Small computer

[Bootleg Betty]

Hi,

I used to have account long time ago (with banal questions about terrible and cheap computers), but now I have a job and I'd like to get new computer. So yeah.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

I'm looking for general workhorse. I don't game much but I like the games to look good, and some times I might need some power for data crunching.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.

Czech republic, budget is about 30 000 CZK (that's about 1 500 USD, but things are more expensive here, thanks to higher VAT and mandatory two year warranty), store is here: http://www.czc.cz/. I think it should switch to English automatically, but I don't see any manual switch.

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Not really. Well, I do actually hate Intel and Nvidia, but I'm not letting that go into consideration if they are the smarter choice. The thing that would go into consideration would be CUDA that I might need for data science stuff or state of Linux drivers. I don't have much experience with this at the moment, though.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

I can reuse one OCZ Agility 3 as system drive, but that's about it.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

No idea. Is it worth it? 4670K is 5 % faster but 17 % more expensive than 4570, so that's not a good deal unless overclocked, right?

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

FHD.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

In about a month. I tend to screw things up because of my impatience, so I want to discuss things well before I actually have the money

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

This is the annoying part. I'm going to need Windows to run games, but I don't really want them. I'm not a student anymore, so not MSDN AA for me.

So, what I have my idea on now, is
- Arctic Freezer I30 http://www.czc.cz/arctic-freezer-i30_2/104204/produkt
- Intel Core i5-4570 http://www.czc.cz/intel-core-i5-4570/129694/produkt
- Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR3 1600 http://www.czc.cz/crucial-ballistix-sport-8gb-ddr3-1600_2/104547/produkt
- Dell UltraSharp U2412M http://www.czc.cz/dell-ultrasharp-u2412m-led-monitor-24/95043/produkt
- WD Caviar Blue EX - 1TB http://www.czc.cz/wd-caviar-blue-ex-1tb/110330/produkt
- Microsoft Wired Keyboard 200 http://www.czc.cz/microsoft-wired-keyboard-200-cz/86628/produkt
- A4Tech XL-755BK http://www.czc.cz/a4tech-xl-755bk/78816/produkt
- GIGABYTE GA-H87N-WIFI http://www.czc.cz/gigabyte-ga-h87n-wifi-intel-h87/130581/produkt
- BITFENIX Prodigy Mini-ITX http://www.czc.cz/bitfenix-prodigy-mini-itx_3/118912/produkt
- Seasonic M12II-520 http://www.czc.cz/seasonic-m12ii-520-520w/74831/produkt
- GIGABYTE HD 7970 Ultra Durable OC 3GB http://www.czc.cz/gigabyte-hd-7970-ultra-durable-oc-3gb/103539/produkt

(this is slightly overbudget and without Windows, by the way)

The idea is that:
- It's small, and I like the idea of small computer, not to mention orange one (I have small apartment and strange taste). I can put in on the desk instead of under one, which is good, because I don't have much space here.
- I'm pretty sure that much slower GPU wouldn't lead to pretty games on the FHD monitor.
- The 4 core should be strong enough for bits of Rapidminer use, though I have work computers for that.

What I don't know is:
- will it fit?
- is the aftermarket cooler worth it? I know prodigy isn't very silent, but I'm not sure if it will fit, or if it would actually help with small case like that.
- is the 7970 good idea? I know card that blows air out of the case would've been better, but they have no 7970 like that.
- I have no idea if that keyboard and mouse is any good or not.

Alternative would be to drop the case for normal one (like define R4? that one is pretty too, but pretty hot according to AT review), and save some money. Hm.

What do you think?

 

[DSF]

Actually a graphics card that blows the air out the back of the case isn't really necessary. They're louder, and components run cool enough nowadays that you're not creating any problems for a normal CPU by letting the GPU vent into the case.

Only you can determine what you have enough space for. The R4 isn't small. I would take the dimensions and measure them out in your desk area and decide if you're OK with it. (Maybe mock up a cardboard life-size model and see how it feels.) Heat is definitely not a concern in the R4 for the type of computer you're building. You're over budget though, so if you can save money on the case it may not be a bad idea as long as the size doesn't present a problem.

The 7970 isn't really necessary based on your stated use in terms of gaming. I think you'd be happy with a 7950 since you're already over budget, unless "I like games to look good" means "I have to have settings maxed out or I find the game unplayable."

 

[piasabird]

I like how the Bit Fenix is put together but I never like how the bottom is so odd. Curved handle for feet can be somewhat problematic. I never owned one and I never have seen one fully assembled. Maybe something a bit boxy will work better. Might be some somewhat small MATX cases that will work.

For instance the Lian Li PC Q-28 is nice. It has some characteristics that are nice like a full size optical drive bay, and room for a couple hard drives.

Another common one is the Cooler Master 120 elite without the power supply new version. Goes for like $40 in the USA.

 

[mfenn]

A 7970 will fit into the Prodigy no problem. Your build looks fine to me, though you can get a Sapphire 7970 for a good bit cheaper. Going down to the 7950 is also an option like DSF mentioned.

 

[Cerb]

Actually a graphics card that blows the air out the back of the case isn't really necessary.

To clarify, they're not needed for the Prodigy. Some MiniITX cases don't have sufficient side vents, or have the GPU area so cramped, and without excessive/loud case air flow, the air will not go anywhere w/o a room fan to help it, leading to hgiher temps and noise. The Prodigy is awkward, but won't have any such problems.

However, the Prodigy is really best suited to a portable computer, IMO, if it's not the aesthetics you're after (it is a good looking case). There are smaller MiniITX cases out there, like the Cooler Master Elite 120, and Silverstone Sugo 09 and 10 (same case, but the 10 has a good-looking front bezel), and there are MicroATX cases not much bigger, such as the Silverstone PS07.

If you have more than 1 5.25" bay (depending on case in the end), or no intention of using a 5.25" drive, also consider putting your HDD in the 5.25" bay, with a Sharkoon Vibe Fixer 3, as a precaution against one of the most annoying sources of noise in teeny cases. Even with grommet mounting cages, small cases often simply don't have the rigid metal mass needed to deaden HDDs.

1. Yes.
2. Maybe. It won't hurt, though, and will be quieter under load than Intel's.
3. With your budget, sure. Or a GTX 760 or 770, depending on what you want to spend.
4. Logitech would be more of a sure thing, in that regard (G400s for 1800/3600 DPI palm/claw, G300 for 1250/2500 DPI claw only), but I don't know that that A4Tech isn't a fine mouse.