New ITX Gaming Rig

[njergens5]

Posted a while back, but posting again because it's getting closer to build time and I've updated my list. Here is some info about what I want in a build:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$900-1100, I'd like to keep this around $1000, but I'll splurge a little if I can get a good improvement.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

No preference

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

I'll be reusing Windows 7, and I have external storage I'll be using for files.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Default to start and than I'll play around with OC later, so I'd like a little headroom.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

1920 x 1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

I plan to visit Microcenter either just before July 4th or just after the holiday weekend.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

None

Here is my build as of now, the case is pretty much non negotiable, and I'd like to have a modular or semi-modular psu, otherwise I'm open to suggestions.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97E-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($130.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.97 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: PNY XLR8 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($269.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Node 304 (White) Mini ITX Tower Case ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $995.57
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-19 23:13 EDT-0400


The CPU and mobo I'll be getting at Microcenter near my house, the rest will be a combination of Newegg and Amazon.

 

[Ken g6]

1 x 8GB? Why not 2x4GB? Edit: Oh, mini-ITX. I get it. Go ahead with your RAM then.

PNY is one of the companies that got caught bait-and-switching cheaper components. A Crucial MX100 is similarly priced and better quality.

Here's a modified list. (Use BBCode markup, not Reddit.)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97E-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($130.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($69.30 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($106.81 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($269.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Node 304 (White) Mini ITX Tower Case ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1001.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-19 21:50 EDT-0400

 

[njergens5]

I didn't know that about pny, i'll look into the mx100 for sure. Yeah the 8gb RAM was to leave room for an upgrade later, though I might just buy the 16gb now if i find a good deal somewhere before i build.

 

[RaistlinZ]

I didn't know that about pny, i'll look into the mx100 for sure. Yeah the 8gb RAM was to leave room for an upgrade later, though I might just buy the 16gb now if i find a good deal somewhere before i build.

You can get the 16GB Corsiar Vengeance Pro (2x8GB) 1866 CAS9 for $132.29 with discount code: EMCPDW22. I think the code ends today though.

 

[njergens5]

And just like that I have a psu and RAM on order, thanks RaistlinZ for the heads up!!

 

[Essence_of_War]

Are you married to the H60?

I think any of the low-profile heat-pipe coolers perform comparably, and I think the AIO CLC's really don't spread their wings until closer to 240mm.

Other than that, I really like Ken_g6's build.

 

[njergens5]

I'm not married to the H60, I'm just fascinated with liquid cooling to be honest. If I thought I could fit a 240mm AIO I'd be trying that instead. I'll probably hold off on the AIO until I find a really good deal on one. Ideally I'd like to get an H80i or an H90.

Most likely I'll just go with the stock cooler first and than jump on another option when it presents itself.

 

[Essence_of_War]

Hmmm...there is a good deal on the Corsair H110 on newegg today...I think it's $99 for a 280mm rad, but I'm pretty sure that is WAAAAY incompatible with the Node 304.

 

[njergens5]

I am pretty much dead set on the case, i wish an H110 would fit in there lol

 

[Essence_of_War]

Yeah, it's a very nice case, isn't it!

Well if you want recommendations for air coolers, we can give you some of those too, but I think the H60 fits just fine.

As a rule of thumb, I think you sort of want the biggest rad you can get if you're liquid cooling and OC'ing. I think the rear mount of the 304 supports up to a 140mm rad, so if you can spring for the H90, or the NZXT x40, over the H60, might be a good call.

 

[mfenn]

PNY is one of the companies that got caught bait-and-switching cheaper components. A Crucial MX100 is similarly priced and better quality.

That's the Optima, not the XLR8. The XLR8 is Sandforce. But I agree you'd prefer the Marvell in the MX100 to a Sandforce given equivalent pricing.

 

[mfenn]

I am pretty much dead set on the case, i wish an H110 would fit in there lol

This shouldn't be an issue for you given that you will only have one drive, but as a heads up, you'll have to remove two of the HDD mounting brackets in order to fit a big card like the R9 280X in there.

The CX600M is also a 160mm long PSU, which means that the modular plugs may interfere with the GPU. I'd go with a 140mm unit like the Silverstone Strider 600W for $100 AR.

