Need help building a small power pc

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Oz Spaniard

Junior Member
Oct 26, 2012
14
0
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Hi guys, long long time lurker first time poster.
I want to build a small pc, something like the bit fenix prodogy as I am on a working visa in japan and dont want to lug something so huge if I move around.

I had planned to keep it cool and quiet with a H100 which I checked that it fits but will have no drive bay, not an issue for me as I can buy an external dvd drive.

Problem is I wanted to use the Asus rampage genie also it has a built in sound card on board, and Im confused as to what is smaller, mini itx or micro itx.

Now I also have a Asus GTX 680 Direct CUII tripple slot card and will run one HDD and maybe 2 SSD's.

Questions that I have are.

Will my GFX card fit?
Is the Ausus Rampage gene V board small enough to fit in to the case?
What modular 80+ gold psu should I use?

If the board is too large what should I use?

I will be gaming and overclocking the cpu and I will sometimes edit videos and photos, I beleive the i5 3570k will be enough? Or should I go for the i7 3770k?

Any help or suggestions will be great.
Really need this soon as I borrowed my housemates 6 year old xps and this thing sucks the donkeys balls so badly. :thumbsdown:
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
Mini ITX is smaller than micro ATX.

No, the Gene V will not fit an ITX case.

3570K is sufficient.

You already have the graphics card? That thing is HUGE and won't fit. If you don't already have it, then please consider buying something smaller. When going to a smaller PC size, you will have to make some adjustments in your thinking.

If you already have that card and really want the Gene V motherboard, then find yourself a nice micro ATX case. Yes, it will be bigger than the Prodigy, but not by too much. I think most of the size difference would be the depth, as the Prodigy is pretty tall.

For a small mATX case, consider a Fractal Design Core 1000. It is small and cheap, and has decent airflow. The only problems are that you probably won't be able to use a water cooler, and it won't take the bigger heatsinks.

I think you really need to decide on the size thing, because that will affect whether you get your 2x120 water cooler, the Gene V motherboard and the triple slot ginormous graphics card.

If you're willing to compromise for the same of smaller size, you can build a really powerful system in as small a case as the Silverstone SG05. It can do an overclocked 3570k with a GTX 680 (albeit a smaller one than what you have) and a few drives in about half the space of the Prodigy.
 
SithSolo1

SithSolo1

Diamond Member
Mar 19, 2001
7,740
11
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The Core 1000 is a good suggestion. Its roughly a half inch taller than the Prodigy but almost 3" thinner and slightly less deep.

Also here's a guy that managed to mod a Core 1000 to fit the H100: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...14-fractal-design-core-1000-corsair-h100.html Extremely light on the mod details but has a few photos.

The only thing I'd be really worried about is the video card. Not only is it 3 slots but its also extremely long. I'm not sure you could have picked a worse card for a small build. Well, except for this card: http://www.techpowerup.com/167975/Colorful-Unveils-Fanless-GeForce-GTX-680-Graphics-Card.html
 
O

Oz Spaniard

Junior Member
Oct 26, 2012
14
0
0
Zap said:
Mini ITX is smaller than micro ATX.

No, the Gene V will not fit an ITX case.

3570K is sufficient.

You already have the graphics card? That thing is HUGE and won't fit. If you don't already have it, then please consider buying something smaller. When going to a smaller PC size, you will have to make some adjustments in your thinking.

If you already have that card and really want the Gene V motherboard, then find yourself a nice micro ATX case. Yes, it will be bigger than the Prodigy, but not by too much. I think most of the size difference would be the depth, as the Prodigy is pretty tall.

For a small mATX case, consider a Fractal Design Core 1000. It is small and cheap, and has decent airflow. The only problems are that you probably won't be able to use a water cooler, and it won't take the bigger heatsinks.

I think you really need to decide on the size thing, because that will affect whether you get your 2x120 water cooler, the Gene V motherboard and the triple slot ginormous graphics card.

If you're willing to compromise for the same of smaller size, you can build a really powerful system in as small a case as the Silverstone SG05. It can do an overclocked 3570k with a GTX 680 (albeit a smaller one than what you have) and a few drives in about half the space of the Prodigy.
Click to expand...

The Gene V is the smallest of the rampage series right? As in mini or micro atx? But yes, unless there is another good overclocking motherboard option with a built in sound card or at least decent on board audio for 5.1 headsets then Im kinda set on the rampage, but like you said priorities... And I can compromise on the board but also not to a point on the for the card, as that is bought already and wanting to be used.

On another note, I thought the prdogy was a mini ITX case?

Yes Ihave the card and know its huge but its so powerful and quiet, so must be able to handle tripple slot. I dont think I will have a need for any other expansion cards TBH, but you never know.

