New Mini-ITX Gaming Machine -- Will it Work?

[Termie]

Everything that's needed to be said has been. I'd also recommend just getting the SFF 450w PSU from Silverstone.

Less modding, plenty of juice for any midrange gaming card. (I'm using a 660Ti/3570K in mine.)

Cable management is a joke, though. Just kinda gotta deal with it.

Thanks. I can't locate the Silverstone SFF 450. Did you mean theSILVERSTONE ST45SF 450W, which is the non-modular version of my build for $30 less? If so, isn't it critical to have modular for a mini-iTX? Or is having all those extra power cables do-able? Will it lead to higher temps / impossible crampiness? Should I worry and spend the extra $30 for modular?

He's just saying use a Silverstone small form factor 450W model - from what he shared, I'd bet he'd be in favor of the more expensive modular version rather than the standard version. Both are the same size, though.

 

[pardo2k]

Ok, thanks.

It occurred to me that if I wanted to better future-proof my machine so that I can swap in more powerful, wattage-hungry video cards like the GTX 780 and future cards, that I might want to have a 600W power supply.

The difference in power consumption from a GTX760 to 780 is +80W. When I ran the numbers of my build through an online wattage calculator with the GTX780, it suggested I needed 580W.

Should I get a higher-wattage power supply to future-proof? The video card is probably what I will replace every couple of years to keep my build in good shape. If so, is there a 600W or so PSU that you can recommend that is small form factor?

That's my last question, I promise! Thanks all.

 

[Termie]

The 780 will not fit in that case.

Honestly, you're probably over thinking this. Either build a true Mini-ITX system with midrange graphics, or a much larger system that will accommodate a full size power supply and video card.

Another option is the Cooler Master ITX case or Bitfenix Prodigy ITX case, both of which will take full size equipment but are much larger ITX cases.

 

[pardo2k]

Agreed, thanks.

 

[Zap]

which is the non-modular version of my build for $30 less? If so, isn't it critical to have modular for a mini-iTX? Or is having all those extra power cables do-able?

I believe you will end up using all the cables anyways, so modular cabling is not an issue. Modular cabling is helpful only when buying waaaaaaay more wattage than you need, because you then end up with a lot of unused cables.

It occurred to me that if I wanted to better future-proof my machine so that I can swap in more powerful, wattage-hungry video cards like the GTX 780 and future cards, that I might want to have a 600W power supply

Should I get a higher-wattage power supply to future-proof?

No. A complete system with a GTX 780 pulls 405W from the wall during gaming.

The 780 will not fit in that case.

Honestly, you're probably over thinking this.

Good points.

Either build a true Mini-ITX system with midrange graphics, or a much larger system that will accommodate a full size power supply and video card.

A micro ATX Lian Li aluminum mini tower is available through 7/3 for $33 shipped after rebate.

 

[pardo2k]

The Asus GTX760 that I was going buy is sold out, so I bought the EVGA GTX760 Superclocked version instead.


One last question -- when I am assembling my mini-ITX machine, should I install the graphics card LAST?

Thanks

 

[dave_the_nerd]

The Asus GTX760 that I was going buy is sold out, so I bought the EVGA GTX760 Superclocked version instead.


One last question -- when I am assembling my mini-ITX machine, should I install the graphics card LAST?

Thanks

In a SG05? Yes, you should install the GPU last.

 

[pardo2k]

Hello again! My friend wants to build a similar mini-ITX build as mine but instead use the SST-SG08B case, which comes with a 600W PSU, and install a GTX 770.

It seems to me that it should all work properly, but could you please confirm?

SilverStone Sugo Series SG08B Black

ASRock B85M-ITX LGA 1150

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

COOLER MASTER GeminII M4 RR-GMM4-16PK-R2 120mm Slim Fan

Intel Core i5-4670 Haswell 3.4GHz LGA 1150

EVGA GTX 770

SAMSUNG 840 Series MZ-7TD250BW 2.5" 250GB SATA

Samsung 8x SATA Slim DVDiARW + StarTech.com 20-Inch Slimline SATA to SATA

 

[Termie]

That's a very good build. Everything will work.

By the way, there's unofficial overclocking available on the ASRock B85 boards, so you might use a 4670K - it's just a bit more expensive. Here's a link to an article on it: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/ASRock-ECS-overclocking-bug-H87,23409.html

By the way, is your system up and running? Did it all work out?

 

[pardo2k]

Thanks. I've ordered some of the parts but had a bit of a cash shortfall so I have to wait longer to order the remaining parts. But soon!