Mini ITX Work PC - SG13 Rebuild

[DailyProcrastinator]

I am creating a build log for my "mobile" work PC. This is actually a rebuild, the system is currently built but I have been using an R3 2200G. Now that I upgraded my main system 'Blueberry Pi' (build link here) from the R7 1700 to the R7 3800x, my intended plan, the R7 1700 is going into this build.

 

If any of you are familiar with the Silverstone SG13 you know this case is about as compact as it gets for full size hardware. And this system fully built offers no extra room for additional parts. Perfect as a build that gets moved around.

 

Build parts list:

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 1700 3 GHz 8-Core Processor	Purchased For $379.98
CPU Cooler	Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120L RGB 66.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler	Purchased For $69.28
Motherboard	Asus ROG Strix B450-I Gaming Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard	Purchased For $170.08
Memory	Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	Purchased For $133.34
Storage	Western Digital Black NVMe 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive	Purchased For $125.99
Storage	Seagate FireCuda 2 TB 2.5" 5400RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive	Purchased For $115.49
Video Card	Asus Radeon RX 580 8 GB DUAL Video Card	Purchased For $277.09
Case	Silverstone SG13 Mini ITX Tower Case	Purchased For $59.77
Power Supply	Corsair SF 450 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply	Purchased For $115.49
Operating System	Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit	Purchased For $0.00
Case Fan	ARCTIC Arctic F8 PWM 31 CFM 80 mm Fan	Purchased For $6.29
Case Fan	Noctua NF-F12 PWM chromax.black.swap 54.97 CFM 120 mm Fan	Purchased For $28.98
Case Fan	Noctua NF-F12 PWM chromax.black.swap 54.97 CFM 120 mm Fan	Purchased For $28.98
Custom	SilverStone Technology Universal ATX to SFX Power Supply Bracket RL-PP08B	Purchased For $15.92
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$1526.68
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-03-16 20:04 EDT-0400

 

Size comparison next to my Fractal Design Meshify C TG, a compact ATX mid-tower case. 

 

 

Follow this thread for updates as I move along with disassembly and the rebuild! Or feel free to ask any questions!

[Bombastinator]

I got one: handles?

 

to think about this one a bit, a couple large drawer handles that are wide enough to sit close to the edges of the case and some L brackets mounted inside the case to help distribute load.  Things would have to be carefully measured and ther would be drilling.  Maybe not worth it.

[seagate_surfer]

38 minutes ago, Bombastinator said:

I got one: handles?

 

to think about this one a bit, a couple large drawer handles that are wide enough to sit close to the edges of the case and some L brackets mounted inside the case to help distribute load.  Things would have to be carefully measured and ther would be drilling.  Maybe not worth it.

I avoid doing things like that, but there are very skilled people who have drilled and made holes in the case to modify them in an incredible way, as far as I'm know I don't have that talent...

[DailyProcrastinator]

1 hour ago, Bombastinator said:

I got one: handles?

 

to think about this one a bit, a couple large drawer handles that are wide enough to sit close to the edges of the case and some L brackets mounted inside the case to help distribute load.  Things would have to be carefully measured and ther would be drilling.  Maybe not worth it.

Yeah it would be something to think about. But it's decently easy to pickup and move around as is!

[DailyProcrastinator]

Got side tracked with work again. But making some progress again today.

 

Here is the case completely empty. 

 

I have 1x Seagate FireCuda Hybird 2.5" HDD mounted at the bottom of the case for mass storage. I find the Firecuda faster than a standard 5200RPM 2.5" HDD.

 

Note: The Corsair SF450 did not come with an ATX to SFX PSU bracket, I had to buy this Silverstone one separately to accommodate the PSU. I recommend an SFX PSU for this case as it allows for more room above the motherboard which can allow for the stock cooler to fit if you choose to use it. The stock cooler will not fit if a standard ATX PSU is used. Although I recommend an AIO. And with more room above the motherboard it allows for better airflow. More on the airflow later on.

 

The SG13 has a cross mount for 3.5" HDD's and a PSU support bracket, these are not needed with my system and removing the HDD bracket allows for a push-pull config on my 120mm AIO. Removing the PSU support bracket allows for me to add an exhaust fan, something the SG13 lacks under normal circumstances, more on that later.

[DailyProcrastinator]

Out with the old.

 

In with the new.

 

Testing out of case to make sure the system posts.

[Bombastinator]

10 minutes ago, JM21 said:

Out with the old.

 

In with the new.

 

Testing out of case to make sure the system posts.

I find it entertaining how the gpu is larger than the motherboard.  Says so much about modern systems

[DailyProcrastinator]

Now that the system posts and I have confirmed I am issue free I start the process of re-installing the motherboard into the case.

 

1st step is connecting what I can to the motherboard prior to installing in the case. RAM. fan headers, AIO connectors, CPU 8-pin connector, and motherboard 24-pin connector are good to do at this step.

