Mini but Mighty - [Sponsored Parvum ITX Build!]

Discussion in 'Die-hard Overclocking & Case Modifications' started by MikeMK, Jul 28, 2014.

  1. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    [​IMG]



    Sponsored by: [​IMG]

    Thanks to Parvum I'm back again for another build. 2 Projects in one year cant be a bad thing :D

    Parvum saw my ROTM winning build based on a custom S2.0 they produced for me and asked if I'd be interesting in testing out their unreleased, but forthcoming mini ITX case... how could I refuse!

    Thanks to Parvum for the support. For those of you who dont know them, they are a small UK based company (2 people!) specialising in acrylic cases that are extremely mod-able and based on community feedback. Their current case, the mATX S2.0 can be bought here in the UK via OCUK. Those outside the UK would do well to contact them directly via their website:

    http://www.parvumsystems.com/

    For those interested, my previous builds can be found below:

    Micro but Mighty:

    http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/guru3d-rig-of-the-month-april-2014,1.html

    http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=388079&highlight=micro+mighty

    Obsidian Red

    http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=348082&highlight=Obsidian+red

    TJ07 Dual Loop:

    http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=241936&highlight=TJ07+dual+loop

    On to this build!

    Hardware so Far:

    Case: Parvum Systems mini ITX
    Motherboard: MSi Z97I
    CPU: Pentium G3258 Anniversary Edition
    PSU: Silverstone SFX Series 450W Modular.

    I'm really looking forward to giving the little pentium a run - it reminds me of the CPU's I used to buy when I first started out - cheap, but v.overclockable!

    Hardware will be mid range as you can tell, but well balanced.

    I'm intending to use this build to test out a couple of new techniques/ideas for me that I may transfer to my main rig if they work out ok:

    1) Heatshrinkless cable braiding using paracord:


    2) Rigid tubing!

    The system will be watercooled of course!
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2014
  2. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    As Usual with Parvum Systems, their cases come flat packed, and you have to construct them yourself. Pretty novel, but they are incredibly solid once build & the finish is fantastic.

    Now, rather than post loads of photos on how it goes together, I did a little video:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdDBBCagCCY&feature=youtu.be

    A couple of shots of the case:

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The case really is tiny, even compared to my mATX, but parvum assure me there is enough room for a full size GPU + think 120mm rad :)
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2014
  3. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    GPU:
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    The Hardware:

    CPU & Motherboard came last week:

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    Cant quite get my head around how small the board is considering how much stuff is actually on it!

    [​IMG]

    The PSU:

    [​IMG]

    Small, but 37amps on the 12v rail means it can supply virtually all that power down the 12v line!

    And to give some context for size... this is it vs. my Enermax 1250watt revo!

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2014
  4. CPC_RedDawn

    CPC_RedDawn Ancient Guru

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    REMOVED PIC

    Removed the "funny" pic I posted as I think it hinders your build guide.

    Awesome progress mate, keep it up looking amazing so far!
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2014

  5. Alec**

    Alec** Maha Guru

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    This looks promising. I'm still to be convinced it will all fit.. bet the cabling will be fun!
     
  6. scoter man1

    scoter man1 Ancient Guru

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    Bring it on Mike! I always like your builds.

    @cpc, that pic made me lose my stuff for a second :D
     
  7. CPC_RedDawn

    CPC_RedDawn Ancient Guru

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    glad I could be of service... (that is NOT me in the pic by the way lol)

    I love MikeMK's builds, always a great read and the pic's he puts up are excellent quality!

    Is that Pentium CPU just a dual core or does it have HT?

    Also excellent choice on PSU, those Silverstones are of exceptional quality. My 1200W Silverstone is the best I have ever owned in over 12 years of building PC's.
     
  8. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    Thanks guys. More updates through the week as I get all the hardware together.

    @ CPC — unfortunately the Pentium is dual core only. Guess you can't complain too much as £45 for an unlocked CPU is pretty good. They overclock very well from what I have seen. It does remind me of my old processors from 10 years ago when I could only afford £50 on a CPU and had to o/c to get the performance I needed at the time.

