I am looking to build a custom ITX system. It will be replacing my dying laptop. One of the first things I wanted to try was to get an ITX system into about the same space as my laptop, it measures at 16.5 x 11.5 x 1.5 inches (420 x 292 x 40 mm). And after a bit of research and measuring I think I can build an overclockable water cooled gaming rig in that space. Only difference is the height, the case would need to be about 2 inches (52mm) in height. I may also mount a screen on it. As a more harebrained part of the project, later on I may explore options to disable the GPU and then run the system at a lower power setting to allow powering it with a battery (big maybe on this part).
Anyway back to my main point. As many here know finding a good PSU is a pain, the FSP500-50FSPT thread illustrates this very well. I think I also found somewhere in these forums a mention of the CPS-5011-1A1. For the last week I have been spending my evenings googling "500w PSU's" and the last few days I have been clicking every flex ATX and 1U server PSU in google images to try and find an alternative, that I can actually buy.
And then a couple thoughts hit me, "how tall are the actual components in a standard ATX PSU", and "if I removed the PSU enclosure would it fit the space requirement I have". Fortunately I have 20 or so old PSU's laying around, and some are partially dissected (for fun projects). So I measured the circuit boards and the height of the components. The circuit boards are about 110mm x 145mm. But their height is what we need, and they usually came in around 45mm to 50mm not including the height of fans or heat sinks. In fact if the PSU's had a second fan mounted on the top (bottom), the height of the heat sinks were also under 50mm. And I would have to guess SFX PSU's would be even shorter.
I am think of buying a PSU and pulling the board out of its enclosure (voids the warranty) and then mounting it on standoffs. To deal with the loss of the PSU fans (80mm to 120mm) I can add 50mm fans, in front and behind the PSU board. Good quality 500w PSU's start around $70, beating any price I have seen on the Flex ATX and U1 server PSU's. And really this option may allow the use of 600w, 700w, or even larger PSU's. And the real icing on the cake is you can get fully modular PSU's.
The only issue I did find that could derail this is that some PSU's had a secondary board mounted vertically that would exceed the 50mm height I am looking for. Now one could unsolder it and move it, but some may not be as comfortable with that. And really moving it is, likely, an unnecessary hassle if other units don't have the vertical board, or it is short enough. So the trick is finding out what the inside of these units look like. And manufactures don't typically take pictures of the inside of the PSU's, or provide measurements. So my thought is maybe some people here would be willing to open up their PSU's (it may void the warranty) and post pictures and measurements. Or maybe someone knows if some of the manufactures already have pictures or drawings with measurements of the inside of their PSU's, somewhere.
I think If I get time this week I may crack open a few, newer, PSU's I have access to and get measurements and pics and post them.
Anyway back to my main point. As many here know finding a good PSU is a pain, the FSP500-50FSPT thread illustrates this very well. I think I also found somewhere in these forums a mention of the CPS-5011-1A1. For the last week I have been spending my evenings googling "500w PSU's" and the last few days I have been clicking every flex ATX and 1U server PSU in google images to try and find an alternative, that I can actually buy.
And then a couple thoughts hit me, "how tall are the actual components in a standard ATX PSU", and "if I removed the PSU enclosure would it fit the space requirement I have". Fortunately I have 20 or so old PSU's laying around, and some are partially dissected (for fun projects). So I measured the circuit boards and the height of the components. The circuit boards are about 110mm x 145mm. But their height is what we need, and they usually came in around 45mm to 50mm not including the height of fans or heat sinks. In fact if the PSU's had a second fan mounted on the top (bottom), the height of the heat sinks were also under 50mm. And I would have to guess SFX PSU's would be even shorter.
I am think of buying a PSU and pulling the board out of its enclosure (voids the warranty) and then mounting it on standoffs. To deal with the loss of the PSU fans (80mm to 120mm) I can add 50mm fans, in front and behind the PSU board. Good quality 500w PSU's start around $70, beating any price I have seen on the Flex ATX and U1 server PSU's. And really this option may allow the use of 600w, 700w, or even larger PSU's. And the real icing on the cake is you can get fully modular PSU's.
The only issue I did find that could derail this is that some PSU's had a secondary board mounted vertically that would exceed the 50mm height I am looking for. Now one could unsolder it and move it, but some may not be as comfortable with that. And really moving it is, likely, an unnecessary hassle if other units don't have the vertical board, or it is short enough. So the trick is finding out what the inside of these units look like. And manufactures don't typically take pictures of the inside of the PSU's, or provide measurements. So my thought is maybe some people here would be willing to open up their PSU's (it may void the warranty) and post pictures and measurements. Or maybe someone knows if some of the manufactures already have pictures or drawings with measurements of the inside of their PSU's, somewhere.
I think If I get time this week I may crack open a few, newer, PSU's I have access to and get measurements and pics and post them.
