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Building Micro-ATX/HTPC Rig, need portability as a college student. $800-$900

B

bunit

Member
Hi all

After some deliberation I've decided it would be best for me to build a mATX build as my computer of choice, one that I've been anticipating for a really long time. Still using this old P4 desktop to write this...heh

Anyways I'm heading off to college next year, only problem is: I"m flying. Oh, and my family is moving to China while I'm in college. So portability is a must...realistically though I'd only be flying with my computer probably twice a year (there and back), though I'd consider another there-and-back during winter break, since mine will be a MONTH LONG. 😀

Oh, and this:
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming, schoolwork, internet, webcamming...etc

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$800-$900 BUT including keyboard, mouse, etc and possibly including monitor - not sure on that one yet

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

NONE

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

N/A other than some of my friends scythe slipstreams/B]

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

to an extent

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

mild oc-ing, but focus on running cool/quiet

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

NOW, ordering parts ASAP

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

yezzir


I haven't been up to date about prices/components lately so sorry about this.
Some research on cases led me to this:

Silverstone Grandia GD04B (HTPC - slight premium for aluminum top, might drop down to GD05B) - 80

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollFullInfo

mATX motherboard - ??? (150?)
Processor - i5 2500k, I do have a MicroCenter (multiple actually) near me (180?)
GFX Card - GTX 460 or more if I can get away with it with my limited budget
(100-180?)
HDD - Samsung F3 1TB (60?)
Memory - 8gb of something. Need help with this. (60ish)
Sound Card (dislike onboard sound, want Dolby Headphone for gaming) - Asus DG (18-30)
PSU - ??? 550w should be enough? The more difficult thing seems to be finding something that will work alright in conjunction with the rest of my parts. 70-80?




As you guys can see, I"m clearly in need of a lot of help. I was planning on just getting a laptop for college, until a few hours ago I got really excited and realized I could build a mini-tower/htpc microatx based build instead. I will do more research tomorrow, but any help you guys could give me now would be greatly appreciated.

-bunit
🙂

edit:
Updated components. Bolded means already bought.
Silverstone Temjin TJ08-E - $100, already bought. Extra Slipstreams from friend if needed
Old Corsair VX550 - from friend, free
8GB G.Skill Sniper 1333 DDR3 - 52$ shipped, already bought
i5 2500k/mobo bundle - to be determined (240-275)
1TB Samsung Spinpoint F3 - $60
Hyper 212+ - $25
GTX 460 or less - still searching for a deal
Asus DG or better - waiting on a deal
Mouse/KB - waiting on a deal
 
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Are you sure you can't use onboard sound? What about an outboard DAC, which would be much better than a $30 sound card anyway. With that, you can go mini-ITX and get some nice space savings. ITX would mean H67 which lose overclocking though

i5 2500K $180 @ MC
ASRock H67M-ITX $87
G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB $50
6870 $155 AR
Samsung DVD Burner $19
Samsung F3 1TB $60
Corsair 430CX $35 AR
Lian-Li PC-Q08B $110
Total: $696 AR

Then get a Headroom Total Bithead for $150 to enjoy sweet, sweet headphone sound. That leaves you $50 for a decent mouse and KB.
 
mfenn said:
Are you sure you can't use onboard sound? What about an outboard DAC, which would be much better than a $30 sound card anyway. With that, you can go mini-ITX and get some nice space savings. ITX would mean H67 which lose overclocking though

i5 2500K $180 @ MC
ASRock H67M-ITX $87
G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB $50
6870 $155 AR
Samsung DVD Burner $19
Samsung F3 1TB $60
Corsair 430CX $35 AR
Lian-Li PC-Q08B $110
Total: $696 AR

Then get a Headroom Total Bithead for $150 to enjoy sweet, sweet headphone sound. That leaves you $50 for a decent mouse and KB.
Click to expand...

Hi mfenn, thanks for the response

I would go ITX except I really do want Dolby Headphone for gaming, and the external DACs with DH/CMSS3d (x-fi) aren't too great, along wiht being more expensive. I know the DG isn't too great but for 20-30$ it seems decent, has op amps too along with the Dolby Headphone functionality I was looking for. I don't have any great headphones - just m50s and KSC75s so it should be OK on my limited budget. I would totally get the Total Bithead if I had the budget though.

That case looks good but I"m still sort of torn between going ITX (smaller volume case) vs mATX (can get a flatter HTPC style case, somewhat more orthodox).
Thanks for your input though. If I were to go with the $70 Silverstone GD-05B instead (HTPC style), could I splurge more on getting a better video card? I want one thats relatively cool/silent so I was thinking gtx 460/gtx 560 or something similar. What's weird though is that it seems like video card prices have risen over the past few months...I seem to recall gtx 460's going for close to $100 after rebate...but not anymore :'( I'm actually looking forward to the next generation of 28nm video cards so I don't mind getting a slightly cheaper one now since I"m not doing any heavy gaming at the moment....not much gaming at all actually. I would like to be able to come October/November though.

