Log Why do cases for an APU-Build (no graphics card) Suck?

[PVC]

For reference; I am still running these three APU builds;

1. InWin Chopin B450 mini-ITX Ryzen5 3400G
2. Brickless B550 mini-ITX Ryzen5-4650G
3. A09 Mini ITX Desktop Core i5-12600K

She loves the In-Win Chopin; I would have a hard time prying it from her cold-dead-hands.

Now I am on the hunt for a new case for my next APU Build with (AMD Ryzen7 8700G) and maybe the (Asus B650E-I) mini-ITX motherboard. In the image below (on the right) are two large capacity external USB storage drives. I want those to exist inside the case in the form of (1 or 2) large capacity 2.5" SATA drives. That brings me to my case selection problem.

My old silver-colored K39 Case (47mm CPU cooler height) has the motherboard mounted mid-case and therefore sacrifices CPU height (only 47mm clearance). It requires too much cramming/shaving/cutting to install a decent CPU fan/cooler.

My new black colored A09 Mini ITX Desktop case has the motherboard mounted all the way to one side. That solves the CPU height problem. But no room is available to mount any Internal 2.5" Sata drives.

Yes, I know about those external SATA cases that allows you to slide your SATA drive into an external case and then connect the external case via a USB cable. Pfft; That is pretty much what I have now.

I think my ideal case does not exist? Any Suggestions?

 

[PVC]

I have another reason for wanting a new build. But I didn't want to "muddy the waters" by combining this issue with my mini ITX case problem. One of the jobs of my mini-ITX PC is to to be an on-demand video server.

I'm not sure if on-demand video server is a thing? So allow me to describe further. I have a large collection of video files that reside on external storage and then I use LG SmartShare to organize and list the files. Then I can use my LG TV remote to select (and play the selected video) on a large LG OLED TV using the HDMI-ARC connection for sound to an old-school surround sound system.

Well guess what? My black-colored (A09 Mini ITX Desktop Core i5-12600K) causes the video to stall, (I get the little LG revolving marbles while it loads more video). My silver-colored (B550 mini-ITX Ryzen5-4650G) DOES NOT STALL.

I dunno why? And, I have been fighting this problem for a long time before I stumbled on this solution.

 

[PVC]

Also (and this is unrelated to either issue mentioned above) I have been chastised before about my $10 (maybe $20 now) used Delta server power supply component choice. But aside from the minor annoyance of a full-fan-speed howl on startup, these high-quality Delta PSUs have worked flawlessly for my APU builds.

FYI for some PPL: An APU-Build = no separate graphics card, the Graphics are generated from the CPU.

 

[PVC]

HMm; Perhaps I should scrap the smallest possible case crusade, and look at cases made for an SFX power supply? For this APU build I don't need much power! My min-ITX build goals will be;

• adequate CPU-Fan height clearance
• some space on the other side for SATA 2.5" drive(s)

 

[vinnyoflegend]

HMm; Perhaps I should scrap the smallest possible case crusade, and look at cases made for an SFX power supply? For this APU build I don't need much power! My min-ITX build goals will be;

• adequate CPU-Fan height clearance
• some space on the other side for SATA 2.5" drive(s)

I was trying to see if there’s a metal version of this case. Basically like the a09 but has a half height slot you wouldn’t use and some space on the back of the motherboard side for the 2.5” drives

https://a.aliexpress.com/_m0dGb31

I think there’s a similar concept with SFX psu on its side but I can’t find it at the moment. Otherwise many cases that use SFX creep into the 8L size. At which point you could just go for a Deskmeet case.

 

[vinnyoflegend]

Well guess what? My black-colored (A09 Mini ITX Desktop Core i5-12600K) causes the video to stall, (I get the little LG revolving marbles while it loads more video). My silver-colored (B550 mini-ITX Ryzen5-4650G) DOES NOT STALL.

I dunno why? And, I have been fighting this problem for a long time before I stumbled on this solution.

