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Am I crazy for wanting to go mATX for Photo/Video?

M

mgh-pa

Member
For whatever reason, as I'm starting to plan my next computer build (I have a few threads on it already), I find myself drawn more toward a smaller form factor build. I like the idea of not having to have a massive case, fans, etc., tucked under my desk, and since I built my office last winter, I want to keep it clean and organized. I've thought of just purchasing a laptop, but I want to use external accessories, and not have to pay the extra price for those (I don't thoroughly enjoy editing in PS with a smaller keyboard). I also like the idea of a quieter, and more energy efficient setup.

Part of me continues to slap me in the face, though, and remind me of the lack of expandability (internally).

I don't do photography or video work professionally, but I do more than just dabble in it. I use PS CS5.5 (soon to be CS6) the majority of the time, and I'm planning to start playing with Lightroom for cataloging features and bulk edits. I do some basic video editing, but not a ton (getting a GoPro soon, so just fun video edits). All of these requirements lead me to believe I could do just fine with a mATX build.

Before I start a build thread, what are your thoughts? Are these valid concerns or should I just suck it up and go the tried and true full size route?
 
Not at all. Even mini-ITX is prefectly viable for many demanding users, the only real drawback being support for several hard disks and expansion cards.
 
mgh-pa said:
All of these requirements lead me to believe I could do just fine with a mATX build.
Click to expand...

mATX is basically the same today as ATX was 5-10 years ago. There is no reason to go ATX these days, unless you actually need the extra expansion slots. Power delivery design is just as good as ATX.
 
Insert_Nickname said:
mATX is basically the same today as ATX was 5-10 years ago. There is no reason to go ATX these days, unless you actually need the extra expansion slots. Power delivery design is just as good as ATX.
Click to expand...

It's not quite that simple. For gamers who want dual graphics card compatibility, ATX is the only viable choice because while mATX boards can have the necessary slots for SLI/Crossfire compatibility, they don't have spacing between the slots when using dual slot cards. Not only does this result in worse temperatures and noise levels, but also renders cards with coolers more than two slots thick incompatible for SLI/CF.

As for power delivery, it depends on the board. Few mATX boards have the overclockability of high end ATX boards, and even boards that on the surface seem to offer similar features at a similar price may be dissimilar in power delivery, e.g. compare Asrock Z77 Extreme4 to Extreme4-M. But if all you're looking for is support for a stock clocked CPU, a cheap mATX board with a low end chipset is all you need.

Also, typically ATX cases offer more features and cooling for less money, so unless the smaller form factor is a requirement, it usually makes no sense to buy an mATX case.
 
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lehtv said:
It's not quite that simple. For gamers who want dual graphics card compatibility, ATX is the only viable choice because while mATX boards can have the necessary slots for SLI/Crossfire compatibility, they don't have spacing between the slots when using dual slot cards. Not only does this result in worse temperatures and noise levels, but also renders cards with coolers more than two slots thick incompatible for SLI/CF.
Click to expand...

Not to be nitpicking, but I did write "unless you actually need the extra expansion slots". SLI/CF definitely qualifies there... 😉

lehtv said:
As for power delivery, it depends on the board. Few mATX boards have the overclockability of high end ATX boards, and even boards that on the surface seem to offer similar features at a similar price may be dissimilar in power delivery, e.g. compare Asrock Z77 Extreme4 to Extreme4-M. But if all you're looking for is support for a stock clocked CPU, a cheap mATX board with a low end chipset is all you need.

Also, typically ATX cases offer more features and cooling for less money, so unless the smaller form factor is a requirement, it usually makes no sense to buy an mATX case.
Click to expand...

Well, it seems we are in full agreement there.
 
Insert_Nickname said:
Not to be nitpicking, but I did write "unless you actually need the extra expansion slots". SLI/CF definitely qualifies there... 😉
Click to expand...

But it does have the expansion slots. My point was that it doesn't have the GPU cooler clearance, which is a different thing 🙂
 
Since you probably don't need that much GPU power (maybe a bit as some functions in CS6 are GPU accelerated) you don't need anything more than mini ITX.

Choose your CPU, RAM (probably 2x8GB kit), GPU and drives, and AFTER those choices are made, find a case that can fit it all, and then a motherboard for the case.
 
Then there's the complete opposite in this build I found for sale on Fredmiranda.

Thoughts on this and price?

LIAN LI ARMORSUIT PC-P50 Black Aluminum
Intel i5 2500k CPU
CORSAIR CWCH50-1 Hydro Cooler
BIOSTAR|TZ68A+ Z68 Motherboard
2x 128G |CRUCIAL CT128 M4 SSD
2 GB WD Caviar Black
HIS HD6870 1GB Video Card
16 GB Corsair Ram
DVD-RW
Windows 8 Pro

$900.00
 
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