Atx vs micro atx vs mini itx... am I mad?

ScienceBoy

ScienceBoy

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I’ve just bought the parts to build a mini gaming pc! In an ITX case! I must be crazy!!!!

Finally getting a new PC after a summer of not having a gaming rig.

After lots of research, measuring and decision making I’ve settled on a small form factor PC to fit into a small space. Finally I can go back to two monitors, a standard atx case was just too big.

I’ve chosen a Fractal Design Nano S which allows a standard atx PSU and graphics card.

2678051-a.jpg


Processor is an i5 8600, no overclocking on MoBo or CPU however, to save costs. With the boost who needs it right?

Building it this weekend so will post pics if anyone is interested.

I never thought I would go with this form factor, anyone else built one?
 
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have you got any special cooling in place
Ive always found really small cases lacking in this department.

which is why in sff \ all in ones \ laptops you tend to have underclocked or less powerful CPU's compared to a full desktop
as there isnt the ventilation available.

Be interested to see how it pans out
 
PhilTheFragger said:
have you got any special cooling in place

Be interested to see how it pans out
Click to expand...

Nothing special really, a 140mm fan at the front, a very open case style and a 120mm at the back.

PSU drawns in and vents outside of the case too and the GPU isn’t going to be overclocked much.

Its a big ITX case so no real chocking of parts and heat traps.

Builds look like this usually

maxresdefault.jpg


My GPU is longer than that one but still plenty of room for good airflow.

If its struggling i can throw extra fans in the front or remove the top panel (less noise dampening then though). If the stock cooler turns out to be rubbish I can change that too.

Fractal are just superb case makers but my only worry is the proximity of the PSU to one of the GPU fans, a typical ITX issue though.

I hope to type the next reply from my new rig at the weekend!

One day I dream to build a 4K watercooled i7 rig in this case, going to start saving up for that one as it will take a while!
 
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Looks like there's still enough space for a Corsair WC kit though, would definitely recommend it. Another bonus is that they're pretty much silent. :)
 
I have just had the most awful experience I have had in a while.

Trying to fit a Dark Rock Slim cooler using Intel's "Lovely" push pins...

I think two of them were not primed out of the box as the white bits bent. I did not realise this until my 3rd try when I took the back off. I sorted that and finally on the 5th attempt it all worked. Now I fear the thermal paste is a mess but hey-ho.

Temps are down 10-15 degrees and I can run turbo boost without it soundling like a jet taking off. Stock coolers are bad but intel push pins are worse!
 
Is that 64Gb SSD your only storage? If so what OS are you using, I've just done a clean Win10 re-install and that took 54 Gb up!:eek:
 
I have 3 old SSDs I’ve accumulated over the years, that is the oldest, around 2009. Another 60GB and a 120.

The 120 is the only SATA3 so it has the OS on it.

I also have an old 500GB HDD.

All those drives are stuck round the back

ybbrpvs.jpg
 
You can pick up a new 500Gb SSD for about £85 these days
A 9 year old hard drive of any type isn’t going to find its way into any system of mine

Looks good though, the boy done well 👍
 
PhilTheFragger said:
You can pick up a new 500Gb SSD for about £85 these days
A 9 year old hard drive of any type isn’t going to find its way into any system of mine
Click to expand...

Storage refresh is next on the list followed by 1440p. This hobby is as expensive as golf!

PhilTheFragger said:
Looks good though, the boy done well 👍
Click to expand...

Thanks! I am just glad I didnt kill it putting it all together. Anything else is a bonus. I will pay a lot more attention to those intel push pins or get a cooler with a backplate next time.
 
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