If I go the fractual will it be quiet? I want to be able to use the H100 in the case so will that fit in it or the sugo?

Also in terms of OC the CPU will the included 450 watt psu be suffucient for that and that behemoth card?

It also looks like a H100 will not fit in the Silverstone Sugo? The fractual?


Also after reading the reviews the silverstone Sugo 05 and the fractual dont seem to fit the build Im after (possibly mabey I just dont know).

Even the new 1000 seems like junk. Maybe I have to try to go up to a micro ITX.
 
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O

Oz Spaniard

Junior Member
Oct 26, 2012
14
0
0
SithSolo1 said:
The Core 1000 is a good suggestion. Its roughly a half inch taller than the Prodigy but almost 3" thinner and slightly less deep.

Also here's a guy that managed to mod a Core 1000 to fit the H100: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...14-fractal-design-core-1000-corsair-h100.html Extremely light on the mod details but has a few photos.

The only thing I'd be really worried about is the video card. Not only is it 3 slots but its also extremely long. I'm not sure you could have picked a worse card for a small build. Well, except for this card: http://www.techpowerup.com/167975/Colorful-Unveils-Fanless-GeForce-GTX-680-Graphics-Card.html
Click to expand...

Nicely done with the mod, could be a option if I had a dril and a/or a dremel here.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
Oz Spaniard said:
On another note, I thought the prdogy was a mini ITX case?
...
If I go the fractual will it be quiet? I want to be able to use the H100 in the case so will that fit in it or the sugo?

Also in terms of OC the CPU will the included 450 watt psu be suffucient for that and that behemoth card?

It also looks like a H100 will not fit in the Silverstone Sugo? The fractual?

Also after reading the reviews the silverstone Sugo 05 and the fractual dont seem to fit the build Im after (possibly mabey I just dont know).

Even the new 1000 seems like junk. Maybe I have to try to go up to a mini ITX.
Click to expand...

Mini ITX (mITX) is smaller than micro ATX (mATX). Silverstone Sugo SG05 and Bitfenix Prodigy are mini ITX. Neither will fit your graphics card, and the SG05 won't fit an H100 either. The Core 1000 is mATX and will likely fit your graphics card, but will require modding for the H100.

You will need to go mATX due to your graphics card.

Yes, a quality 450W is enough for overclocking a quad core and using a top end graphics card.

Noise depends on the parts going into it. More fans = more noise = lower temperatures. You choose what balance/tradeoff you want.
 
O

Oz Spaniard

Junior Member
Oct 26, 2012
14
0
0
Zap said:
Mini ITX (mITX) is smaller than micro ATX (mATX). Silverstone Sugo SG05 and Bitfenix Prodigy are mini ITX. Neither will fit your graphics card, and the SG05 won't fit an H100 either. The Core 1000 is mATX and will likely fit your graphics card, but will require modding for the H100.

You will need to go mATX due to your graphics card.

Yes, a quality 450W is enough for overclocking a quad core and using a top end graphics card.

Noise depends on the parts going into it. More fans = more noise = lower temperatures. You choose what balance/tradeoff you want.
Click to expand...

Someone reallly screwed up when naming these form factors, you would tend to believe that micro is the smallest out of the bunch as its "micro" and not as you would think a "mini" would be a mini version of full ATX.

Is there any other SFF cases that will take my card along with a H100 without modding?

I wish I could mod the Core 1000 but not possible here as I dont have any tools like I do back home. (Dremel anyone? :biggrin: )

I understand with the trade offs but I have a cooler master HAFX at home and that was my first build and the fans drove me crazy. Thats why I want to go off shelf water cooling and hopefully one/two fans in case one side for the card at least everything else can fry for all I care :D . I did like the Sugo SG08 as that looked really nice but, again looks like even a H80 wont fit in there and probably my card wont either.
 
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SithSolo1

SithSolo1

Diamond Member
Mar 19, 2001
7,740
11
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I can't think of any mini-ITX cases that have 3 full PCI slots so you are automatically limited to mATX cases at minimum, like Zap said.

Your card is too long for most smaller mATX cases, especially those where the H100 would need to be mounted in the front.

Fractal Arc Mini:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp839_6NabA

Will fit an H100 in the top fine can take up to 15.75" video cards with one of the HDD bays removed. It may be larger than you want but its about the smallest you will find to fit your current hardware mod free.
 
O

Oz Spaniard

Junior Member
Oct 26, 2012
14
0
0
SithSolo1 said:
I can't think of any mini-ITX cases that have 3 full PCI slots so you are automatically limited to mATX cases at minimum, like Zap said.

Your card is too long for most smaller mATX cases, especially those where the H100 would need to be mounted in the front.

Fractal Arc Mini:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp839_6NabA

Will fit an H100 in the top fine can take up to 15.75" video cards with one of the HDD bays removed. It may be larger than you want but its about the smallest you will find to fit your current hardware mod free.
Click to expand...

