[Official mITX Build Discussion Thread]

[SEALT6]

Hi everyone! Its been years since my full build and have been out of touch.
Deciding to jump in again and would like to explore getting an itx form factor setup to fit inside my cabinet. It would be used for the usual work purposes with some gaming.
Have the following questions for more experienced and wiser bros to advise:
1) casing - fractal nano s, or phanteks evolv itx? Would like to install watercooling kit too.
2) watercooling kit: corsair h115i or any other recommendations?
3) for proc n mobo, shld go for coffeelake or ryzen?
4) does the watercooling kit above connect with GPUs too? Or need to get another kit? Any recommended GPUs for fitment in the casing?

Thank you for your advice!

 

[Kijana]

Quick update:

Decided to install my original power supply from the old case, since the ID Cooling was already blowing hot air upwards into the power supply. It was quite a good squeeze and 1 hour of zip-ties, cursing and swearing. PSU was mounted with the intake facing the mainboard. Excess cables were stuffed into the empty space in the front panel.

Finally! I get to enjoy a quiet mini ITX system. The HGST drive seek noise is far more irritating that the low hum of the power supply fan which is more noticeable now since the PC sits on the desk next to me, which means I now have space under the table for a subwoofer.

Temps improved as well
AOD Thermal margin: Idle - 60 deg.C Load - 31 deg.C
HWMonitor: Idle - 21 deg.C Load - 52 deg.C

IS-50 fan speed: 600-960RPM
System fan speed: 500-1439RPM

Now, I'm itching to get a GTX 1060 6GB to fill up the empty space..

 

[joshuaho]

1) Phantek evolv itx has bad bad bad bad airflow.. unless u gonna mod the case. Nano S is a personal favourite for me due to its look, downside is that it has no PSU shroud, which some users can’t live without..

2) can consider the cryorig A40

3) depends.. coffeelake only has Z370 at the moment, with a shortage of 8400 so if u are going for this cpu, be prepared to either wait or face inflatated prices. Ryzen has AM4 support till 2020, depends on the upgradaibilty path you are looking at.

4) close loop coolers can only connect to EITHER GPU Or CPU, so if u intend to cool both, got to purchase 2 separate coolers. For GPU u would need to get a mounting bracket and Asetek type cooler. Alternatively is go custom with either full waterblock or general block.

Hi everyone! Its been years since my full build and have been out of touch.
Deciding to jump in again and would like to explore getting an itx form factor setup to fit inside my cabinet. It would be used for the usual work purposes with some gaming.
Have the following questions for more experienced and wiser bros to advise:
1) casing - fractal nano s, or phanteks evolv itx? Would like to install watercooling kit too.
2) watercooling kit: corsair h115i or any other recommendations?
3) for proc n mobo, shld go for coffeelake or ryzen?
4) does the watercooling kit above connect with GPUs too? Or need to get another kit? Any recommended GPUs for fitment in the casing?

Thank you for your advice!

PM me for cookie (; HardwareZone Forums app

 

[SEALT6]

Thank you, joshuaho, for the informative reply!

Any other cases recommended? How about corsair 250D or TT core v1?

Guess I would have to wait for the prices for the chips to stabilise before making the purchase.

Is it just me or have GPU prices increased significantly over the years?
Hmm seems like i would just watercool the processor and leave the GPU to its own fans.
Thank you!

1) Phantek evolv itx has bad bad bad bad airflow.. unless u gonna mod the case. Nano S is a personal favourite for me due to its look, downside is that it has no PSU shroud, which some users can’t live without..

2) can consider the cryorig A40

3) depends.. coffeelake only has Z370 at the moment, with a shortage of 8400 so if u are going for this cpu, be prepared to either wait or face inflatated prices. Ryzen has AM4 support till 2020, depends on the upgradaibilty path you are looking at.

4) close loop coolers can only connect to EITHER GPU Or CPU, so if u intend to cool both, got to purchase 2 separate coolers. For GPU u would need to get a mounting bracket and Asetek type cooler. Alternatively is go custom with either full waterblock or general block.

PM me for cookie (; HardwareZone Forums app

 

[noinimod]

Thank you, joshuaho, for the informative reply!

