SKYREACH 4 MINI (S4M)

McTeags

SFF Lingo Aficionado
Feb 18, 2017
130
148
Hey guys,

Just did some super unofficial power draw testing over the weekend with a wemo insight switch I borrowed from a friend. With an undervolted gtx 1080 mini and a xeon e3-1230v3 (80w, i7-4770) in my case my total system draw at idle is around 40-45w. After playing Mass Effect Andromeda at max settings on 1440p for a while I ended up with a peak power usage of 236w. This was with the GPU maxed at 99% and the CPU getting to around 42%. GPU temps maxed at 68c. CPU temps maxed at around 72c.

My GTX 1080 mini is currently undervolted at .912v, 1896Mhz. When the GTX11xx series comes out I'll probably sell my 1080 and get an 1170 mini because the coil wine on this thing is... louder than I would want it to be. Here's to hoping that's 2-3 months from now!

Just thought I would share.

Cheers.
 

Josh | NFC

Not From Concentrate
Original poster
NFC Systems
Jun 12, 2015
1,869
4,468
www.nfc-systems.com
Hey guys,

Just did some super unofficial power draw testing over the weekend with a wemo insight switch I borrowed from a friend. With an undervolted gtx 1080 mini and a xeon e3-1230v3 (80w, i7-4770) in my case my total system draw at idle is around 40-45w. After playing Mass Effect Andromeda at max settings on 1440p for a while I ended up with a peak power usage of 236w. This was with the GPU maxed at 99% and the CPU getting to around 42%. GPU temps maxed at 68c. CPU temps maxed at around 72c.

My GTX 1080 mini is currently undervolted at .912v, 1896Mhz. When the GTX11xx series comes out I'll probably sell my 1080 and get an 1170 mini because the coil wine on this thing is... louder than I would want it to be. Here's to hoping that's 2-3 months from now!

Just thought I would share.

Cheers.

Great work, as usual.

I wonder what happens when you give it more juice? My 1080 minis do whine a bit, but they are rather tolerable compared to even some 1070s I've used.
 

Nightblade

Airflow Optimizer
Nov 29, 2017
293
243
So, I reworked my ryzen 5 build, and managed to get it cheaper(edit: it was until I realized i needed an adapter for the CPU cooler) than my 8th gen intel build by a little bit. I noticed that I could go with a 1600 to make it cheaper, or increase the performance with a 1600x, which according to pc part picker, makes the total wattage @315 watts, since it is a 95w cpu. Should I go with the 1600 or put in a little more and get a 1600x? Also, will having a 95w CPU run too hot?
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($169.99 @ MicroCenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-L9i 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.15 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NM-AM4-L9aL9i Mounting Kit for Noctua NH-L9a & NH-L9i on AMD AM4 (Ryzen) platforms ($7.90 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus - ROG STRIX B350-I GAMING Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($187.17)
Storage: XPG SX7000 PCIe NVME Gen3x4 M.2 512GB SSD (ASX7000NP-512GT-C) (Purchased For $154.99)
Storage: Crucial - MX300 1.1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive (Purchased For $270.99)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8GB Mini Video Card ($449.99 @ Amazon)
Other: ASUS Impresario SBW-S1 PRO USB 7.1 Sound Card / DAC with Blu-ray ($190.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NFC Skyreach 4 Mini (Purchased For $199.99)
Power Supply: HDPLEX 400W HiFi DC-ATX ($95.00)
Power Supply: Dell Alienware M18x 330W AC Adapter XM3C3 (Purchased For $99.00)
Total: $1865.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-17 22:09 EST-0500

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600X 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor ($189.99 @ MicroCenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-L9i 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.15 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NM-AM4-L9aL9i Mounting Kit for Noctua NH-L9a & NH-L9i on AMD AM4 (Ryzen) platforms ($7.90@ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus - ROG STRIX B350-I GAMING Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($187.17)
Storage: XPG SX7000 PCIe NVME Gen3x4 M.2 512GB SSD (ASX7000NP-512GT-C) (Purchased For $154.99)
Storage: Crucial - MX300 1.1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive (Purchased For $270.99)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8GB Mini Video Card ($449.99 @ Amazon)
Other: ASUS Impresario SBW-S1 PRO USB 7.1 Sound Card / DAC with Blu-ray ($190.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NFC Skyreach 4 Mini (Purchased For $199.99)
Power Supply: HDPLEX 400W HiFi DC-ATX ($95.00)
Power Supply: Dell Alienware M18x 330W AC Adapter XM3C3 (Purchased For $99.00)
Total: $1885.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-17 22:14 EST-0500