 

2nd step is installing the motherboard, then connecting my USB 3.0 header, my single Sata connector, front audio, and the power connectors.

 

You may have noticed that the AIO pump/block is upside-down, if installed in a vertical case I would have installed it right side up, but because of the tubing orientation it makes more sense to do it as I have shown.

[DailyProcrastinator]

2 minutes ago, Bombastinator said:

I find it entertaining how the gpu is larger than the motherboard.  Says so much about modern systems

Yes, ITX boards are cool to work with, they have tons of features in a tiny footprint. Also goes to show that 90% of users probably could use ITX boards over ATX, but they usually have a bit of a price premium so they get overlooked as an option.

[Bombastinator]

1 minute ago, JM21 said:

Now that the system posts and I have confirmed I am issue free I start the process of re-installing the motherboard into the case.

 

1st step is connecting what I can to the motherboard prior to installing in the case. RAM. fan headers, AIO connectors, CPU 8-pin connector, and motherboard 24-pin connector are good to do at this step.

 

2nd step is installing the motherboard, then connecting my USB 3.0 header, my single Sata connector, front audio, and the power connectors.

 

You may have noticed that the AIO pump/block is upside-down, if installed in a vertical case I would have installed it right side up, but because of the tubing orientation it makes more sense to do it as I have shown.

This is one of the weird hidden minor features of Intel I think.  Intel mounts are square and AMD mounts are rectangular so Intel has four positions and AMD only has 2

[DailyProcrastinator]

2 minutes ago, Bombastinator said:

This is one of the weird hidden minor features of Intel I think.  Intel mounts are square and AMD mounts are rectangular so Intel has four positions and AMD only has 2

That is correct!

[Bombastinator]

Just now, JM21 said:

That is correct!

It occurs to me that they should probably be round.  There were some watercoolers that did that for a while.  Better system.  Tooless and more even.  Probably 18¢ more expensive though so we’ll never see it.

[DailyProcrastinator]

After all connectors are plugged in the 3rd step is the rad + front fan install. For a 120mm AIO push-pull installation first mount the second fan (pull fan) to the back of the radiator, then through the front of the case install the front fan, the long screws for the front fan also hold the rad in place.

 

 

 

 

Be mindful of where cables end up as you install large hardware, the SG13 is both difficult and easy to build in. It is difficult because it is so small but the benefit is all panels are open during assembly so with some careful planning for cable runs you can avoid a total mess. 

 

NOTE: AIO options are limited to 120mm and 140mm radiators but hardware options change depending on what size you get.

 

Option 1. 120mm AIO single fan, allows for a standard ATX PSU to be used, and allows for standard sized 2 fan GPU, or blower style. Probably ther most common config.

Option 2. 120mm AIO push/pull fan, requires the use of a SFX PSU to allow room for the second fan, a standard sized 2 fan GPU works here, this was the option I went for.

Option 3. 140mm AIO single fan,  allows for a standard ATX PSU to be used, but DOES NOT allow for a standard sized GPU, only mini cards.

Option 4. 140mm AIO push/pull fan. Requires the use of a SFX PSU to allow room for the second fan, and DOES NOT allow for a standard sized GPU, only mini cards.

[DailyProcrastinator]

4th step is the GPU install, this is straight forward, again be mindful of other cables during install. 

 

 

[DailyProcrastinator]

More updates, build has been completed for a while but I haven't had time to update the build log.

 

5th step is the PSU install. With the power connectors for the CPU, motherboard, and Sata already connected all that is left is the 8-pin VGA cable. I recommend plugging everything directly into the PSU prior to mounting it in the case, make sure your cables runs are tidy (hard to do in a small system but not impossible). 

 

 

 

Once all cables are connected the PSU can be mounted into the case. If you have an SFX PSU mount the ATX to SFX bracket. There are two methods to do so. Depending on your config one option may make more sense over the other.

 

Option 1. Install the PSU with the fan facing down into the system. As the system has no dedicated exhaust fan mount the PSU will help vent air out of the case. If you have bought an ATX PSU this option is highly recommended as option 2 works best with an SFX PSU.

Option 2. Install the PSU with the fan facing up (as shown). Reasons for doing so; in my setup there is a way to mount a single 80mm exhaust fan next to the motherboard (shown in next build log update). Two benefits of doing so is greatly improved case temps, and not needing to use the PSU for cooling, keeping it from running hot and PSU fans tend to be noisy in comparison to a 80mm PWM fan that is nearly inaudible.

NOTE: In Option 2 the additional 80mm exhaust fan can only be mounted with the use of an SFX PSU as it allows for enough room to do so. 

 

 

 

[DailyProcrastinator]

Once the PSU is installed the cable management needs to be completed. A little work here can help mount an 80mm exhaust fan.

 

 

As seen there is a decent amount of room on the side of the case and above the motherboard with the use of an SFX PSU, this means good airflow. 