Any other cases recommended? How about corsair 250D or TT core v1?

250D has an odd looking form factor and shape to me, but your taste may differ. I went through the same selection process that you did, a few months ago, but the itx casing market is ultimately still a matter of compromises, depending on what you want.

Off the top of my head, since you say you want something that fits into a cabinet, that means size is important. Is space a constraint? If so, consider the silverstone raven rvz02. Decent thermals, highly optimized space. I personally love the nano S - it ticks most of the boxes. Have built one setup with that before, it's a fun and easy build to do well.

I have a ft03 mini, which was also an enjoyable build. Thermals are nice, too.

There's not a single itx case that can do everything (or close to everything). For mATX, ATX, you can pretty much find a case to do almost everything reasonably well - that case market is a lot more matured.

Jonsbo has some nice itx stuff, but a lot of complains on their thermal performance.

 

[joshuaho]

If ur into squarish box type of cases, those are also a good choice, just take note that dust might be an issue as there’s no filter for those,

As monitored by noinimod, rvz02 (no dust filters too but airflow for this is relatively good even though it doesn’t support adding more fans at GPU chamber) is not a bad choice, but there is an alternative node 202 which isn’t bad either classy look, just that u will have to give up WC support. On the NODE of this, what processor are u getting? Will u be overclocking? If no OC then won’t require WC unless going for aesthetics

Yes prices of GPU has went up in the last year due to cryptocurrency. 1070 used to go as Low as 400 last year and now its in the 500-600 ranges (due to the release of 1070ti)

Common misconception, normal games usually drive the processor to only a certain limit, the major heat component would be the GPU so that might be the one you would Wan to cool instead. Also would depend on which model GPU u are getting, some have really sick cooling potential!

Thank you, joshuaho, for the informative reply!

Any other cases recommended? How about corsair 250D or TT core v1?

Guess I would have to wait for the prices for the chips to stabilise before making the purchase.

Is it just me or have GPU prices increased significantly over the years?
Hmm seems like i would just watercool the processor and leave the GPU to its own fans.
Thank you!

PM me for cookie (; HardwareZone Forums app

 

[SEALT6]

Thank you noinimod and joshuaho for the recommendations!

Yes, space is a little cramped but i can rearrange the cabinet interior to suit the itx casings.

I like the clean look of the nano s and the interior features seem versatile too. Will take a look at the silverstone recommendations as well.

Wonder if the 370 chipsets for coffeelake are stable enough for a slightly future proof build.
Looking forward to the drop in GPU prices so that i can at least get a 1070, if not i would have to settle for the rx580.

Will check out GPU coolers too then. Thanks!

 

[SEALT6]

Ooh yes the node 202 reminds me of a ps4, but seems too narrow for full sized gpu amd watercooling kits.

Will be getting wc for aesthetics first, then overclock when free. Gotta get the K procs from intel. Ryden multipliers are unlocked right? Or do they have differences like intel too?

Any recommended wc kit for gpu? Seem to see only cpu ones.

Currently looking at the following parts for the rig:
Asrock Z370M ITX AC + i5 8600K
Gskill Ripjaws 2666Mhz CL15 4GB x 2
Samsung Evo 850M SSD 250GB
WD 1TB Black 2.5" HDD
Sapphire RX580 8GB Nitro+
Evga G3 650W Gold
Fractal Design Nano S Casing
LG 27” 27MP58VQ-P IPS LED Monitor

If ur into squarish box type of cases, those are also a good choice, just take note that dust might be an issue as there’s no filter for those,

As monitored by noinimod, rvz02 (no dust filters too but airflow for this is relatively good even though it doesn’t support adding more fans at GPU chamber) is not a bad choice, but there is an alternative node 202 which isn’t bad either classy look, just that u will have to give up WC support. On the NODE of this, what processor are u getting? Will u be overclocking? If no OC then won’t require WC unless going for aesthetics

Yes prices of GPU has went up in the last year due to cryptocurrency. 1070 used to go as Low as 400 last year and now its in the 500-600 ranges (due to the release of 1070ti)

Common misconception, normal games usually drive the processor to only a certain limit, the major heat component would be the GPU so that might be the one you would Wan to cool instead. Also would depend on which model GPU u are getting, some have really sick cooling potential!