    The PSU looks great. Silverstone are pretty much the only choice right now if you need a decent SFX PSU - the choice is very limited. Having said that I'm impressed with it. Can't believe they got a full modular PSU to such a small size!
     
  9. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    Annoyingly I missed the delivery guy today, so rather than testing all the components I thought id test fit the mobo and measure up ready to start thinking about how to Watercool in such a tight space.

    The case design has clearly been well thought through:

    Plenty of clearence for the thickest 120mm rads + fan, maybe even push pull too. Just about 110mm between the midwall edge and front of the case here:

    [​IMG]

    GPU clearence is also pretty reasonable for such a small case. The case measures 290mm wide, so most high end GPU's should fit (for reference an R9 290x is 278mm long):

    [​IMG]

    Cable management options look good. I was slightly concerned about the positioning of some of the connectors on the board, but the cable holes in the midwall align almost perfectly with the ATX connecter & SATA ports at the bottom. The top hole should help with PCI-E power. The only one that remains a pain is the placement of the 8 pin CPU power connector, but thats more down to MSI's board design. I should also say, that motherboard will be made to match the overall system colours... the red heatsinks look rather out of place!

    [​IMG]

    Finally, the advantage of the SFX PSU is it leaves a decent amount of space around the back for cable management. I may even consider placing the pump here.

    [​IMG]

    I'm now looking into paracord for the sleeving so I can get started on that rather long job! Any tips welcome regarding heatshrinkless sleeving methods etc!
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2014
  10. Veteran

    Veteran Ancient Guru

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    Nice pictures Mike, Subbed!
     

  11. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    More hardware arrived yesterday, thanks to a couple of good bargains on ebay:

    [​IMG]

    Got a great deal on the memory, its like new, and while not top of the line, the GTX 670 is still a very capable 1080p gaming card, especially as this isnt going to be my primary rig!

    [​IMG]

    Finally got around to installing it tonight. Hardware testing tomorrow before taking it back down again ready for watercooling, cable braiding etc.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Fender178

    Fender178 Ancient Guru

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    Interesting build. I like the colors of the case and build around the 20th anniversary Pentium Chip. While that particular 670 makes me kind of nervous with the reference style cooler but maybe it will work well for this particular build considering where it is facing inside of the case.
     
  13. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    Thanks mate. The GPU will be watercooled so that reference cooler will be going soon. So will the horrible Intel stock CPU cooler! LOL!
     
  14. MOAB

    MOAB Guest

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    Awesome build out there man!
     
  15. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    Thanks MOAB.


    No updates the last few days as I've been away. Hoping to make some more progress early next week!
     

  16. StewieTech

    StewieTech Chuck Norris

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    These mini builds are always sexy and nice. I´ve been a atx guy for a decade now but goddamn if i won´t build a sext mini itx in the near future. Keep it up! :)
     
  17. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    Not much to report, still awaiting for a few things to arrive before I can progress... however this little package did arrive direct from Corsair...

    [​IMG]

    Much appreciated Corsair! :D
     
  18. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    Ok, started work on this build again today. The cable braiding stuff arrived so started on the cables... here's the first one!

    [​IMG]

    Lots more to do! Starting to get the hang of the paracord now, although I think im going to have very sore fingers by the time I finish!

    Watercooling gear should start arriving soon I hope :)
     
  19. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    Ok, getting things ready for the final push to complete the build. Here are some designs to choose from for the build logo.

    This will be sprayed on the side of the 120mm rad (which will be white) and possibly somewhere else on the case if I can find a paint that I am confident will adhere to the acrylic without being too easy to scratch off!

    Can't take credit for these Alec** (my brother in-law) knocked a whole load of them up and these 3 are the ones I liked the best. Thoughts please!

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    I think I like the first one best, as it incorporates the parvum symbol around but.
     
  20. Corbus

    Corbus Ancient Guru

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    In the future i'll definitely go mITX/mATX. I like these small cases more and more every time i see someone making a build around them.

    Pics look great btw,its shaping out nicely. Its like the blower cooler is made specially for small cases like this.
     

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