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+--- Thread: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] (/showthread.php?tid=146918)
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Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - dkaris - 2012-12-02
Hello guys,
So I am reading around this forum for a while trying to end up with an HTPC solution.
And that is where it hit me…..I have an old Aopen XCube EZ65 sitting without doing anything.
Before I go out and purchase a new case, I thought I would see if I can utilize it.
The plan is to remove everything and replace them with new parts.
I will have to note that this project may fail at its very early stage due to incompatibility issues.
What ever happens, it would be fun to see if I can do this....after all this whole HTPC thing is about having fun!
So lets go on and see what we have and what we can do….
All the ideas and propositions are more than welcome in this effort.
So here is what we have:
The top bracket covers a DVD, the middle one covers a thrid party SD Card reader and the lower bracket covers USB ports, Audio in and out.
Back view with lots of stuff. If you notice carefully there holes that can be opened for various reasons
Lets remove the cover . Lots of stuff in there, and if you notice over the orange sata cable there is a drive cage holding, the cd rom, the card reader and a hard disk (the hard disk is missing)
Closer view of the front panel connections…(power button, usb etc)
View from above after removing the existing motherboard. Notice the holes where the board was screwed on.
View from behind, lots of space for various options
By measuring the case, a 17cm x 17cm M-ITX board fits in there for sure.
The problems I see so far are:
I do not know if the back panel would be aligned with the existing opening….
I am not sure if the holes in the new board would be in the same place with the existing ones. Probably not. From what I saw it must not be to hard to open new ones but I have to find a good way for the screws to hold on.
I am not sure about how to provide power to front panel and the power button. Possibly work should be done on that part and things should be altered…
I will have to do more research on the above. But first I will have to order the new motherboard….I will probably go with the ASROCK FM2 board…
A soon as I get it, I will update with the progress!
Comments are more than welcome.
RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - Dougie Fresh - 2012-12-02
The four standoffs on the left look like they are mini-ITX. Maybe do some measuring and then look at pages 9 & 10 of the mini-ITX specification: http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/47/97/479761_479761.pdf
Re: RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - dkaris - 2012-12-02
(2012-12-02, 18:57)Dougie Fresh Wrote: The four standoffs on the left look like they are mini-ITX. Maybe do some measuring and then look at pages 9 & 10 of the mini-ITX specification: http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/47/97/479761_479761.pdf
Thank you Dougie,
I was looking for this document. I will do some measuring and see how it goes. I will have to think of the PSU position too..... Maybe a Picopsu will give me more flexibility.... We'll see
Thanks again
RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - Dougie Fresh - 2012-12-02
What's the model number on the power supply? That might help you figure out what form factor is it -- whether it's standard or proprietary.
Re: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - dkaris - 2012-12-02
Here are the details
http://www.atxpowersupplies.com/275-watt-power-supply-FSP275-60CU.php
In the existing setup, psu and cpu cooler where very close.
RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - Dougie Fresh - 2012-12-03
(2012-12-02, 19:52)dkaris Wrote: Here are the details
http://www.atxpowersupplies.com/275-watt-power-supply-FSP275-60CU.php
In the existing setup, psu and cpu cooler where very close.
"Not a whole lot to say about this power supply other than it is about the weirdest shaped power supply we have ever seen. Nonetheless it is specially designed for the AOpen XC Cube computer."
Dude ... you're getting a picoPSU!
RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - artrafael - 2012-12-03
I had a similar AOpen XCcube (EZ18) in black. Beautiful case, but after the motherboard burned out, I had to relegate it to my scrap bin and scavenge it for parts. IIRC, I couldn't swap in a standard mini-ITX board due to the layout of back panel cutouts for their proprietary motherboard.
RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - dkaris - 2012-12-03
@Dougie: picoPSU is what I initially thought in order to sto worrying about space issues or how to fit everything in there. Possibly some plexi could be used in order to close the open holes...we'll see.
@artrafel: Thank you for your response. Indeed the back panel and the position of the screws that hold the motherboard is a big question mark.
Based on the document that Dougie shared, the screws seem to be in place (I will have to do some more accurate measuring).
The riddle will be solved as soon as I get the new motherboard.
RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - Jasp - 2012-12-03
(2012-12-03, 09:14)dkaris Wrote: @Dougie: picoPSU is what I initially thought in order to sto worrying about space issues or how to fit everything in there. Possibly some plexi could be used in order to close the open holes...we'll see.
PSU Coverplates are an option.
http://www.caselabs-store.com/psu-cover-ventilated/
RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - dkaris - 2012-12-03
Quote:PSU Coverplates are an option.
http://www.caselabs-store.com/psu-cover-ventilated/
Thanks for the heads up Jasp,
This seems to be a better option than plexi and easier to install!
I will have to find a shop like this in Greece or in Europe....probably the shipping costs from US will be more than the cost of the actual components!
RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - dkaris - 2012-12-03
Okay...time for the parts to be used for the new HTPC. I need a Group 7 HTPC despite the fact that Hulu or Netflix are not available.
So here is the deal:
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-ITX
CPU: AMD A6-5400K
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB 2X4GB
Fan: Scythe Big Shuriken 2 REV.B
picoPSU:
Recommendations or notes?I will add for sure an SSD but I do not know if it will be from day one since I do have some disks around.
The above build is used by many so it is proven.
The only missing thing is that there is no wireless network option....Should I take something extra or look for another board?
RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - dkaris - 2012-12-04
Hello team,
I am just one click away from ordering the ASRock motherboard but as said, I would like it to have WLAN.
I found the following MSI Socket FM2 FM2-A75IA-E53 GLan Audio Raid that has a WLAN module on...
Any experience with that board?
RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - armyofme - 2012-12-22
I am thinking of doing similar with my cube case...how did you get on with the installation? Did it fit okay?
Re: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - dkaris - 2012-12-24
Hello,
I just got back from business trips. No progress so far.
I will start ordering things starting from the 26th.
I will expect some progress update late this week or the next one based on delivery dates.
If you are not in a hurry....wait to see the results.
From the research I have done, if I don't find any issue with the motherboard, everything else is doable
RE: Attempt to revive and old SFF PC [Images Included] - dkaris - 2012-12-28
I am back again....After a long time spent for business, the time has come to get back to my project.
Today I received the motherboard
After some thought and some reading in the forum, I decided to go with the proven A6-3500/Asrock A75M-ITX solution instead of the trinity one.
As said in my first post, the whole project would continue if the board would fit in the existing case.
The board fits perfectly in the box, the screw holes are aligned but we do have a small issue.
The back panel of the board is a bit wider than the existing opening. This means we have to cut a little bit.
Take a look at the picture below:
I will try to cut the blocking part and see what will happen!
I will update you as soon as I have news