Too Much for Antec ISK 300?

Enclosures and acoustic damping to help quiet them.

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blaster5k
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Too Much for Antec ISK 300?

Post by blaster5k » Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:22 pm

I'm looking at putting together a new desktop soon with the following specs:

Intel Core i5-750 95W TDP
DFI LANParty P55 Mini-ITX Motherboard
4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333
ATI Radeon HD 5xxx (whatever low end one they release this month in half-height PCI)
Intel X-25M 80GB SSD
Slim Slot Load DVD Drive

I was hoping to use an ISK 300, but I'm not sure if the quad core processor and discrete graphics will be too much for it. That is, both in terms of power consumption and the ability to silence it. It's hard to guess exactly what the power requirements will be, but certainly enough to require replacement of the 65W adapter.

Any thoughts (or ideas for other small cases that might fit the bill)?

JamieG
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Post by JamieG » Mon Jan 04, 2010 2:25 pm

The PSU in the ISK300-65 will not be sufficient to power your system - see the review of the i5 750 here. Even undervolted, most halfway decent CPU loads would take the power usage over the 65W of the PSU that comes with that case.

You might want to look into the Silverstone SG05 or SG06 or the Apex MI008.

Alternatively, consider the Lian Li PC-Q07 with a separate PSU - it has mounts for a standard ATX PSU, or you might be able to fit a SFF PSU (if you can find a quiet one or do a fan swap) underneath the motherboard area if you remove the HDD tray (having a discrete graphics card may prevent this, however).

mITX cases are often limited in what CPU heatsink you can fit (one way or another), so that is something else to consider.

blaster5k
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Post by blaster5k » Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:33 pm

I'm not really a fan of the cube-style cases. They're kind of an awkward size (which I don't think I can fit on my desk). I suppose I should elaborate on what I'm shooting for.

The PC I'm building will be my main machine, intended primarily for web/internet apps, software development, and media playback. I'd like to put it in something as small as I can get away with since a full size case seems unnecessary. After all, I only need a single half-height PCIe, a 2.5" drive, and a slim optical -- no high end video card.

My ideal case would have a small footprint, making it suitable to put on top of my desk. I like the ISK 300 since it has a good cooling design with 80mm fans, a half-height slot, and looks snazzy enough. There's just the question marks regarding power and cooling. I'd need a power solution that could give me around 130W -- ideally closer to 200W to be on the safe side. But could such a system be made quiet?

Parappaman
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Post by Parappaman » Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:17 am

I had to pass on this case because of the power supply. It won't be enough for anything with dedicated graphics. There is a rumored ISK 310-150 with a higher-wattage power supply, but it hasn't been mentioned since last CES so I wouldn't hold my breath. Your only solution would be to pair your new setup with a 130w pico-PSU and 150w power brick, but the expenses would be insanely high considering you're buying THREE power supplies in total...
Just get a case with a TFX or SFX power supply, which can be swapped out for quality and cheap enough units by Seasonic/FSP/BeQuiet with as much as 350w of power. :wink:

iakovl
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Post by iakovl » Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:08 am

you can use a picoPSU

blaster5k
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Post by blaster5k » Tue Jan 05, 2010 11:03 am

As I understand it, the type of power connector used by the picoPSU (and the stock DC-DC board from Antec) isn't really designed for over 100W. I've noticed that some retailers no longer sell adapters for it over 102W.

The 4-pin DIN connector (used by the WinMate) is safer for high wattage I believe. Even the 130W from the WinMate could potentially be cutting it close though (in terms of power needs). I'm not sure what other options are readily available.

Antec_Rep
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Post by Antec_Rep » Fri Jan 08, 2010 11:14 am

Actually, if it helps, we do have the 150W version of the ISK 300 coming. Very soon, in fact. :D

Thanks,
Antec

eit412
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Post by eit412 » Fri Jan 08, 2010 11:55 am

Will the 150W version of the ISK still have a fanless external power brick?

ilovejedd
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Post by ilovejedd » Fri Jan 08, 2010 1:49 pm

Similar question with the following build:

Intel Core i5 650 73W TDP
Intel H55-based Mini-ITX (maybe the Zotac H55-ITX?)
4GB DDR3
Kingston SSDNow 40GB or Seagate Momentus 5400.6 500GB
no optical drive

blaster5k
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Post by blaster5k » Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:29 pm

@Antec_Rep

Thanks for the info! That might be just the right solution for me.

