Anyone using mini-itx?

[Shintaro]

I was just wondering if people are using the mini-itx boards as their main machines.
Without further research I am wondering if there is any disadvantage to the current ATX boards?

Over the next 12 months I was thinking of changing to NAS storage (using existing drives) and using the following case:
http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64Select.aspx (C64 Bare Bones)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H77N-WiFi Socket 1155
RAM: Probably Kingston
SSD: Not sure yet

Monitor: Not sure if I want 2 Monitors or a single big monitor.

What are peoples opinions?

 

[Digerati]

As my "main" machine, no. But I have two mini-ITX systems - one in the spare room for grandkids and guests and one in my HTPC. And while assembly in tight quarters is a pain (sometimes with bloody knuckles), once assembled and working, they work great!

Without further research I am wondering if there is any disadvantage to the current ATX boards?

Did you mean "ATX"? ATX (including µATX) motherboards are still larger than ITX (note ITX and mini-ITX are the same) and are still compatible with other ATX Form Factor devices. ITX systems are much more proprietary.

What are peoples opinions?

Sadly, you failed to provide the most critical information needed - what is your intended purpose of this machine? If you plan to integrate this into a home theater system as a PVR, then mini-ITX systems are perfectly suited for that. The better boards have excellent graphics (for displaying digital content from DVDs, BluRays, or cable systems, and more than adequate audio for most users.

If you plan on using this system for school or work projects, an ITX board will probably do fine. If you plan on running the latest 3D animated games at high frame rates, forget it.

As for that particular Gigabyte board, I think it is a nice one, but I don't think - in fact I am quite sure it will not fit inside a C64 case once the CPU and CPU cooler are mounted. And even if you did manage to raise the sides to add more room inside the case, cooling would still be a problem.

 

[Shintaro]

Thanks mate, my intended use is just programming / running virtual machines.
The nostalgic compromise will be to find a board that will fit in the C64 case. I am kind of sick of the amount of space that a full tower case consumes. A bit like the change over from CRT's to LCD's.

Cheers mate.

 

[Digerati]

running virtual machines.

Well, that can take massive amounts of RAM.

I am kind of sick of the amount of space that a full tower case consumes. A bit like the change over from CRT's to LCD's.

Not me. It is that space that allows users so much flexibility in terms of expansion cards, motherboards, number and type of drives, cooling options and alternative cooling solutions, and more.

A bit like the change over from CRT's to LCD's

Not really. A large computer case provides the user lots of options to implement many more features and capabilities. The only real extra you get with LCD over CRT is desk space.

You need to look at fully integrated ITX products - ITX boards with built in graphics, sound, AND a surface mount CPU. Then try to find a very low profile CPU cooler and then maybe, if lucky and you hold your tongue right, you might squeeze it into a C64 case. Or you might look at something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108396.

 

[satrow]

Hi Shintaro, it would help if you specced which CPU you needed to use, heat dissipation is one of the bigger problems with small cases.

Do you have any links to others that have used the C64x barebones with their hardware choices and how pleased (or otherwise) they are?

Not sure what the cooling limits on these 2 coolers are (95W TDP?) but they reviewed pretty well and are quiet (pretty important if the rig is at arms length or less): 37mm tall cooler (lower than most RAM sticks): http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1317-page1.html
Cheaper but ~40mm tall: http://www.silentpcreview.com/scythe-kozuti
Akasa's K25 or 7106HP might fit the bill at ~29.5mm, 77W max TDP limit.

Now to choose a PSU for it a picoPSU 120-160W DC-DC with 150-200W AC adapter?

 

[Anthony N]

I am kind of sick of the amount of space that a full tower case consumes. A bit like the change over from CRT's to LCD's.

The CRT to LCD comparison is not a valid argument. I still fight with them for my layouts no less than with I used CRTs. As from the ITX to Full Tower comparison that has some truth to it. I own a pre-built ITX computer and while space-saving it is. Power within and cooling is lack-there-of. They're made for word processing and internet browsing. Even so, because of the way they are built in some cases the hard drive has no circulation. For example, if I use iTunes, Firefox, word and excel all at once I get a HDD temp warning. Nothing drastic but enough to trip the warning.

Not me. It is that space that allows users so much flexibility in terms of expansion cards, motherboards, number and type of drives, cooling options and alternative cooling solutions, and more.

I have to agree, I would like to get my hands on a full tower because they do allow for endless expansion ability granted you have the wallet and space for it. In my situation, going from an ITX form factor case to a mid tower case was like whoa this thing is huge. However! Tho it stands 18" high the optical drive barely clears my monitor. A full tower as many know stand at 22 to 26" tall, and are 9 to 9.5" wide vs. 7.5 to 8".


Shintaro, you need to know everything you will do with this machine even in the future. You want to run vertual machines and that's all dandy. But look for a case that is small but still uses the ATX form factor. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ze=20&cm_sp=CompCase9-_-VisNav-_-MicroATXMini Those do just that. They follow the ATX standard making PSUs a non-hassle and support a lot of stock coolers.

Being a current owner of ITX, I am seeing why I knew I didn't want them to begin with. It was a last resort choice and one I won't make again. In my opinion steer clear of ITX form factor.