Hei guys.

The new miniITX boards really make me wanna build a new Computer
A Small HTPC ( Good Looking!) Case that has good gaming Power. The Problem is, i want it as small as possible. MiniITX already makes it bigger than 170x170mm thats why i would like to keep the hight aorund 70-100mm.
About the Hardware... either a LGA1150 with an Core i5-4670S (65W) with an extra GPU or an APU (A10-6800K) Though i would prefer a powerfull GPU....

The Problem would be the GPU is there any GPU that is less than 8cm high ?
There would be another way with this PCI-E Bridges, to get a 90° turn on the GPU making the 2slot wide the hight. But then you would need your case to be xxx cm wider (the hight of your GPU).

Then there is the problem of Power! Because a HD7850 or GTX 660 (thats the performance i would like to include) a 150W Pico PSU will not be enough (and they don't have 6pin connectors -.-). 250-400 would be better.
Be Quiet has a SFX (63.5mm high) 350W PSU that has 1 6pin connection 12v1 14A, 12v2 16A). So an 150W TDP GPU would have no Problems.

About HPTC cases... there are so many...
70x268x318 Compucase 8K01BS
88x365x208 Lian Li PC-Q12B
90x240x205 MS-Tech MC-80BL
96x222x328 Antec ISK 300-150 or ISK 310-150 i don't get the difference.. color ?
97x184x288 Silverstone La Scala SST

Because the Mainboard is 17x17cm and the PSU is 12x10x6.3 i would need at least 27cm in one direction. few mm more becuase thats the outside values of the case.
Which would Exclude the MS-Tech.
If i would want a SlimDVD reader, then Lian-Li,Compucase, would not fit. Maybe i could put the PSU under the SlimDVD drive in the Silverstone / Antec. 96-24mm (12mm DVD+12mm from top) still gives 70mm hight for the PSU.
but well, nothing to worry about that without knowing GPU.


for OS there would be a 250gb Samsung 840. Should be enough for OS + Few games installed.
2x4 or even 2x8gb RAM (low profile ^^)
for CPU Cooler, that would be depending on Mainboard, RAM position. But kinda sure there are a few top blow CPU cooler less than 70mm high with 75W/100W TDP.


The last problem would be.. WTH i'm i gonna do with this thing? As it looks like a HTPC it would be awesome as MediaCenter under the Television, but you can just use Wireless Gamepad /Keyboard Mouse and use it as Gaming station.
The Problem is that i don't need such a thing. The total cost would be aroun 800-1200CHF. You think someone would buy this if i sell it via Ricardo? IMHO the lian Li case does look kinda Cool /stylisch.





Please tell me your opinion.

Hi Haldi

The problem for me is another..
A 7850 or 660 inside a so small case? I mean..hot?


AFOX, makes a 7850 low profile: Radeon HD 7850 (Low Profile) AF7850-2048D5L1 (220Euro on geizhals..a bit too much imho)

thats a cool GPU (or... not xD), 220E is a lot, but its the only way possible, imho 7750 or 640 don't have enough power.

What is the Lengt of this GPU ? Assuming the Fans are 70mm.... 18-21cm ? Running with 1x 6pin ? the Datasheet link on their webpage is down

You think the heat problems ? If the case is over 80mm high why not just put 80mm fans in there ? There should be some of them that are not too loud and could crate good airflow in the case.

@LRT
Are you around. Looks like a specialist for SFF systems is needed :O

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Right, so the problems are two:
1) Height of GPU
2) Power supply

Imho you should look for a compromise, the easiest way is looking for a bigger (itx) case. Something like Elite120 or similar that doesn't request a SFX PSU and tiny GPU.

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Well, in pics we can't see the 6pin but in the bundle is included a adaptor (from molex to 6pin)..so I think that is required
According to TPU, is lengh 229mm (9 inch).

