need a build checkup before I pull the trigger mITX transportable

[czglory]

*** what for? ***
Plan on playing games, working on memory intensive, processor intensive tasks, and transporting the computer internationally.
requirements?
I would like 2560x1440 monitor resolution at 144hz on medium settings on most games with stable FPS preferrably above 140. Low heat and noise, as much as is possible with the profile.
Budget?
Budget is $1300. This is slightly over ($1357) but perhaps I could source cheaper parts, or find suitable replacements. Where? Thailand, headed to other countries in the region and then South America. Needs to be portable and durable for this reason.
Post a draft of your potential build*
Provide any additional details you wish below.
I want to save money where possible, but overall be upgrading from an i7 3770k, ddr3 13** ram build. I need to be able to safely pack it for transport, and it needs to be as light and strong as possible. The RAM here is overly expensive, as are motherboards. I am concerned about GPU length with a standard HD. I would love suggestions.
[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CvLK6h) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CvLK6h/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80662i56600k) | $266.00
**CPU Cooler** | [Silverstone AR06 40.2 CFM CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-cpu-cooler-ar06) | $30.57
**Motherboard** | [ASRock H170M-ITX/DL Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h170mitxdl) | $123.12
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmk16gx4m2a2133c13) | $105.17
**Storage** | [Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz75e500bam) | $201.47
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st2000dm001) | $89.00
**Video Card** | [Sapphire Radeon R9 390 8GB Nitro Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100382ntoc2l) | $376.00
**Case** | [Silverstone RVZ02B HTPC Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-case-sstrvz02b) | $83.00
**Power Supply** | [Silverstone 500W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-power-supply-sstsx500lg) | $100.41
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| **Total** | **$1374.74**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2016-02-17 01:55 EST-0500 |

 

[Termie]

PCPart Picker fails another ITX builder.

The RVZ02 can't fit both a video card and a 3.5" drive. Plus there's no reason to use the overpriced and loud 500W SFX PSU when the SX500 will cost less and work better.

This may seem like a shameless plug, but I created The Tech Buyer's Guru Small Form Factor guides specifically to help people with these issues. I even have a step-by-step pictorial for the RVZ02.

 

[piasabird]

Depends where you plug in the power source. What is the power source? 220? In the past people used transformers between the power source and the USA device. Some power supplies may work on both 220 and 110.

Different regions use different formats for VIDEO also. A video card that can handle multiple regions might be nice also.

Same goes for DVD.

 

[Pandasaurus]

I believe you can fit a short GPU (something like this GTX970) along with a 3.5" platter. I won't say I know for certain, though. I thought I read from Silverstone that you could, but I can't find the reference at the moment. Alternatively, if you drop down to a 5,400RPM platter, you can get 2.5" 2TB drives now.

 

[Termie]

I believe you can fit a short GPU (something like this GTX970) along with a 3.5" platter. I won't say I know for certain, though. I thought I read from Silverstone that you could, but I can't find the reference at the moment. Alternatively, if you drop down to a 5,400RPM platter, you can get 2.5" 2TB drives now.

The R9 390 is not a short video card. It looks like this:

No hard drive is going back there unless he uses a GTX 970 Mini or R9 Nano, and it makes much more sense to just go with a cool and quiet 2.5" drive instead.

 

[Yuriman]

Looks solid. I'd shoot for an i7 if possible. I can't say with a 6600K vs 3770K, but I'd definitely take an Ivy i7 over a Haswell i5. 6600K is a nice chip though.

Even though the performance per dollar isn't generally as good, I'm leaning toward NV GPUs for modern builds - either that, or undervolting and possibly slightly underclocking a 390; they seem to be way outside of their optimal performance per watt at factory clocks, resulting in relatively hot and noisy cards. You might consider a 970, or think about tweaking the voltage of your card.

Silverstone has some cases with handles, if that's important:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163287

Overall looks really good though.

 

[czglory]

PCPart Picker fails another ITX builder.

The RVZ02 can't fit both a video card and a 3.5" drive. Plus there's no reason to use the overpriced and loud 500W SFX PSU when the SX500 will cost less and work better.

This may seem like a shameless plug, but I created The Tech Buyer's Guru Small Form Factor guides specifically to help people with these issues. I even have a step-by-step pictorial for the RVZ02.

wow, thanks for catching that... the silverstone site also says up to 13'' GPUs and does not state that this would be a problem. I will certainly check out that guide! I will need to find some sort of way around this or choose another case, there are no 2TB+ 2.5'' drives here that are under $250. As for the power supply, I see it listed as "SST-SX500-LG " on the part list on the supplier website, but there is no other options besides SST-SX** models which I am confused about.

Looks solid. I'd shoot for an i7 if possible. I can't say with a 6600K vs 3770K, but I'd definitely take an Ivy i7 over a Haswell i5. 6600K is a nice chip though.

Even though the performance per dollar isn't generally as good, I'm leaning toward NV GPUs for modern builds - either that, or undervolting and possibly slightly underclocking a 390; they seem to be way outside of their optimal performance per watt at factory clocks, resulting in relatively hot and noisy cards. You might consider a 970, or think about tweaking the voltage of your card.

Silverstone has some cases with handles, if that's important:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163287

Overall looks really good though.

