Small form factor gaming - build log and support forum for new builders

[tabascosauz]

I miss when Impact mobos were ITX.

Wait

That isn't ITX, is that the mini DTX?

Yeah, that's the challenge lol

Lone L5 is like, 0.5mm too small to properly fit the Impact. Goes in but it's super jank.

VRM heatsink is taller than most of its AM4 ITX compatriots so the AXP67-120 technically bends its heatpipes a bit. But it's not jank and the thermals are still fine for now.

SO-DIMM.2 is a major pain in the ass. Takes up space and is obnoxious yet is mandatory since Impact has no M.2 slots on itself. Won't fit fully but remove half the heatsink (the part that wraps around) and it's fine.

 

[dgianstefani]

Yeah, that's the challenge lol

Lone L5 is like, 0.5mm too small to properly fit the Impact. Goes in but it's super jank.

VRM heatsink is taller than most of its AM4 ITX compatriots so the AXP67-120 technically bends its heatpipes a bit. But it's not jank and the thermals are still fine for now.

SO-DIMM.2 is a major pain in the ass. Takes up space and is obnoxious yet is mandatory since Impact has no M.2 slots on itself. Won't fit fully but remove half the heatsink (the part that wraps around) and it's fine.

F

ASUS killing their impact line by making it incompatible with most cases and subsequently removing any practical flagship ITX option was a bad move IMO.

The Strix-I is nice upper mid range but isn't truly top end like the Impacts used to be.

 

[tabascosauz]

F

ASUS killing their impact line by making it incompatible with most cases and subsequently removing any practical flagship ITX option was a bad move IMO.

The Strix-I is nice upper mid range but isn't truly top end like the Impacts used to be.

imo AM5 ITX just went straight to shit.

I would have bought an Impact again if they made one. I like the Gene but there are no high end cases for it. And Mercury S5 is like, the size of a house.

Aorus went to shit when Gigabyte replaced the backplate with a plastic one, refused to fix the socket placement for a third generation in a row, and now has a huge problem that they call a M.2 heatsink.

Having the B550-I Strix I refuse to buy into Strix again.

And we don't talk about MSI ITX.

I'm not saying I hate the B650E-ITX, it's a very solid board but a little low on quality of life features.

 

[dgianstefani]

Yeah, best wait for Arrow Lake ITX maybe decent boards then.

My X670E-I Strix isn't bad.

Removed the IO heatsink to fit more watercooling.

Chipset temps still fine.

 

[A Computer Guy]

imo AM5 ITX just went straight to shit.

ITX just doesn't get enough love.

I would have bought an Impact again if they made one. I like the Gene but there are no high end cases for it. And Mercury S5 is like, the size of a house.

Aorus went to shit when Gigabyte replaced the backplate with a plastic one, refused to fix the socket placement for a third generation in a row, and now has a huge problem that they call a M.2 heatsink.

Having the B550-I Strix I refuse to buy into Strix again.

And we don't talk about MSI ITX.

LOL

I'm not saying I hate the B650E-ITX, it's a very solid board but a little low on quality of life features.

I was thinking of getting the B650E PG-ITX when the 9000 series rolls out since my experience with B550 Phantom Gaming-ITX/ax was pretty solid. It's kind of disappointing though on the B650E PG-ITX to not have so many USB3 on the rear I/O and it still have such a high cost. I see now they have the B650I and that is cheaper with only PCIe 4.0.

 

[dgianstefani]

Yeah ASRock makes some compelling options.

 

[tabascosauz]

ITX just doesn't get enough love.

LOL

I was thinking of getting the B650E PG-ITX when the 9000 series rolls out since my experience with B550 Phantom Gaming-ITX/ax was pretty solid. It's kind of disappointing though on the B650E PG-ITX to not have so many USB3 on the rear I/O and it still have such a high cost. I see now they have the B650I and that is cheaper with only PCIe 4.0.

The B650I Lightning is a reasonably compelling option, it just was out of stock at the time. It is another PCB-share with A620I Lightning though (like A520I and B550M-itx/AC). I guess it depends on how much you are willing to pay a premium for the exact same board (minus chipset).

B650E is a great board on the hardware (10-layer, good socket placement, hefty M.2 heatsink and the fan is easily removable with no consequences). On the lack of "soft" features it does hurt (no flashback, middling rear I/O, no iGPU DP).

 

[dgianstefani]

The B650I Lightning is a reasonably compelling option, it just was out of stock at the time. It is another PCB-share with A620I Lightning though (like A520I and B550M-itx/AC). I guess it depends on how much you are willing to pay a premium for the exact same board (minus chipset).

B650E is a great board on the hardware (10-layer, good socket placement, hefty M.2 heatsink and the fan is easily removable with no consequences). On the lack of "soft" features it does hurt (no flashback, middling rear I/O, no iGPU DP).

IO is one area I'm happy with on my Strix X670E-I, the B650 version isn't as good.