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.89 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-L9i 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.15 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - Z370N WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($160.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: XPG SX7000 PCIe NVME Gen3x4 M.2 512GB SSD (ASX7000NP-512GT-C) (Purchased For $154.99)
Storage: Crucial - MX300 1.1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive (Purchased For $270.99)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8GB Mini Video Card ($449.99 @ Amazon)
Other: ASUS Impresario SBW-S1 PRO USB 7.1 Sound Card / DAC with Blu-ray ($190.98 @ Newegg)
Other: NFC Skyreach 4 Mini (Purchased For $199.99)
Other: HDPLEX 400W HiFi DC-ATX ($95.00)
Other: Dell Alienware M18x 330W AC Adapter XM3C3 (Purchased For $99.00)
Total: $1860.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-17 21:54 EST-0500
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Biowarejak

McTeags

SFF Lingo Aficionado
Feb 18, 2017
130
148
@Nightblade I don't have a ryzen CPU myself but most of what I read on the internet suggests that if you're comfortable with overclocking your CPU you can get almost the same performance out of a 1600 as a 1600X and it makes it a bit more affordable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Biowarejak

Obelisk

Trash Compacter
Nov 21, 2017
52
36
Hello, Isometricy! I just finished this post in the S4M-C thread, and I think it belongs here too.


---------1080ti-------

FIRST CHOICE:
HDPLEX 400 + Eurocom 780

PROS:
  • Safe, certified, highly tested, rock solid stable.
  • This setup runs very cool with even an i9 and has plenty of overhead for safe overclocking
  • Least amount of coil whine
CONS:
  • Very expensive
  • Difficult to mod connectors for Eurocom
  • Noisy before replacing Eurcom's fans
  • Bulky wires (better with Skywire cables) and install, takes up lots of room in MINI
  • 2nd most bulky hookup
SECOND CHOICE:
G-UNQIUE 450 Kit (Arkangel + Modded Brick)

PROS:
  • EASY to install!
  • No fan noise
  • Tons of room inside case!
  • Could be perfectly neat if output cables reversed (Please, Gary?)
  • Reasonably priced
CONS:
  • Not certified, use at own risk and be thankful to Gary for being an awesome modder!
  • Power brick runs STUPID hot
  • Minor coil whine (in brick and plug in unit)
  • Very hard to get one made (long waiting list)
  • 1st most bulky hookup
-----1070 and 1080 systems----
HDPLEX 400 + Genuine Dell DA330PA111
  • Dell 330 is readily available and works well.
  • Buy the 60ish dollar grey market DA330 bricks at own risk for 1080. These can work OK for 1070 systems.
G-UNQIUE Kit
  • Sames cons as above, but can be a good choice based on the pros
  • Make sure to tell Gary you are ordering for a MINI!
-----1060 systems----
Dynamo Mini + Dell DA330PA111
  • Super neat install; even better than the G-unique due to modularity and sensible cable orientation
  • You can use the 60ish dollar grey market DA330 fairly stably. I still recommend the genuine article.
-----1050ti systems----
FIRST CHOICE:

Dynamo Mini + Dell DA330PA111
  • This is my first choice because it is prime for an upgrade down the road
SECOND CHOICE:
Pico 160XT KIT (with 192w Adaptec Brick)
  • Second choice only because it is not easy to upgrade/hookup for bigger GPUs
  • Inexpensive! (under 70 bucks for the kit!)
  • Pico 160XT can easily power a 1070 system, but requires dainty soldering.

