i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc

sabot105mm · 10-22-2009, 03:48 PM

is it possible to put a 5750 graphics card in a mini itx case? i have been looking, but it seems the power supplys are at most 300w, and i am not even sure it would fit.

could someone help me, im looking for a htpc that is not to big something that can fit beside a tv and isnt one of those htpc that are desktops just flipped on its side. something that has good ventilation able to support said gpu, and isnt $150

Phædrus2401 · 10-22-2009, 04:25 PM

Cards like the 5750, and most anything over the entry level really, are not designed to fit in SFF (mITX) cases, which is what it sounds like you want. There are low profile graphics cards, but the best one I've seen is a 9500GT. I also would not run a 9500GT (or a 5750, for that matter) on the 300W PSUs available for SFF cases. Furthermore, I challenge you to find a decent SFF anywhere in the world with decent cooling. They don't exist. Without enough volume of air to soak up the heat, no room for more than a couple of 8cm fans, and no room for decent sized heatsinks these cases just can't dissipate the heat generated by a mid-range and up graphics card.

It sounds like you want a gaming PC to hook up to your TV to play and watch movies on, more than an actual HTPC. At least that's the impression I get since you want a 5750. If this is the case, then the only thing I can recommend is to get a normal mATX tower case, and try to tuck it off to the side as best you can, as you'll never get more than minimal gaming functionality from a system that will fit in an SFF case.

**greenbrucelee** · 10-22-2009, 04:46 PM

I totally agree with the above, you would be better of with a new case.

Phædrus2401 · 10-22-2009, 04:47 PM

You could get an Antec 200 case for $50, good cooling, quiet, fairly small, and can support a mid-to-high-end system.

**Tyree** · 10-22-2009, 05:20 PM

I certainly wouldn't recommend putting a 5870 GPU + a PSU with enough power to run it, into a mini-style case.
I've done a couple of HTPC and I used this case.
COOLER MASTER Elite 341 $50 Small footprint, plain and decent airflow
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119193

With this Sapphire HD 4670 $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102854

The Antec 200 & Antec VSK-2000 (uses bottom mount PSU) are the same price but a little larger.

sabot105mm · 10-22-2009, 05:42 PM

are these cases good, i like the one on the bottom.
http://www.ahanix.com/images/product..._d4_g_08_l.jpg
you could probably fit a mid range gpu in the box below

sabot105mm · 10-22-2009, 06:10 PM

just seen this one, people are saying it can fit 2 gpus in the unit, 2 80mm fans
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163116

Phædrus2401 · 10-22-2009, 06:16 PM

It still limits you to low profile cards, and again the best one of those I've seen is a 9500GT or Radeon 4650. If you're going to be playing games on a 1080p resolution screen those cards will barely play modern games. I had a 9500GT and it played Fallout 3 on low settings on 1440x900 (ended up going to 1280x800 so I could at least play on medium), and 1080p is 1920x1080, so those cards will barely manage at all for newer games. Older games, like COD4, Halo 2, Half Life 2, etc, those cards will manage fine, and movies. But don't expect to play COD5 or Fallout 3 or Crysis or Dragon Age or anything like that with a playable framerate. UNLESS you use 720p at most.

sabot105mm · 10-22-2009, 06:24 PM

seems 1 person fit a 260gtx by removing the harddrive cage, and putting tthe drive below the cd rom

**greenbrucelee** · 10-22-2009, 06:31 PM

you would have to do some serious modding to fit a card like a GTX260 in one of those, why not just get a proper ATX case then you wont have any problems?

Phædrus2401 · 10-22-2009, 06:34 PM

Wait, I was looking at it wrong. Ok, yeah it does support full-height cards. Hmm... With just two 8cm fans a GTX260 is going to be burning up in that case. I'd say up to a 9800GT (not GTX+ or GX2) in there unless you want to do some case modding to add more fans.

You're probably going to want a modular power supply for it, there's no room to tuck cables away. If you go with a 9800GT or similar card I'd say get a Corsair HX620W power supply. The VX and TX series PSUs are cheaper but they aren't modular, and so you'd have trouble with cable management, while the HX models do have modular cabling, as well as higher efficiency. If you did, somehow, manage to fit a GTX260 in there go for an HX650W.

sabot105mm · 10-22-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbrucelee

you would have to do some serious modding to fit a card like a GTX260 in one of those, why not just get a proper ATX case then you wont have any problems?

i want a mobile gaming pc - something that can be placed next to a tv, and not having someone say, what is that big huge chunky thing un the corner

sabot105mm · 10-22-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phædrus2401

Wait, I was looking at it wrong. Ok, yeah it does support full-height cards. Hmm... With just two 8cm fans a GTX260 is going to be burning up in that case. I'd say up to a 9800GT (not GTX+ or GX2) in there unless you want to do some case modding to add more fans.

You're probably going to want a modular power supply for it, there's no room to tuck cables away. If you go with a 9800GT or similar card I'd say get a Corsair HX620W power supply. The VX and TX series PSUs are cheaper but they aren't modular, and so you'd have trouble with cable management, while the HX models do have modular cabling, as well as higher efficiency. If you did, somehow, manage to fit a GTX260 in there go for an HX650W.

i still dont know what i want to do yet, and having no money to do it, im still in the planning stages

**greenbrucelee** · 10-22-2009, 06:50 PM

you could do what Phædrus2401 said but if you go for bigger cards you will have to cut the hdd cages a bit,also get a modular bigger wattage power supply and as much cooling as you can fit inside it.

