Nano-ITX
From HBRC WIki
Contents |
building "Bare Bones" computers
from John Slater:
The nano-itx boards needs RAM, a HD, and a power supply. But the CPU and graphics chip are already soldered to the board. So assembling a nano-itx board should be easier than constructing a standard do-it-yourself bare bones computers; except for needed a smaller than standard enclosure ( for example: http://www.alibaba.com/catalog/11855422/Fan_Less_Nano_Itx_Case_Nano_Itx_Case_Gs_L09_.html) .
This page has some smiple guidelines for constructing a bare bones computer, and might be useful to acclimate youreself. Eventually someone will make a definitive guide for building a nano-itx system.
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3672386&CatId=1210 has:
- Technology Glossary: PC Motherboard Terminology
- Technology Guide: Basic PC & Notebook Cooling
- Technology Guide: Building Your Own PC
- Technology Guide: Cable Care and Maintenance
- Technology Guide: Memory Installation For Desktops And Servers
- Technology Guide: Why Back Up? The importance of protecting your data!
- Video: Build Your Own Computer Step-By-Step - Section 1 Installing The Motherboard
- Video: Build Your Own Computer Step-By-Step - Section 2 Installing The Drives
- Video: Build Your Own Computer Step-By-Step - Section 3 Connecting Your Cables
About nano-itx boards
from John Slater:
The nano-itx boards were late to market by a couple of years, and small boards based on Intel's Atom chip may have undermined VIA's nano-itx offering.
Two side affects of the delay:
- the largest RAM you can stick on the board is 1GB
- there is no DVI output (by 2008 'all' monitors have DVI input)
parts list
Feel free make all this more specific, and list good sources!
- RAM (1GB max)
- storage (IDE drive - either std PC HD or laptop drive -, or USB flash)
- enclosure & switches (enclosures are $$$, approx $150!)
- power supply
- connector for DVD // I think it goes on the 2nd connector of the IDE cable
Info on building up your own mini-itx or nano-itx computer
from Nathan, Nov 21 club mailing list
Here's what I used to run a ITX board in Snappy: http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-90
I also found this forum very friendly and helpful: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/power-supplies/
They deal with cars, but most of their advice applies to robots as well. For example, the inexpensive DC-DC converters expect a stable 12.0V, not battery power. As a result, they wire the 12V input into the motherboard's 12V supply. However, some ITX motherboards (including Intel's), have additional on-board regulators that don't mind 11V-13V. As a result, I could use a 3 cell LiPo battery that varied from 12.6V-10.8V without a more expensive 12V regulator.
Users manual
the 'official' VIA user's manual is at http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/mainboards/downloads.jsp?motherboard_id=221#Manual
Cooling
Opinions from John Slater:
The Epia Nano-ITX contains a massive aluminum extrusion. The extrusion weights more than the board it cools. I presume the board and extrusion were designed with the hope that a fan would not be necessary.
On a mobile robot, the cooling system extrusion's weight could be excessive.
The kit we got has a fan, and the extrusion is milled away in the area where the fan is to be mounted. The manual shows a fanless version without a cooling fan, using the very same extrusion. When a fan is used, forced convection allows much finer fins to be used; and a much lighter extrusion. So the extrusion in our kit is a quick fix and not a very good design from a weight standpoint
I hope someone tries a standard CPU cooler, which is much lighter weight.
Fanless boards are noiseless; a fan system will cost more due to the fan's motor, and be much lighter in weight (if designed properly).
Finally, if you want good passive cooling (ie no fan), your board will have MUCH better cooling if it is vertical and the cooling fins are also vertical. The hot air rising will promote convective cooling.
Robot boards are almost always mounted horizontally; except some humaniod bots, where the boards are mounted to the chest in a vertical orientation. We should move away from this poor design practice.
