Need advice on a tiny PC build.

[Chrushev]

I need some help

Basically I want a small PC, as small as possible. I would like for it to be a mid range gaming machine. So I need it to satisfy the following:

- It can either be a Micro-ATX or ITX. Unless there is a better alternative?

- I need for it to be able to take a 2 slot thickness video card.

- Id like for it to have an i5 or an i7 with 4 or 8GB of ram.

I think the main thing is to ensure that it can hold a 2x thickness video card. I dont think I will need more than 1 PCIe slot nor any PCI slots nor more than 2 RAM DIMMS...

Are there any recommendations that would fit those needs? I came across this case here LINKY... is there anything better? I think that size would be perfect.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[dma0991]

If you want it small, it has to be of a mITX size motherboard. Bitfenix Prodigy is an all rounder mITX case, excellent when it comes to modding. A cheaper alternative would be the CM Elite 120 Advance. Comes with all the basic features of an mITX case.

If you'd like a mATX form factor instead, Fractal Design Core 1000 or Silverstone TJ-08E. They are slightly bigger but I'd prefer a mATX motherboard just because they are cheaper than mITX motherboards ironically. Although the Silverstone is on the bigger side, it does offer very good expandability.

 

[Chrushev]

Thanks for the feedback

I ended up getting the MC 120. It looks perfect and will allow me to stay at the $500 budget.

I already have a raptor and a 4850 HD and DVD Drive to put in there.

Will be ordering MC 120 for case, 3570k for CPU (i5), 2x4GB of 1333 RAM, ASUS P8h77 mobo and a Corsair 650W modular PSU.

Comes out to just under $500, with tax its right around $500

 

[T_Yamamoto]

If you're getting a h77, get a 3450

 

[dma0991]

Will be ordering MC 120 for case, 3570k for CPU (i5), 2x4GB of 1333 RAM, ASUS P8h77 mobo and a Corsair 650W modular PSU.

With a mITX setup you could definitely do with less since there isn't much merit to getting a Core i5 3570K. Overclocking is limited by the motherboard which may not have a very robust power delivery like larger and expensive ATX motherboards do. Cooling is also limited as smaller cases will be difficult to accommodate large heatsinks which is crucial if you want more horsepower out of your CPU.

You have to be more cautious about the size and type of motherboard you're looking for. Unless you're referring to the Asus P8H77-I, other models under the P8H77 name wouldn't fit in a CM Elite 120 Advance. Also, the H77 chipset won't allow you to overclock a Core i5 3570K. Go with a Core i5 3450 that T_Yamamoto has mentioned and pair it with Asus P8H77-I.

 

[philipma1957]

check out my cooler master build

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2268192 I liked it so much I just started a second one today. one build has the asrock z77 mobo


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157312 mobo with a 3700k


the new build has the intel h77 mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121597 this has a 3470s


one machine has a hd7970 xfx the other has a msi hd7950 I used these boards as they let you use a msata ssd


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148613 there are smaller sizes for less money,

but this means a direct connect to the board i.e. no sata data wire or sata power wire .


if you do not need a dvd or bluray player wire management is easy tuck the wires into the spot that the dvd would be.

the big mod is the front plate for better air flow. my first build I went all out and made a heavy 1/4 inch thick aluminum grill. my second build I have a better idea. I should post a shot on my link soon. maybe weds.

 

[Zap]

Have you actually ordered yet?

I would recommend the Silverstone SG05 for $125 shipped at Amazon if you don't need to hold a graphics card over 10". At that price, already comes with a 450W PSU that is sufficient to run a GTX 680. Case can hold one slim optical drive ($10 adapter needed), one 3.5" HDD and one 2.5" SSD. It uses a 120mm fan for intake, and has USB 3.0 front ports. It has plenty of ventilation for GPU cooling.

 

[blastingcap]

Have you considered getting a laptop? It might actually be cost-competitive if you'd otherwise have to buy a bunch of new SFF desktop parts. If the display were a problem, you could hook it up to a TV or something.

 

[Zap]

Have you considered getting a laptop? It might actually be cost-competitive if you'd otherwise have to buy a bunch of new SFF desktop parts. If the display were a problem, you could hook it up to a TV or something.

I think graphics card would be more of a problem, since the OP stated a dual slot graphics card requirement, which means at least a desktop mid-range unit. Good luck getting that kind of performance in an affordable notebook.

 

[philipma1957]

I have worked with

the silverstone

the lian li

and the coolermaster.