Phædrus2401 · 10-22-2009, 06:53 PM

Idea: if you have a closet near where you have your TV, even on the other side of the wall, you could put the PC in the closet and drill a hole in the wall to run the cables through. Use an external DVD drive. That way the computer case could be as large as you want, but no one will see it.

10-22-2009, 03:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
sabot105mm Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: florida Posts: 174 OS: xp pro sp2	i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc is it possible to put a 5750 graphics card in a mini itx case? i have been looking, but it seems the power supplys are at most 300w, and i am not even sure it would fit. could someone help me, im looking for a htpc that is not to big something that can fit beside a tv and isnt one of those htpc that are desktops just flipped on its side. something that has good ventilation able to support said gpu, and isnt $150

10-22-2009, 04:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,747 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc Cards like the 5750, and most anything over the entry level really, are not designed to fit in SFF (mITX) cases, which is what it sounds like you want. There are low profile graphics cards, but the best one I've seen is a 9500GT. I also would not run a 9500GT (or a 5750, for that matter) on the 300W PSUs available for SFF cases. Furthermore, I challenge you to find a decent SFF anywhere in the world with decent cooling. They don't exist. Without enough volume of air to soak up the heat, no room for more than a couple of 8cm fans, and no room for decent sized heatsinks these cases just can't dissipate the heat generated by a mid-range and up graphics card. It sounds like you want a gaming PC to hook up to your TV to play and watch movies on, more than an actual HTPC. At least that's the impression I get since you want a 5750. If this is the case, then the only thing I can recommend is to get a normal mATX tower case, and try to tuck it off to the side as best you can, as you'll never get more than minimal gaming functionality from a system that will fit in an SFF case. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-22-2009, 04:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,814 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc I totally agree with the above, you would be better of with a new case. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

10-22-2009, 04:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,747 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc You could get an Antec 200 case for $50, good cooling, quiet, fairly small, and can support a mid-to-high-end system. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-22-2009, 05:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,496 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc I certainly wouldn't recommend putting a 5870 GPU + a PSU with enough power to run it, into a mini-style case. I've done a couple of HTPC and I used this case. COOLER MASTER Elite 341 $50 Small footprint, plain and decent airflow http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119193 With this Sapphire HD 4670 $67 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102854 The Antec 200 & Antec VSK-2000 (uses bottom mount PSU) are the same price but a little larger. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently. Last edited by Tyree; 10-22-2009 at 05:22 PM.

10-22-2009, 05:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
sabot105mm Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: florida Posts: 174 OS: xp pro sp2	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc are these cases good, i like the one on the bottom. http://www.ahanix.com/images/product..._d4_g_08_l.jpg you could probably fit a mid range gpu in the box below

10-22-2009, 06:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
sabot105mm Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: florida Posts: 174 OS: xp pro sp2	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc just seen this one, people are saying it can fit 2 gpus in the unit, 2 80mm fans http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163116

10-22-2009, 06:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,747 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc It still limits you to low profile cards, and again the best one of those I've seen is a 9500GT or Radeon 4650. If you're going to be playing games on a 1080p resolution screen those cards will barely play modern games. I had a 9500GT and it played Fallout 3 on low settings on 1440x900 (ended up going to 1280x800 so I could at least play on medium), and 1080p is 1920x1080, so those cards will barely manage at all for newer games. Older games, like COD4, Halo 2, Half Life 2, etc, those cards will manage fine, and movies. But don't expect to play COD5 or Fallout 3 or Crysis or Dragon Age or anything like that with a playable framerate. UNLESS you use 720p at most. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-22-2009, 06:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
sabot105mm Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: florida Posts: 174 OS: xp pro sp2	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc seems 1 person fit a 260gtx by removing the harddrive cage, and putting tthe drive below the cd rom

10-22-2009, 06:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,814 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc you would have to do some serious modding to fit a card like a GTX260 in one of those, why not just get a proper ATX case then you wont have any problems? __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

10-22-2009, 06:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,747 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc Wait, I was looking at it wrong. Ok, yeah it does support full-height cards. Hmm... With just two 8cm fans a GTX260 is going to be burning up in that case. I'd say up to a 9800GT (not GTX+ or GX2) in there unless you want to do some case modding to add more fans. You're probably going to want a modular power supply for it, there's no room to tuck cables away. If you go with a 9800GT or similar card I'd say get a Corsair HX620W power supply. The VX and TX series PSUs are cheaper but they aren't modular, and so you'd have trouble with cable management, while the HX models do have modular cabling, as well as higher efficiency. If you did, somehow, manage to fit a GTX260 in there go for an HX650W. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-22-2009, 06:50 PM	#14 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,814 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc you could do what Phædrus2401 said but if you go for bigger cards you will have to cut the hdd cages a bit,also get a modular bigger wattage power supply and as much cooling as you can fit inside it. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

10-22-2009, 06:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,747 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: i need ideas, trying to build a shuttle like htpc Idea: if you have a closet near where you have your TV, even on the other side of the wall, you could put the PC in the closet and drill a hole in the wall to run the cables through. Use an external DVD drive. That way the computer case could be as large as you want, but no one will see it. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.