Prototype Neutrino : a 4L case dedicated to thin mini-ITX with discrete GPU

[aquelito]

Unfortunately the 3920XM was dead...

But I should have updates pretty soon

 

[Windfall]

Unfortunately the 3920XM was dead...

But I should have updates pretty soon

Bump because HYPE!

 

[aquelito]

Just went back from a trip in China with two prototypes of that case in my bag !

All I need now is free time !
I will start a new thread for this

 

[aquelito]

198 x 72 x 283 = 4,03L

 

[AlexTzone]

Hey man, really like the development of your case! Keep at it

I hope you don't mind me asking, what are those corner blocks/brackets called? (the ones that function similar to an L-bracket).

Best,
Alex

 

[Windfall]

198 x 72 x 283 = 4,03L

Wow.
That's Awesome!
What are you putting for the cover?

 

[aquelito]

@AlexTzone : you mean the 12x12 threaded cubes I used on the previous proto ?

@Windfall : the case is to be completed with 3 complementary 2 mm aluminium panels : IO, front and top panels each of them being screwed to the clinch nuts in the main body.

 

[AlexTzone]

Ah thanks a lot for that, unbelievable how hard it can be to find simple things sometimes!

 

[aquelito]

Look what we've got here ! Just an other thin mini-ITX board with a full size X16 slot (X16 electrical).
This one is a LGA1151 from DFI, featuring a Q170 chipset.


Also received this Xbox 360 waterblock from Alphacool. Only 13mm high. Gives me some idea of a fully watercooled build with an external rad


BTW, the case prototype has been made 1 mm too narrow.
As a direct consequence, the radiator / pump combo does not fit anymore.

I will have to unsolder the soldered fitting and trim it a little bit.

 

[rfarmer]

I'm curious @aquelito did the waterblock bolt right up or did you have to modify it?

Build looking good btw.

 

[aquelito]

@rfarmer : I just positionned the block over the socket.

Mounting holes are 58,5 x 58,5 mm (which is pretty convenient for Nvidia GPU).
I'll need to make a custom bracket but that's pretty easy.

I'll also need to add a 2 mm copepr piece between the IHS and the waterblock, to avoid the upper so-dimm slot.
This copper piece could also be extended to cover the chipset and VRM around the socket

 

[Goatee]

Is the board a SD106-Q170? I like the look of it but are they Msata ports rather than M.2?

 

[aquelito]

Yes it is !

Snapped it for 72€ on eBay. Retail price in France : 421€ ahah !

BTW, I took 15 min with a mini welding torch to unmod my dual 60mm radiator.
I removed the fillport that was added to trim it by a few mm.

 

[CC Ricers]

That Xbox 360 block looks nice in there.

 

[aquelito]

Not much progress here. Waiting for a 3920XM that I found for a good price on eBay.

I will also replace the dual 60 radiator by a single 80.
Fitting the pump in the case prototype was real tight and the radiator was recycling the hot air exhausted by the GPU.

A friend of mine already modified the rad for me to add a fillport, same as for the dual 60.
Tight fit but my 3D model happens to be fairly accurate


Next steps :

- change the waterblock for a Koolance GPU-180-H06 to cool the 3920XM,
- modify the pump top to add an other inlet,
- drill a set of holes into the case.

 

[aquelito]

After modding the radiator to add a fillport, I've modified the DC-LT pump plexi top, to add an other inlet.


I also started drilling the exhaust holes into the case but this is not the funniest part...

 

[Windfall]

After modding the radiator to add a fillport, I've modified the DC-LT pump plexi top, to add an other inlet.


I also started drilling the exhaust holes into the case but this is not the funniest part...

Looks great!

 

[Link1712]

Awesome tiny setup you got there!
I was wondering if you had to do some custom circuitry for the switch or if it works like any other ordinary switch?
All in all, great job

 

[aquelito]

Thanks to both of you

@Link1712 : no custom circuitry needed for the piezo switch. It works right out of the box.

I tried successfully an non-illuminated and an illuminated reference.

https://fr.rs-online.com/web/p/interrupteurs-piezo/6919464/

https://fr.rs-online.com/web/p/interrupteurs-piezo/6919593/

To be confirmed but I think only the non-illuminated allowed me to shutdown the computer by touching it more than 5 seconds.

 

[BaK]

Another modded radiator, nice!
Good luck with the holes drilling, hard stuff not to go off center!

While rereading your thread form start, I noticed that you had a trial with air cooling and flat heatpipe that I missed before.
So I have to quote you

Great minds think alike

You will see why very soon