@ilovejedd

If you're using the integrated graphics, it might run with the 65W adapter, but you'll potentially be cutting it close under load. You could replace the stock adapter with a 90-100W adapter from eBay pretty easily. Just make sure it's a 19V one. Then I'm pretty sure you'll be fine.

Or wait for the 150W version to come out.

litenin
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Post by litenin » Thu Jan 14, 2010 2:46 pm

@Antec_Rep

When you're saying "we do have the 150W version of the ISK 300 coming. Very soon, in fact", do you mean several weeks or several months ?

Because I would be very interesting in a most powerful version of the Antec ISK 300.

Sorry for my poor english!

leifeinar
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Post by leifeinar » Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:03 pm

There are many 120w bricks @ ebay that are cheap and compatible. Im using the 150W pico, its great running a E8600 and a gt220

the cpu undervolts ok so u save some watts there.

some pics in this tread

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php ... 133&page=4

Stevenh
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Post by Stevenh » Fri Jan 15, 2010 4:46 pm

actually, if you look at the antec website, the ISK 300 -65 has been replaced by ISK 300-150.

http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MjIzOQ==

on the right hand side, there is also the ISK 310-150, with a silver bezel, which i think looks much nicer.

chero
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Post by chero » Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:44 pm

I agree, it looks nicer to me also... cleaner, simpler. Also, note the vent locations have changed on the ISK 310-150. They're all on the one corner. And the vent is larger.

http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MjI0MA==

blaster5k
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Post by blaster5k » Sat Jan 16, 2010 7:34 am

Good find guys. The ISK 310-150 looks pretty sweet. Is that drive bay stealthed? It's hard to tell based on the photos.

ilovejedd
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Post by ilovejedd » Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:30 am

blaster5k wrote:Good find guys. The ISK 310-150 looks pretty sweet. Is that drive bay stealthed? It's hard to tell based on the photos.
Yep, that looks really pretty. I checked the manual though and it mentioned you have to pop out the 5.25" cover to install the drive so I'm gonna go with it's not stealthed...

rouxster
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Post by rouxster » Mon Jan 18, 2010 3:52 pm

Will the ISK 300-65 run a Core 2 Quad with an Intel DG45FC motherboard? I don't need a seperate video card becasue the MB has onboard HDMI and DVI.

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Post by bonestonne » Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:00 pm

lol, no. 65W for a quad and a motherboard? no. You'll have to swap that out for a 90 or 120 PICO. at the very least.

rouxster
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Post by rouxster » Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:07 pm

bonestonne wrote:lol, no. 65W for a quad and a motherboard? no. You'll have to swap that out for a 90 or 120 PICO. at the very least.
I don't mean to sound ignorant, but is the PICO the external transformer? That can be swapped out for a higher wattage? How do I find a new one?

rouxster
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Post by rouxster » Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:21 pm

rouxster wrote:
bonestonne wrote:lol, no. 65W for a quad and a motherboard? no. You'll have to swap that out for a 90 or 120 PICO. at the very least.
I don't mean to sound ignorant, but is the PICO the external transformer? That can be swapped out for a higher wattage? How do I find a new one?
Do you mean something like this?

Sorry for not posting the link, I need three posts before I can post a link. see the next post.

rouxster
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Post by rouxster » Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:21 pm


rouxster
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Post by rouxster » Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:02 pm

Actually, this is what it looks like I will need:

http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT-80-power-kit

Can someone confirm?

JamieG
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Post by JamieG » Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:44 pm

rouxster wrote:Actually, this is what it looks like I will need:

http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT-80-power-kit

Can someone confirm?
The 80W power brick still might be too low. Which Core 2 Quad are you considering?

