Need a small form factor quiet build (or get an iMac?)

[college_student]

Hi folks,

As I alluded to in the title, I live in a TINY apartment in San Francisco. It's enough for me, but I need a new rig for a bit of video editing, some graphic design, photoshop and illustrator, and some 3D modeling (Maya) work. However, like I said, my apartment is TINY, so I need something as small as possible, and preferably something not as loud as a jet engine. So, not a tower, maybe something like a i/m-itx case?

I have a budget of ~$2500 because I'm hoping this lasts for 5-8 years.
- This budget also REQUIRES a 4K monitor (I've fallen in love with P2715Q).
- I also need to but a keyboard and mouse.
- I would like to have one of those M.2 SSDs (Samsung 950 Pro)
+ I ALREADY own a GTX 980.
+ Work provides me with Windows 10 for free (as long as I work there)

On the flip side, I can just go an buy a 27" 5K iMac. I understand that it won't have the same kind of performance as a home built computer, but it fulfills the major criteria of space savings, and not being too loud.

Am I correct in thinking the the iMac is clearly the right way to go here? In other words, I'm happy to reconsider if something in a small sleek form factor with the 4K monitor can be built.

Thanks for the help!

 

[MongGrel]

Well the one below yours had some good suggestions, but GL on the small form thing that will last 5-8 years. That's probably not happening in reality to be honest.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2467620

 

[Ken g6]

+ I ALREADY own a GTX 980.

That's interesting. How long is it? (Get out a ruler. If it's longer than the ruler it's probably too long. )

Can you give us some rough dimensions of how big the case can be? Is footprint or height more important?

 

[college_student]

That's interesting. How long is it? (Get out a ruler. If it's longer than the ruler it's probably too long. )

Can you give us some rough dimensions of how big the case can be? Is footprint or height more important?

The overall footprint is what matters the most. The iMac is appealing because it's a minimal addition on top of the monitor. I don't want a huge black box sitting near my desk because I don't have space for it (I already need to find space for the monitor). I know this isn't satisfying, but what is the SMALLEST possible box I can build that will have the same juice as the iMac?

Thanks.

 

[Ken g6]

If you're willing to settle for iMac performance to save space, it sounds like you should get the iMac.

If you want a small footprint, with a graphics card, you can't get much smaller than the Silverstone FT03 series. It takes up less than a square foot, but it accepts uATX (medium-sized) boards.

 

[DigDog]

do you colleagues (the ones that you do graphic design with) work on osx or windows?

pick that one.

i'm saying this because, if it's so easy for you to have either system (you essentially cut out a chunk of the world when you chose either OS), then you are probably not that deep in the world of computer use; i would then suggest whatever platform you can most easily get support on, from your friends and workmates.

 

[dmoney1980]

Look at Fractal Design node 304. Can take itx and should fit a 980

 

[college_student]

Hi folks. Full disclosure, I really dislike using Windows; I currently use a MacBook Pro, but it's very old. I'm honestly looking for someone to sway me away from an iMac, but I think my heart might be set on that. I'm just trying to be as objective as possible. Thanks everyone for all your help so far. I'll look into the Node 304 and Silverstone cases.

 

[nerp]

The iMac really sounds like the solution. You're going to pay more for mediocre performance as compared to what is available for PC, gaming won't be nearly as good but there are some nice pluses to owning an iMac. If you are already in the ecosystem you might as well stick with Apple. MS's apps and services are all available for Mac and they're quite polished so it's not like you're missing anything important. You could look at all-in-one options from HP or Lenovo and there are plenty of iMac competitors on the PC side, but you probably won't have second thoughts with the iMac.

You CAN build a very tidy and powerful power sipping Skylake box that will take a discrete card. You could also get a SFF machine and mount it to the back of a monitor with the VESA mount. There are SFF options from Lenovo and Dell and other brands. You lose expansion options, though.

 

[college_student]

Hi folks,

As per my previous message, in an effort to be unbiased, etc. here is a Node 304 based build. What do you think? It's about 1K cheaper than the iMac (for a similar performance build), and from what I can tell, it's >= in power, but < in sleekness and looks.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bd4zbv
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bd4zbv/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($369.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Zalman Reserator 3 MAX Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z170I PRO GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($165.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($322.57 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 4GB XTREME GAMING Video Card ($513.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Dell P2715Q 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($593.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech MX800 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2541.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-27 00:42 EDT-0400

 

[DigDog]

I really dislike using Windows.

then don't. sell the 980 and go for the mac. i'm afraid i do not know much about mac upgrade paths, but i'm sure the other guys here can give you some solid advice.

 

[college_student]

then don't. sell the 980 and go for the mac. i'm afraid i do not know much about mac upgrade paths, but i'm sure the other guys here can give you some solid advice.

Thanks. I posted a build using a mini-itx case. While I think it would be fun to build and probably be fine for my apt. I feel I'm drawn to the iMac for some reason; it might just be easier for me, and the screen really is gorgeous. Having said that the build I have above is fantastic too. Idk.