I think i will have to go woth the arc mini then. Also thinking of going the 3770k is the gene rampage v board a lga 1155 socket?
 
O

Oz Spaniard

Junior Member
Oct 26, 2012
14
0
0
I just had another question. I think I will go for the 3770k chip with tha Asus rampage genie.
Is this quad channel ram or dual channel for this chip and boad combo?
Whats the difference? Any major benefit with either?
 
NTMBK

NTMBK

Lifer
Nov 14, 2011
10,464
5,849
136
Oz Spaniard said:
I just had another question. I think I will go for the 3770k chip with tha Asus rampage genie.
Is this quad channel ram or dual channel for this chip and boad combo?
Whats the difference? Any major benefit with either?
Click to expand...

3770k is dual channel memory. Only the Sandy Bridge E chips have quad-channel memory controllers.
 
O

Oz Spaniard

Junior Member
Oct 26, 2012
14
0
0
I dont think I will be able to find the Mushkin here in Japan...
To edit:
I did find these
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.jp%2FF3-12800CL10D-16GBXL-DDR3-1600-16GB-8GB-CL10%2Fdp%2FB0062HALUY%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1352108929%26sr%3D8-1
Click to expand...


and these: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.jp%2FG-Skill-F3-1866C10D-16GAB-DDR3-1866-CL10-8GB%25C3%25972%2Fdp%2FB0077HYYOM%2Fref%3Dsr_1_5%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1352108929%26sr%3D8-5

and also these ripjaws http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.jp%2FG-Skill-F3-1600C9D-16GXM-DDR3-1600-CL9-8GB%25C3%25972%2Fdp%2FB0078X1P60%2Fref%3Dsr_1_16%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1352108929%26sr%3D8-16

I think the second set looks good and is basically only $8 bucks more for 1800 instead of 1600 like the last set. Also I'm not 100% sure the last set will work with the Z77 chipset?
Obiously there are many more kits out there to choose from and those mushkins look like a good set of ram (although never heard of them) but Im looking for some goodish ram without killing the pockets. Also remember I am in Japan on a working holiday so some of these items may be hard to come by.
Anyway, opinions?
Thanks
 
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T_Yamamoto

T_Yamamoto

Lifer
Jul 6, 2011
15,007
795
126
Oh god.
You're in japan so you'll be able to buy parts in Akihabara if you're close.

They have some really good deals on used parts fyi
 
O

Oz Spaniard

Junior Member
Oct 26, 2012
14
0
0
I went to Akibahara and i found prices slightly higher than online through some Japanese amazon types, although yes I did go to a larger store so possibly I need to some smaller places.
Do you have any suggestions as to what stores and where they are that I should go to?
Edit: Ah sorry, you said used parts. Not sure I want to go the used parts route for warranty purposes etc.
 
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Oz Spaniard

Junior Member
Oct 26, 2012
14
0
0
Hey guys sigh. Im finding this build is really doing my head in with choices, maybe I should dump the H100 and go for a compotent and quiet air cooler for the OC'd 3770K?
I still doubt that it will allow me to reduce the size of my case as I still have the Asus GTX680 DCUII card to fit into something.
At this stage I feel like blowing my brains out with choices?

Whats the smallest case that will take my Asus GTX680? What cooling options can I look at in the smallest case size that will take my card? :'(
 
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SithSolo1

SithSolo1

Diamond Member
Mar 19, 2001
7,740
11
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find a tape measure and get the length of your card from behind the metal pci bracket to the end of the fan cooler.

Assuming its under 350mm any of the following will work if you ditch the H100:

Fractal Design Core 1000
NZXT Crafted Series Vulcan
Silverstone Sugo Series SG09
 
O

Oz Spaniard

Junior Member
Oct 26, 2012
14
0
0
SithSolo1 said:
find a tape measure and get the length of your card from behind the metal pci bracket to the end of the fan cooler.

Assuming its under 350mm any of the following will work if you ditch the H100:

Fractal Design Core 1000
NZXT Crafted Series Vulcan
Silverstone Sugo Series SG09
Click to expand...

I dont have a tape measure but according to Ausu's site the card is 300mm long.

What kind of cooling options can I have in these cases?
SG09 looks like a nice small case from memory is it possible to have a H80 in there? and what about the tj08? What other decent cooling options can I have that will handle a decent OC on the 3770K at around ~4.5 plus Ghz even on air as long as its PWM controlable?
 
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SithSolo1

SithSolo1

Diamond Member
Mar 19, 2001
7,740
11
81
I haven't seen anyone try it yet but the H80 *might* fit in the rear fan space. The case has only been out about a month.

Any half decent air cooler should fit.
 
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