Both the picoPSU and the power adapter brick need to be able to supply enough watts to run your system.

To be on the safe side, I would buy these two items:
- http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT
- http://www.mini-box.com/12v-12-5A-AC-DC-Power-Adapter

The power brick is 150W and apparently doesn't have a fan, unlike the power brick that comes with the 102W adapter brick that comes as part of the kits listed on that site.

rouxster
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Post by rouxster » Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:49 pm

Or I could use a Core 2 Duo (65W) instead of the Core 2 Quad and I should be able to keep the supplied adapter, correct?

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Post by MikeC » Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:55 pm

rouxster wrote:Actually, this is what it looks like I will need:

http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT-80-power-kit

Can someone confirm?
The picopsu is 150W but not the adapter, which is only 12V*6.6A or about 80W. You need a 12V*12.5A DC output adapter to get 150W to the picopsu.

You could also go with http://www.silentpcreview.com/Winmate_DD-24AX

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Post by MikeC » Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:11 pm

litenin wrote:@Antec_Rep

When you're saying "we do have the 150W version of the ISK 300 coming. Very soon, in fact", do you mean several weeks or several months ?

Because I would be very interesting in a most powerful version of the Antec ISK 300.

Sorry for my poor english!
I just received a review sample. It's not quite the final production model, but I'm told they will be in the channels in a couple weeks. The only difference between this one and the final retail model is the length of the output cables -- the OEM put in cables that are way too long in this sample.

A review will be done as a separate update/addendum to the original ISK300. The PSU is completely internal -- a unique form factor 80mm fan PSU that sits in place of the DC/DC board in the original. But the vents on both sides have been enlarged.

Just shorted the poweron to check out residual noise -- it's very quiet but the fan has a touch of ticking. AC power at no load is a high 13W... probably has an automatic minimum load to ensure it starts; such dummy loads usually get switched out of the circuit when a minimum current demand is seen at the outputs.

Parappaman
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Post by Parappaman » Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:58 am

MikeC wrote:
litenin wrote:@Antec_Rep

When you're saying "we do have the 150W version of the ISK 300 coming. Very soon, in fact", do you mean several weeks or several months ?

Because I would be very interesting in a most powerful version of the Antec ISK 300.

Sorry for my poor english!
I just received a review sample. It's not quite the final production model, but I'm told they will be in the channels in a couple weeks. The only difference between this one and the final retail model is the length of the output cables -- the OEM put in cables that are way too long in this sample.

A review will be done as a separate update/addendum to the original ISK300. The PSU is completely internal -- a unique form factor 80mm fan PSU that sits in place of the DC/DC board in the original. But the vents on both sides have been enlarged.

Just shorted the poweron to check out residual noise -- it's very quiet but the fan has a touch of ticking. AC power at no load is a high 13W... probably has an automatic minimum load to ensure it starts; such dummy loads usually get switched out of the circuit when a minimum current demand is seen at the outputs.
This sucks. I hoped that the more powerful version kept the little brother's PSU layout. :?

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Post by MikeC » Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:24 am

Parappaman wrote:This sucks. I hoped that the more powerful version kept the little brother's PSU layout. :?
If this is what you want, I'd suggest you look at the Winmate DD-24AX DC-DC Module offered by Electrodacus - http://www.silentpcreview.com/Winmate_DD-24AX

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Post by Parappaman » Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:45 am

That's exactly what I hoped was the default equipment of such a case... :lol:

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Post by MikeC » Wed Jan 20, 2010 1:47 pm

Parappaman wrote:That's exactly what I hoped was the default equipment of such a case... :lol:
You're being too harsh of Antec imo. Their original intent for the ISK300-65 was to house typical mini-ITX systems, which rarely exceed even 50W in total. Note the absence of any cooling option for the single card slot -- this was meant for a typical non-VGA card. In stock form, the ISK300-65 will run the vast majority of mini-ITX systems with a 65W (or lower) TDP CPU.

Having said all that, I think the DC/DC board could have been rated a bit higher, maybe 80-90W, which would have given more headroom, esp for 4-core CPUs.

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