Also I would like to be able to overclock at some point so P67/Z68 for me...probably P67 since its cheaper.

DaveSimmons said:
^ nice system. A smaller choice (but costs $65 extra) is the Silverstone SG-07 which includes a 600 watt PSU:

Lian-Li - 13.58" x 8.94" x 10.71"

Silverstone - 13.78" x 8.74" x 7.48"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163169

FYI, you can also get Silverstone systems pre-built from CyberPower (their LAN systems)
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/
Click to expand...

Hi DaveSimmons, thanks for the response.

How are the Silverstone bundled PSUs? I always read people saying don't skimp out on the power supply/case bundled ones usually aren't too good...600w is more than enough for me though. But like I said earlier, I think I'm still leaning more towards mATX as opposed to mITX but I"m open to both - just gotta figure out a Dolby Headphone solution/which one is more easily transportable as carry-on luggage on a plane. I want to say that HTPC-style cases would be because of their short height and relatively shallow depth as opposed to the more cube-like structures of the mITX cases but I"m not entirely sure. The mITX cases are definitely smaller in overall volume though.

Maybe somebody who DOES fly with their mATX or mITX rig once in a while could give some input on this?



As for why not a laptop...well not enough power without breaking the bank basically. Or too big/bulky to be practical. I'll have a laptop, but it'll either be a 12" one from home or a sub 500 13-14" one that I'll purchase along with this system. And...is flying with monitors practical/doable? 22-24" ones. Only twice a year. but yea.


Thanks again anandtech
-Bunit
 
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Well, the rig I suggested fits within your budget even with amp. Also, you can enable HRTF (which is what you're really looking for) via software in Windows by selecting the "headphone" speaker choice.
 
The Silverstone 600 watt bronze is supposed to be decent, though it's true that if they offered the case without PSU I'd put in a 5xx watt gold PSU instead.

> I want to say that HTPC-style cases would be because of their short height and relatively shallow depth

Half-height HTPC cases won't let you use a gaming graphics card. Cases that will fit a decent gaming card also need to be > 10" deep for the card length.
 
Some updates for you guys.
Decided to stick with MicroATX, either getting a

Fractal Design Core 1000 (just $40)

or a

Silverstone Temjin TJ08B-E. ($100)

Not sure on which yet but leaning towards the Temjin due to what is most likely better cooling/better build quality to stand up to the transportation it'll have to undergo. These cases are the best choices that i were able to find that fit within my dimensions (aka be able to brought on carry on luggage on a plane with some clothes as padding). Any input on this would be appreciated.

Also, ordered 8gb of G.Skill Sniper Memory for 52$ shipped with a free 4gb flash drive as opposed to opting for the 8gb value kit (only 1-2$ more). Will be using a 2.5year old Corsair VX550 from my friend's previous build, so no PSU is needed either.

I really need help picking out/saving money on a Micro-ATX form factor mobo along with a GPU. SLI/xfire support...while nice probably isn't needed. Z68 or P67 is fine but no H67 because I will be OC-ing.

I'll be getting a Samsung F3 (1TB) as my main HDD and a picking up a i5 2500k from Fry's/MicroCenter tomorrow.

Thanks for any help guys 🙂
 
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Fractal Design cases are nice, but they aren't known for their durability, so I'd avoid them for this application. Do you have any specific guidance as to the dimensions?

For the mobo, look no further than the ASRock Z68 Pro3-M.
 
Hey mfenn, thanks for the response.

I hate to keep on doing this because it feels like I'm not being appreciate of your responses but I went frys/microcenter/computer central journeying today and ended up picking up my case.

The Silverstone Temjin TJ08-E. mATX form factor, JUST BARELY fits into my carry on suitcase 🙂

But basically I also looked at MicroCenter's i2500k/mobo deals and they are quite good.

Out of these, which would you recommend? Or should I still go for the AsRock (at a premium though because of the huge savings).

Z68 or P67 is a given.
So,

Asus P8P67-M-Pro-R3 1155 MATX
Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 1155 MATX
Gigabyte GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 1155 MATX

or stick with the AsRock (at a premium of anywhere from 60 to around $10). The Z68MA is the cheapest, Z68MX next, then the Asus.
 
Supposedly, supposedly now because we dont know for sure, the Z68 mobos have a guarantee to be compatible with IB whereas its not as certain if all P67 mobos will. So if you want an upgrade path to IB the Z68 may be the better choice if you want a new chip next year and dont want to buy another mobo.

The ASUS P8P67-M Pro is a good solid mobo. I have it and have nothing but praise for it. Its a popular mobo with the SFF crowd. The crowd is going more towards Z68 now it seems however since they are newer and have a better path to the IB chip. The new Maximus IV Gene- Z mobo is the hot new mATX mobo to get right now. Its upper end though so its not cheap but SFF enthusiasts gamers tend to go for high end whenever possible.
 
bunit said:
Hey mfenn, thanks for the response.

I hate to keep on doing this because it feels like I'm not being appreciate of your responses but I went frys/microcenter/computer central journeying today and ended up picking up my case.

