Require expert advice on first build!

[mfenn]

The parts are all compatible, but there are a few that aren't efficient when it comes to price per performance.

- Cooling: Don't go crazy with extra fans until you see how the stock conditions work out
- Mobo: The MVII is certainly nice, but it's kind of a waste of money. The Gigabyte H97N-WIFI for £95 has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, the ALC 892, and can accommodate 3 fans with a simple Y adapter.
- SSD : The MX100 512GB saves you about 15 quid and you won't be able to tell the difference in terms of performance.
- PSU: Nice, but too expensive for what it is. The Corsair CS650M gives you a modular, Gold rated PSU for £68.

 

[Bad Pingu]

Hi mfenn, thanks for your last reply. Since reading your last reply I've been searching for cheaper motherboards... I agree £173 is rather expensive.

I would like to stick with asus if possible and I found this motherboard ---> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Z97I-PLUS-M...1410980115&sr=8-1&keywords=asus+mini+itx+plus

Bluetooth isn't essential, WiFi is more important and also good fan control and decent sound output and most importantly reliability. I noticed the above motherboard uses the same alc codec as the gigabyte motherboard you posted and I believe it has 2 fans plus 1 cpu fan (I think).

 

[mfenn]

If you really want to pay the tax for the ASUS name, so be it, it's your money. But the Gigabyte board has more features for less money so my recommendation stays there.

 

[Bad Pingu]

@mfenn

Hi mfenn, I must ask for your input on which gtx 970 card you would choose if you were to use the InWin 901 case. Here's a good photo for reference --> http://www.overclock.net/t/1444673/lightbox/post/21641967/id/1856373

If the gtx 970 came with a titan type blower cooler (with the green led) I would buy that without much thought to ensure all heat is removed from the case and not used by the psu etc. Unfortunately as there is no such card available... I am once again stuck.

EVGA do offer this (not yet released) ---> http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-264-EA&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1010

^The above has no reviews



Then there is this ---> http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-352-AS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1010

^The strix card does not even use its fans until it reaches 65 degrees Celsius apparently, although as the graphics card is long I believe the right hand side fan will be covering the bottom 120mm inwin 901 case fan almost completely. Whether this is good or not and whether this type of cooler design would fight with the psu fan for air... I will let you decide as I need to be sure.


There are of course other non-reference cards out there which I'm sure you've already come across. Price is only an issue once over the £300 mark up until then I don't care for saving any £.

Once which gtx 970 is optimal for my specific mini-itx build... I should be good to go! gulp!.

Many thanks,

Bad Pingu

 

[mfenn]

Palit has a non-frills blower GTX 970 in stock at OC.uk for £252. The board is 247mm long, easily fitting into the 300mm clearance on your case. You could wait for the EVGA blower (and I think that you do want a blower), but in my opinion, its not worth the wait or the EVGA tax.