Thank you for the input, I am very tempted to go for the I7 6700k as it is cheaper here than in the States, and the i5 6600k is at a small premium. I do feel like I would benefit from the extra cores more than most people, but not sure it would be worth the increased cost (any suggestions on how to determine this would be great!). I will look into the gtx 970 or 980 cards as an alternative but they have higher markup here. I am actually going for this exact case with the handle, the milo8, but they did not have it on pcpartpicker. Its the same
as the raven 2 however so its a close enough match I believe.. I am still looking into cases, perhaps there is one that is more durable? I would consider other forms even micro ATX if it gives a bit more insurance and upgradeability. I won't be toting it around often at all, but it needs t o be strong enough for that.

 

[Termie]

wow, thanks for catching that... the silverstone site also says up to 13'' GPUs and does not state that this would be a problem. I will certainly check out that guide! I will need to find some sort of way around this or choose another case, there are no 2TB+ 2.5'' drives here that are under $250. As for the power supply, I see it listed as "SST-SX500-LG " on the part list on the supplier website, but there is no other options besides SST-SX** models which I am confused about.


...

Here's the power supply you'd want: http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=527&area=en

You are right that the largest 2.5" drive is 2TB: http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Laptop-2-5-Inch-Internal-ST2000LM003/dp/B00MPWYLHO/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

That is, however, the size you listed, so going for a 3TB or larger drive didn't seem to be a requirement.

 

[Pandasaurus]

No hard drive is going back there unless he uses a GTX 970 Mini or R9 Nano, and it makes much more sense to just go with a cool and quiet 2.5" drive instead.

That was kind of my point in mentioning the GTX970 Mini, followed by the 2.5" drive recommendation. Sorry if I was unclear on that.

I'm just getting started buying parts for my own similar build (Raven arrived today, HGST platters arrive tomorrow), so I've been doing a fair bit of research on it and component issues (particularly CPU cooling). I'm always open to more info, though. In your opinion, would one be better off with a normal SATA SSD behind the GPU over an M.2, given the heat issues with the M.2 drives on ITX boards? Sorry, not trying to derail the thread, but it's semi-relevant.

 

[czglory]

Here's the power supply you'd want: http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=527&area=en

You are right that the largest 2.5" drive is 2TB: http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Laptop-2-5-Inch-Internal-ST2000LM003/dp/B00MPWYLHO/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

That is, however, the size you listed, so going for a 3TB or larger drive didn't seem to be a requirement.

the PSU supplier lists the model number as exactly the same, so it should be good, im not sure how the pcpartpicker model compares though. I'd really like at least 2 TB of HD space, there is no 2TB 2.5'' drives here however, only 1 TB. I am thinking of trying to make due, buy an external, or re-work the build. I really liked your guides btw, http://techbuyersguru.com/1400-compact-micro-atx-alternative-build this one has me considering going with the sg11/13 instead to make room for the HD and save some cash.

I just saw you post in the forum saying the Raven zx02 / ml08 would not be particularly durable, flat, and would sag with weight on the case. Ouch, that sounds like it eliminates it as a possibility for me... do you have any similar, strong case recommendations for a compact build?

 

[Termie]

That was kind of my point in mentioning the GTX970 Mini, followed by the 2.5" drive recommendation. Sorry if I was unclear on that.

I'm just getting started buying parts for my own similar build (Raven arrived today, HGST platters arrive tomorrow), so I've been doing a fair bit of research on it and component issues (particularly CPU cooling). I'm always open to more info, though. In your opinion, would one be better off with a normal SATA SSD behind the GPU over an M.2, given the heat issues with the M.2 drives on ITX boards? Sorry, not trying to derail the thread, but it's semi-relevant.

That is definitely a good question. There's a M.2 drive in the photo I posted above, but I actually removed that drive as soon as I booted up the system and began using it, as the drive was hitting 55C on a constant basis when gaming, due to heat from the video card and the lack of ventilation. My general rule is do not use M.2 drives on ITX boards, ever.

the PSU supplier lists the model number as exactly the same, so it should be good, im not sure how the pcpartpicker model compares though. I'd really like at least 2 TB of HD space, there is no 2TB 2.5'' drives here however, only 1 TB. I am thinking of trying to make due, buy an external, or re-work the build. I really liked your guides btw, http://techbuyersguru.com/1400-compact-micro-atx-alternative-build this one has me considering going with the sg11/13 instead to make room for the HD and save some cash.

I just saw you post in the forum saying the Raven zx02 / ml08 would not be particularly durable, flat, and would sag with weight on the case. Ouch, that sounds like it eliminates it as a possibility for me... do you have any similar, strong case recommendations for a compact build?

The only reason the Raven will sag is if you place it horizontally and try to stack other components on top, like a monitor off game console. It will not sag from its own weight. If you need to be able to stack products on top, you need to use a dedicated HTPC case with a reinforced chassis. A great option for that is the GD05 from Silverstone, but it is quite a bit bigger, being mATX. If you didn't need a gaming video card, the ML04 would work, but it sounds like you intend to game.

 

[Yuriman]

I haven't used the case myself, but the Fractal Node 304 has a lot of good things going on:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352027

Plenty of room for lots of drives and a long video card, and uses a full sized ATX PSU. Most cases with this layout place the PSU above the motherboard (where the fan is in the back), which makes accessing the motherboard a painful experience, but Fractal has relocated it to the front. It's not quite as small as the others you were looking at, but it's among the better cases out there, in terms of space utilization.

 

[Insomniator]

If you really want ~140fps @ 1440p, even on medium settings I don't think a 390 is going to cut it.