NEW Gaming build - BitFenix Prodigy

[username88]

Hi guys,

This is my first gaming build and I hope the community over here will help me decide if something would go wrong. I hope it would be a decent gaming performance desktop and importantly quiet and less noise. As of now, I am thinking about having the following components.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock Z77E-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case
Optical Drive: Samsung SN-208BB DVD/CD Writer

I still need to decide on a CPU cooler and a PSU. Please do recommend/suggest me any changes to my build.

Thanks.

 

[Rvenger]

Wow, you pretty much hit the nail on the head with that build. One area I would recommend. I currently have a Llano A8-3850 in my bitfenix prodigy and I also use an HD 6850 that exhausts inside the case. I would certainly recommend going with a graphics card that exhausts outside the case and also make sure it only uses 2 slots because that is all that will fit. I can take some pics of mine later if you like.


With a graphics card that exhausts inside the case, it makes the CPU run pretty toasty.

 

[username88]

Wow, you pretty much hit the nail on the head with that build. One area I would recommend. I currently have a Llano A8-3850 in my bitfenix prodigy and I also use an HD 6850 that exhausts inside the case. I would certainly recommend going with a graphics card that exhausts outside the case and also make sure it only uses 2 slots because that is all that will fit. I can take some pics of mine later if you like.


With a graphics card that exhausts inside the case, it makes the CPU run pretty toasty.

consider me a noob, This(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127667) is the graphic card i was referring to. Does this exhaust inside the case ? How can i tell if it exhausts inside or outside ? I would really like to some pictures

 

[ViviTheMage]

I love my Noctua NH-L13

http://vivithemage.com/2012/10/silv...77-i-deluxe-noctua-nh-l12-the-itx-mini-beast/

 

[dmoney1980]

consider me a noob, This(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127667) is the graphic card i was referring to. Does this exhaust inside the case ? How can i tell if it exhausts inside or outside ? I would really like to some pictures

that card does not exhaust air out of the case, but this does card does (though im not sure if it would fit in thatc ase) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161420

You know, you may be ok with the card you picked, as long as you provide fresh air intake from the front and a fan or 2 as exhaust. Any plans on installing exhaust fans on top of the bitfenix case?

 

[username88]

that card does not exhaust air out of the case, but this does card does (though im not sure if it would fit in thatc ase) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161420

You know, you may be ok with the card you picked, as long as you provide fresh air intake from the front and a fan or 2 as exhaust. Any plans on installing exhaust fans on top of the bitfenix case?

I still haven't thought about the exhaust fans, but will make sure that it has a decent air flow. Also, Should I get an Nvidia GTX 660 Ti instead of Radeon ?($100 cheaper of course)

 

[dmoney1980]

It depends, here is how the 2 cards compare
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/550?vs=647

Will you be playing games at 1080p?

edit- where do you see a 660ti for $100 less than a 7950?

 

[slayernine]

Solid build, me likey

 

[username88]

Solid build, me likey

anything do you think is missing or needs changing ?

 

[username88]

It depends, here is how the 2 cards compare
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/550?vs=647

Will you be playing games at 1080p?

edit- where do you see a 660ti for $100 less than a 7950?

oops my bad, I wasn't paying much attention. Its only $20 less.

I might play some games at 1080p.

 

[Zap]

anything do you think is missing or needs changing ?

Change RAM to Samsung (if you can find it in stock). It is the best stuff on the market, and it is low profile so it won't interfere with any CPU cooler or airflow.

 

[QueBert]

OP I have this case and a Corsair HX HX520 PSU, it fits just barely but the flat modular cables make cable management easy. I'm still looking for a heatsink myself, the Thermalright True Spirit 140 looks killer, but I've been unable to find if it'll fit or not. With many good after market coolers you'll have to cut the backplate some due to the mSATA port on the back. Also a bunch will block the PCIe slot. Samsung ram's a good call due to it being short, I got Crucial Ballistix Elite, which looks killer, but it's uber tall and will probably block the heatsink I want

 

[Rvenger]

OP, I took some pictures for you to help you with airflow. Notice I purchased a $7 Zalman fanmate 2, works great in this type of build for the rear fan.

 

[username88]

OP, I took some pictures for you to help you with airflow. Notice I purchased a $7 Zalman fanmate 2, works great in this type of build for the rear fan.

Thanks for those pictures, its awesome!

 

[fersure32]

Wow nice! I love the prodigy, really well thought out, compact design. Plus it looks nice!

 

[Sunburn74]

what is your cpu cooler?

 

[kleinkinstein]

I hate, as in HATE the Prodigy. But that makes no difference. It's no ITX case. It's really a lilliputian mATX box which is just mismarketed. So moving along, for the psu, snag a X550. Overkill a bit, but will last forever. For the cooler, that's easy...plop in the brand new H80i.