Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Mini ITX equipment

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
    #1

    Mini ITX equipment

    Has anyone experimented with mini ITX form factor stuff before? Im kinda lost with mini ITX and embedded boards right now. Basically im building a jukebox to play MP3s and videos off wifi and so i need a mini Itx combo with an SSD hdd but ive heard VIA is better than Intel within this field?
    Ive also heard the power Supplies are different to the ATX stuff? Great.

    Anyway any help would be great!

    Thanks.
    Don't find love, let love find you. That's why its called falling in love, because you don't force yourself to fall, you just fall. - Anonymous
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: Mini ITX equipment

    They take standard ATX PSU's as a general rule, though they can be considerably smaller if you want it to match the small form factor of the board. Some take DIMM's, others take laptop SO-DIMM's. They have AMD based ones as well, which work nicely too, especially with one of the Athlon II x2's on it.

    Comment

      #3
      Re: Mini ITX equipment

      Older Mini-ITX boards have 20 pin ATX connector and sometimes separate 4 pin connector for the CPU. So for these boards, you have to make sure the power supply you get has the main 24 pin connector built from two parts ( 20+4 pin), otherwise it may not fit.


      There are newer motherboards in mini-itx format designed to work with regular desktop processors from AMD or Intel - almost all of these have the 24 pin ATX connector and the majority also have/require a 4 pin cpu connector.

      http://www.mini-itx.com/store/ has motherboars for sale, both via and more recent ones which work with AMD FM1 socket processors.

      The same store also sells some micro power supplies which take 12v or more DC current and generate all the voltages for the motherboard and components: http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=10

      You can for example pair one of those : http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=10#p1843 with a regular 19v laptop adapter and have a very silent computer. But with this particular example, it's only a 20pin connector, so with new motherboards you'd need a 20pin to 24pin adapter AND an adapter from a regular HDD connector to a 4 pin cpu connector.

      Otherwise, there aren't really any benefits compared to regular large ATX power supplies.

      Regarding your question about via being better than intel - it used to be true before Atom processors were launched and AMD Socket FM1/ Intel socket 775 were made, but most VIA offerings nowadays are slow, compared to these new boards.
      Last edited by mariushm; 10-12-2011, 01:56 PM.

      Comment

        #4
        Re: Mini ITX equipment

        The 12V output on some 12V input ITX power supplies is the same as the input and is not regulated, and can cause damage to anything on the 12V rail.
        Some others have a regulated 12V output, provided that the DC input is higher than 12V (let's say, 14V).
        I've seen an 8-28V input ITX power supply too, which will work with trucks and other vehicles with a 24V system.
        My first choice in quality Japanese electrolytics is Nippon Chemi-Con, which has been in business since 1931... the quality of electronics is dependent on the quality of the electrolytics.

        Comment

          #5
          Re: Mini ITX equipment

          Yes, the 12v on those with fixed voltage is often not regulated.

          However, the one I was linked to was the kind that has adjustable voltage so as you feed it with 19v from a laptop adapter (it needs 18-24v to manage 120 watts) you already get filtered 19v from the laptop brick and the picopsu filters everything a second time to 12v.

          Jonnyguru had a whole article where he tested 4 of those picopsu devices, including the one I linked to (and which proved to be pretty much the best) :

          http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...tory5&reid=207

          As a fineprint... these picopsus are pretty weird devices - some have flexible voltage input but need voltages between certain ranges to provide the power they're rated for. For example, if you give it 12-15v, it may give only 2A on 12v, at 15-24v it may give 6A but if you go over 24v they may only be able to provide 3-4A - since 12v is the mostly used nowadays it's important to read all the documentation they come with and make sure they're giving the maximum amperage on 12v.

          Comment

            #6
            Re: Mini ITX equipment

            Hmm... this PSU stuff is quite mind boggling. How about if I just buy a pre built second hand unit or the like? I saw a VIA C3 1.3GHz based unit with 1GB RAM and everything for around $150?
            The case is a tad on the large side, but I plan to get a different and smaller case (link) similar to that little Apple product that came out years ago (forgot the name)
            Last edited by stevo1210; 10-13-2011, 07:27 AM.
            Don't find love, let love find you. That's why its called falling in love, because you don't force yourself to fall, you just fall. - Anonymous

            Comment

              #7
              Re: Mini ITX equipment

              Here's a build for you, from a store in Australia:

              105$ Antec ISK 300-150 Mini-ITX Case : http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=14571

              Beautiful design, contains a 150w power supply that's enough for a mITX design. (separate case would be 30-50$, power supply another 40-60$ so the price is good for the bundle). Review here: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...e-Review/934/1
              It has room for two 2.5" drives and no 3.5" location but I assume you can just use duct tape to put a 3.5" SSD over the power supply or to the top of the case or something like that.

              95$ ASRock A75M-ITX Motherboard http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=18557

              Socket FM1 motherboard, takes regular AMD processors, regular RAM, has one regular pci express x16 slot so you could use it for something - the processor brings built in graphics, has good sound onboard, network, all that you need.

              Review here: http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/429...iew/index.html

              75$ AMD A4 Dual Core http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=18383

              Dual core, built in direct x 11 graphics, can decode blurays, hd video etc 65w tdp...

