Possible mini-ITX SFF gaming build?

[VirtualLarry]

ASRock Z77E-ITX LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard
Free 8GB Crucial memory w/ purchase, limited offer
$139.99 FS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157312

Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model BLS8G3D1609ES2LX0
$64.99 FS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148661

COOLER MASTER Elite 120 Advanced Black Appearance: Aluminum & Polymer front, Case body: Steel Alloy Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case
$49.99 FS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119261

XFX Double D FX797ATDJC Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit DDR5 PCI Express 3.0 CrossFireX Support Video Card
$429.99 - $30 rebate + $3.99 ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150665

Plextor M5M PX-128M5M mSATA 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
$114.99 FS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820249030

Seagate STBD4000400 4TB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive – Retail Kit
$199.99 - $30 promo code = $169.99 FS
Extra savings w/ promo code EMCXRWN22, ends 5/19
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822178326

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
$219.99 - $10 promo = $209.99 FS
$10 off w/ promo code EMCXRWS65, ends 5/20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116504

All that's left is a PSU, and I have some DVD drives. Also have OS licenses.

Comes out to $750 + PSU + video card.

Curious if BitCoin mining on a single 7970 is enough to make back some of my investment, as well as paying for my electricity ($0.15 per kWh).

 

[Torn Mind]

I like the case aesthetically as I have it(got it on sale for 39.99), but I'm not sure about its cooling performance with a 7970.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I like the case aesthetically as I have it(got it on sale for 39.99), but I'm not sure about its cooling performance with a 7970.

I was wondering about that too, especially if I BitCoin mine on it.

Plus, I was wondering about a PSU for it, since it takes an 8-pin and a 6-pin. Are there any 7970 cards that take two 6-pin? Do 7950 cards take two 6-pin?

Are there any ATX PSUs that are a short enough depth to fit in that case, that also have 6+2 and 6-pin together? I remember my EarthWatts 650W had that config. I have a CX430, but that's not nearly enough.

I might not even get the video card, I hardly game anymore, it would likely only really be used for distributed computing, and BitCoin mining. Edit: Oh yeah, the reason I was throwing that in, was for a hypothetical upgrade build for my BIL. His older current rig (which I built), has a Q9550 @ 3.5, and HD6870 CF, a 64GB SandForce SSD, and a 1TB WD Green drive for storage. He does game, I think his monitor is 1080P. Mine is 1200P.

 

[Torn Mind]

I have been able to fit a NEO ECO 520C that is 5.9 inches long and a Seasonic X650 that is 6.3 inches long (SS-650KM) in there. You unscrew the thing in the back that hold the PSU in and then stick it in there, although I personally just tried to install it from the top.

You probably want a modular PSU because cable overload did happen when I put in the NEO ECO 520C.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

I just finished putting together a build similar the one you're pondering.

Bitfenix Prodigy ($65)
Gigabyte Z77N-wifi ($118)
i5 2400 ($100 used)
8GB RAM ($40 used)
840 Pro 128GB ($88)
PowerColor Tahiti LE ($225 AR)
Corsair CX-500 (has two 6+2 and is only 140mm deep) ($35 AR)

I'm in Canada and got some used parts, so your prices wouldn't be the same, but overall I'm quite happy with this build. It's performing well. The Prodigy is a nice little case (reasonable but not outstanding build quality) with excellent ventilation for an ITX enclosure; it has no problem mining bitcoins and staying cool, even with a relatively crappy cooler like the one on this PowerColor. Does 500mhash/sec for bitcoining overclocked and undervolted, which is close to stock 7970 rate.

 

[Cerb]

For that kind of case, you'll probably want a blower cooler for the video card, or at least one well-ducted, with plenty of space for air to exit (BM's card is a good example w/ an axial cooler). Axial open coolers recycle hot air, and may force warm air back out of the side vent space not covered by the heatsink (not an issue, with another 1-2 slots worth of space, and case airflow front to back w/ minimal restrictions, as in a MicroATX setup). The fans might also not perform so well against the vent. The "XFX" stamped on the vent is not insignificant, in a small case, either, compared to having more area for air to be exhausted through.

 

[mfenn]

Plus, I was wondering about a PSU for it, since it takes an 8-pin and a 6-pin. Are there any 7970 cards that take two 6-pin? Do 7950 cards take two 6-pin?

You probably can't fit a super long 1000W monster in there, but overall the space for the PSU looks pretty reasonable. The case is 15.8" deep (very nearly standard ATX), and you have a little over 1/2 of that for the PSU.

A 650W has more than enough power and something like the HIVE 650W (6.3" deep) is a good deal at $50 AR AP.

 

[Skott]

I agree with mfenn. I wouldn't go more than a 650w for the rig in question unless your planning to go dual video cards at some point.