[Pc_Support] Re: PC_Support post question re:Foxconn

[Bryan J. Smith]

On Sat, 2005-04-09 at 19:11 -0400, jeffrey-wilson at cinci.rr.com wrote:
> I am looking to build a mATX linux system, and I noticed your post at the
> Pc_Support forums.  I was looking at the MSI RS480M2 motherboard, but
> a lot of people seem to have troubles with it under Linux.

Really?  Hmmm.

> The only other uATX Athlon 939 mobo I know of is your Foxconn.

Yep, it's working like a champ.  I have not tested the SerialATA yet
(I'm using the 2-channel [parallel] ATA, one for HD, one for DVD-
R/RW/RAM/+R/+RW).  And the layout is _perfect_ -- works absolutely
_perfectly_ IMHO.

Another thing I _really_like_ about the FoxConn is the fact that not
only is there a PCIe x1 slot, but it is above the PCIe x16 slot.  That
means I can fit a quality, "double-wide" slot-fan above the video card
that sucks out all the air from the rest of the system.  This easily
reduces case ambient another 10+C, especially if your outtake fan/cut-
outs suck.

> Can you please tell me what case and PSU you are using, and possibly
> where you got them?  I was thinking of making a HTPC using a
> SilverStone LC11 case, but it has a pretty wimpy PSU.

- Power Supply

99.9% of MicroATX power supplies included with their cases are whimpy.
Don't count on them for P4/A64 support.  Replace it.

First off, the PSU is an Athena Power 450W MicroATX:  
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-124  

It has a 24-pin + 4-pin, which works fine for this mainboard.  I'm
throwing a GeForce 6800GT video card in it, and it's runs just fine.  I
don't know if it could take a GeForce 6800 Ultra or a non-Winchester A64
(the new 90nm SOI A64 3000-3500+).  But for the A64 3200+ and 6800GT, it
works quite reliably and stable -- even after hours of intense OpenGL.

It's about twice as long as a standard MicroATX PS as you can see:  
  http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/17-104-124-03.JPG  
But it still fits in the MicroATX face on the back.  It's about 2-3x
heavier than the one that came with the case.

- Case:  Don't buy the one I bought

As far as the case, the one I bought NewEgg doesn't seem to carry it
anymore.  It was a PowMax M[icro]ATX 3306 Black.  It is a small, ~5.5" x
~13" x ~13" or similar.  I wanted a small case, but this wasn't a good
one.
I bought it because it had (2) 60mm exhaust and (1) 60mm intake fan
areas.  But I recommend _against_ it.  Here's my list of complaints:

1.  (2) 60mm outtakes are _useless_
2.  (1) 60mm intake is _useless_
3.  5.25" CD/DVD drawer will break off (as many noted)
4.  Handle is flimsy, don't trust it, it won't take a lot of weight

The 60mm outtakes are too constrained, the "little holes" in the back
work like crap, don't let enough air out.  I bought $6 dual-BB thermal-
variable fans (12-27CFM, 1900-4200RPM) and they are just overworked
until I put in a slot fan (see below).  I'd take a nibbler and cut full
holes and put brackets instead and get 2x+ the flow.  Or just get
another case.

One of the _biggest_mistakes_ I made was use the 60mm fan intake.  It
actually _increased_ the temperature of the case.  Why?  The 60mm fan at
the lower front is "fighting" the air pushed forward off of the 6800GT.
And that air just rises to the top of the case, and kills ambient a good
10+C (yes, really, really bad!).  My HD was hot and I mean hot to the
touch until I removed that fan.

The slot fan really helped instead.  The video card actually draws in
cool air from the bottom, and the lower 2 slots which are not in (yes,
from the back no less).

The ~5.5" is barely enough room.  That's not really the case's fault by
mine.  I figured I'd try it.  The DVD drive is slightly over the CPU,
and I could NOT use anything but the standard, retail CPU fan (than God
I got it).  Of course the stupid CD/DVD bay design causes me to lose
another 0.75", I almost want to cut the plastic around it.

If I buy again, I think it's worth going ~7" wide, and maybe another 2"
long.  Or maybe just ~6-6.5" with another 2" long.  Something just wide
enough that I could fit some 80mm outtake fans just above the ATX port-
plate, because 60mm don't cut it at less than half the CFM movement.

And, actually, if I had to design my own MicroATX case, instead of
putting 60mm (or even 80mm outtake fans that take up more room), I'd
just put a slot above the ATX port-plate, because there's plenty of room
from the CPU, and they do move 40CFM+ without the footprint.

BTW, the height is just fine though.  I'm going to definitely go
Aluminum for the heat transfer.  But with the oversized slot fan in the
PCIe x1 slot moving ~40CFM, it's actually pretty good.  The best $10 I
spent at CompUSA, far better than the (3) 60mm fans I bought for the
case's rather pathetic cut-outs.

> Thanks in advance, Jeff

No problem.  If you happen to run into a black aluminum MicroATX case
that you like, let me know.  Or even a silver aluminum (no paint) would
probably be better.  Forget the color scheme, I'd rather have something
solid and cooling.


-- 
Bryan J. Smith                                  b.j.smith at ieee.org 
---------------------------------------------------------------- 
Community software is all about choice, choice of technology.
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