              15$ Kingston ValueRAM 2 GB module : http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=13719

              Nothing to say, 2 GB should be enough for a jukebox. You can add about 12$ and jump for a 4GB module but I doubt it's needed.

              65$ Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000BPVT 500GB http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=14208

              It's regular SATA spinning disk, but 2.5" so will fit the case, plenty of capacity for the music and maybe videos and it's silent enough and low power enough (the case's 150w are plenty)

              So that's about it, you have your mini-itx computer. Overall, more powerful than those via cards, which aren't even able to play HD videos in real time.

              The only possible issue you may have is the 6" in height for the CPU cooler. I'm 90% sure the A4 cooler included in the package with the processor is not that tall but if it is there's no need to worry, there are coolers for FM1 socket available for purchase in stores.
              Last edited by mariushm; 10-13-2011, 08:04 AM.

              Comment

                #8
                Re: Mini ITX equipment

                You dont really need a powerhouse for that kind of application. I would suggest an nvidia ion based board with included powerbrick. I know Zotac among other vendors do them, have one myself for iptv. The graphicscard make you able to do hardware acceleration and the cpu should be fine unless you want to do something like HD video in software.

                Also that kind of solution removes the special PSU like picopsu or similar solutions.

                PS sorry if im repeating what others might have linked already, bit lazy on clicking all the links.

                Comment

                  #9
                  Re: Mini ITX equipment

                  Originally posted by mariushm View Post
                  Here's a build for you, from a store in Australia:

                  105$ Antec ISK 300-150 Mini-ITX Case : http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=14571

                  Beautiful design, contains a 150w power supply that's enough for a mITX design. (separate case would be 30-50$, power supply another 40-60$ so the price is good for the bundle). Review here: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...e-Review/934/1
                  It has room for two 2.5" drives and no 3.5" location but I assume you can just use duct tape to put a 3.5" SSD over the power supply or to the top of the case or something like that.

                  95$ ASRock A75M-ITX Motherboard http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=18557

                  Socket FM1 motherboard, takes regular AMD processors, regular RAM, has one regular pci express x16 slot so you could use it for something - the processor brings built in graphics, has good sound onboard, network, all that you need.

                  Review here: http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/429...iew/index.html

                  75$ AMD A4 Dual Core http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=18383

                  Dual core, built in direct x 11 graphics, can decode blurays, hd video etc 65w tdp...

                  15$ Kingston ValueRAM 2 GB module : http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=13719

                  Nothing to say, 2 GB should be enough for a jukebox. You can add about 12$ and jump for a 4GB module but I doubt it's needed.

                  65$ Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000BPVT 500GB http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=14208

                  It's regular SATA spinning disk, but 2.5" so will fit the case, plenty of capacity for the music and maybe videos and it's silent enough and low power enough (the case's 150w are plenty)

                  So that's about it, you have your mini-itx computer. Overall, more powerful than those via cards, which aren't even able to play HD videos in real time.

                  The only possible issue you may have is the 6" in height for the CPU cooler. I'm 90% sure the A4 cooler included in the package with the processor is not that tall but if it is there's no need to worry, there are coolers for FM1 socket available for purchase in stores.
                  The set up looks pretty nice, but out of my <$200 budget. I saw 500GB spinning disk in that quote somewhere...
                  My problem is that I can't use a spinning disk because of the vibrations from the bass speakers will probably ruin the HDD, thus I'm looking at a CF to IDE or SATA converter and buying an 8GB CF card just for the OS and whatnot?
                  As for music, I'll use an external HDD via USB o that the vibrations & pressure changes from the speakers won't kill it.
                  Don't find love, let love find you. That's why its called falling in love, because you don't force yourself to fall, you just fall. - Anonymous

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Re: Mini ITX equipment

                    Then I'd suggest something like this:

                    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157247
                    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157228
                    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130567

                    or other motherboards with non-removable processors, including via:

                    http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...r=PRICE&Page=1

                    My recommendation was not the cheapest and was based on what I could see in that online store. You may find the models on newegg in some Australian store.


                    You should also be able to find 8-16GB SSD drives and not have to bother with CF to IDE.
                    Last edited by mariushm; 10-13-2011, 01:06 PM.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Re: Mini ITX equipment

                      Would this be a good SSD substitute?

                      http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Disk-Modu...item19c493b834
                      Don't find love, let love find you. That's why its called falling in love, because you don't force yourself to fall, you just fall. - Anonymous

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Re: Mini ITX equipment

                        It's the same as this:

                        http://www.dealextreme.com/p/cf-to-i...a-support-9304

                        + a 12-15$ 8 GB compact Flash card. I'd rather go with this versus that eBay product because at least I'd know it's a brand name CF card and not some cheap usb stick memory chip inside.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Re: Mini ITX equipment

                          get an atom board-dual core with hyperthreading

                          an antec case with a 65w external power supply

                          why do you need an SSD? get a 7200rpm laptop hard drive
                          Cap Datasheet Depot: http://www.paullinebarger.net/DS/
                          ^If you have datasheets not listed PM me

                          Comment

                          Previous template Next
                          Working...