Thread: The Airplane Carry-on mITX Titan build

Pics?

Originally Posted by HeavyG

Pics?

Working on that.....

Other than it being super tiny, it is very very quiet. I can't hear it over my speaker hum/white noise with nothing playing and it is sitting right next to my keyboard and my speakers are 7+ feet away.

Ok here is what everyone is waiting for, the postmortem. It was hard to fit everything in and I made a few mistakes.....

Mistake #1: While assembling the heatsink retention system I failed to realize the retention brackets would prevent me installing the cpu. So I had to un-install them to put the cpu in.

Mistake #2: While sliding the motherboard and heatsink into the case, it is necessary to remove the top fan to get the angle required to fit through the side. (removing the fan clips for the top fan while it was halfway inside the case was difficult)

Mistake #3: The heatsink is extra wide and the ram modules should have been installed before it was. Solution: Unscrew the heatsink while it is inside the case, then tilt to the side to allow ram modules to be inserted. Then re-screw the heatsink down.


IMG_2386 by rush2049, on Flickr

Mistake #4: The CPU power 8-pin connector is under the left side of the heatsink (next to the back plate) it should have been plugged in before sliding the motherboard into the case, or installing the heatsink. This was a pinky finger + needle nose pliers job..... took about forty minutes of struggling and swearing


IMG_2373 by rush2049, on Flickr


IMG_2385 by rush2049, on Flickr


Mistake #5: should have routed all front panel connectors (usb, audio, powerSW, powerLED etc.) to the correct locations before installing the heatsink. This made cable management a nightmare later on.


IMG_2398 by rush2049, on Flickr

Mistake #6: Definitely should have installed the motherboard 24+4 power connector (to the right of the ram slots) before the heatsink+ram...... This was another pinky finger + needle nose plier solution, took another 40 minutes and had me more upset than the last one....


IMG_2387 by rush2049, on Flickr

Mistake #7: The video card was a tight squeeze to position and install, so I figured I would plug the power cable in after it was inside.


IMG_2388 by rush2049, on Flickr


IMG_2402 by rush2049, on Flickr


Sealed up the case and was left with this:


IMG_2367 by rush2049, on Flickr


IMG_2368 by rush2049, on Flickr


Mistake #7 strikes again: Upon first boot the geforce logo was flashing, I forgot to plug in the power connectors...... these were less difficult than the previous two power connectors to instal, but had me looking at my 800D's ample space with tears.


So now that the whole thing is built I am thinking to myself, "so help me if one of these parts are DOA" luckily the thing boots and she is a beut....


IMG_2360 by rush2049, on Flickr


IMG_2355 by rush2049, on Flickr


IMG_2365 by rush2049, on Flickr



Now the goal of this whole build was to fit it inside of a carry on, and be under the weight requirements.

Well here is the gadgetry all lined up:


IMG_2404 by rush2049, on Flickr


The case has some interesting protrusions on the inside for the wheels and handle. The lid also has some bumps......
But would it fit.......



IMG_2406 by rush2049, on Flickr



Luckily yes, it does fit with some creative packing........










IMG_2407 by rush2049, on Flickr




And the lid does indeed close:


IMG_2408 by rush2049, on Flickr



I am very happy to report, the case with everything inside weighs the exact limit of forty pounds. That means all cables will be traveling in my check bag with my keyboard/mouse/clothes.


Overall a very successful build. I am happy......

I had problems getting everything into my Silverstone HTPC mATX case that's about twice that size. can't imagine trying to cram that all in to an even smaller space.

I think if I ever need to be mobile and game that it'll be a laptop for me. I won't be able to have the most up to date hardware, but I'll have a an all in one package.

Master Tinker strikes again. Impressive

Attachment 10957

What are the temps like? Obviously, overclocking is probably not an option much above the stock turbo frequency, but it really isn't required for a gaming rig... especially one with a Titan.

I saw 72 degrees on the titan when running the Unigine Valley benchmark extreme HD preset.

On the i7-4770K I saw 65 degrees when playing Grid 2. And 81 degrees when running small FFT prime 95.

I won't be overclocking I think..... stock clocks for me.... they are good enough.....