PM me for cookie (; HardwareZone Forums app

 

[incongnit0]

Ooh yes the node 202 reminds me of a ps4, but seems too narrow for full sized gpu amd watercooling kits.

Will be getting wc for aesthetics first, then overclock when free. Gotta get the K procs from intel. Ryden multipliers are unlocked right? Or do they have differences like intel too?

Any recommended wc kit for gpu? Seem to see only cpu ones.

Currently looking at the following parts for the rig:
Asrock Z370M ITX AC + i5 8600K
Gskill Ripjaws 2666Mhz CL15 4GB x 2
Samsung Evo 850M SSD 250GB
WD 1TB Black 2.5" HDD
Sapphire RX580 8GB Nitro+
Evga G3 650W Gold
Fractal Design Nano S Casing
LG 27” 27MP58VQ-P IPS LED Monitor

The nano s supports 3.5” hdds which are cheaper than the black 2.5” hdd
Nzxt does a kraken g12 gpu bracket that lets you mount an wc kit. Personally I wouldn’t bother and save the money.

 

[SEALT6]

Finally got my rig up n running!

 

[FanFreak]

Quick update:

Decided to install my original power supply from the old case, since the ID Cooling was already blowing hot air upwards into the power supply. It was quite a good squeeze and 1 hour of zip-ties, cursing and swearing. PSU was mounted with the intake facing the mainboard. Excess cables were stuffed into the empty space in the front panel.

Finally! I get to enjoy a quiet mini ITX system. The HGST drive seek noise is far more irritating that the low hum of the power supply fan which is more noticeable now since the PC sits on the desk next to me, which means I now have space under the table for a subwoofer.

Temps improved as well
AOD Thermal margin: Idle - 60 deg.C Load - 31 deg.C
HWMonitor: Idle - 21 deg.C Load - 52 deg.C

IS-50 fan speed: 600-960RPM
System fan speed: 500-1439RPM

Now, I'm itching to get a GTX 1060 6GB to fill up the empty space..

Congrats.
I got a similar setup as you.
The cable management is a real challenge.

 

[Encrypted11]

Update to original build

Change PSU CPU and board. PETG to acrylic, improved rigid tubing symmetry.

 

[fantasyrulz]

Update to original build

Change PSU CPU and board. PETG to acrylic, improved rigid tubing symmetry.

Great looking case plus loop you have there.

 

[hlots123]

Update to original build

Change PSU CPU and board. PETG to acrylic, improved rigid tubing symmetry.

nice oc!!
tats wat water is for. wah u change cpu every gen...

 

[Encrypted11]

nice oc!!
tats wat water is for. wah u change cpu every gen...

Won't change alrdy, if not I will be using the same laptop for maybe 8 years . Hopefully X280 or X290 with USB PD charging as well so don't need a charging brick anymore.

 

[hlots123]

oh u meant thinkpad, lost me there...

 

[Encrypted11]

Anyway looks like a CPU frequency reporting bug was fixed (known errata), if you speedshift and use adaptive voltage + OC.

Previously it would read your max OC clock all the time even if CPU drops to 0.00V skylake to kabylake. Not a functional issue but still . Power consumption seems like the lows are lower, peaks are higher (obviously from 2 more core).

 

[hlots123]

Anyway looks like a CPU frequency reporting bug was fixed (known errata), if you speedshift and use adaptive voltage + OC.

Previously it would read your max OC clock all the time even if CPU drops to 0.00V skylake to kabylake. Not a functional issue but still . Power consumption seems like the lows are lower, peaks are higher (obviously from 2 more core).

ehh but i've always seen 800+mhz on idle 0.+ vcore using speedshift, adaptive voltage & oc since the 1st z170 bios tat introduced speedshift...

 

[Encrypted11]

Its documented somewhere in the spec update dunno which month onwards, maybe there are some ways to reproduce it? I add positive offset on adaptive as well. Rest are basically what moi do is elmor settings previously.

But moi no longer see the issue

 

[seeyoudownthere]

Any recommendations anywhere in Sg that sells custom length cables (and sleeved) for modular power supplies, data cables etc? Needed for hiding cable mess in Dan A4 case arriving 2018.