Llano mini-ITX build
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:43 pm
Though the Llano chip SPCR and most reviewers got (A8-3850) doesn't seem to be optimal for building a silent system, I was impressed enough by the 65W TDP A8-3800 (see http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/di ... 00_21.html) that I'm planning on building a system using either that or the A6-3600 when they hit retail (should be next month). A few mini-ITX FM1 boards have been announced (Gigabyte GA-A75N-USB3, Asus F1A75-I, ASRock A75M-ITX), and I'm guessing they'll hit the market around the same time.
I've already purchased a 96GB SSD and memory (2x4GB of 1.5V DDR3-1866 was on a really good sale) and paid the Microsoft tax, and I have a DVD burner I should be able to repurpose for it. So mostly it's down to case/power/cooling, and here I really could use some advice.
I'm looking for the smallest, quietest, and least expensive mini-ITX case I can find, subject to two restrictions:
The best idea I've come up with so far has been to get an Antec ISK 300-65 and either see if the included DC-DC PSU will do 90W with a better power brick (viewtopic.php?p=488638#p488638) or just toss the included PSU in favor of a picoPSU-90-XLP. Better ideas, anyone?
I've already purchased a 96GB SSD and memory (2x4GB of 1.5V DDR3-1866 was on a really good sale) and paid the Microsoft tax, and I have a DVD burner I should be able to repurpose for it. So mostly it's down to case/power/cooling, and here I really could use some advice.
I'm looking for the smallest, quietest, and least expensive mini-ITX case I can find, subject to two restrictions:
- I want the PCIE slot to at least be usable with low-profile cards in case of future expansion needs (so, for instance, the Antec ISK-100 is a no)
- I think I'll need at least a 90W PSU (so all the 65W gear that has been used for Atom/Brazos mini-ITX setups won't work)
The best idea I've come up with so far has been to get an Antec ISK 300-65 and either see if the included DC-DC PSU will do 90W with a better power brick (viewtopic.php?p=488638#p488638) or just toss the included PSU in favor of a picoPSU-90-XLP. Better ideas, anyone?