Long Term Super Mini Project...

[TechyBen]

Ok. Here goes. It will be some time before I get to start, but... I will get to start.

 

I wish to make a super mini PC build. I also want some moduality if possible. But the main goal is making it as small as possible. The other goal is making it opensource. So putting the designs online.

 

Here is some inspiration that (I never knew existed!) was found to be in production already:

 

https://www.acer.com/ac/en/CA/content/series/revobuild

 

Nice design Acer! It may be a month or two before I can get the acrylic, 3d printer, and cut by hand (I think a laser cutter would be overkill until later  ), but what do you guys think?

[That_Dutch_Guy]

Sounds good, keep me posted

[Pixel5]

i think this makes things unnecessarily complicated, you will need special parts that are small enough to fit in and are usually more expensive while at the same time having all the cooling limitations that come with a small form factor.

 

modularity is also not important as usually you buy something and keep it there, stationary PC´s are not something where you would often plug and unplug devices beside USB stuff.

 

this is exactly why this Acer thing is not well known, its ultra low power but rather high priced and simply has no use case in the real world.

[TechyBen]

Nah. The modularity is in the case design, not in hot swapping.

 

I will alternatively have 2 or 3 options. NUC style power brick, Mini itx power supply + mini card and full GPU sized case.

 

So either 3x cases to download and cut, or order flat pack in the post. Or 1 case with extra panels to add on the side. Such as 1 case for AMD/Intel on board graphics + nano PSU, then add a bay for PSU + mini card/extra HDDs, or add 2 bays for PSU + GPU + HDDs and anything you want.

 

Make it something LTT or anyone with a laser cutter can quickly push out in Acrylic or wood, for test benches or some custom fun.

[TechyBen]

Here we go:

 

Proto idea for the 3 sections. I know this is like my 3rd project idea. But now I do have plans to refresh my system. So this one should get past the drawing stage.

[TechyBen]

This is the kind of build I might start with: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/PZT9nH

CPU		AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor	£127.19				£127.19	Aria PC
CPU Cooler		CRYORIG - C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler	£39.32				£39.32	SmartTeck.co.uk
Motherboard		Asus - ROG STRIX B350-I GAMING Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard	£118.90				£133.40	Alza
Memory		Patriot - Viper 4 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	£134.02				£134.02	Amazon UK
		Add Additional Memory
Storage		Samsung - PM961 128GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive	£59.99				£59.99	Amazon UK
		Seagate - BarraCuda 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive	£38.99				£38.99	AWD-IT

 

Windows 10 or Linux. Blu ray player. And nano PSU like this: http://www.mini-box.com/M4-ATX?sc=8&category=981 (I guess I'll have to import ) and an XBOX power brick.