok?

I assume the on-board graphics suck but it don't matter too much unless I want to game. In which case I could throw in a nvidia 430GT, would this fit ok in the case?

Can this motherboard handle a Solid State Drive ok?

I think this perspex case can't handle an internal optical drive, in which case I'll just get an external one so no problem.

Does this look ok guys?

Any other suggestions or advice? Thanks!
 
Soldato
Joined
10 Aug 2010
Posts
5,508
Location
Somerset
I'd get this:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-070-SV&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1092

Or similar, unfortunately small cases are expensive but this has a 300W PSU with it and will fit a GPU upto 9" so even a GTX460 or something (length wise, not sure if the PSU could handle it). Also, it'll fit a slim/laptop ODD and 1 3.5" and 1 2.5" drive.

Don't know much about that perspex case but it looks tiny, so you'd have to mess around with non-standard PSUs and have it separately etc... which then stops it being so small :p

That motherboard will handle an SSD okay yes, but it does not have SATA III, so recent SATA III SSD will be limited to SATA II speeds, but it will still be faster than a normal drive.

SSD I'd get one of the following depending on budget:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-009-CR
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-021-CS&groupid=701&catid=2104&subcat=1427
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-025-CS&groupid=701&catid=2104&subcat=910
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-008-CR&groupid=701&catid=2104&subcat=910

or if you want an HDD:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-081-SA&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=940
 
Associate
OP
Joined
7 Nov 2004
Posts
299
I'd get this:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-070-SV&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1092

Or similar, unfortunately small cases are expensive but this has a 300W PSU with it and will fit a GPU upto 9" so even a GTX460 or something (length wise, not sure if the PSU could handle it). Also, it'll fit a slim/laptop ODD and 1 3.5" and 1 2.5" drive.

Don't know much about that perspex case but it looks tiny, so you'd have to mess around with non-standard PSUs and have it separately etc... which then stops it being so small :p

That motherboard will handle an SSD okay yes, but it does not have SATA III, so recent SATA III SSD will be limited to SATA II speeds, but it will still be faster than a normal drive.

SSD I'd get one of the following depending on budget:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-009-CR
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-021-CS&groupid=701&catid=2104&subcat=1427
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-025-CS&groupid=701&catid=2104&subcat=910
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-008-CR&groupid=701&catid=2104&subcat=910

or if you want an HDD:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-081-SA&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=940

Thanks for such a great reply!

I hear what you're saying totally. The dilemma you have with building ITX machines is that graphics capability has to be sacrificed because of the small space that's available and the second downside is the power supplies.

ITX cons: (1) Space Issues (expansion cards etc) (2) Power supplies

With that case you suggested above, it appears to provide much more power and more space, effectively allowing a half decent GPU. However, that case looks ugly and it doesn't look small and compact which kind of eliminates the whole point.

I want a desktop pc that is compact. And I do mean compact. Not asking for something Micro, but something that could almost fit behind the monitor attached.

I'd like to see a photographic comparison of the case you suggested next to something else, perhaps a ATX desktop so I can see the difference in a photo...if you have this ITX computer yourself, reckon you could take that snap for me?

Thank you though I'll definitely consider an alternative.

Just one more thing regarding that perspex case I showed you. It does require something called a pico PSU which basically involves an attachment to the 24 pin main power ATX connector, with a wire the feeds out of the back into a brick style AC adapter. You know like the ones laptops use.

So it isn't actually that big or cumbersome for a power supply. Thee only downside of course is the maximum power available with these. I think 120w is the max.
 
Soldato
Joined
5 Dec 2010
Posts
3,397
200w is biggest I've seen I think. I have the 150w version.

There is a 200? I have a 160W so they certainly go over 120W. Don't get the perspex cases. If you really want one PM me in trust and you can have mine for the price of postage. The build quality is not great very flimsy sides but I guess it counts as a case. Replaced it with a Wesena ITX2 which I LOVE but it is a bit bigger and more pricey. Currently with an E-450 in but if IB GPUs or Trinity are any good graphically then it may be turned into a LAN/Going away rig for when I am away with work.
 
Soldato
Joined
10 Aug 2010
Posts
5,508
Location
Somerset
As it happens my first PC was in that case, and I really liked the look of it :p
but you're right, to get a decent GPU in etc... it is bigger than that case you mentioned. Here are some pics I took when I had that case:

Z6EhX.jpg.png
KRkmE.jpg
QxVUM.jpg.png


I would say It's far too bulky to be behind a monitor, but I liked it because it would fit largely standard components. i.e. double width GPU, 3.5" + 2.5" HDDs (which I found ideal for SSD + HDD)

So I guess it depends what you will do, to run any decent GPU I guess you'll need more power than those small PSUs can supply? Can't say I know much about them tbh.
 
