Can we talk about small rigs?
We can talk about small rigs.
Since I may have to move around a fair bit in the near future, I'm thinking about going for a mini ITX build. Specifically the CM Elite 130.
What do I need to consider? How was your experience?
>Pros and cons etc.
All discussions and advice regarding small builds welcome!
Just do it if you aren't gonna be using expansion slots anyhow.
Consider what CPU cooler you use as that's the most restrictive thing
It's easier to move a flat case than a boxy one. Consider the Node 202 or the SilverStone ML08.
Yeah, I think I'll get a liquid cooler for the CPU just to be safe.
I'm not going to SLI/Crossfire anwyay so a tiny build that fits in a backpack would be awesome.
And I believe even a full sized 1070 or 1080 will fit in there perfectly, so it would be pretty great.
The gpu should have enough room for breathing due to how its mounted right? So thermal throttling shouldn't become a big issue.
Yeah? Which one do you have? My brother has the elite 130, and he said its really easy to move.
They look much harder to assemble though. Can they fit full sized GPUs?
Is mATX small enough? It's cramped as fuck that's for sure. I don't how I'm going to force two RX 480s in there, might have to scrap that idea.
>Which one do you have?
I have the Ncase M1 but it's too boxy for me. I'll move to the Dan A4 SFX case next. That said, I know it's too expensive for most people and my second choice will be flat cases that I mentioned. It's because when you carry a flat case you can keep the center of gravity close to you and that makes it easier for carrying.
Which case is this?
Small builds dont generally lend for duals, might be better to just get a single high performance card. Even if it may be a bit more expensive.
Alright, fair enough.
Do you btw feel like the size holds you back at all?
Going for my first mini ITX, I'm naturally a bit worried that I am getting into something i don't quite understand.
ITX mobos etc, all have pretty much the same performances as normal ATX stuff right? Are the part prices generally slightly more expensive or about the same too?
Bitfenix Phenom. It's pretty but suffers minor problems. There's a lenght limit for GPU for example due to the PSU.
They are the same performance as ATX.
If anything, it's big cases that hold me back from using them: One feels compelled to leave it behind and let it rot when moving.
I recommend maxing out the ram even if you don't need it now, as you don't have the luxury to add more sticks in the future.
I also recommend the Corsair SF600 PSU if you're using an SFX PSU.
You have to be careful about the supported CPU heatsink height and AIO compatibility.
Some cases don't support 3.5" drives, but you can get laptop drives in 2TB and 4TB now.
You recon getting a mini PSU could free up some space for the GPUs?
I might need to update it anyway at some point, gotta look into those.
Thanks for the info / advice!
Yeah, thats exactly what I'm going through now, I have a fucking Cooler Master Cosmo currently, and I'm about to move to another country, and there is no fucking way I'm taking that behemoth with me. Now i wanna go small as fuck.
> also recommend the Corsair SF600 PSU if you're using an SFX PSU.
Sorry, am not familiar with the difference. Can you give me a tl;dr?
and yes, I think I'll go for a liquid CPU cooler, just to be safe.
Why not build something regular ATX?
Most cases use ATX PSUs but some SFF cases use SFX PSUs. They are smaller and lighter but still packing a lot of power.
>moving to another country
I fucking feel you man. Lived in Japan for a year and China for two months and left my rig back to rot. Never again.
Only people who move like this understands the point of SFF>
Ah! Damn that's a big difference! Yeah so I guess the SFX PSU with 600w should be more than plenty. And lighter as well, Ill get one of those.
Yeah, I already moved this huge hunk of metal once, but this time I'm not taking my car with me so I sure as hell wont ship it. Maybe I can sell it for some beer money before I leave.
I have a Node 202 build with a 4690k and a GTX690 Asus STRIX in it. Pic related. Ask away.
Pro:
>It's very small and aesthetically pleasing.
>The CPU runs fine with a Noctua NH-L9i cooler. Idles at 30-40 degrees, ramps up to 40-50 during load.
Cons:
>The GPU is hot. I added a Noctua fan under it to try and keep it down but it still reaches 70 degrees under load.
Ask away.
70 is all right.
Manlets am i right?
I guess. Cooler/quieter is always nice though! Might have to look into tweaking it but I think I've just hit the constraints of the case.
This pic is from pcpartpicker but it has the exact config as my build.
If you aren't traveling extensively, moving in and out of dorm rooms, or living in a shoebox and you're actually considering a mITX build, kindly kys.
I'm considering a mITX because due to work I may move to an other country in 1 year, and maybe again after that. If I was travelling constantly it should just be a gaymen laptop, but when you travel you could just you know, enjoy other cultures and meet people.
Not that you would know anything about that.
How noisy/quiet is it?
Are you happy with your choice? Aside from slight concern about GPU heat, which seems to be fine anyway.
Why don't you just get Orange Pi Plus 2 ?
It's dead quiet when idle. My typical work load is a text editor, few browser tabs and a music player and it runs all that without ramping up.
When I put some strain on the GPU (playing RS3, League and maybe a Youtube video at the same time), the noise ramps up a bit, but nothing that I can hear through music playing/my headphones.
...
>or living in a shoebox
Phew. Covered.
That's an impressive design to fit a 3.5" in there.
>mITX builds make so hard
yes. I personally like the Silverstone Milo. Nice console form factor, probably want to liquid cool or use a really nice low profile air cooler. Go with the air cooler if you want to carry it in backpack.
How much better is it to have an exhaust GPU over a blower for these tiny builds?
The rack on the side will fit two of them.
...
Node 202 is interesting, but I'm worried about the CPU cooling. You cant fit a radiator in there so that limits the capability. Not that I'm thinking of OC'ing, but feels like it should be water cooled since its such a tiny case.
Just get a 65W CPU (like any non-k Skylake) and a low-profile Noctua
Sg13 master race
Under 12 liters