If you are willing to mod the coolermasters faceplate it is the best of the 3 as it fits a hd7970 or a gtx 670 card with ease. if you don't want to mod the face plate the silverstone is better. but fitting top of the line video card is a no go.

this fits in the silverstone

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150605

it is a good card

 

[Chrushev]

Hey guys,

yep I already ordered. Am super stoked.

If you're getting a h77, get a 3450

I looked at 3450. I was originally going to get the 3750 (without the K), since i dont plan to overlock... but I found the 3750K at Micro Center for $180, which is cheaper than 3750 (non K) and cheaper than the slower 3450... so might as well get the 3750K

I also could have saved $20 or $30 on the mobo, but the cheaper ones have only 2 SATA ports, which means 1 DVD drive and 1 HD, or 2 HDs... I would like to have the ability to have at least 3 SATA devices. Also the cheaper ones run RAM at 1066 (as opposed to 1333), and they have PCIe 2.0 instead of this one with PCIe 3.0.... thats irrelevant for now.. but it may be relevant in a few years...

Basically I feel that the only non top of the line component here is the Video Card.. but it should suffice for a few years... so I want a lot flexibility with being able to sqeeee the heck out of the components with just upgrading the video card in a few years... hence for wanting a fast CPU and PCIe 3.0 and extra SATA slots.

Have you considered getting a laptop? It might actually be cost-competitive if you'd otherwise have to buy a bunch of new SFF desktop parts. If the display were a problem, you could hook it up to a TV or something.

Thats actually what I use now, its a MacBook Pro, but its getting dated (2010), and doesnt really run GW2 or D3 anymore.... I really like the MacBooks, and will likely never get a non MacBook laptop again... they are just so well built... and working as an egineer in the tech industry all of the standards apple makes us jump through totally makes their hardware worth the extra money... anyways I think thats more of a personal preference.

So basically it was... drop like $3000 on a new MacBook, that will likely not be as fast as this mini PC Im building (at least not in Video card department). And not to mention that this box is scalable. I imagine the i5 3750 will last a long ass time. I can see upgrading the card in a few years to whatever is mid range then (probably like a 570 GTX or something)... and getting another few years out of the PC. This was the reason I wanted to make sure it takes a full size (dual slot) video card. Since the 4850 it will have in it is a single slot card.

Or it was to drop $500 on basically top of the line machine. Especially since I have a HD, DVD Drive, and a 4850HD, and a monitor laying around. I can see a new laptop lasting maybe 2 years tops for gaming... while this box should last double or even maybe tripple that with a video card upgrade half way through.

So since I already have an excellent laptop for non gaming (4GB Ram, Dual Core, 9400M). I think its a no brainer to drop 1/6 of the price on something more powerful.

I have worked with

the silverstone

the lian li

and the coolermaster.

If you are willing to mod the coolermasters faceplate it is the best of the 3 as it fits a hd7970 or a gtx 670 card with ease. if you don't want to mod the face plate the silverstone is better. but fitting top of the line video card is a no go.

this fits in the silverstone

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150605

it is a good card

I saw the aluminum (drilled) grill mod. Looks great! However I do not have the tools to make a mod like that... I dont have an access to a machine shop... so Im not sure what I can do as far as modding it. I do have like a wood drill (for house work etc)... so I could drill holes in the plastic front... but that wouldnt look good I dont think...

any advice as to what to do are appreciated... although I dont want to drop more than $20 on this... my objective was to put together a gaming rig for around $500 and im right at the mark right now.

For reference these are the prices I ended up getting everything at:

Case - CoolMaster 120 -$50
PSU - (Corsair TX650M) - $99 - its modular
Mobo (P8H77-I H77) and RAM (2x4GB) combo - $129.98
CPU - 3750K - $190

I have everything else... total expenditure around $468 plus around $10 in shipping and $36 or so in tax.

Final Build will be:

Quad Core i5 3750k running at 3.4Ghz
ATI 4850 HD (512Mb) Video Card
8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X (2x4GB) RAM at 1333
Pioneer 106 DVD-RW driver
600GB WD VelociRaptop HD.
ITX ASUS p8H77-I motherboard (6x SATA and PCIe 3.0 slot)
650W Corsair Enthusiast series Modular TX650M PSU

 

[Termie]

For reference these are the prices I ended up getting everything at:

I have everything else... total expenditure around $468 plus around $10 in shipping and $36 or so in tax.