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Yes but:
-Compucase 8K01BS: has only mesh / air vent
-Lian Li PC-Q12B: allows only 1 80mm (is included 300W PSU, not bad, not bad at all)
-MS-Tech MC-80BL: has only mesh / air vent
-Antec (both, change only the front imho): has only mesh / air vent
-Silverstone SST-LC12S: has only mesh / air vent

So, I think that LianLi could be better choice

For PSU, also Silverstone makes a SFX 450W 120 x 63.5 x 100mm (SST-ST45SF)


BTW..maybe with a HD6670 you could do a hybrid crossifre with 6800K



But I dont know perfomances of 8670D + HD6670 against HD7750/7850

i don't want a bigger case. The smaller the better, thats the whole point behind this idea.

i even tought about Watercooling that stuff xD the Problem would be, where to put the radiator ?
190x82x47mm +20mm fans = 6-7cm less space

Judging from this picture(lian li):


The only way to put Radiators in there would be to put the case sidewards and use 2 or 3 80x80mm radiators that blow into each other (right beneath the PSU, instead of that HDD case). and create an opening(mesh maybe?) at the bottom (Yes, Case moding would seem the only way!) the pump shouldn't be that big and fit in somewhere...

the question is how much heath does a HD7850 produce ? and if you use a simple GPU block only will the VRAM start to melt ? xD

Well, maybe if i add another fan on the roof and do one at the bottom pushing in, that will be enough case cooling to get the hot air out


but well, judging from this picture


i will have Problems with the GPU! Guess i'd need to turn the PSU by 90° do get enough space for GPU cooler. Oh... wenn forget that! 23cm GPU with 21CM Case depth doesn't work -.- To bad the GPU Cooler is as long as PCB -.-
The only way to get it into this case would be to turn MB 90° and put the connections on the side(creating new opening). but uhm... 12cm PSU with 36cm length = 24cm well.... might just work out without turning PSU.
That could actually work out.... if i take the old opening for GPU fresh air i'll add the 80mm casefan at the bottom in stead of the Top, and this should be enough cooling,



Well... maybe the Antec would be a better idea...


If i could exchange the built in 150W with an TFX PSU (175mm long, 85mm wide and 65mm high) maybe even a SLIM DVD drive would fit in... or if 85mm is to much i could just turn it sidewards and use it 85mm high and 65mm thick...

Though i'm not sure the GPU would even fit there xD It says 1 Slot! but is this one Slot space ?


About Hybrid crossfire...



30% Better than HD6670 alone...
7850 does? 2x better ? 3x Better ? ^^

For me Gaming starts with an HD7850/GT660 everything below is just for casual usage.

Sorry to be late to the party...To be honest, I'm still not quite sure exactly what you are wanting...I see a media center, gaming station, watercooling...what are your specific goals for this system? The reason I ask is because the smaller a system, the more critical the engineering phase of the project is.

The smaller the system, the more likelihood that heat will be your biggest issue.

in short: Ultra Power, ultra compact!

I agree on the problem with the heat. Thats why watercooling was an idea. But Watercooling is even bigger than air cooling ^^

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Don't you think, that with watercooling you get more possibilities to kind of route the heat, where you actually want it?

mhmmm..... thanks to SteamOS and AMD's Mantle i think i would have a chance selling such a box for 600-800E
Guess i'll have to buy the parts and check about noise myself

Project reactivated!

EDIT: Or not ^^ Steam OS working with Nvidia

ah well... btw do "turn PCI-E by 90°" slot/cable/things exist ? PCI-E expansion cable? using a GPU with water colling would be around 2cm thick. one could somehow mount that below the roof.

Edit2: They do.... PCI-E Riser.

anyone used this before ? Would even make it possible to use a HD7970 and mount it somewhere in the case... then i'd just need some 100mm radiators and a 12cm high case! maybe even a 2x100then2x 100mm Fans and then again 2x100mm radiator.... except this would need the fans to be extremly fast or else i'd just heat up the 2nd radiator.