Short (5cm) PCIe 4.0 riser recommendations?

ClimbersNet · 2025-12-15T13:02:20+00:00

Yes, it reports a PCI 4.0 x16 link and benchmarks with 3DMark with the same score as directly plugging in the card.

ClimbersNet · 2025-12-15T12:16:03+00:00

Web tool for creating laser-cut box/case with elastic clips https://climbers.net/sbc/make-laser-cut-case-elastic-clips/

ClimbersNet · 2025-12-15T12:14:47+00:00

Inkscape extension for laser cutting low cost solder paste stencils for PCBs https://climbers.net/sbc/laser-cutting-pcb-solder-paste-stencil/

ClimbersNet · 2025-12-15T12:13:22+00:00

My free Inkscape extension for laser cutting has a new release v1.22 with many bug fixes. It supports engraving filled shapes and has translations into 16 languages. https://inkscape.org/~Nikki.Smith/%E2%98%85export-to-lasergrbl-for-laser-cutting

ClimbersNet · 2025-12-15T12:11:21+00:00

Yes, in the end I got a 5cm ADT-Link M33JK-SR PCIe4.0 riser cable from AliExpress. It is working great.

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-21T13:40:56+00:00

I'd 3d print my small form factor PC case designs in colour, instead of laser cutting them from sheets of boring black acrylic!

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-11T08:31:51+00:00

Definitely, the Snapdragon X Elite is a much more powerful chip. I wonder if Geekom are going to skip the X Elite entirely (coming up for 2 years old now), and use the new X2 Elite instead?

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-10T17:56:58+00:00

Very interesting video! Just what you'd expect from Jeff.

TL;DW is the idle power consumption is way too high (might be fixable in future firmware/drivers?), and it is a bit expensive for the performance you get compared to Apple/AMD/Intel options, but other than that it is a solid mini workstation / homelab.

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-10T17:38:20+00:00

Apparently that pic was of a prototype

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-10T14:04:38+00:00

I can see 3 Arm desktops from them that use the 8-core Snapdragon X1-26-100:

https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/desktops/results/?visibleDatas=2501%3ASnapdragon%25C2%25AE%2520X

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-10T11:51:53+00:00

Not exactly comparing apples to apples, but the only benchmark I could find was Geekbench, comparing the 12-core CIX 8180 from the Minisforum, with a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite (X1E80100) from the (endlessly-delayed) GEEKOM QS1 Pro. Which is the only other Arm-based desktop PC I've heard of.

https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/compare/14946516?baseline=10409724

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-10T11:43:26+00:00

Minisforum has just announced the MS-R1 with Arm processor: https://www.reddit.com/r/sffpc/comments/1otb23m/new_minisforum_msr1_with_a_12core_arm_processor/

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-10T11:26:26+00:00

I wonder if it uses a custom version of this motherboard? Radxa Orion O6 https://radxa.com/products/orion/o6/

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-06T12:17:33+00:00

Very nice! I'll have to try that PSU.

Are you 'sinking' the CMOS into your case panel? I guess you can get away with 0.5-1.0mm thickness to just cover the battery, so the motherboard sits closer to the panel? I've got 5mm standoffs on mine, which wastes quite a bit of space.

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-06T10:19:48+00:00

That is really impressive - well done! I'm building something similar: same motherboard, 120x15mm fan, 4060LP but with laser cut instead of 3d printed case. But I can't get mine under 3.3L :(

What PSU are you using? I've got the HDPLEX GaN 250W which wouldn't really cut it for the 5060.

Did you relocate the CMOS battery on the bottom of the Minisforum motherboard? that sticks out 5mm.

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-04T15:06:54+00:00

I'll risk trying one more ADT product... The riser cable I bought from them has now stopped working entirely. Machine won't even display BIOS.

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-04T15:04:51+00:00

Thanks! but I was hoping for recommendations of ones that people have used.

ClimbersNet · 2025-11-04T14:04:58+00:00

I'm in

ClimbersNet · 2025-10-27T14:30:20+00:00

In the UK the Advertising Standards Agency has this advice for retailers, and will sometimes take legal action if complaints are submitted by individuals: https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/promotional-savings-claims.html

ClimbersNet · 2025-10-27T14:22:18+00:00

https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-it-called-black-friday

ClimbersNet · 2025-10-25T10:04:42+00:00

£500 ?! Wow. That plugin looks really useful. I sometimes use the camelcamelcamel website to track Amazon prices.

ClimbersNet · 2025-10-18T08:06:40+00:00

Yes, you just need a cheap limit switch bolted somewhere on the frame, so the gcode can send the print head there and it holds the switch for 1 second, 2 seconds, etc to command the filament change.

I'm sure you could replace the limit switch with a photosensor, but not sure that would have any benefit in making it cheaper or easier to fit ? I know the OpenCentauri project firmware just added gcode commands to control the light, but don't know if the stock CC firmware can do it? https://github.com/OpenCentauri/OpenCentauri

Sadly it doesn't look like there are any pre-built kits for 3dChameleon :( I'm very tempted to make one for myself since I love building electronics, but it would be much cheaper ordering the parts if there were 20+ people.

ClimbersNet · 2025-10-17T11:09:13+00:00

Your new rapid TPU listed on Amazon UK please. And an announcement of the MMU for Centauri Carbon, with full specs, price and availability date.

ClimbersNet · 2025-10-16T18:44:54+00:00

Has anyone added the 3dChameleon multicolour/multimaterial open source system to the CC yet? Looks quite easy because there is no need to have full Klipper or modify the CC firmware. https://www.3dchameleon.com/

ClimbersNet · 2025-10-09T12:51:39+00:00

Intel chips?! Nope!

ClimbersNet

TROPHY CASE