[opty165]

Project Kaveri ITX



Not quite "beastly" just yet, but it will be by the end of January! I've only ever seen one other Wesena case build here by member iKem. Wasn't sure if I should post here or the HTPC subforum, but I think It will be pretty beastly for it's size. I'm going to try and push the limits of what I can fit in the Wesena case. Based on the TDP of the parts I've listed, the 160watt Pico PSU should be enough to power everything. Assuming the 7850K is going to consume around 100watts, I'm thinking I might be able to do dual graphics with an R7 240 that has a TDP of just 30watts.

I'll be using this thread for reference since he fits a sound card in the same spot and position that I want to fit the R7 240. Questions and comments are welcome! Let me know what you think

Post your requests for what games you would like to see run on this new APU!

Current Specs:

Wesena HTPC-ITX-1
Zotac IONITX-A-U Atom 330 @ 1.8ghz
4GB DDR2 1066
No HDD/SSD - PXE Booting Openelec from my Home server using Tiny Pxe Server

Future Specs:

AMD A10 7850K 95w - $189
Asrock FM2A88X-ITX+ - $99
Samsung mSata 120GB SSD - $119
Asus R7 240 (Optional) - $70
AMD Radeon R9 Gamer Series 8GB DDR3 2400 - $121
Scythe Kozuti - $40
2xGelid 60mm case fans - $7.99/each
Phobya 120mm Sim Profile Fan - $20
FrozenCPU mods, C-strip, Grill, screws, cables - $24
Mini-Box picoPSU-160-XT 160watt - 200watt peak with 192watt power brick - $60
Wesena HTPC-ITX-1 - $40
Logitech K400 HTPC keyboard - $18.99

Total: $747 without dedicated card

This will be mainly an HTPC for the living room, but also a SteamBox & general mid-range gaming PC. I'll keep the log updated when I receive new parts and begin the modifications on the case. For now, here is what it currently looks like.

Spoiler: 12/3/2013: Pre-Kaveri

Spoiler: 12/7/2013: PicoPSU Arrives

Spoiler: 12/31/2013: Hi-Res Photo Shoot

Spoiler: 01/02/2014: First batch of Parts

Spoiler: 01/16/2014: Build and Test

No boot up

Spoiler: 01/20/2014: The Good & Bad

Spoiler: 01/27/2014: Scythe Kozuti & Phobya G-Silent Slim

Spoiler: 02/13/2014: Mods and Power!

Spoiler: 02/21/2014: The Final Part!

 

[KrazyKap]

Super swag. I love it

Also, nice G430s there (got some too

)

 

[opty165]

Anyone think this is possible?

40mm dual Radiator

I may have to pick one or the other when it comes to a closed loop water cooler (Think H50) or a second video card (half height 240) for dual graphics. However I found this image and it makes me think it could work!

 

[KrazyKap]

I honestly think a low profile air cooler would cool better than that... hmm looks like it would fit though.

 

[opty165]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrazyKap

I honestly think a low profile air cooler would cool better than that... hmm looks like it would fit though.

Yea I've been looking into it more and I agree. I guess this would just be something cool to do "because I can" sort of thing

The main thing I'm looking forward to is Dual Graphics with the 7850K and the R7 240 with the 160 watt PicoPSU

Also I've been searching through different air coolers, and a friend sent me this link. Anyone have much info on this? I see a couple reviewers were using it with s 5800K

 

[KrazyKap]

I understand the "just cuz I can" thing

Not sure how well that dual graphics setup will work but sounds pretty cool

As for that cooler, looks OK to me, got a mate using a Zalman cooler of similar design and it does the job

How much clearance do you have though? Might fit something bigger in there

 

[opty165]

Just a little project update of the parts. Received the 160watt PicoPSU in the mail today! Thing is tiny...

EDIT: See OP for photo's ^

 

[KrazyKap]

Woah that is crazy small!

 

[AlphaC]

Whoa that PSU is smaller than the power delivery on a ROG ATX motherboard...

 

[2002dunx]

I used the (12 V) car specific model, but didn't push it to >170W as you intend to....

dunx

 

[opty165]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2002dunx

I used the (12 V) car specific model, but didn't push it to >170W as you intend to....

dunx

It's rated for 160W with a 200W peak. If anything I'll be just under the 160W range.

 

[Alted4]

Wouldn't a 7750 be more powerful than the R7 240 with the same power draw?

 

[dcubek]

I'm also considering buying this little mini itx case. Streacom also makes them. I'm thinking of putting this slim fan http://www.quietpc.com/slipstream-120-slim-2000 and zip tie them to the drive cage.

 

[opty165]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alted4

Wouldn't a 7750 be more powerful than the R7 240 with the same power draw?

You make a good point there. It probably would be the better card to crossfire with the APU, but the max TDP under load is about 55watts. That alone might put me over a bit.

I think I'll have to wait and see what the 7850K will draw on it's own first, then make my graphics card decision after. The only other thing that will be powered is an SSD and a couple fans. Going to be pushing it with only 160w PSU.

 

[opty165]

Updated the OP slightly. Newer Hi-res photo's of the Wesena case. Getting ready to order the motherboard, ram, & cooler this week!

 

[opty165]

New batch of parts in! 01/02/2013

Also got a few new things for my desktop while I was at it

 

[opty165]

Minor project update:

We are now 2 days away from the Official retail launch of the AMD A10 7850K APU! I've nailed down what memory I will be using, which is here. For the price and speed I couldn't find anything better. When it comes to an APU, the memory bandwidth is definitely what matters most. For now, the SSD will be a spare 60GB OCZ sata III until I can liberate my Samsung 830 128GB from my desktop towards the end of the month. Assuming that Newegg doesn't run out of all their 7850K stock, I should be ready for building and testing by the weekend!

To touch on the design portion of the build, I've been thinking about trying out thermal isolation zones similar to the Steam Machine to improve cooling. The most I'm worried about is ample air flow to the APU. Obviously this is a smaller case then the Steam Machine, so it should be interesting to engineer this. The 2 60mm Gelid fans should come in handy.

Finally to the bit I'm sure you are all curious about.... Games. I will be testing Battlefield 4 right off the bat, as well as a few other games from my Steam library. The first round of tests will be done on Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit, then I'll load SteamOS and test what Linux capable games I have. I'm sure everyone here has their own specific title they would like to see tested, so I'm taking submissions starting this week on what games you guys would like to see running on this new APU! Post your requests in this thread, and I'll make a list of the final games to be tested at the end of the week.

Check back for regular updates

 

[Springerr]

Where did you get that case? I love it! Depending on how well it preforms it could be one hell of a man rig.

 

[opty165]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Springerr

Where did you get that case? I love it! Depending on how well it preforms it could be one hell of a man rig.

I linked to it in the OP. It's the Wesena ITX1. I've always liked the simple look of a mac mini, and this case gets me as close as I can get to it.

 

[opty165]

Ready to build!