Critique my SFF build

[Mushkins]

I'm putting together a mid-range gaming HTPC with the requirement that it fits in a *really* tight space in my entertainment center. I'm used to higher end builds, so fitting everything into the Silverstone Sugo SG13 is certainly a new experience that I'd like an extra set of eyes on.

Ignore the prices, I'm going to shop around for better deals. Thats just the defaults PCPP gave me.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590S 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($195.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Silverstone TD03-E 92.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($50.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($194.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Silverstone Sugo SG13B Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Plus 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $804.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-23 08:04 EDT-0400

 

[XavierMace]

I'd drop the AIO in this particular case. You're limited to a single fan 120mm setup on this case. You'll get better performance out of a decent air cooler. Unless you have some flexibility on the case?

 

[melloyellow]

Have you considered the silverstone milo cases? IMO, they look pretty nice for fitting in entertainment centers.

IMO, "S" processor and liquid cooling are unnecessary. I recently built a 4790k with a zalman cnps8900 in a similar case that worked out quite well.

 

[Mushkins]

No flexibility with the case, unfortunately. This was absolutely the smallest thing I could find that fits a discrete GPU, otherwise I'd buy a NUC and call it a day.

The AIO is more to keep it quiet, and not many air coolers will fit in this case. I did drop it down to a Corsair H60 instead of the Silverstone model though, saves $30 and the 4590S doesn't really need the extra cooling from the higher end model.

 

[Blue_Max]

Check into the Alienware Alpha. Tiny bit less video speed, but can be had for under $400US and it's fantastically small!

Intel NUC, Alienware Alpha, PS4

 

[dougp]

I'd drop the AIO in this particular case. You're limited to a single fan 120mm setup on this case. You'll get better performance out of a decent air cooler. Unless you have some flexibility on the case?

No. Airflow in that case is so restricted - particularly if someone goes with a full ATX PSU.

I know, because I've built a custom loop and used AIO as well in a SG13.

 

[Mushkins]

Check into the Alienware Alpha. Tiny bit less video speed, but can be had for under $400US and it's fantastically small!

The $700 Alienware Alpha has a 1TB spinning disk, a "mystery GPU" on par with an 860M, and a reasonably weaker CPU. Even the highest end Alienware Alpha has a much weaker CPU than the 4590S.

It's a cool option, but it's a considerable markup for a good deal less performance. Plus i'm not sure if it's possible to ditch their proprietary UI without jumping through obnoxious hoops.

 

[melloyellow]

No flexibility with the case, unfortunately. This was absolutely the smallest thing I could find that fits a discrete GPU, otherwise I'd buy a NUC and call it a day.

Not to press the issue but just in case you weren't aware, the milo case does support full size gpus. It uses a pcie extender cable to put the gpu alongside the mobo so you get more of a media device shaped case.
http://m.newegg.com/Product?ItemNumber=11-163-256

 

[SithSolo1]

Only thing I might look at is "dropping down" to an SFX psu give more room for cables and tubes, aside from that it looks fine. Price is a little higher on those but with the ST45SF-G you gain 40mm front to back.

Not to press the issue but just in case you weren't aware, the milo case does support full size gpus. It uses a pcie extender cable to put the gpu alongside the mobo so you get more of a media device shaped case.
http://m.newegg.com/Product?ItemNumber=11-163-256

Yes, that one does but its also 20% larger than the case the OP has selected.


Also might want to check this case out down the road, seems pretty small:

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1799326

 

[Mushkins]

Another case is not an option, I have 9" of width to work with, it has to fit on the same shelf as my PS4.

I'm focused on the components, not the case.

 

[Blue_Max]

The $700 Alienware Alpha has a 1TB spinning disk, a "mystery GPU" on par with an 860M, and a reasonably weaker CPU. Even the highest end Alienware Alpha has a much weaker CPU than the 4590S.

It's a cool option, but it's a considerable markup for a good deal less performance. Plus i'm not sure if it's possible to ditch their proprietary UI without jumping through obnoxious hoops.

There were good deals to be had... like I said, it's been on sale for $400 CANADIAN, so it would've been even cheaper in USD.

It'd be VERY hard to build a system with an i3 and GTX 750TI (which the 860M just barely outperforms) -- not to mention the fact the Alpha's also MUCH smaller, nearly silent, and barely sips electricity.

IF you can get a cheap deal, I can't see much better out there without going much, much larger.

[edit] Just checked... $449 on Steam right now... not even a sale, just regular price.

 

[jana519]

Seems like a shame to pay $80 on an AIO cooler just to put a 65W TDP processor underneath it. The SG13, AIO, and Strider PSU cost a total of $191. An alternative is to get the SG05BB-450-USB3.0 and go stock cooling. That saves $65 and 0.7 liters space.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

You're going crazy on the cooling.

See my sig rig - I'm running a mildly overclocked 'K' CPU in a case slightly smaller than that one, and a stock Intel HSF. Temps are fiiiiine. Also, saved some bucks on the HSF I didn't buy. (Drop that watercooler, you could probably swing a 970.)

SFX PSU is definitely a must in my case though.

 

[Mushkins]

Does the stock HSF fit in the SG13? I wasn't going with an AIO for the cooling aspect, so much as the super tiny heatsink and rad being out of the way as well as the noise factor.

I've also read some reviews of the SG13 saying that a SFX PSU with an adapter hangs precariously over the other components in a not-so-stable way and would need a custom support to be safe. The SG13 is only designed for an ATX PSU unfortunately.

I guess I could try it and always buy the cooler after the fact if the stock doesnt fit.

 

[Mushkins]

There were good deals to be had... like I said, it's been on sale for $400 CANADIAN, so it would've been even cheaper in USD.

It'd be VERY hard to build a system with an i3 and GTX 750TI (which the 860M just barely outperforms) -- not to mention the fact the Alpha's also MUCH smaller, nearly silent, and barely sips electricity.

IF you can get a cheap deal, I can't see much better out there without going much, much larger.

[edit] Just checked... $449 on Steam right now... not even a sale, just regular price.

The performance does not match the price. I'm not saying they're a bad piece of kit, just that they're marked up laptop parts. If I wanted the level of performance one of those alienware boxes would provide, I'd just dangle an extra HDMI from my laptop and plug it in whenever I wanted to use it.

I appreciate you pointing out the alienware boxes, but they do not meet my needs for this project.

 

[Mushkins]

Swapped out the PSU for a Corsair CX430M that was a newegg flash sale today for $29.99 after MIR (big discount from the original choice!). The GPU was also on sale for $189.99 after MIR, and I grabbed the H60 as that was on sale too.

Gonna try it without the H60. It shouldn't *need* the cooling, but there's been a couple other SG13 threads on hardocp and overclockers.net where people claimed to have heat issues on air cooling with this case. I can always return it unopened if air isn't good enough.

 

[fire400]

considering you may be getting this liquid cooled on the CPU, have you thought about doing anything fancy with the GTX960?