Lian-Li PC-Q08 Home Server build

Here are some pictures from the home server build I am working on. It features the Lian-Li PC-Q08 mini-itx case, an ASUS E35M1-I motherboard and a picoPSU-WI-120 power supply. So far, so good. Power draw is a miserly 30W most of the time. The case was super-easy to work with. When done it will have a 2.5" 250GB OS drive, 3 x 2TB and 1 x 1.5TB data drive, with 2 x 2TB new and 1 x 2TB, 1 x 1.5TB moved over from my WHSv1 machine.

New size backplate: TFX

By request, I've created a PSU backplate for the TFX form-factor. This would replace the power supply for cases that take TFX power supplies such as the IN WIN BP-Series BP671.200BL.

Here are some pictures:

This form factor is too small for a fan but there's room for either a single or three hole jack to be mounted.

Reviewed at MissingRemote.com!

Andrew Van Til at MissingRemote.com kindly reviewed the PSU backplate. Be sure to check out his review here: http://www.missingremote.com/review/psu-backplate

picoPSU Tight Fit On ASUS H61 mini itx Motherboard

Look how tight the picoPSU sits against the RAM on the ASUS H61 mini itx motherboard.  It hasn't caused any problems so far but this RAM (Kingston ValueRAM DDR3 1333) doesn't have any heatsinks.  If you tried this with RAM that had heatsinks, like G-Skill Ripjaws for instance, I don't think it would fit.

More about backplates / covers for mounting picoPSUs jacks in computer cases PSU openings

Things have progressed since my first post about the prototype I created to mount a picoPSU in my Lian-Li PC-Q07 case. I now have backplates designed and created for both ATX and SFX12V openings. I made CAD files using the ATX and SFX12V specifications as well as 80mm and 60mm fan specifications and then sent those away to have some aluminum templates made that I can now use as jigs to manufacture them from ABS plastic.

I've actually already sold one ATX backplate with an 80mm fan and an SFX12V backplate without a fan! I really need to get some kind of store set up. I am thinking eBay is going to be my best bet. It's just a matter of finding the time to set it up.

Here are some photos of the aluminum templates I had made and some experiments using ABS plastic.

This is the ATX backplate with mounts for an 80mm fan, 2.5mm barrel-style jack and 4-pin panel mount jack.

This is the SFX12V backplate with mounts for a 60mm fan, 2.5mm barrel-style jack and 4-pin panel mount jack.

These are some experiments with making these out of ABS plastic. The trick is getting the drilling smooth. Once the pieces are mounted in the holes though you can't see any burrs or imperfections in the plastic, especially once mounted in the case. These are predecessors of the ones I actually sold.

This one was sold to be mounted in a Moneual LAB Black Aluminum MonCaso 312B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case:

This one was sold to be mounted in an APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case:

If you're interested, leave me a comment with contact information and I will get back to you. You don't have to have a gaping hole in the back of your PC to use a picoPSU.

Meanwhile, I hope to get something up on eBay very soon.

Rosewill RC-CIX-01 / Intel D525 "Mount Washington" build

I built this computer for my daughter's pre-school.  It features the excellent Rosewill RC-CIX-01 case, Intel's BOXD525MW mini-ITX motherboard, 2GB DDR3 800 SO-DIMM RAM, Western Digital 320GB "Green" HDD and a Lite-On CD/DVD RW ODD.  More details about the build coming soon ...

Lian-Li PC-Q09F / Gigabyte GA-H55N-USB3 build

Here are the pictures for now.  I will detail the build soon.