 

With a few cable ties and tucking other cables away you can open up the case a ton.

NOTE: DO NOT over tighten cable ties on the AIO tubes as this can damage the tubing or restrict flow.

 

[DailyProcrastinator]

With cable management completed we can now install the 80mm exhaust fan. I admit it's a janky method of doing so but I have had no issues in the previous 6 months of use doing so this way.

 

I used 2 cable ties to "hang" the fan from the AIO tubing, the bottom of the fan rests on the fan splitter and it actually sits well in this spot. Make sure all cables are free of the fan area.

 

As you can see there is a lot of clearance for this fan and room for direct exhaust airflow. In previous testing I recorded a 15 degrees C difference in case temps under a regular-light load with and without the additional 80mm exhaust fan.

 

And so we are ready to complete this build!

 

[DailyProcrastinator]

A few small touches before the case shell goes back on.

 

I added magnetic fine mesh dust filters for the GPU intake and on-top of the PSU intake fan as well to keep the system as dust free as possible. The front panel has a foam dust filter already built in.

 

If you look close you can see the 80mm exhaust fan is perfectly positioned by the side to vent air out of the case.

 

 

 

And so my first all AMD system is completed! This is a super compact and powerful build that I use for work and the small inconspicuous footprint is perfect. The Silverstone SG13 despite being on market for 5+ years is probably one of the best compact ITX cases still available that doesn't blow the budget. Additionally, you can still use relatively normal hardware in the SG13, small AIO's are still compatible, as well as standard sized GPU's and ATX PSU's (or SFX). For all of that to fit in such a small chassis is pretty impressive. That said the SG13 is harder to find at a reasonable price, the Cooler Master Elite 110 is the next best option as is is nearly identical to the SG13. 

 

 

Having now built in 4 ITX chassis this is easily my favorite so far. The Phanteks Evolv ITX was my first, it was easier to build in and looked "nicer" but was large, which defeated the purpose of an ITX system in my opinion. Especially since it was the system I built to take to university so I traveled with it. I ended up then selling it shortly after and moving my main system into the Thermaltake Core V1, another great case that is slightly bigger but is probably what I would recommend for first time PC builders. You can see that build HERE. Other cases have been Corsair 380T, which was great but is no longer available and not as compact as the SG13, and some InWin case that I can't remember the model because it was pretty crap. The SG13 is the best ITX case in my opinion because it is so compact, if you can get if for around $60 it is a good buy.

 

 

In an upcoming build log I will be moving my families PC into a super compact SFF ITX case, the Velkcase Velka 3 rev 1.2 (4.1L). This makes the SG13 (11.5L) look big! But at nearly $180cad not necessarily recommended. Stay tuned!

 

[DailyProcrastinator]

The Velka 3 build is underway:

 

[DailyProcrastinator]

Did a Noctua NF12 fan swap on the radiator. I previously had 2x Corsair ML120's that I then took out and put in another system, resorting to 1x Arctic F12 PWM, but then I had these two NF's left from downsizing another build. So hey, why not!

 

 

 

Of course they are the chromax edition, I can't stand the Noctua puke brown. 

 

[seagate_surfer]

Very good my friend, very good! I already saw your other post and had forgotten that you had done this other thread to show all the progress. It looks great!

[DailyProcrastinator]

10 hours ago, seagate_surfer said:

Very good my friend, very good! I already saw your other post and had forgotten that you had done this other thread to show all the progress. It looks great!

Thank you very much! Yeah, I did a build thread/log on all my builds recently, this one is more of a guide. But not bad for a work rig! The SG13 is just a great ITX chassis. 

All my builds are linked in my signature. 

[Dirtnapper]

A idea for carrying the case around, goto the fabric store and look for 2inch wide webbing strap, like for backpacks.  Also get some fasteners to lock and unlock the straps that would go around the case.  Sew a strap on the bottom between the two going around the case and then one on top with some extra slack to use for a handle,  for extra bonus make a should strap.  I did something like this 25yrs ago when i hauled around a full tower dual p3 for LAN gaming back in the day, still have the system too.  If you dont know how to sew its a good thing to learn

[DailyProcrastinator]

2 minutes ago, Dirtnapper said:

A idea for carrying the case around, goto the fabric store and look for 2inch wide webbing strap, like for backpacks.  Also get some fasteners to lock and unlock the straps that would go around the case.  Sew a strap on the bottom between the two going around the case and then one on top with some extra slack to use for a handle,  for extra bonus make a should strap.  I did something like this 25yrs ago when i hauled around a full tower dual p3 for LAN gaming back in the day, still have the system too.  If you dont know how to sew its a good thing to learn

Not a bad idea, but honestly I don't move it that often and I can carry it in one hand, It's only 11.5L.

[seagate_surfer]

11 hours ago, JM21 said:

-The SG13 is just a great ITX chassis.-

It is, I did like it very much thou. Congrats!