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Just like the Mini and the Classic, the Micro uses heatpipes to cool the processor and graphics chips and therefore fans are not needed. This is an ideal situation when you consider that more and more people are now using PCs as their main source of media in their homes. The last thing you need is a noisy media PC when you are trying to watch a film or listen to music in a quiet environment.
Bundle Contents
The HFX Micro M2 Bundle is supplied as a bundle system. It includes the essential components needed to build an extremely quiet media centre PC. The information below describes each component supplied with the HFX Micro in more detail.
HFX Micro M2 Heatsink Case
The Micro case is very small. It measures only 240mm wide, 86mm high and 230mm deep, which must make it one of the smallest fully functional media centre chassis available. At the front of the case there are two slots. The larger slot is for CDs or DVDs and the other is to allow access to the SD (Secure Digital) card reader. Also on the front of the case is the HFX logo, DVD eject button, USB port, headphone and microphone ports and a window for the IR remote control sensor.
The outer casing of the Micro is made from high gloss acrylic. The sides of the HFX Micro look like heatsinks which is because that is what they are! Each heatsink is designed to naturally dissipate the heat from the CPU and VGA chips without the need of fans (more info on this below).
BorgFX Micro Heatpipe Cooler
This heatpipe set is designed to connect the CPU and GPU to the side of the case. The heatpipes transfer the heat generated by the CPU and GPU to the side heatsinks where they are cooled passively. This is how the HFX Micro noise reduction features come into their own. Due to the fact the system does not use any fans the only noise you will hear from the system is the hard drive, which will be extremely quiet.
Sony Slim DVD Player
The DVD drive supplied with the HFX Micro is manufactured by Sony. Sony are well known for being one of the best optical drive manufacturers out there. The DVD drive connects to the motherboard using the supplied IDE cable. The HFX Micro is supplied with a Silent Box that houses the DVD drive. This helps to reduce the noise when using the optical drive.
- Model Number: Sony-NEC Optiarc Slimline Slot-in AD-7633A
- Speed: DVD+R(+RW) 8x(8x) / DVD-R(-RW) 8x(6x) / DVD-RAM 5x / DVD+R(-R) DL 4x(4x) / CDR(RW) 24x(16x)
- Dimensions: 160 x 140 x 22 mm
Power Supply
Another thing to consider is how the system is going to be powered. The M2 Bundle is supplied with the EF14 140W fanless PSU which has been designed especially for the Micro. Whilst looking at the list of compatible motherboards you will notice a column called requirements. This column shows if the EF14 fanless PSU and a ATX extension cable is required. If there is no information in the requirements column then the motherboard will more than likely be supplied with a PSU, check your motherboard contents!
PSU Specifications
- Maximum Current: 12V 7A, 5V 6A, 3.3V 6A, 5VSB 1.5A, -12V 0.05A
- Maximum Load: 12V 84W, 5V 30W, 3.3V 20W, 5VSB 7.5W, -12V 0.5W
- Permanent Power: 84W
- Combined Power:142W
- Connections: ATX 20-pin x1, 4-pin Molex (large) x 2, 4-pin Molex (small) x1, 4-pin ATX12V x1
- Efficiency: 94% DC-DC, 80% AC-DC
- Dimensions: 116 x 55 x 34mm
Remaining Required Components for a Full System
The remaining products which are needed/recommended to complete the system are as follows. We have also included our own specific recommendations.
- Motherboard, CPU and Memory
- Hard Drive
- Vista Remote Control
- TV Card
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Audio & Speakers
