A Smaller Footprint Image Processing Computer for Easier Transport
Date: Jan 29, 2022
My new, smaller, but still powerful transportable image processing workstation. This was taken in my shop, right after I was done with its setup.
A look inside the smaller form-factor case.
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Background
It took me a while to get up the learning curve of Pixinsight - but now that I am more comfortable with it, I can't imagine not having it. It is a wonderful tool for Astrophotography processing.
Having said that - I must also say that it really consumes your computer CPU cycles. The many scale-based processing operations just consume a lot of computer power. You can run it on a regular computer, but you should be prepared to be patient as some operations will take time.
I decided a while back to build a computer that was more optimized for Pixinsight-based image processing. You can see that post HERE.
I started with a 12-core CPU, added a fast motherboard that would run that CPU, loaded it up with 64GB of fast memory, and then added a few super fast VDMe Hard drives. Oh - and some cooling, Lots of cooling!
This configuration worked great for me. It speeds Pixinsight up by 300%. And I have gotten very used to that - Ok - I am spoiled.
Traveling
My oldest son lives in North Carolina with his wife and our first grandchild. I was informed by my wife that I had better get used to the idea that we would be going down there often for extended visits. As part of preparing for this, I decided to set up a small telescope that was designed to be portable. If I was going to be away from home a lot, I still wanted the ability to do Astrophotography. You can read about that portable setup HERE & HERE.
The first trip I brought the scope with me was a bit of a bust - the weather was simply terrible. But I was able to have one night where I shot the Elephants Trunk Nebula. You can see that image report HERE.
Now that I had captured data, I wanted to process it and see what I captured. I tried to do that on my MacBook Pro Computer. Small Screen. Only four CPU cores. Limited storage. Only 16GB of memory. It was quite a step-down. In fact, It was so bad that I gave up and waited to get home before I processed the image. (As I said - no I am soiled!)
I resolved then and there that I would figure out how to get a faster computer for remote processing of images.
Off the Shelf?
My first thought was that I might get a gaming laptop. It would have a faster CPU, more cores, and more memory. But the prices were surprisingly high and still would not have as many cores as I would like, nor would it have as much memory as I would like. Finally - and this really put the nail in the coffin for me - I would be stuck with a small screen. I really need some screen elbow room when working with Pixinsight.
The Final Answer
I really like the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-core, 24-Thread CPU. I started my design with this choice. I had used this with my main desktop computer and it worked great with Pixinsight.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08164VTWH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Could I build a powerful PC that was smaller around this CPU? The answer was yes - I could get a motherboard in the Mini-ITX form factor that could be much smaller. The problem was - they typically only had two DIMM slots for memory. So to get 64GB of ram I would have two get two 32GB sticks. Not cheap - but doable!
How about the case? I found some really small Mini ITX cases and was also set to get one of those and then I thought about cooling. Sometimes Pixinsight really pounds on those CPU cores and it can really drive the temperature up. In my main processing computer, I used a liquid cooling system. I would not have that option here. So I decided to get the best air cooler that I could and then pick a case where this would fit.
I ended up getting this well-reviewed cooler:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PN4RDW3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This was not small - and it did prevent me from using some of the smallest ITX-Mini Cases that are available. However, a lot of heat can be generated when all 24 threads are pounding away. I had to be confident that I was handling the thermal load.
So after doing some searching I found a Mini-ITX case that looked great for potability and would fit the above cooler.
I did end up getting a version of the case that had all-metal sides as I had no need for the clear glass side. This case has a convenient carry handle that magnetically stows away and all panels can be conveniently popped off without the use of tools.
Next, I needed a smaller form-factor power supply that would fit into the case. This is the one I chose:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CGI5M24/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It has a 600-watt capacity and modular cables. In some ways, this is overkill for this build. I was originally looking for something in the 400-watt category - but this one was on sale and actually cheaper than the same model in the lower capacity.
Next, I needed a motherboard. I ended up going with the GIGABYTE B550I AORUS PRO AX (AM4 AMD/B550/Mini-Itx):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089FWWN62/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I added in a 2TB Samsung 970 EVZO Plus NVMe M.2 hard drive:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MFZXR1B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And added a small 2.5" 2TB Seagate hard drive for local backup to the main drive:
Finally - I needed a graphics card. At this point - Pixinsight does not use the graphics processors for processing ( I expect it will in the future) - add to that the fact that graphics boards are really hard to find right now and they are super expensive!
I got around this by borrowing a 1050 card from my youngest son.
The Screen
At home, I use twin 32" 4K screens that are regularly calibrated. For this project, I need a screen that:
4K
Slightly smaller form factor
Thin
Light
Full-color gamut
Excellent image quality
Even back illumination
Calibrates well
Modular so that I can break it down easily
I ended up buying several screens, trying them out and then returning the ones I did not keep.
I finally got the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q 27 Inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) LED Backlit Monitor:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086H26XWV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This screen was the most expensive of the bunch, but I felt that the uniformity of backlighting was much better, it had a reputation for good calibration characteristics and it was a solid build with a modular construction that could be broken down easily without tools.
Calibration was done with the Datacolor Spyder X Pro system:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M6KPJ9K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Next, I needed a keyboard and a chose a thin wireless keyboard and mouse combo that was wireless:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P7MB88J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
How to Transport all of this?
I needed a padded case for the main computer case. I ended up choosing this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XJ65KYH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This was a little larger than I wanted but it did leave room in pockets and inside the case for keyboards, mice, cable, etc.
I found a nice case for the screen which I was able to get on a back Friday sale:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097NYTSWC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This was well padded and very convenient to use. I was a little worried about the screen not having strong protection from something poking it. I was a little worried about putting it in an overpacked car and having the load shift and something crashing into it. To get around that I cut a sheet of 1/8" Masonite and strapped it to the front of the monitor with elastic bands. This worked out great.ss
How did it work out?
The final setup was smaller - but not small - but much better suited for travel and transport. We ended up spending 4 weeks down in NC with my oldest son and his family. I was able to bring this along and set it up in a corner with a card table. I was able to process 5 different images front start to finish and I did not feel that I was compromised in my processing in any way.
In fact, I ran the Pixinsight Benchmark on this setup and on my main computer and this one is actually faster! I assume a later motherboard with later firmware, and slightly faster Dim Modules are driving this.
Here is the PI Benchmark run on the new computer.
The Pixinsight Benchmark for the Desktop computer
So in that sense, this project was a complete success. I now have a small scope that I can use to capture images while away from home and with the new setup - I now have the ability to full image processing comfortably.
Was it cheap? No - I but I did not spend more than I might have with a gaming laptop and I have no compromises.
More Images of the System in Use:
Both bags packed and ready to go!
The Monitor covered with a protective cover and then a sheet of masonite strapped on to protect the screen surface attached with elastic straps.
The new smaller case compared to the desktop case.
Same power, but in a much smaller footprint.
Here is the step on a card table in an AirBnB we stayed in for a while.
The computer is on the floor next to the card table. Sitting on the computer is a 5GB External Seagate Drive used to bring data into and out from the system.
My workstation at my son’s house. All editing was done during my granddaughter’s nap times! In this shot, the computer is located behind the monitor.
