Tag Archive for: obt mini

Step-By-Step assembly guide – OBT Mini

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The Open Benchtable Mini is so simple to assemble that we never really bothered making a step-by-step assembly guide besides the one available in the box.

So, here we are with our detailed, step-by-step assembly and use guide for the Open Benchtable Mini. For the regular size OBT, check out our step-by-step guide for the Open Benchtable.

This guide focuses on the Open Benchtable Mini. The use of mini-ITX motherboards is recommended but there is not “hard limit” and mini-DTX motherboards would fit as well. There is no hard-limit on the CPU cooler or GPU sizes neither.

First, remove the OBT from its packaging. If you choose not to keep it, please consider reusing it for something else or recycle it!

Assembling the feet

To release the feet, start by unscrewing the four screws holding the feet to the structure. Then loosen the PCI-E thumbscrews. The two feet and the PCI-E standoffs should now be released from the main body.

The PCI-E standoffs slide in slightly in the main body to stay secured when packed.

To secure the feet to the main body, use the same screws directly in the two holes on each side of the benchtable as highlighted.

  • Attach the feet in the higlighted holes.

Attaching the PSU

The OBT Mini is compatible with the SFX and SFX-L PSU form-factor.

Note that the screws used for holding the PSU are 6#32 when everything else on the OBT uses M3.

All of the screws are located at the bottom of the OBT Mini. The 6#32 screws can be found on the left side, while spare M3 screws are on the right side.

  • 6#32 screws can be easily recognized because they feature a wider threading

Attach the PSU to the feet located under the handle. The PSU can be attached with the fan facing up or down, but it is recommended to use your PSU with the fan facing up. 

  • Open Benchtable Mini PSU Support
    Once assembled, you OBT Mini is rock stable

Attaching the CPU/Cooler/RAM

At this stage, you should mount the CPU, the cooler and the ram to your motherboard.

Tips from the team: In case you use watercooling radiators or large All-In-One Watercooling kits in a non-conventional approach (see the last step): This is a good time to hook them up to the table for good. We have a blog post with detailed instructions on how to proceed.

Tips from the team: Brackets can be used in multiple scenarios depending on how you orient them. This helps fit radiators mounting using the 120mm to 140mm (fan-size).

A new generation of brackets on the Open Benchtable Mini

Securing the motherboard

Now, let’s get our motherboard on the OBT Mini!

You need the standoffs located on the feet. If you take a look at them, you will notice that they are of two different types.

Four of them are the usual screw standoffs that help you secure the motherboard in place. The other four are our fast mounting push-pin standoffs. You can use whichever type suits your needs best.

If you’re still not convinced on how to proceed, we got you covered on our blog!


Tips from the team: we usually go for two conventional standoffs in diagonal and two push-pin standoffs on the other diagonal.

  • Once installed, push-pins standoffs hold your motherboard in place

Securing the GPU

For each PCI-E holder that was securing the feet at our first step, you will need a screw-type standoff (from the step above).

Attach the PCI-E thumbscrews into the standoff, screw into the main body and remove the nuts from the top screw.

Insert your GPU into the PCI-E slot, the thumbscrews should line up with the GPU mounting. Once done, tighten the nuts onto the top of the PCI-E standoffs.

Tips from the team: For single slot graphic cards, you can use one PCI-E standoff, and keep the second one stored.

  • To unlock the PCI-E support, loosen the nut from the top screw, it will unlock it from the main body of the Open Benchtable.
  • OBT-Mini-LexSteelZ
    The OBT Mini support GPUs with large coolers

Our dedicated post will guide you through an even more detailed way to secure your GPU!

Attach storage

You can easily attach up to two storage devices at the bottom part of the OBT. The Open Benchtable supports 2.5″ SSD or HDD on both 7mm and 9.5mm z-height (thickness).

Use the thumbscrews provided with the Open Benchtable to secure them in place.

We recently published an article taht features a video on how to mount the drives!