Is there more to this post or you mean to say switching to another system was the solution?

Are you saying the same external storage when shared from one system is fine but not from the other? Seems like it could WiFi/nic related or usb chipset differences.

 

[Skripka]

The problem for very-small PC systems....is that the companies doing it the most successfully, use vertically-integrated in-house designed components. Which is why the Mac Mini has put PCs to shame for so long. And even MinisForum that gets close to the same size--is nowhere near the same noise or power-efficiency.

Getting smaller than what you have, with off the shelf components...may need 3D printing. Commercial cases are made big-enough for "good enough" mechanical compatibility to sell to most enthusiasts.

 

[squirrel_slayer]

I was going to build a deskmini 8700g myself and use one of msystems cases.

Here is his build log. https://smallformfactor.net/forum/t...replacement-for-the-deskmini-a300-x300.17605/

 

[squirrel_slayer]

ahh.....I guess I should have read the whole thing first lol.

So it sounds like your wanting a HTPC? (Home Theatre PC)

Have you considered using something like plex and use hardware acceleration? that 12600k should rock in that regard with quicksync. I'm running trunas and plex on a lenovo m720q with a i3-8100 and it does fantastic even with multiple streams....granted I do that in more of a server format than a HTPC.

Msystems makes a whole slew of printable cases for amd deskmini's starting at the pictured .92L case on up to a 1.2L base system that has options for different bottoms. one of which will hold 2 2.5" drives. the deskmini will also support two 2.5" drives right out of the box.

They also make intel variants but they do run hotter and the AMD AM5 apu's are quite a bit better in terms of graphics power.....however intel's quicksync might be the play depending what the end goal is.

 

[PVC]

Are you saying the same external storage when shared from one system is fine but not from the other? Seems like it could WiFi/nic related or usb chipset differences.

Yes, just switching from my (Black-A09 Core i5-12600K) to (Silver-B550 Ryzen5-4650G) solved the halting video problem. I was thinking it might be the type of file (.MKV vs .MP4). So I tried converting the files from .MKV to .MP4 and it made no difference. I will have a look at the case you posted. Also tried with TV connected via Wireless Router and TV connected via Ethernet Cable, no difference.

HMm; I found this adjustable case, the Fractal Terra Mini-ITX Case let's you slide the motherboard position one way or the other to gain more space for CPU/Fan Height up to 77mm. That's a very high clearance!

Here's a link to a → Review of Fractal Terra Mini-ITX. It is expensive, and noisy. But the adjustable motherboard mounting position is very interesting!

 

[PVC]

I was going to build a deskmini 8700g myself and use one of msystems cases.

Wow, that DeskNano x300 is pretty! I will need to study that some more.

 

[squirrel_slayer]

They also make a x600 variant and I believe the same cases work if you move the cmos battery.

I didn't even really think about it but the stock deskmini has provisioning for 2-2.5" sata drives lol.

Keep an eye out as newegg often has good mail in rebate offers.

ASRock DeskMini X600 Series

Supports AMD Socket AM5 Ryzen™ 9000/8000/7000 Series Processors, up to 65W<br />Dual DDR5 6400+(OC)MHz memory, Max. 96GB<br />Supports MAX Height ≦ 47mm AMD CPU Cooler<br />Multi Video Outputs：HDMI, DisplayPort, D-Sub<br />2.5G LAN<br />1 x Blazing M.2 (PCIe Gen5 x4) Slot<br />1 x Hyper M.2...

www.asrock.com

 

[vinnyoflegend]

HMm; I found this adjustable case, the Fractal Terra Mini-ITX Case let's you slide the motherboard position one way or the other to gain more space for CPU/Fan Height up to 77mm. That's a very high clearance!

You can also look at the xtia slim mini if you like the idea of an adjustable case but don't want to jump to 10L like the Fractal Terra https://www.xtia.design/products/xtia-slim-variable-computer-case though I think it only has room for 1 2.5" drive but its largest size is 5.8L.