 

[dmoney1980]

Hi folks,

As per my previous message, in an effort to be unbiased, etc. here is a Node 304 based build. What do you think? It's about 1K cheaper than the iMac (for a similar performance build), and from what I can tell, it's >= in power, but < in sleekness and looks.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bd4zbv
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bd4zbv/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($369.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Zalman Reserator 3 MAX Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z170I PRO GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($165.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($322.57 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 4GB XTREME GAMING Video Card ($513.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Dell P2715Q 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($593.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech MX800 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2541.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-27 00:42 EDT-0400

Not bad, but you are wasting some money on some parts. I recommend the following:

Ditch the Zalman cooler- it's over priced and mediocre. The new AC AIO is getting awesome reviews and its cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186152

PSU - that case needs a short power supply to avoid hitting the back of the video card. For that reason, I suggested the SS Strider - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256114 You can also search for the Silverstone short cable kit to make things cleaner.

You can shave costs on other items, but to me it sounds like you're sold on the iMac....

 

[JeffMD]

Liquid cooling is like.. the biggest and most useless money sink if you are not a performance overclocker. I run a silverstone AR06 on my i7 and its fan doesn't need to spin any faster than a liquid cooled radiator.

 

[Ken g6]

Or you could compare to a build in a Silverstone FT03. Which gets you a 6-core processor, and the potential to upgrade to at least 8 when Broadwell-E comes out.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($351.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer 120 74.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($63.10 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: *ASRock X99M Extreme4 Micro ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($168.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: *G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($322.57 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 4GB XTREME GAMING Video Card ($513.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone FT03B MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($162.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Dell P2715Q 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($529.74 @ Best Buy)
Keyboard: Logitech MX800 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($129.99 @ Adorama)
Total: $2433.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-27 12:53 EDT-0400

 

[DigDog]

Thanks. I posted a build using a mini-itx case. While I think it would be fun to build and probably be fine for my apt. I feel I'm drawn to the iMac for some reason; it might just be easier for me, and the screen really is gorgeous. Having said that the build I have above is fantastic too. Idk.

look, you will never have an apple product - or honestly any brand (dell, alienware, hp) - which matches a self built in efficiency, simply because they need to make money on top of the base cost.

me, even though i worked with macs, much prefer the windows os, and would not like to use a mac os even if i was getting the better product - that's why i recommend you to go with the os you feel most comfortable with.

if you would rather bite the bullet because you want ABSOLUTE POWER !!

then here is your build:

1) the 980 you already have
2) EVGA 650 as recommended before
3) fractal node as recommended before (but also look at the node 605 http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/node-series/node-605 )
4) intel 6600k
5) a motherboard.
i would go with a Asus H170M-E D3 - you will need a micro atx to fit the case, and also you need sata ports facing up - says so in the vendors site for fractal.

the reason why you should get a 6600k and not a 6600 is that along ethe line, you will want to re-sell this cpu, and the k series sells much better.

6) a cheap & cheerful SSD, such as the $130 mushkin 512Gb.

no need for Z- mobo, or fancy air cooler (use the stock intel, it's pretty good); spend the extra money on a nice monitor and you are done.

cheap build too.

 

[college_student]

Thanks everyone for the responses and edits.
I'm going to think deeply about this; don't want to do anything rash.
I'll update you folks with my final decision.

 

[vailr]

Consider making a dual-boot system (on separate SSD's): OSX El Capitan & Windows 10. The (already purchased) GTX 980 video card would function in both OSes.
A Gigabyte motherboard would be the recommended brand option, although other brands of Intel 9 or 10 series chipset motherboards such as MSI, Asrock, Asus would probably be fine, as well.
http://www.tonymacx86.com/
Skylake chipset boards are now mostly working okay under OSX, except for 2 features: Intel onboard video & USB 3.1, which aren't yet completely functional.
An example of a microATX Skylake build running OSX El Capitan:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/user-buil...us-viii-gene-i5-6600k-gigabyte-gtx-950-a.html

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Why not get a newer rMBP instead?

 

[college_student]

Why not get a newer rMBP instead?

This is a good idea too. I'm considering buying a rMBP and the P2715Q.

 

[Yuriman]

I recommend the Silverstone Milo or Raven for a case, instead, since they're far narrower, and that's probably going to be your limiting dimension:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...2YhFlMNJABpsbCk02VYRcaAiEJ8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...QVusJmgein6wjooskFD40aAg3F8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

You just need to make sure your video card will fit.

 

[XavierMace]

Those both severely limit your CPU cooler options.

 

[Yuriman]

Those both severely limit your CPU cooler options.

Sure, but OP has not said a word about overclocking. Intel's stock cooler is plenty for a Skylake i7, and there are also better options available that will fit within the case and offer more than adequate performance.

IMO, a CPU cooler needs only be big enough to keep the CPU from throttling at a noise level that is inoffensive to me.

 

[go-2guy]

I have a 15" rMBP w/750m, 512GB ssd and 16GB ram. Absolutely unstoppable beast.

That said, you're looking at blowing you budget with no monitor right out of the box. First- since this is for work. Find out what everyone else is using and learn to use it. The last thing you want to do is be the odd man out at the office on some weird compatibility thing and be dead in the water at a meeting etc.

Other people will have likely experienced similar issues in their environment during the initial learning curve and at the end of the day, it's not all that hard to learn a new ecosystem. You can certainly get a hell of a machine either way and there are plenty of SFF systems out there that look good and have a very small footprint. The EVGA Hadron case, the ncase M1 and the silverstone raven are all great cases with full room for a GPU.