Assembling accessories

If you need to add extra coolers or accessories to your set-up, use the included brackets. These are located at the center of the benchtable. Screw them at the top of your OBT and then mount your accessory or cooler onto it. The brackets can also be used to accommodate all-in-one and custom watercooling. More advanced information is available on our How-To section  

If you are interested in mounting Noctua’s VRM Cooling System, we got you covered on our blog.

Cable management

The end is near! Lay the cables on your OBT and everything should be working!

Tips from the team: Use cable ties and make use of the space between the motherboard and the OBT to route/attach/guide your cables nicely.

Inspire yourself with some builds from the community.

This concludes our Open Benchtable assembly guide.

Feel free to share your builds!

OBT-Mini – Live Feedback Streaming Session with OC-TV

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The Open Benchtable project has been around for almost two years now and in that time we’ve seen so many overclockers and enthusiasts really take a shine to the product. The OBT was designed to be as lightweight portable as possible, while also supporting a full range of ATX motherboards. One side project that has taken shape in the last few months is the creation of an Open Benchtable that is designed specifically for smaller Mini-ITX boards.

The new OBT-Mini was the topic of a live feedback session on the OverClocking-TV Twitch channel a few days ago with Trouffman (one of the lead members of the OBT team) and guest Toolius leading an open discussion about the new product. The video has now been posted on the OC-TV YouTube channel and is well worth watching.

The OBT-Mini in a Mini-ITX version of the classic Open Benchtable. First unveiled just over month ago, it’s currently at the prototype stage of production and in not yet available on the market. Here are a few shots of the latest OBT-Mini prototype, just to whet your appetite:

The live video stream involves an introduction to the OBT project, the BC1 table that Streacom and ourselves have been selling and the recent success of the updated red and black versions. Trouff also reminds us about the Open Source nature of the project and how anyone can get hold of the design documentation in order to develop and make your own accessories for example. He then goes on talk about the Mini-ITX version, the OBT-Mini, comparing it to its larger brother side by side. Check out the video below which recounts the entire feedback session in full.

In the video Trouff discusses some of the design decisions that were made when developing the OBT-Mini, many of which are simply compromises that were needed to implement the design strategy of the original product into a much smaller form factor. One notable decision for example that was taken, is that the OBT-Mini will support only smaller form factor SFX power supplies, not full ATX power supplies. There is also mention of what colors will be available for the OBT-Mini, plus several other questions regarding availability and pricing.

The OBT-Mini is a prototype at the moment, but in the near future we hope it will become available here on the OBT website. Watch this space!

Don’t forget that you can also make your valued contribution to the design procedure by posting your opinions on this forum thread.

Want the Open Benchtable for your Micro-ATX, Full-size ATX and big motherboard ? The new batch in red, silver and black are shipping right now (while supply last)!

Order the Original OBT

A New Mini Member of the Family: OBT BC1-Mini

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The Open Benchtable family is about to add a new sibling; the OBT-Mini is taking shape and here is what you need to know about it.

About two years ago the idea to create a lightweight, versatile and portable bench bed took place with the collaboration of Streacom, HWBOT and OverClocking-TV. The following year at Computex the project got a release date; before the end of the summer. After a fast sell out of the first batch of limited Community Edition tables, we recently announced that a new batch is now shipping in silver, black and red colors.

The team is not stopping there and is working on a Mini-ITX sized version based on the successful design of the OBT (also known as BC1). Requests came from user groups in the Small Form Factor Community (SFF) for a small sized bench bed and open air solution. This triggered the creativity of the Open Benchtable design team.

This is our current vision of a Mini-ITX bench bed :

A Mini-ITX Open Benchtable – Tell Us What You Think

These are early pictures of the OBT Mini (BC1 Mini) prototype, which means it is the best time for you to give your feedback on the forum. As of now release date and pricing are unknown.

Want the Open Benchtable for your Micro-ATX, Full-size ATX and big motherboard ? The new batch in red, silver and black are shipping right now (while supply last)!

Order the Original OBT