Same time upgrade/downsize...

[looper]

We currently have the below listed rig in my 'sig. This is my family's gaming PC.

I want to soon upgrade/downsize at the same time... to the Mini-ITX form factor. Here are the components I'm considering and the issue I face...
Asus Z170i Pro Gaming MB
i7-6700k cpu
Corsair Hydro H100i v2 water cooler
Corsair 2x8GB LPX DDR4 3200 RAM
Samsung external cd-rw
Phanteks Evolv ITX case

I will use my current Samsung EVO 850 1 TB SSD, mouse, keyboard, maybe the Xonar sound (if there's an available slot), and the Corsair HX850 PS (if there's room).

PROBLEM... My current 980TI EVGA card does not exhaust air out the case (# 06G-P4-4995-KR). I need a 980Ti model that does that, because this case is small and tight, and so I need to get that hot air out faster, afaik.

Any easy workarounds so that I could use my current video card? Or other ideas.... I just got the 980Ti on Feb 7th..... and working perfectly...

Thanks.

 

[lehtv]

I don't see why you would have to have a reference / blower style cooler for the graphics card in that case. The Evolv ITX is extremely good when it comes to cooling potential, compared to most other ITX cases, and even beats many microATX and ATX cases:



Not really a surprise though, given that it's a 34 liter case. Many microATX cases are smaller than that, and some ATX cases like Fractal Design Core 2300 and NZXT S340 are only a few liters larger.

With one rear fan and H100i blowing out, or alternatively with H100i blowing in from the front and air exhausted with rear and top fans, you won't have any temperature issues. What's especially nice is that you won't have a bulky heatsink radiating hot air around the CPU socket area, so that won't be heating up your graphics card either.

Also, the EVGA ACX 2.0 cooler does exhaust some air out the back. The rear grille is quite open for airflow:

I will use my current Samsung EVO 850 1 TB SSD, mouse, keyboard, maybe the Xonar sound (if there's an available slot)

There isn't. Mini-ITX boards only have one PCIe slot.

and the Corsair HX850 PS (if there's room).

The original HX850 is 180mm deep, and the new HX850 (which is already nearly 4 years old) is 200mm deep. The old unit might fit, the new unit won't fit, according to TweakTown's review of the Enthoo Evolv ITX:

with or without the [drive] bays, you are limited to near 185mm to get the PSU in and supported on the four foam pads

If you want this case, I would suggest buying a new slightly more compact power supply for it, such as EVGA 650 G2 (165mm deep) or Corsair RM650x (160mm deep).

 

[looper]

lehtv...

Great info there, thanks very much.... was thinking I'd have to possibly sell current 980Ti for the other model...

Dang it, will lose my Xonar Essence ST sound card.... hope I still can use both my 2.0 M-Audio AV40 speakers AND the Sennheiser headset(when the Boss is home) with the more limited Asus Z170i's audio ports...

EDIT... My Corsair HX850 PS was purchased April/2011... S/N # 00035210127197. If that is the older model I assume, then as you say
it is 180mm deep and would maybe/probably fit, which would save me some money...

 

[looper]

Sheesh, thought I had it narrowed down to the Asus Z170 Pro Gaming/i7-6700k/new mem/Corsair Hydro H100i cooler/current 980Ti/smaller PS/ and fractal or Phanteks case... BUT...

Buddy said maybe wait for late'16/early '17 for Kaby Lake i7-7700k with 200 series chipset... but would that fit Mini-ITX form factor case?

My current rig is running BF4 very well at high framerate at very good resolution......

 

[UsandThem]

Sheesh, thought I had it narrowed down to the Asus Z170 Pro Gaming/i7-6700k/new mem/Corsair Hydro H100i cooler/current 980Ti/smaller PS/ and fractal or Phanteks case... BUT...

Buddy said maybe wait for late'16/early '17 for Kaby Lake i7-7700k with 200 series chipset... but would that fit Mini-ITX form factor case?

My current rig is running BF4 very well at high framerate at very good resolution......

You can always wait 'for the next thing coming' or build your computer now based on your needs, and actually use it. In computers, there is always 'something coming'.

Not too long ago it was 'Don't waste your money on Haswell because Skylake is coming, and it will be awesome and so much faster'.

 

[looper]

You can always wait 'for the next thing coming' or build your computer now based on your needs, and actually use it. In computers, there is always 'something coming'.

Not too long ago it was 'Don't waste your money on Haswell because Skylake is coming, and it will be awesome and so much faster'.

Yeah, I know, the eternal question.....

Comparing Asus Z170I Pro Gaming to Maximus Impact 8 > Initial impressions/ Z170 has M.2 port and less $, Impact 8 better sound, better MB cable management, more fan headers, more bells/whistles, and more sex-appeal.... still reading the comparison article.... News at 11...

 

[looper]

Regardless of whether I get the Z170 Pro Gaming, the Maximus Impact 8, or wait for new stuff in late 4th Q of '16, I am getting the Acer Predator 27" XB271HU monitor... Seems like rave reviews pretty much at all sites...but first the big check for the new furnace and AC (Big OUCH right there...)

Geez, maybe she won't notice the 27" from the 23" I have now....Yeah, right, I should be so lucky....

 

[looper]

Ok, I'm just about THERE............looks like the rig I want... ( To repeat, this is a gaming rig and we wanted small form-factor)

Asus Z170I Pro Gaming MB
i7-6700k
Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme Thermal Compound TC-GC-03-A
Corsair H75 easier to install in small spaces...
Corsair LPX (2x8GB) DDR4 3200 c16 Memory (will run on that MB?)
Fractal Core 500 case
EVGA SuperNova 650GS PS
Samsung optical external read/burner SE-208GB (need cable?)
Anker powered 10 port 3.0 USB hub
Which Windows 10 form delivery is easiest to install/setup?
Acer Predator 27” XB271HU monitor
Accell B142C-007B Ultra DP to DP 1.2cable (6.6 feet)
(The Samsung EVO 850 1TB SSD coming over from old rig)

Do I need anything else ? And/or do you suggest some item as a better substitute for something on the list?