The Silverstone Temjin TJ08-E. mATX form factor, JUST BARELY fits into my carry on suitcase 🙂

But basically I also looked at MicroCenter's i2500k/mobo deals and they are quite good.

Out of these, which would you recommend? Or should I still go for the AsRock (at a premium though because of the huge savings).

Z68 or P67 is a given.
So,

Asus P8P67-M-Pro-R3 1155 MATX
Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 1155 MATX
Gigabyte GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 1155 MATX

or stick with the AsRock (at a premium of anywhere from 60 to around $10). The Z68MA is the cheapest, Z68MX next, then the Asus.
Click to expand...

No problem, buying a case in person is a great way to determine if it fits.

As for the mobos, I would not buy any of them over the Pro3-M at Newegg or Amazon prices. What price can you get from MC?
 
I'm really tempted to get the Maximus Gene now but I'm not really sure I need all that extra high-end functionality..I mean my build is pretty mid-tier at the moment.

MC prices are great.
Cheaper gigabyte = 60 after rebate
More expensive one = 95 after rebate
Asus = 100? or 110 but no rebate i think

rebates are like 15-20 dollars, I'm not a huge fan of rebates but still - money is money...even though it comes evennnnnnntually
 
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Given those prices, the GA-Z68MA-D2H is a no brainer. The other boards don't provide enough extra functionality to be worth the $35+ extra.
 
Some updates for you guys. Will be building this rig tomorrow. I"m leaving the country within the next week so some exceptions had to be made in regard to component choice/pricing/etc. I'll try and take some pics too.

Picked up a reference model Sparkle GTX 560 Ti for $201 shipped ^_^that'll be put into the build after the initial rig is built up/set up. Will be relying on integrated graphics till then.

What I"m working with:

Silverstone Temjin TJ-08B-E/TJ-08E mATX Case ($100, $108 after tax, no shipping)
Intel i2500k CPU ($180 from MicroCenter ($180 + tax after)
8 GB of G.Skill Sniper 1333 RAM ($56 shipped/after tax)
CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ ($30 shipped/no tax)
Gigabyte Z68-MX-UD2H-B3 MicroATX Mobo ($100 + tax after - $15 MIR)
Samsung F3 1TB Spinpoint HDD ($60 + tax after)
Asus DRW-24b3st Optical Drive ($22 + tax, got this price matched with a cheaper ASUS model somehow)
Corsair VX550 550watt PSU (free from friend)
Sparkle GTX 560 Ti ($197 shipped after price match!! no tax, will be installed couple days after rest of rig is set up)
Windows 7 Pro License - $30

Total money out the door - AFTER TAXES, AFTER SHIPPING, NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT MIR:

-------$787-------

with a couple notes:

-considering re-using cheapie OEM mouse/keyboard but will probably pick up a cheapie keyboard and waiting on a nice mouse deal or will get a budget-friendly one like the good ol' MX518. Any suggestions would be great, looking for a KB with at least 3-4 NRKO and multimedia buttons are a plus (mostly just volume control). Gaming mouse too.

-Unfortunately...no soundcard/SSD until later. Unfortunately my mobo doesn't have legacy PCI slots so there goes the cheapie Asus DG with onboard amp I wanted. Will have to spend more for a PCIE solution later on and/or get external amp/dac combos. Saw a 120GB 1st-gen Vertex Turbo for $130 shipped but passed on that due to issues with the Indilinx controllers.

-regret not buying the cheaper Z-68MA board from Gigabyte but it was an impulse, in-person purchase and I'm a bit too busy to return it right now. I suppose I could but I plan on building tomorrow so...we'll see about that. Difference is 25 bucks. Shame those were the only two choices for MC Bundle discounts though. Looking online I see they have the AsRock Z68 Pro3-M mATX board in stock...it has a PCI slot for a potential sound card too along with being $10 cheaper, but no MIR. Undecided whether or not I should do a Mobo swap tomorrow before building.

-will be picking up either a Logitech C310 or Logitech C525 webcam so that'll be another $30 or $40 dollars (respectively) added onto total cost.
 
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Build looks good to me! Yeah, you could have saved some money on the RAM, mobo, and ODD, but we're talking $30 or so. Since you're under time pressure, I'd say you made pretty good choices.
 
Yeah definitely agree with you but oh well. Also got $5.66 credited back on the Sparkle GTX 560 Ti just now 🙂

Built it today...having a hell of a time trying to install Windows 7 right now. Burned a ton of ISO DVDs, none got past loading finals said kernels were missing. I think my current computers CD burner is bad, so I made a bootable USB instead. That gets into Windows installation...but says it can't find drivers for Windows 7. Tried using both and got me into the Windows 7 Terms of Use but somehow I couldn't navigate it with my keyboard? (this might be my own fault lol)
Currently re-downloading the .ISO from the official Windows 7 site, then will try again I guess.
 
Check to make sure that your SATA controllers are in AHCI mode. Your HDDs should be detected then (if you can get it that far!).
 
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