 

[njergens5]

hmm, on the corsair website they list the drive as 150mm x 86mm x 140mm.

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/cx-ser...600-watt-80-plus-bronze-certified-modular-psu

I've read around and researched a bit and it seems like this psu has been used successfully in similar builds with large gpus. Hopefully it will work in my build, I'll be sure to post the results.

I'm giving the case a few more days to come down in price before I bite the bullet on that purchase. Here is an updated list of components.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (Purchased For $133.00)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($106.81 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280X 3GB IceQ X² Video Card ($259.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Node 304 (White) Mini ITX Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $49.99)
Total: $999.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

The cpu/mobo will be purchased at microcenter, so after taxes that should bring the overall price down about $50-60.

 

[mfenn]

Newegg lists the CX600M as 6.3" (160mm), but certainly Corsair's website is a better source than Newegg.

 

[njergens5]

Yeah, I was wary of that as well, I'm going to measure it when it comes in just to be sure.

 

[njergens5]

Also it appears that the bracket can be removed so the psu can have a little more clearance. So worst case scenario I remove a bracket and velcro the psu down, not ideal but at least it will work.

 

[Essence_of_War]

What did you end up deciding about the cooler? I noticed it was missing from the latest build.

 

[njergens5]

I decided to go with the H90, I'm going to wait for a good deal on it. I figure the stock cooler will be fine until than.

 

[Essence_of_War]

Neat! If you can be convinced, do some cpu benches of the stock and repeat them with the h90. More data is always fun!

 

[mfenn]

Also it appears that the bracket can be removed so the psu can have a little more clearance. So worst case scenario I remove a bracket and velcro the psu down, not ideal but at least it will work.

The mounting screws for the PSU also serve as ground points, so you'll want to screw it in. Having the PSU not be grounded to the case could cause big time electrical issues.

 

[njergens5]

The mounting screws for the PSU also serve as ground points, so you'll want to screw it in. Having the PSU not be grounded to the case could cause big time electrical issues.

That....is a very valid point. I'm about 95% sure it will fit no problem.

Neat! If you can be convinced, do some cpu benches of the stock and repeat them with the h90. More data is always fun!

I'll do my best to capture that data. I'm interested myself in how much of a difference it will make, especially in such a small case.

 

[Topweasel]

I didn't know that about pny, i'll look into the mx100 for sure. Yeah the 8gb RAM was to leave room for an upgrade later, though I might just buy the 16gb now if i find a good deal somewhere before i build.

You should be cautioned that your system uses a dual channel memory. Meaning that you need at least two sticks of memory to get the full bandwidth and that by getting 1 stick you are cutting your memory bandwidth in half. On a mATX or ATX getting 2 sticks instead of 4 is fine. But no matter the amount of memory you get 4GB/8GB/16GB you should get two sticks to accomplish this.

Also memory prices on DDR3 is going to be lowest it's going to be. Since the big fire they have basically raised and kept memory prices where they are and are sitting on production for DDR4. Once that starts shipping slowly DDR3 will rise in price. So better to max out your memory that you will want now then hold off.

 

[njergens5]

The PSU just arrived, it is indeed 150mm x 86mm x 140mm. So it shouldn't interfere with the GPU at all. The memory also looks awesome, can't wait to get all the rest so I can start building!!!

 

[mfenn]

You should be cautioned that your system uses a dual channel memory. Meaning that you need at least two sticks of memory to get the full bandwidth and that by getting 1 stick you are cutting your memory bandwidth in half. On a mATX or ATX getting 2 sticks instead of 4 is fine. But no matter the amount of memory you get 4GB/8GB/16GB you should get two sticks to accomplish this.

The kit that the OP ordered (post #13) is a dual-channel 2x8GB one, so he should be good there.

 

[ElFenix]

You should be cautioned that your system uses a dual channel memory. Meaning that you need at least two sticks of memory to get the full bandwidth and that by getting 1 stick you are cutting your memory bandwidth in half. On a mATX or ATX getting 2 sticks instead of 4 is fine. But no matter the amount of memory you get 4GB/8GB/16GB you should get two sticks to accomplish this.

just want to point out that if you're not running iGPU on intel systems it doesn't seem to matter much if you run in single vs. dual channel for gaming, per hexus results.