Mini-ITX Gaming Rig - would this build work?

ilikebeeef · 01-28-2013, 05:41 PM

Graphics Card: 2GB Powercolor HD 7870 $225 <- overkill for my current graphics needs but a lot of people have recommended I get 7870 instead of 7770
Processor: Intel Core i5-3570 $202
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H77N-WIFI $120
RAM: 8GB Kit 1600 Kingston HyperX Black 1.5V $50
HDD : WD Blue 1TB $74 <- if the shop sells the later version, I will get that one instead
SSD : Samsung 830 128GB $98
External DVD-RW: LG External Slim DVD Writer $30
PSU: Silverstone ST45SF-SFX 450W $83
Case: Silverstone FT03 Mini Silver $139
OS: OEM 64 bit Windows 8 Home Premium $99

Total not including OS: $1021

Uses: Gaming (mostly Sims 3), Internet browsing/streaming, social networking, word processing. I’d like to be able to run Sims 3 with all expansions on max settings. I may be trying out other games but don't have any particular ones in mind right now, except maybe Skyrim. I do however own some copies of MMORPGs as I have played them in the past.

Do I want to..
Overclock: No
SLI/Crossfire: No
Wifi: Yes I do want, but I can use USB
Bluetooth: Same as Wifi
Multi-monitor: No

Current Monitor Size: 1680x1050 pixels. I don't really play full-screen, normally just have games in a 1280x1024 window or even smaller.
Location: Sydney, Australia

I will probably be using mods to load straight to desktop and to add a very functional start menu button so the Windows 8 UI will probably not be an issue.

How does that sound? Am I missing anything? What would the bottleneck in this build be, or is it completely balanced? I'd like to hear your opinions

OVerLoRDI · 01-28-2013, 06:03 PM

Should be a good little box. Make sure the GPU isn't too big for the case, same with the PSU.

Zap · 01-28-2013, 08:50 PM

PSU is SFX, which is exactly what the case takes.

Card specified is 9.5" long, which will fit.

Why external optical drive? Unable to find a slot load internal?

ilikebeeef · 01-29-2013, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zap

PSU is SFX, which is exactly what the case takes.

Card specified is 9.5" long, which will fit.

Why external optical drive? Unable to find a slot load internal?

I chose to go external since I pretty much never use the internal optical drive on my current computer, so I was thinking that I could link up the external to the computer, say, during Windows installation, then when I don't need it, I put it away so it doesn't just sit there idly, using power and generating unneeded heat. Also would be portable (so I can use it on other computers as well, for example an ultrabook) and would make the desktop lighter if I need to carry it around.

PatwrikM · 01-29-2013, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilikebeeef

Graphics Card: 2GB Powercolor HD 7870 $225 <- overkill for my current graphics needs but a lot of people have recommended I get 7870 instead of 7770
Processor: Intel Core i5-3570 $202
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H77N-WIFI $120
RAM: 8GB Kit 1600 Kingston HyperX Black 1.5V $50
HDD : WD Blue 1TB $74 <- if the shop sells the later version, I will get that one instead
SSD : Samsung 830 128GB $98
External DVD-RW: LG External Slim DVD Writer $30
PSU: Silverstone ST45SF-SFX 450W $83
Case: Silverstone FT03 Mini Silver $139
OS: OEM 64 bit Windows 8 Home Premium $99

I'be built a similar system but opted for some different hardware.

I am running a 3570k but with a Asrock z77e itx.
Got a powercolor tahiti LE 7870 -- great bank for the buck, able to run all the latest games at 1080p on ultra.
Case - opted for the bitfenix prodigy.

Whatever route you go, the system you have specced out should do fine for what you play.

ilikebeeef · 01-29-2013, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatwrikM

I'be built a similar system but opted for some different hardware.

I am running a 3570k but with a Asrock z77e itx.
Got a powercolor tahiti LE 7870 -- great bank for the buck, able to run all the latest games at 1080p on ultra.
Case - opted for the bitfenix prodigy.

Whatever route you go, the system you have specced out should do fine for what you play.

Did/do you intend to overclock?

PatwrikM · 01-30-2013, 12:53 PM

Yah, I have my 3570k OC'ed to a stable 4.5ghz.

The nice thing about the bitfenix prodigy is the amount of space for cooling

AkumaX · 01-30-2013, 01:20 PM

consider getting samsung low profile ram?

ilikebeeef · 01-30-2013, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatwrikM

Yah, I have my 3570k OC'ed to a stable 4.5ghz.

The nice thing about the bitfenix prodigy is the amount of space for cooling

Yeah I agree. The Bitfenix Prodigy does definitely have more expandability than the FT03-Mini. Its style is decent as well. However it seems a bit big to me.. it's wider than my current computer which is a BTX.. And the length of the FT03-Mini got me as well :x lol it's about half the length of most cases, so I can just put it on the table next to the monitor without anything sticking out forward. Just seems really cool to me. I also like silver colour, which Bitfenix Prodigy doesn't have. I don't intend to overclock so I think I'm going to stick to stock cooling anyway. Or if I do in the far future, the FT03-Mini does have a radiator cooling option. Probably the main functional difference for me between the two cases is that Bitfenix Prodigy can house all graphics cards whereas the FT03-Mini has a 10" length restriction.

Why do you OC? Do you do any incredibly CPU-intensive things?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkumaX

consider getting samsung low profile ram?

No I haven't considered Samsung RAM, since PCDIY doesn't sell it. Why, is it better in any way than the Kingston HyperX?

T_Yamamoto · 01-30-2013, 06:14 PM

The Samsung low profile ram is low profile, meaning no ram clearance problems. Second it overclocks nicely.

ilikebeeef · 01-30-2013, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T_Yamamoto

The Samsung low profile ram is low profile, meaning no ram clearance problems. Second it overclocks nicely.

http://www.samsung.com/global/busine...dram/catalogue which one of these is the most suitable for my build? I can't really tell from looking at the tables.

Or am I looking at the wrong place lol. The pictures don't seem quite right.

Edit: Hmm can't find 8G Samsung 1600 being sold in Sydney..

ilikebeeef · 01-31-2013, 10:16 PM

Hey guys, problem.. I think Powercolor has changed their 7870 model? It seems to have become very hard for me to find a "right" graphics card for the case, PCDIY says their supplier only has "PowerColor AX7870-2GBD5-2DHPPV3E http://www.powercolor.com/global/pro...res.asp?id=430 in stock for $255", which is quite a bit more than the $225 I was going for.. and they are also unable to get the AMD reference 7870 model AND EVGA products ._.

They have Gainward GTX 660 though on their price list for $225. Is that a suitable card for the case?

mirno · 02-01-2013, 10:05 AM

There are some special 7870 models. They got a 7950 chip (Thaiti). Like the Sapphire 7870 XT (Thaiti). You should check for those! Really recommeded. Like the same price as regular 7870 models and a lot faster

ilikebeeef · 02-01-2013, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirno

There are some special 7870 models. They got a 7950 chip (Thaiti). Like the Sapphire 7870 XT (Thaiti). You should check for those! Really recommeded. Like the same price as regular 7870 models and a lot faster

Hey. These ones are too long for the case I chose. But anyway, I "committed to buy" this EVGA GTX 660 Superclocked Edition from a U.S. seller from eBay for $234 including shipping.. In Sydney, cheapest is $260 without shipping and are deposit to order. Furthermore, EVGA warranty does cover the product still.