Mini-ITX Haswell Gaming Build

[techgeeknyc]

Hi guys, I'm looking to build a Mini-ITX Gaming Build. The components are listed here:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=23755206

LIAN LI PC-Q08B Black Aluminum Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case 99.99

EVGA SuperClocked w/ ACX Cooling 02G-P4-2774-KR GeForce GTX 770 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card 409.99

CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Compatible with ...
119.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GXM
139.99

ASRock Z87E-ITX LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard
164.99

Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell 3.5GHz LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I74770K
339.99

SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
239.99

For a total of $1515. Please let me know your thoughts on this. I am especially interested in hearing:

1) If the case I've selected will fit all the components I've listed, especially the video card 770GTX and the power supply.
2) I want this gaming build to last me a good 3 years. Is the video card sufficient if I'm playing the latest games at 1080P resolution?
3) I understand the Lian Li PC08 case is not particuarly small for a mini -it x case, and I can go smaller with a Silverstone SG05 or SG08 for example. I'm fine either way, but my bigger concern is whether the smaller cases will be more significantly more difficult to put together.

 

[mfenn]

1. The Q08B will accept a pretty long GPU if you remove the bottom HDD cage, 11.8 inches according to the spec. The ACX is a bit excessive though and there are other reasons to avoid it.

2. I don't have a crystal ball, but based on past trends, the GTX 770 will be capable of medium details 3 years form now.

3. Given that you want a beefy GPU, you're better off sticking to the larger ITX cases like the Q08B and Bifenix Prodigy. A small MicroATX case like the Rosewill Line-M or CM N200 wouldn't be a bad idea either.

- Case: Good
- GPU: Expensive and you don't want an internally exhausting card in an ITX case. I'd grab a reference card instead.
- PSU: Overkill on power. You can get the TX650 for $65 AR AP
- RAM: OK after promo.
- Mobo: Good, but the GA-Z87N-WIFI will do what you need for a little less
- CPU: Overkill for gaming. The 4670K is nearly (within 5%) as good for $230 AP.
- SSD : Good, but if I was going to spend $240 on a ~250GB SSD, I think I'd go for the super-consistent Sandisk Extreme II.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Has it even been proven that reference cooling GPUs will generally allow for lower overall temperatures in a small case? It seems like common sense, but the same amount of energy goes in (in terms of watts to the parts), so it seems like fans would ultimately have to work equally hard regardless.

If a reference card does not in fact help temperatures, I'd recommend you get this $290 AR Sapphire 7970. It's overclocked out of the box to 1GHz; Anandtech's Bench suggest that a 7970 GHz Edition (basically a 7970 which has been factory overclocked to 1GHz) has roughly the same performance and power consumption as a 770, so you might as well go with the $100 cheaper 7970.

That SSD is a top-tier performer, but the average person cannot notice the extra speed; you may want to go with the substantially cheaper Sandisk Ultra Plus or the Samsung 840 Evo.

 

[mfenn]

Has it even been proven that reference cooling GPUs will generally allow for lower overall temperatures in a small case? It seems like common sense, but the same amount of energy goes in (in terms of watts to the parts), so it seems like fans would ultimately have to work equally hard regardless.

It's not so much a matter of how much heat is produced, but where it goes. In a blower cooler (reference or not), the hot air is completely exhausted out the back whereas in an open cooler, a good portion is exhausted inside the case and recirculated through the cooler. With the lower volume of air inside a small case, there is less of a buffer against temperature spikes.

 

[StrangerGuy]

I'm wouldn't recommend ITX at all unless size is really an overriding concern, because at the end of the day it is still a fixed position desktop PC. MicroATX isn't that much bigger, it's cheaper and infinitely more flexible.

 

[Zap]

I wouldn't say mATX is cheaper, as there have been $50 socket 1155 ITX motherboards and pretty decent $40 ITX cases which can support gaming rigs, and all other parts are the same. The big benefit from mATX would really be selection, as you have more to choose from. However, I would not use the majority of mATX cases on the market for a gaming rig, and really how many different variations of the same thing do you need?

That link shows all the mATX motherboards made by Asus which uses the H61 chipset and is in stock at Newegg for purchase today, with a $10 price spread. Heck, four of them are over a $2 price spread.
Asus H61M-A/USB3
Asus P8H61M LE/CSM R2.0
Asus H61M-PLUS
Asus P8H61M LX PLUS R2.0
Asus H61M-E
Asus H61M-A

Is more choice really that much better?

 

[Termie]

The Q08B is a cute little cube, but it is pretty wide - much wider than most mATX cases. If that's the shape you want, then get it, otherwise, the mATX suggestions above may be a better idea, and will definitely be easier to build in. And with a GTX770 (or HD7970), you simply cannot use the smaller Silverstone SG05, The SG08 is a possibility, but its insanely expensive.

And one point that others haven't mentioned - for a Mini-ITX build, I simply would never use a non-modular power supply. You'll face a complete mess of cables if you do.