2 USB4 ports
5 fast USB A 3.2 Gen 2
3 slow USB A

Some boards are a joke, only five type A etc.

 

[tabascosauz]

IO is one area I'm happy with on my Strix X670E-I, the B650 version isn't as good.

2 USB4 ports
5 fast USB A 3.2 Gen 2
3 slow USB A

Some boards are a joke, only five type A etc.

Perhaps next gen, Asus will cook up some new specialty crosshair boards. And maybe the Impact will be back. Took them 2 years for AM4

That's a thing I really love about the Impact. 6 x 10Gbps + 2 x 5Gbps + 1 x 10Gbps front.

 

[dgianstefani]

Perhaps next gen, Asus will cook up some new specialty crosshair boards. And maybe the Impact will be back. Took them 2 years for AM4

That's a thing I really love about the Impact. 6 x 10Gbps + 2 x 5Gbps + 1 x 10Gbps front.

I require my next board to have Thunderbolt, and Arrow Lake seems more interesting than Zen 5 so will likely go that way.

 

[tabascosauz]

I require my next board to have Thunderbolt, and Arrow Lake seems more interesting than Zen 5 so will likely go that way.

I agree, but last Maximus Impact was 6700K era and Gene in 9900K. I don't think Asus seems interested anymore, sadly. Aside from making Apex a Maximus exclusive

 

[N/A]

I am in the market for a new Corsair 1000W SFX undecided between SF1000L or SF1000. I am concerned about the noise of the small 92mm fan in the Platinum unit, which judging by the reviews is exactly the same old gray NR92L fan, unlike the one in the CGI presentation all black with different fins, which already speaks of misleading marketing. the Gold unit is only sligthly cheaper with bigger 120mm fan. What do I do.

 

[AusWolf]

I am in the market for a new Corsair 1000W SFX undecided between SF1000L or SF1000. I am concerned about the noise of the small 92mm fan in the Platinum unit, which judging by the reviews is exactly the same old gray NR92L fan, unlike the one in the CGI presentation all black with different fins, which already speaks of misleading marketing. the Gold unit is only sligthly cheaper with bigger 120mm fan. What do I do.

I used to have the 450 W version of that PSU, it was fine. Although I know it can't be compared to a 1000 W unit with the same fan.

If the only difference between the platinum and gold is that the gold has a better fan, I'd get the gold one. Platinum efficiency comes at too high an extra cost, imo.

 

[N/A]

I ended up getting the 850L model which lacks the updated 3.1/5.1 rev. with the 2x6 recessed pins, excursions protections and whatnot. But it might not be a problem after all.
And I have a gutted JVC VCR case lying around that can fit a motherboard with 16+1 slots on top of standoffs and the back is surprisingly very similar to PC standart. The GPU can be placed on a 90 degree on top. that restricts the CPU cooler used and maybe go with water cooling.

 

[AusWolf]

It's been a while since I gave an update here. Events in my private life required my attention (they still do in a way, but that'll be the case forever now - losing your mom changes you irreversibly).

Anyway... I've moved the system back into my Corsair 280X chassis. It also got a 9070 XT, which will probably be my last GPU upgrade for a while because of the increasing prices and diminishing benefits.

Also, because my CPU cooler didn't fit the case, and I wanted to experiment with something new, I bought the smallest dual tower cooler I could find, the Noctua NH-D9L. Look how cute it is.

It's not the most performant model on the planet, so my 7800X3D is working with a 45 W TDP (61 W PPT) limit now, which makes me lose about 9-11% performance in all-core loads compared to stock, but nothing in games. All this with a 66-74 °C max CPU temp.

You'll see the airflow is mainly bottom to top here (the front fans are low RPM ones), hence the orientation of the cooler - for which, I had to buy a separate mounting kit, but such is the life of one who likes to experiment with PC hardware. I also wanted hot air exhausted by the GPU pulled away from it as much as possible to keep it cool.

One last bit to conclude: Can anyone spot the PCI-e to m.2 adapter in the slot below the GPU?

 

[Hyderz]

It's been a while since I gave an update here. Events in my private life required my attention (they still do in a way, but that'll be the case forever now - losing your mom changes you irreversibly).

Anyway... I've moved the system back into my Corsair 280X chassis. It also got a 9070 XT, which will probably be my last GPU upgrade for a while because of the increasing prices and diminishing benefits.

Also, because my CPU cooler didn't fit the case, and I wanted to experiment with something new, I bought the smallest dual tower cooler I could find, the Noctua NH-D9L. Look how cute it is.

View attachment 400567

Im sorry for your loss man, i hope pc building brings you some joy, the build looks sweet man

 

[AusWolf]

Im sorry for your loss man, i hope pc building brings you some joy, the build looks sweet man

Cheers thanks.

It is the most horrible loss ever, spending as much time with the people and things I love is the only way to cope. Even if it costs me money unnecessarily, like the above experiment with the smaller case and CPU cooler. Noctua isn't cheap, not even small coolers like this one, I don't know why.