Gaming Rig using SG03

[MadBadger]

I'm interested in a portable gaming rig (it'll also be used for light photo/video editing) and given the choice between a gaming laptop or an SFF build, I prefer the latter (cheaper, more bang for the buck, I like building things). The plan right now is to build an SFF rig using the Silverstone SG03 and to transport it with the sugo pack. Not sure how relevant this is, but I'll be transporting the system from the US to Argentina as carry-on (assuming that's possible, I haven't asked yet - hopefully it is).

Anyhow, I've been kicking around ideas, and I'm looking for some advice. Since I'll be in Argentina for the foreseeable future, my primary concern is component reliability (looking for quality, no over-clocking, needs to run cool) and warranty/customer service. Quite frankly a C2D system with an upper-mid range graphics card should fit my needs just fine. That being said, if it's possible, I wouldn't mind putting in the latest and greatest, as long as it meets the above requirements for reliability.

I just started (literally a few hours ago), but here's a rough idea of what I'm considering:

Latest-Greatest Build

Mobo MSI P55M-GD45 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard or
EVGA 121-LF-E652-KR Intel P55 Core i5/i7 Socket 1156 PC3-16000 (DDR3-2000) mATX Motherboard Retail
(going to wait for reviews)

Processor i7 860

Graphics Card Nvidia GTX 260

Before I even look into anything else, is this feasible? For cooling, the plan is to use a Corsair H50 and either modding a blow-hole in the top myself or buying from performance-pc and having them do it for me. Do you think this would run hot or do you think it would work? If that won't be enough cooling, any other suggestions for either more cooling or swapping components to make it work?

C2D Build

Mobo Unsure - any suggestions (emphasis on no over-clocking and reliability + upper
mid level graphics card capable)?

Processor Intel E8500 Wolfdale 3.16 ghz 6 mb

Graphics Card Unsure - I prefer Nvidia (upper mid level graphics, best one that the mobo can
run, less than $200)

Would the stock cooling be enough or should I still plan on using an H50 or some other cooling solution? Could I get by without the blow-hole or with a pci slot fan?

If the first build is feasible, I'd like to give it a shot, but otherwise a C2D build should meet my needs just fine. Anyhow, open to any and all suggestions and/or pointers to things I may be overlooking. Hope you can help!

Cheers,
MB

 

[Skott]

Hey, MB. I have a SG03 and I'll try and give you some info you can use. If you plan to go quad I would highly suggest using the H50. Someone over at the HF website installed it and it works fine in a SG03. They used a i7 920 though I think but any quad should be cooled well by the H50. The SG03 has room for two front 120mm fans. Put the H50 on the top and put a 120mm fan on the bottom. I'd suggest using something better than the stock 120mm fan though. I myself use the Scythe S-Flex SFF21F fans. The F model moves more air and its very quiet. Most people use the E models but I wanted more airflow so opted for the F model. I don't regret it. Also if you really are considering modding a 120mm blow hole and fan on top then I say do it. If I were to buy another SG03 I certainly would especially if you want to go quad or do any kind of overclocking.

As far as video card choice goes I'll leave that up to you. The SG03 will fit any size card so get one as short or as long as you want. You won't have any worries about what will or won't fit in a SG03 as far as video cards go. It fits all cards.

Concerning cpu choice. I already said what would be ideal for a quad and by that I mean any quad you choose. As for a dual core cpu if you get one that has at least 3GHz clock on it you should be alright as far as gaming goes. Dual cores still rule for gaming but that rule is becoming shorter as more game developers make games to take advantage of quad technology. If you are running stock you probably would be okay without the H50 but I'd still suggest a blowhole and fan on top. The SG03 is lacking when it comes to exhausting air. Although a combo blowhole and H50 is still ideal for any setup you choose. If I had to choose between the two due to money or time constraints I'd say at least get the H50 and forgo the top blowhole.

For travel I use a GearGrip harness. I like them better than a bag but that's a personal choice. I only transport mine via automobile. I cant rightly say how easy it would be to transport one by airplane but I'm guessing it wouldn't be easy. Airlines only allow so big of a carry on item. The SG03 is not a cube SFF case but a tower SFF case so putting one into a overhead bin without lying it down (which would worry me to do that) probably isnt going to work so well. If you can keep it upright between your feet then that would be better I'm thinking. I'd hate to put any pc into the baggage hold (belly) of a plane. Handlers are not the most gentle of people and I'd worry about theft. I'll have to suggest for you to look into that closer as I simply have no experience of transporting a SFF case on a airplane. A possibly better option might be to just ship it to your destination once you have had it packaged properly to safeguard such handling.

My current SG03 SFF rig:
SG03 Case 2 - 120mm Scythe S-Flex SFF21F Case Fans, Corsair HX520w PSU, Intel E6750 CPU, ASUS P5K-VM, 2GB Crucial Ballistix RAM BL2KIT12864AA604, NT06-Lite, eVGA 8800GT KO, Lite-On LH20A1H, Seagate 7200.11 500Gb, X-Fi XtremeGamer, XP Pro SP2, Logitech G5,Saitek Eclipse II

End of this year I hope to upgrade it to a i7 860 as well. Newer mobo and ram obviously and a H50 for cooling instead of the NT06-Lite. I plan to keep the remaining components but a new Windows 7 O/S.

 

[mpilchfamily]

I think your biggest consern will be what PSU you choose. It will have to be able to support the power from both regions with little more then a plug adapter or a change in power cables.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: MadBadger
Latest-Greatest Build

Mobo MSI P55M-GD45 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard or
EVGA 121-LF-E652-KR Intel P55 Core i5/i7 Socket 1156 PC3-16000 (DDR3-2000) mATX Motherboard Retail
(going to wait for reviews)

Processor i7 860


C2D Build

Mobo Unsure - any suggestions (emphasis on no over-clocking and reliability + upper
mid level graphics card capable)?

Processor Intel E8500 Wolfdale 3.16 ghz 6 mb

I would suggest something in-between the two, such as a P55 chipset mATX board (the low end Gigabyte seems a good choice at $110) coupled with a Core i5 750. The reason is that a good socket 775 board will start around $80, and the Core 2 Duo is around $190.

The price differential from your C2D to my suggestion is $40, and from my suggestion to your latest/greatest is $70. However, I think the Core i7 750 would be faster because of quad cores, "Turbo" frequencies of 3.2GHz, DDR3 RAM, integrated memory controller and of course the opportunity to upgrade to faster and future CPUs.