Final Build will be:

Quad Core i5 3750k running at 3.4Ghz
ATI 4850 HD (512Mb) Video Card
8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X (2x4GB) RAM at 1333
Pioneer 106 DVD-RW driver
600GB WD VelociRaptop HD.
ITX ASUS p8H77-I motherboard (6x SATA and PCIe 3.0 slot)
650W Corsair Enthusiast series Modular TX650M PSU

I would strongly suggest that you get an inexpensive 60-90GB SSD. If you already have the Velociraptor, then use it for storage/programs and the SSD for the OS. You'll get much faster OS performance. If you don't yet own the Velociraptor don't buy one - go with an SSD and a laptop drive.

Also, I know you are trying to reuse your video card, but eventually you'll want to consider a more modern GPU, like the ~$120 HD7770. It's about 50% faster and uses much less power. It is also a DX11 part, meaning better graphics effects in modern games. In addition, the 1GB of VRAM makes a big difference in some games over 512MB.

 

[philipma1957]

Hey guys,

yep I already ordered. Am super stoked.



I looked at 3450. I was originally going to get the 3750 (without the K), since i dont plan to overlock... but I found the 3750K at Micro Center for $180, which is cheaper than 3750 (non K) and cheaper than the slower 3450... so might as well get the 3750K

I also could have saved $20 or $30 on the mobo, but the cheaper ones have only 2 SATA ports, which means 1 DVD drive and 1 HD, or 2 HDs... I would like to have the ability to have at least 3 SATA devices. Also the cheaper ones run RAM at 1066 (as opposed to 1333), and they have PCIe 2.0 instead of this one with PCIe 3.0.... thats irrelevant for now.. but it may be relevant in a few years...

Basically I feel that the only non top of the line component here is the Video Card.. but it should suffice for a few years... so I want a lot flexibility with being able to sqeeee the heck out of the components with just upgrading the video card in a few years... hence for wanting a fast CPU and PCIe 3.0 and extra SATA slots.



Thats actually what I use now, its a MacBook Pro, but its getting dated (2010), and doesnt really run GW2 or D3 anymore.... I really like the MacBooks, and will likely never get a non MacBook laptop again... they are just so well built... and working as an egineer in the tech industry all of the standards apple makes us jump through totally makes their hardware worth the extra money... anyways I think thats more of a personal preference.

So basically it was... drop like $3000 on a new MacBook, that will likely not be as fast as this mini PC Im building (at least not in Video card department). And not to mention that this box is scalable. I imagine the i5 3750 will last a long ass time. I can see upgrading the card in a few years to whatever is mid range then (probably like a 570 GTX or something)... and getting another few years out of the PC. This was the reason I wanted to make sure it takes a full size (dual slot) video card. Since the 4850 it will have in it is a single slot card.

Or it was to drop $500 on basically top of the line machine. Especially since I have a HD, DVD Drive, and a 4850HD, and a monitor laying around. I can see a new laptop lasting maybe 2 years tops for gaming... while this box should last double or even maybe tripple that with a video card upgrade half way through.

So since I already have an excellent laptop for non gaming (4GB Ram, Dual Core, 9400M). I think its a no brainer to drop 1/6 of the price on something more powerful.



I saw the aluminum (drilled) grill mod. Looks great! However I do not have the tools to make a mod like that... I dont have an access to a machine shop... so Im not sure what I can do as far as modding it. I do have like a wood drill (for house work etc)... so I could drill holes in the plastic front... but that wouldnt look good I dont think...

any advice as to what to do are appreciated... although I dont want to drop more than $20 on this... my objective was to put together a gaming rig for around $500 and im right at the mark right now.

For reference these are the prices I ended up getting everything at:

Case - CoolMaster 120 -$50
PSU - (Corsair TX650M) - $99 - its modular
Mobo (P8H77-I H77) and RAM (2x4GB) combo - $129.98
CPU - 3750K - $190

I have everything else... total expenditure around $468 plus around $10 in shipping and $36 or so in tax.

Final Build will be:

Quad Core i5 3750k running at 3.4Ghz
ATI 4850 HD (512Mb) Video Card
8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X (2x4GB) RAM at 1333
Pioneer 106 DVD-RW driver
600GB WD VelociRaptop HD.
ITX ASUS p8H77-I motherboard (6x SATA and PCIe 3.0 slot)
650W Corsair Enthusiast series Modular TX650M PSU

GET A HOLE SAW.2 7/8 or 3 inches.

then pull the panal off pop the little cooler master label out and drill a hole with the hole saw. then use a low cost grill. I am in the middle of doing this mod on my second cooler mater build. if you can wait 2 to 3 days I will post photos. you can run your unit with no front panel you will get full air to the machine.