Fun little mini ITX build

[termhn]

Just put this together for fun. Not sure if I really need to answer the little questionnaire, I will if you guys want

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=24093267

Seems like a nice little PC for $950. I checked to make sure the case could fit all the stuff in it, and that seems like one of the best mITX cases out there. Main advantage is greater portability so if you want to move it that's possible.

[Rbstr]

You could fit a 670GTX in that case
You know you want to.
Dump the CPU cooler and it's only $150 extra....

At least get a 560Ti
(if I hear "but I want to overclock at the expense of a MUCH better graphics card" I'll choke you, I will)

[termhn]

Originally Posted by Rbstr

You could fit a 670GTX in that case
You know you want to.
Dump the CPU cooler and it's only $150 extra....

At least get a 560Ti
(if I hear "but I want to overclock at the expense of a MUCH better graphics card" I'll choke you, I will)

Lol, you're not gonna get that response, but I will give you the response that I was trying to keep it under or not too far over $1000

[Ailos]

That's a pretty sweet little build. I think the biggest LOL factor for me is the fact that whatever video card you chose, it'll take up both of the slots in the case.

Also, wise choice on the water cooler. You'd struggle with a traditional heatsink - what with the PSU being right on top of the MB and whatnot.

I commend you for doing this rather than buying a bloody Alienware laptop with "Screaming dual NVidia 580Ms in SLI mode".

[termhn]

Originally Posted by Ailos

That's a pretty sweet little build. I think the biggest LOL factor for me is the fact that whatever video card you chose, it'll take up both of the slots in the case.

Also, wise choice on the water cooler. You'd struggle with a traditional heatsink - what with the PSU being right on top of the MB and whatnot.

I commend you for doing this rather than buying a bloody Alienware laptop with "Screaming dual NVidia 580Ms in SLI mode".

I know right? Also, I would never get an Alienware laptop with "Screaming dual NVidia 580Ms in SLI mode." Way to mainstream

Also, I'm thinking about swapping out the 560 for a 7850 (oc'd of course) or a 570, I can still stay below the $1100 with the cooler with either of those cards. Any recommendations on which one?

[Rbstr]

Originally Posted by Ailos

Also, wise choice on the water cooler. You'd struggle with a traditional heatsink - what with the PSU being right on top of the MB and whatnot.

I don't think so at all, especially without an overclock.
A smaller case with all the airflow that Lian-Li means that overall residence time of air in the case is going to be very low. That means lower air temps in the case.

But if you're really worried, why not go to the cooler Ivy Bridge CPU? It's hardly any more money. Certainly a better buy than extra cooling.

If you bump to $1100 and don't go with the 670 you're crazy:
The 670 runs much cooler than the 570, and only slightly warmer than a 7850.
Besides blowing all of the options out of the water in performance.

Never spend money to mitigate (cool) if you could spend the same money to prevent the problem in the first place and gain performance at the same time.

[Vancha]

Originally Posted by Rbstr

But if you're really worried, why not go to the cooler Ivy Bridge CPU? It's hardly any more money. Certainly a better buy than extra cooling.

Except Ivy Bridge runs hotter than Sandy Bridge...?

Edit: Though I'd suggest sacrificing something for a better GPU too. Could the mobo not be bumped down to $100 or less?

[Rbstr]

Originally Posted by Vancha

Except Ivy Bridge runs hotter than Sandy Bridge...?

No it doesn't. TDP of a 2500k? 95w. A 3570k? 77w

(If you want to get into specifics, it might not run cooler in temperature but it does put out less heat. and that's the thing you'd want if you're worried about temps in a fixed-dissipation kind of scenario)

[Vancha]

Originally Posted by Rbstr

No it doesn't. TDP of a 2500k? 95w. A 3570k? 77w

(If you want to get into specifics, it might not run cooler in temperature but it does put out less heat. and that's the thing you'd want if you're worried about temps in a fixed-dissipation kind of scenario)

Hmm, point taken.

[Ailos]

The 7850 has Tom's recommendation above the 570.
http://m.tomshardware.com/reviews/ga...ew,3107-4.html

[termhn]

Originally Posted by Ailos

The 7850 has Tom's recommendation above the 570.
http://m.tomshardware.com/reviews/ga...ew,3107-4.html

Yeah, but the 570 has PhysX and the one I'm looking at is the same price as the 7850. I'm gonna go look at some benchmarks and see which one overclocks better...

EDIT: Actually, I think I'll go for the 560 ti 448 cores...

[termhn]

Switched mobo to a H77 which still supports overclocking CPU and high memory speeds and since I don't need smart response there's no point in having a z77. Plus it saves $50!

[Vancha]

You could swap out the 660ti, 2500k and CPU cooler for a 670 and 3570k and nearly hit $1100 exactly, but then you could probably bump down the PSU to a lower wattage and knock $10 of the RAM if you got 1333mhz.

660ti
2500k
Cooler
1600mhz RAM
600w PSU

vs

670
3570k
1333mhz RAM
500-550w PSU

[termhn]

Here's what I've got currently:
500W silencer MK3
2500K
GTX670
no aftermarket cooler

Plus the case has really good airflow from what I've read so with any luck I'll still be able to OC close to 4Ghz.

[Goku]

H77 doesn't allow for overclocking with a 2500K, so that is a bad combo.

Only other thing I see that I dislike is the ram.