SFF gaming rig

[skunkboy72]

I will be attending RIT next fall (props to the guy who asked about the laptop) I hate laptops though and will be buying a mATX box for in the dorm and going to LAN parties or something like that. Main uses will be school work(microsoft office), computer gaming, internet browsing, and as a place to store my music. I'm looking to spend somewhere in the ball park of $1000-$1500 on the box with about $500 for peripherals and extras.

Here is my build as it stands right now, any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

CPU:
E8400 I'm still a little hung up on going duel or quad core.

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L I don't really know much about mATX boards, is this sufficient?

Video Card:
Radeon HD 4850

Power Supply:
Corsair 520HX

OS:
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

RAM:
2 x 2GB DDR2 800 of CORSAIR

Hard Drive:
SAMSUNG HD103UJ

DVD Drive:
SAMSUNG

Sound Card:
X-Fi Fatal1ty

Case:
Thermaltake Lanbox

Monitor:
Does anyone know of some light weight monitors?

total:
$1,358.41

 

[ther00kie16]

Are you going to overclock? If yes go with e7200 and aftermarket cooling. Go with quad core if you think you are going to use multi-threaded apps in the future.

hard drive is way over-priced. they've been as cheap as $160. $170 here

I'm not very informed on the G30 series or Intel mATX boards so hopefully someone else has more info.

Don't get a dedicated sound card as onboard sound is adequate for most people.

Get a 4850 with a rebate for $170 AR. Some even have $20 codes to take them down to $150AR

Corsair power supplies are cheapest at buy.com. $89.3 after 5% off coupon.

What size monitor do you want? 24"? 22"? You'll have to do some research on LCDs as there are a few non-TN panels out there that most people here will recommend finding.

Lastly, go to live.com -> cashback and set up an account as you can get 2% cash back from buy.com and 2.7% from newegg. That should be about $30 cashback for you.

BTW: you'll get way more responses by moving this to General Hardware.

 

[VooDooAddict]

A few comments, but you've got really a solid machine there.

- I find it nearly impossible to pass on the Q6600. For the little extra $$ it opens up a world of server/VirtualMachine possibilities after your next PC build a few years down the road. Plus, it's not a bad overclocker if you are into that sort of thing.

- Case. I used to have one of the LanBox units. They are quite heavy and actually pretty large. If you are really looking for great portability you should give a solid look at the Shuttle SFFs that have the P35, X38 and X48 Chipsets. They come with very ample power supplies for such a small box. You can also get yourself a nice case to transport it in.

- Sound card. I'm mixed on this. I used to swear by SoundBlaster addin sound cards for compatibility and performance. Unfortunately the drivers have been causing nearly as much headache as they solved. Obviously you should go with what you are comfortable with. For me the add-on soundcard would be the first item to go if keeping to a particular budget.

- Monitors. If you really want to use it for LANs ... do yourself a favor and buy a nice carrying case for it.
http://www.frozencpu.com/produ...ck.html?tl=g31c187s415

 

[Ichigo]

Buy the E7200 whether you're overclocking or not. Either way, the money you save can be put towards a 4870. You'll simply get more gaming performance.

 

[slugg]

Originally posted by: VooDooAddict
A few comments, but you've got really a solid machine there.
- Sound card. I'm mixed on this. I used to swear by SoundBlaster addin sound cards for compatibility and performance. Unfortunately the drivers have been causing nearly as much headache as they solved. Obviously you should go with what you are comfortable with. For me the add-on soundcard would be the first item to go if keeping to a particular budget.

^^ Well, I humbly disagree.

The X-Fi is a wonderful card with great features. Most importantly, it SOUNDS GOOD. The equalizer and "Crystalizer" are very powerful tools when trying to get the best sound out of your speakers or headset. I can't stand integrated audio; no matter what you do, it always sounds like crap. Also, the Creative cards are the only ones that have full support for OpenAL (good for gaming, which you said you're doing). This is all only true if we're talking about the "consumer grade" scope of things. Compared to pro level gear, the X-Fi is child's play.

I love the sound I get out of my speakers. Because of my great experience with X-Fi, I'm bold enough to suggest getting a cheaper CPU or video card just to stay in budget, but keep the X-Fi.

Originally posted by: Ichigo
Buy the E7200 whether you're overclocking or not. Either way, the money you save can be put towards a 4870. You'll simply get more gaming performance.

^^ this is true. But to be honest, I'd strongly advise AGAINST overclocking in a SFF. Your computer is going to get pretty hot and it won't have much thermal capacity. Besides, the real bottleneck will be the video card, not the CPU (when it comes to gaming).

Oh and... by having a gaming machine, all your other needs are taken care of.

 

[erobles]

if you're going to overclocked look for asus p5e-vm hdmi or wait for the g45 DFI lan party matx board (if you want to crossfire).