Some ideas for a mITX gaming build.

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AzraelDarkangel

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I wish I could hook up some VR goggles to my cell phone and play UT3, Oblivion and Crysis (and Soul Caliber IV and FF XIII), but until then I was thinking about what is possible with todays technology. Sure there are high powered gaming laptops, but they cost alot and really are a bit boring because of the limited upgrade options. Battery power is limited for anything powerful enough to play the latest games for any length of time so I'm not worried about that. Laptop MMX cards are expensive and hard to find. Regular graphics cards tend to be very big. So how about a small portable system that can play some games with good integrated graphics but plugs into a base station at home with a high end graphics for playing all games?

I haven't really been satisfied with the performance of the IGP used in mini-ITX until recently. Even then very few boards have a PCI-Express x16. But I really like the looks of the recently introduced J&W Minix 780G-SP128MB.

My basic idea is to use a flexible PCI-Express extender mounted facing out of the case. In a seperate case would be a Nvidia 9800GX2 (maybe water cooled?) with a full size PSU. With the card slot protruding out of the case so you could plug the smaller case into it. (I have nothing against AMD/ATI cards like the HD 4870, but I would like to use Vuzix iWear VR920 VR goggles which seem to require Nvidia driver to operate correctly and play games).

You could use a case like the Morex 3688B (with tiny Morex 150w psu) which is about the size of a book with a (Dynamix 816 8.4" widescreen lcd for example) mounted to the outside. Or you could use VR style goggles just for viewing (particularly helpful if you want to browse porn for example, or anything NSFW in public because nobody else can see what you are viewing.

It's always possible I've overlooked some technical aspect, but it's just an idea right now. I don't know if I can build something like that yet because I'm very broke right now. I would likely build a custom case with the hard drive(s) and dvd burner mounted under the motherboard so I can mount a large heatsink (like the Enzotech or Thermalright SI-128SE) that way the top can be made flush with a cutout, with the outside of the case.
 
If you're going to be doing this, post a worklog, as this project is something I would like to see.

For the miniITX case, I'd go with a PicoPSU.

How are you going to power the video card, though? Dedicated VGA PSU?
 
I also have this board. Unfortunately i am currently awaiting return from RMA. I can provide a mini review once i get the board back. Here is a tip if you order the board isolate the motherboard backplate with some electrical tape or anything that is electrically non conducting. The board has 4 huge voltage regulators on the underside of the board. If you don't isolate the backplate you will short it out like i did.
 
You'll need to double-check clearances, but I'd recommend the APEX MI-100 with the Athena Power AP-MP4ATX47FE 470W power supply, and then use an 8800GT. Just make sure the case is long enough for the 8800GT and there's enough clearance below the power supply for the CPU heatsink and fan. Then you'll just have to worry about cooling...
 
If you're going to be doing this, post a worklog, as this project is something I would like to see.

For the miniITX case, I'd go with a PicoPSU.

How are you going to power the video card, though? Dedicated VGA PSU?
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If I do this I will post lots of pics and info.
Pico would probably work too, I've heard the Morex 150w is pretty good too.
I already have an Ultra 1000w psu I won in a contest, I might as well use that for now, no worries about power, plenty of headroom for overclocking.

What is the point. This board looks great for a small HTPC, but thats it!
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Why not do it? If I had the money I would buy a Jetway JNC62K mITX which apparently has lots of overclocking options and use a phase change setup on it just because I could. (plus it would be hilarious!) But the main point is to have as powerful as possible gaming rig in the smallest size I can.

I also have this board. Unfortunately i am currently awaiting return from RMA. I can provide a mini review once i get the board back. Here is a tip if you order the board isolate the motherboard backplate with some electrical tape or anything that is electrically non conducting. The board has 4 huge voltage regulators on the underside of the board. If you don't isolate the backplate you will short it out like i did.
Click to expand...

I have heard of this issue before, looking forward to the results of a running setup.

You'll need to double-check clearances, but I'd recommend the APEX MI-100 with the Athena Power AP-MP4ATX47FE 470W power supply, and then use an 8800GT. Just make sure the case is long enough for the 8800GT and there's enough clearance below the power supply for the CPU heatsink and fan. Then you'll just have to worry about cooling...
Click to expand...

The Apex is too big for what I want. Plus having to replace it's crappy psu is not very cost effective since I'm probably going to build a custom case from plexiglass anyway. I prefer the modular idea since I can't build a powerful enough all in one system that's as small as I want it. If I incorporate a full size card (10.5"-12") double slot and a full size or even mATX psu it still end up too big. I even designed such a case a while back (on computer, never built) but it was only slightly smaller than a Shuttle which is still too big.

The other option is a case like the Morex 3777 which is:
(w x h x d) 212 mm x 100 mm x 268 mm (8.3" x 3.9" x 10.5")
and use a smaller card like a Nvidia 9600GT which is probably the most powerful card a Pico type psu can power and even then I'm not 100% sure. But such a card will be outdated very quickly and wont run games like Crysis with all the nice eye-candy.

I suppose the 450W Thermaltake Toughpower Express VGA psu is an option, but I'll have to check some reviews and see how powerful it really is, it's only 18.5cm(L) x 14.8cm(W) x 4.2cm(H).
 
Fyi i have the Apex Mi-100 case. I have a x1950 pro that i will use in the itx board. There is no vent holes on the vga side but there is on the hdd side. The case will only fit SFX power supplies so forget about standard atx sized. I bought this power supply to replaced the stock 250w. I might end up modding some ventilation holes on the vga side a a blow hole on the hdd side. The case has surprisingly sturdy steel for such a cheap case. :) Replacement Power Supply
 
They look really cool as well. Would be pretty good as an HTPC as they look pretty damn small and not very "computer-like".

If I did an ITX build it'd be a file server though.
 
Exocet956 said:
Fyi i have the Apex Mi-100 case. I have a x1950 pro that i will use in the itx board. There is no vent holes on the vga side but there is on the hdd side. The case will only fit SFX power supplies so forget about standard atx sized. I bought this power supply to replaced the stock 250w. I might end up modding some ventilation holes on the vga side a a blow hole on the hdd side. The case has surprisingly sturdy steel for such a cheap case. :) Replacement Power Supply
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I own the case as well, though I'm using the stock power supply with an Intel Atom motherboard.

There are quite a few MicroATX/SFX power supplies that will fit, including the Athena Power AP-MP4ATX47FE 470W I listed above.
 
I've been using the logitech m-atx psu in my main computer for awhile, the psu fan can also be used for a cpu fan if you have a fanless 1U server heatsink [in this case, or any one that they are reasonably close, and it powered a e2180, 2x8500GT, 2 sata HDDs and a 15k rpm scsi drive easily and near silently.
 
nray said:
I own the case as well, though I'm using the stock power supply with an Intel Atom motherboard.

There are quite a few MicroATX/SFX power supplies that will fit, including the Athena Power AP-MP4ATX47FE 470W I listed above.
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I guess i was under the impression that SFX was a different form factor than micro atx. That seasonic had the best 12v ratings of all the power supply's that i looked at. I hear that seasonic makes quality power supplies so i got the best of both worlds. 80+ and higher 12v than that athena power at 470w. dual 18 amp 12v should be plenty for a mini itx system even if i use a powerful video card. I currently run my x1950 and aiw x1900 on a 450w that only puts out dual 12v rails at 17 amps and that is with a overclocked q6600.
 
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