---------------------But what about the Dynamo Duo?-------------------
The Dynamo Duo (Dynamo Mini + Dynamo 360 + AC/DC Power Brick) offers some really interesting possibilities. This combo should not be written off for advanced and creative builders. It is not on my list for a few reasons:
  • Complex solution for advanced builders (many configurations and possibilities)
  • I need to do much more testing. I never recommend power solutions until I have thoroughly tested and purchased many copies.
  • Currently is the most bulky NFC MINI power solution.
There are plenty of pros, and this is a PSU combo I am quite interested in. I'm not going to list them here now, but I can say that this is a solution I am considering for larger builds for my customers instead of SFX-L PSUs. The idea of powering my mods with a modular system where I can spread out the components intrigues me greatly. This is also the most small form factor power solution once you want to really start pushing the wattage. When I first started using this combo I thought it was a little silly, but that is because I was seeing it as a MINI product. Once I started applying it to larger SFF builds and even ATX builds, I fell in love with it, and I have some interesting projects planned with it. KMPKT is also fixing to do something pretty epic in a MINI with this combo, and if he can pull it off I will be even more impressed.

Hope this helps some of my new customers
Thanks for the huge write up Josh, I was looking for info about Gury's direct plug psus. I've got a few questions for you. What do you mean by hookup? Just the size of the brick? And is there any difference in reliability or performance when using 12V instead of 19V? Thanks in advance!
 

Parge

Cable-Tie Ninja
Jun 8, 2015
148
186
Will this vandal switch fit the S4M?

I made myself choose between getting Josh's one or a Wooden front cover and went for the cover - so it looks like I'm wiring my own power switch to try and save a bit of $$$.
 

Josh | NFC

Not From Concentrate
Original poster
NFC Systems
Jun 12, 2015
1,869
4,468
www.nfc-systems.com
Will this vandal switch fit the S4M?

I made myself choose between getting Josh's one or a Wooden front cover and went for the cover - so it looks like I'm wiring my own power switch to try and save a bit of $$$.


Yes, that will work great. I have a video on how to sleeve and wire these, as well as links to materials and tools:

 

McTeags

SFF Lingo Aficionado
Feb 18, 2017
130
148
Great work, as usual.

I wonder what happens when you give it more juice? My 1080 minis do whine a bit, but they are rather tolerable compared to even some 1070s I've used.

So I did get a bit more time to play around and I ran some more tests by pumping up the resolution on Mass Effect to 3620x2036. I may not have been pushing the card hard enough earlier because I noticed that in undervolted profile that the maximum power was now peaking around 257w (.912v, 1896Mhz). Most of the other numbers stayed the same.

I reset the card to stock profile (1.025v, 1911Mhz) and ran some more tests. I ended up with a max power draw of around 286w. CPU temp 82c, GPU temp 71c. GPU temp increase wasn't that dramatic but that was mostly because of increased fan speeds. Pushed all the hot air around the case and caused the poor CPU to suffer D: ~30w increase for not too much performance, more heat and the switch from open back headphones to closed back headphones.

I tried doing some overclocking but ended up tripping my power supply a couple of times so I decided to stick with the data I collected and let the mystery remain.

I'm sure if I had an i7-7700k these numbers would be a bit higher... that being said I don't think if you undervolt your GTX 1080 you should have any issues keeping power draw under 300w. *In non-benchmarking activities
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Josh | NFC

Craxas

SFF Lingo Aficionado
Oct 10, 2016
130
147
This made me laugh because it was such an early video. I look that bad now, huh? XD

Im just thankful to have such caring friends like yourself. <3
Oh... uh...WOOPS lol. Didnt notice that vid's posting date and thought it was a new one. Still, I hope that with the creation of sfflab you get a lot more free time to be with your family and atleast get a lil' bit of shut eye. The weariness is enough proof of your hard work during this journey!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Biowarejak

Parge

Cable-Tie Ninja
Jun 8, 2015
148
186
Thanks for the video. I actually ordered a unlit black one and wires from China. Hopefully they don't take too long to arrive.
 

Josh | NFC

Not From Concentrate
Original poster
NFC Systems
Jun 12, 2015
1,869
4,468
www.nfc-systems.com
@Josh | NFC do you mind share the front bezel dimensions? i found a local acrylic shop here and want to try them to create it.

The 3D model is available in the resources section and you can send the front bezel to them.

Speaking of the bezels, they are no longer on pre-order special starting now. Special thanks to all those who purchased them from my shop!
 

mgilang

Caliper Novice
Oct 15, 2017
29
15
Does this will fit the back panel?

local store run out zotac 1050 Ti mini, they have MSI gtx 1050 Ti instead
https://www.msi.com/Graphics-card/GeForce-GTX-1050-Ti-AERO-ITX-4G-OCV1/Specification
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Biowarejak