My new, ultra slim HTPC

[PHT]

I just figured out that after seven years my HTPC built on OrigenS16V should retire and that it is time for new one.  The old HTPC had full ATX motherboard, dual core Intel CPU, but this time I have chosen Thin-Mini-ITX motherboard.  Technology changed so much that current Thin-Mini-ITX motherboard with Haswell i5-4460 CPU are much better than old stuff I still have.
After testing several options for couple of weeks I recommend and I have chosen Gigabyte GA-H87TN and ASUS Q87T for such systems.

I have chosen T-ITX-6-Black chassis and ASUS Q87T for my new HTPC.  (I will use GA-H87TN for new music server.)  I have chosen ASUS because it offers UHD video output, so it is future proof and because of Fan-Xpert utility.

Opening chassis is simple:  Put chassis on the back, remove four screws from the bottom, turn it over, remove cover and put it aside.
I always assembly motherboard and test it first BEFORE inserting it in any chassis.  I set BIOS and keep MoBo running for several hours checking temperatures.  After than, when everything is perfect, I install WIN7, all drivers, test it again and start final assembly.
I installed backplate first, than (fully assembled) motherboard.

 

When looking at pictures please disregard scratches on the chassis.  This is a prototype I assembled back and forth many times when testing several options.
There is space for two 3.5” HDDS and one 2.5” HDD under ODD.  If you remove ODD bracket you can install three 3.5” HDDs, so it can be high capacity (up to 18 TB) HTPC.
Next – optical drive.  I installed ODD, just in case I want to watch something straight from the disc.
I inserted two screws on the right but didn’t tighten them yet.  Then two on the left and tighten all of them slightly.

I installed IR receiver as well.  Than I connected 5” SATA and power cables to ODD

 

I decided to add case fan, however I am sure that in this system, CPU fan is enough to keep this chassis cool.  I didn’t install any HDDs neither cards in my HTPC.  This system will stream all videos from video servers and TV tuners.

 

If you want to install Ceton tuner or SOtM tX-USBexp USB audio card, there is PCIe 4x or PCIe 1x riser offered as an option with this chassis.

 

If you install HDD, you have to stick rubber rings in all places when HDDs will be installed first.

Next, install four posts in HDD like shown here. 

Now fasten HDD to chassis floor by supplied M3X5 screws.

Because HDDs are standing on posts, there is a space for air circulation to cool electronics and it allows you to connect and disconnect HDD cables in an easy way.

Connecting power is simple.  Both manufacturers offer proprietary power cables with dedicated power connector for ODDs.  Very good idea, you don’t have to use special cable for slot drivers with old and terrible (IMO) Molex connector.  I didn’t cut spare power cables because I may change mind later and install 3.5” HDDs, so I just tied them up. 

Finally, I put cover back, tested it again and connected to my system.

I compared it to my music server built on FC5WS.  HTPC is much slimmer, 48mm vs 71mm total, 39mm vs 64mm front fascia.

 

Is this the slimmest HTPC yet?

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