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neilhart's Prodigy "The White One" - mATX in an ITX case

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neilhart

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Joined
May 25, 2010
Messages
2,686
Motherboard
ASRock Fatal1ty Z270 Gaming - ITX/ac
CPU
i7-7700T
Graphics
GTX960
Mac
  1. MacBook
  2. MacBook Pro
Mobile Phone
  1. iOS
New Project: "The White One"

I have completed the White and this is an update to the first posting with a photo of the final "White'.

Final.jpg




Components:


Case -BiitFenix Prodigy ITX case in White

Motherboard - MSI Z77MA-G45 (Micro ATX)

CPU - Intel i7-3770K

GPU - Sapphire HD 6870

PSU - TBD

OD - TBD - Slot Loader DVD

HDD - 2.5" 500 GB, X4, RAID 0

Backup and Recovery - 2 or 3 TB 3.5" hard drive - Seagate

Rear Panel -TBD - Custom for Micro ATX motherboard


Initial survey of the Prodigy, I am pleased with the design detail and quality of the case. It is unfortunate that the designers did not make it smaller or larger. For a "mini-ITX" motherboard, it could be narrower and maintain the visual attraction. If they had made is a little wider, "micro-ATX" motherboards would have fit… even a tenth of an inch would have helped.

My go no-go decision was based upon having a Micro-ATX motherboard in the chassis (as shown in the photos) and being able to attach the side panels.

Note today mini-ITX motherboards, that interest me, are z77 and none are complete (IMHO) as I need 6 or more SATA ports for the system that I envision. These mini-ITX MBs usually have a mini-PCIE slot with a WiFi card installed which is a nice feature but really not needed by most for a desktop system.

The White Prodigy front panel, the black part is a full front cover and is held inlace with cast in clip/releases (see photos). The white front panel is attached to the black with 7 screws plus two screws for the OD opening. Around the inside permitter of the black plastic there are molded in mini air slots; conclusion is that this will be restrictive for quite hi-flow rate/volume of air;

The sheet metal at the front is perforated in a pattern that allows for a larger fans. A single 120mm fan is installed at the front lower mount. I can envision mounting a 200 mm or larger fan, cutting out the sheet metal mesh and redoing the entire front panel for low resistance to volume air flow.

The White and Black cases have different treatment at the front. The White as I described above and the Black with a mesh covering over a frame with large octagonal holes. I did know about the difference and would have held back for a black case. I will search around a see if I can find a "Black Prodigy" front panel before modding the white one.

Anyway it is what it is and after hacking G4 Cubes, Power Mac and Mac Pro chassis, I really don't have a problem in concept to redoing someones design to suit my purpose.

The motherboard mounting plate is the PSU enclosure bracket and it is held in place with 10 pop rivets. I drilled out these rivets to get at the bracket. Removed the existing 4 board standoffs. Replaced with PC type brass standoffs relocated to the MicroATX pattern and added expansion card tail slot. I am planning to reinstall with #6 Phillips flat head screws as this part may need to be removed a number of times.

PSU mounting with the fan facing downward appears to be entirely rational. There are even 4 rubber blocks placed for the PSU to rest on. As with most small systems, the PSU wring will need modding, cut to length and re-terminated, to get rid of the excess and tidy up the install.

The side panels are well constructed and finished. Each is held by 2 thumb screws at the rear and a mating flange at the front. The right hand side panel is has a plastic 2.5 inch 2 drive holder that is held by 4 small self-taping screws. This bit I removed immediately as it interferes with a Micro-ATA motherboard. The right side panel also has a switch board assembly attached that has the power and reset switches, USB3 ports, LEDs and Audio ports.

There has been discussion concerning this case and shoe horning a Micro-ATX motherboard into it, and some do not approve. Well hold your water and let's see how this comes out in the end.

Comments and questions are welcome.


neil

1-1-rear.jpg

1-2-rrear.jpg

1-3-rear.jpg

1-4-lrear.jpg

1-5-front.jpg

1-6-wMB.jpg

1-7-MBfit.jpg

1-8-stripped.jpg

1-9a-PSU-brkt-before.jpg

1-9b-PSU-Brkt-Modded.jpg

1-9c-PCIE-tail-slot.jpg
 
That is an adorable little case. Should anodize it aluminum and call it the Baby Pro. :)
 
Hi Neil,
Looking forward to this one! Seeing the test fit in there with your mobo I cannot understand why bitfenix themselves didn't do it with a mATX layout. It looks ideal for a compact case and mATX.
This could be awesome...as it does look a bit like a squished Mac Pro. That case looks good value and ripe for re-modelling into something special.
 
Hi Neil,
Looking forward to this one! Seeing the test fit in there with your mobo I cannot understand why bitfenix themselves didn't do it with a mATX layout. It looks ideal for a compact case and mATX.
This could be awesome...as it does look a bit like a squished Mac Pro. That case looks good value and ripe for re-modelling into something special.

As it turns out, there is a forum on the Binfenix web site and they are being asked this same question. I am almost decided to purchase a black version but find it is out of stock again at Newegg.

In the mean time I have the target motherboard installed onto the mounting plate and I am working on the IO plate. Have cut the material out to the edge of the case and this is what we have. The IO plate will need to be trimmed a bit.

2-1-IOplate.jpg

2-2-IOplate.jpg



neil
 
neilhart's Prodigy "The White One" work log started.

The hard disks and PSU that I had on order arrived today and I have made a little progress.

The IO panel is trimmed and the fit is fairly good. I have been working on a PCI Slot rear panel design and took the plunge and cut away what can not be used and was in the way. This is a raw cut and will take some hand finishing before I can reload the motherboard.

3-1-io-panel.jpg

and the full rear ...
3-2-raw-cut.jpg


more soon.
neil
 
neilhart's Prodigy "The White One" work log started.

I have made a little head way. I spent some time using CAD software and cutting paper patterns for the PCI Slot area of the rear panel. I keep coming back to this idea of patching in a portion of a salvaged rear panel instead. Here are some photos of where I am this evening.

4-2-PCI-Slot.jpg


and

4-1-PCI-Slot.jpg


Comments?

More later.

neil
 
neilhart's Prodigy "The White One" work log started.

I have made a little head way. I spent some time using CAD software and cutting paper patterns for the PCI Slot area of the rear panel. I keep coming back to this idea of patching in a portion of a salvaged rear panel instead. Here are some photos of where I am this evening.

4-2-PCI-Slot.jpg


and

4-1-PCI-Slot.jpg


Comments?

More later.

neil

If you can paint it to match the white of the case that looks like it would work perfectly
 
neilhart's Prodigy "The White One" work log started.

Okay here is the rear with the painted PCI Slot panel patched in. The motherboard tray mounted with motherboard and GPU card.
Ready to move on to the PSU and wiring.

4-3-PCI-Slot.jpg


Oh yes, I still have to mod the Right Side Panel to fit around the PCI Slot Bracket...

neil
 
neilhart's Prodigy "The White One" work log started.

Okay here is the rear with the painted PCI Slot panel patched in. The motherboard tray mounted with motherboard and GPU card.
Ready to move on to the PSU and wiring.

4-3-PCI-Slot.jpg


Oh yes, I still have to mod the Right Side Panel to fit around the PCI Slot Bracket...

neil


What are your plans for the rear fan? Looks like you could still fit a 120mm if you moved it over to the left edge.
 
neilhart's Prodigy "The White One" work log started.

That's really looking excellent. Love it.
 
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