Last edited:
Soldato
Joined
19 Oct 2002
Posts
5,741
I looked at that case when deciding on a new build, I ended up mATX though. I don't like how the front isn't straight down. Great point on the PSUs, desktop ones are a bit large & laptop ones are a bit underpowered.
 
Soldato
Joined
10 Aug 2010
Posts
5,508
Location
Somerset
Associate
Joined
3 Nov 2004
Posts
662
Location
London
my bay searching skills are not great, i can't seem to find lcdmodkit's perspex case. I do however, own a very tight fighting atom based perspex case which requires you to use a picopsu. not sure its the same, but to be honest, I would be worried about heat output in perspex cases, especially if you were going small.
Ah, case I have is here:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18247761
same?
 
Associate
OP
Joined
7 Nov 2004
Posts
299
Some really cool replies in this thread from some people, thank you so much for all your help.

I found out recently that the PicoPSU's do hit the 150watt zone, the problem I had was finding them stocked.

Jacobs, I take it back, calling it ugly. It's not bad at all actually.... quite smart and trim. It looks tempting, because you could fit full size components in it without worry but I need a small PC, one that's comparable to a nettop pc. Thanks for those excellent comparison photos though, really helpful.
 
Soldato
Joined
19 Oct 2002
Posts
5,741
Can't get it on OCUK, but the SG05 has a flat front and is otherwise basically the same!
http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=210&area=

Nice, so it says it takes mini-DTX. I just could find 2 mini-DTX boards, both Zotac, but no mini-DTXs listed on there site. :confused: Are they just now starting to make mini-DTXs? Took them long enough. Man I wish I put a system in that case, oh well, I like mine good.
 
Soldato
Joined
5 Dec 2010
Posts
3,397
Nice, so it says it takes mini-DTX. I just could find 2 mini-DTX boards, both Zotac, but no mini-DTXs listed on there site. :confused: Are they just now starting to make mini-DTXs? Took them long enough. Man I wish I put a system in that case, oh well, I like mine good.

Oh god no DTX is long dead and buried but case manufacturers seem to put if for any ITX case with a dual expansion slot as that is pretty much the DTX form factor (same screw holes as ITX but longer so it has two expansion ports) Shame DTX didn't take off really as it could have lead to some interesting setups: Single slot GPU + Sound card; Single slot GPU Xfire/SLI. Imagine SLI in an SG05 :eek:
 
Soldato
Joined
10 Aug 2010
Posts
5,508
Location
Somerset
Nice, so it says it takes mini-DTX. I just could find 2 mini-DTX boards, both Zotac, but no mini-DTXs listed on there site. :confused: Are they just now starting to make mini-DTXs? Took them long enough. Man I wish I put a system in that case, oh well, I like mine good.

As above, mini-ITX is really what's available atm, not sure what ever happened to DTX. Still there are a few ITX:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=5&subid=2071
But like you say, mostly Zotac. I had this board:
http://www.zotac.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=100195&lang=en&vmcchk=1&Itemid=100195
(one of them, can't remember :p)

and had no problems with it tbh. For the size I was happy! Mind you, you do pay quite a premium for these ITX builds. I just want this tbh:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18370394
 
Soldato
Joined
19 Oct 2002
Posts
5,741
Oh god no DTX is long dead and buried but case manufacturers seem to put if for any ITX case with a dual expansion slot as that is pretty much the DTX form factor (same screw holes as ITX but longer so it has two expansion ports) Shame DTX didn't take off really as it could have lead to some interesting setups: Single slot GPU + Sound card; Single slot GPU Xfire/SLI. Imagine SLI in an SG05 :eek:

Oh that sucks, wonder why it didn't stick around? So what about Mini-ATXs, where can you get them?
 
Last edited:
Associate
Joined
10 Nov 2004
Posts
2,237
Location
Expat in Singapore
NOTICE: This domain name expired on 02/08/2012 and is pending renewal or deletion.


Same that, I was wondering if there are any official outlets that supply these....

A number of places sell Pico PSUs but they would all probably be regarded as competitors so Google is your best bet.

Probably not up to much gaming but Intel has just released a 'thin' Atom Mountain Trail board (DN2800MT). half height of the standard ATX rear shield, laptop style PSU brick connects directly to the motherboard so no big bulky PSU needed. Only a PCIe x1 slot IIRC but two mini-PCIe slots.

Great for a tiny box.

RB
 
Back
Top Bottom