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mITX Build for LAN Party


Kiro

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UPDATE: Option 2: http://forums.overclockersclub.com/index.php?showtopic=198302&p=2117019

 

Been thinking about LAN parties lately.  Never been to one, but they sound like a bit more fun than playing online.  It also gives me an excuse for another build, because I honestly don't see myself carrying my mid-tower around.  Not interested in getting a gaming laptop.

 

I was originally looking to budget myself to around $500, but after shopping around a bit, it doesn't look like that'll be enough to get everything I want:

  • Fits in my backpack (approximately 11"x15"x8" to work with), hopefully including peripherals
  • Wifi
  • Able to fit my HD 7870
  • Able to play modern games at 1080, medium video settings, single display
  • Light overclocking would be nice, but not a priority

This would be my first mITX build.  Right now, I'm looking at the following:

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670k (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.aspx?sku=583302) - $190

MB: Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI (http://www.microcenter.com/product/417349/GA-Z87N-WIFI_LGA_1150_mini_ITX_Intel_Motehrboard) - $105 w/ CPU

RAM: 2x4GB Crucial Ballistic Tactical DDR3 1600 (http://www.microcenter.com/product/385179/Ballistix_Tactical_8GB_DDR3-1600_(PC3-12800)_CL8_Desktop_Memory_Module) - $80

GPU: Sapphire HD 7870 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202025) - $0 (inherited)

PSU:  SilverStone ST45SF-G 450W Modular (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4166608&CatId=1078) - $94

SSD: 240GB Seagate 600 Series (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=8037062&sku=TSSD-2400) - $100

Case: Silverstone SG05 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8208353&CatId=8582) - $40

 

No idea how to approach cooling just yet.  I also need to look for a more portable monitor.

 

Thoughts?

Edited by Kiro

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You always have the option of going APU with a 140m raid, I'm prettty sure alot of Cooler master itx cases support raids.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm going to make the following assumptions:

 

"raid" --> "radiator"

"APU" --> "AIO"

 

To be forward, I've never touched watercooling before but am definitely open to it.

 

The SG05 supports a 120mm radiator, though most say that it blocks the ODD.  Don't really mind that though.  Looking at pictures of SG05 builds, it'll be a tight fit with the GPU.  Potentially go with the Corsair H80i (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181031) for $75 w/ MIR.

 

I am definitely considering the Cooler Master Elite 130.  There's more room to work with and it supports ATX PSU's.

Edited by Kiro

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That's the first case I looked at.  It's a great case, but the size is what threw me off: 9.84" x 15.91" x 14.13" = 2212 cubic inches.

 

In comparison:

 

SG05: 8.74" x 6.92" x 10.86" = 657 cubic inches

RVZ01: 15.04" x 4.13" x 13.78" = 856 cubic inches

CME130: 9.4" x 8.1" x 14.9" = 1134 cubic inches

 

Edit:

 

Ordered the SSD, plus a second one accidentally (email + TigerDirect issues).  For better or for worse, now I have two identical 240 GB SSD's on the way.

Edited by Kiro

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You always have the option of going APU with a 140m raid, I'm prettty sure alot of Cooler master itx cases support raids.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm going to make the following assumptions:

 

"raid" --> "radiator"

"APU" --> "AIO"

 

To be forward, I've never touched watercooling before but am definitely open to it.

 

The SG05 supports a 120mm radiator, though most say that it blocks the ODD.  Don't really mind that though.  Looking at pictures of SG05 builds, it'll be a tight fit with the GPU.  Potentially go with the Corsair H80i (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181031) for $75 w/ MIR.

 

I am definitely considering the Cooler Master Elite 130.  There's more room to work with and it supports ATX PSU's.

 

Yeah a APU is essentially a gpu integrated with a gpu and cpu which is what the new gen console have under the hood. So you could grab something like this board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128663 and have something like this apu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331 and have a decent moderate gaming rig throw in 8gbs of course and you're set.

Edited by ClayMeow
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Since I already have a dedicated GPU, there is no incentive for me to depend on an IGP.  Looking at benchmarks, the A10 performance is comparable overall to that of the i3, except with higher temperatures, power consumption, and IGP framerates.  The i3-4130 might not be able to compete with an overclocked A10-6800k, but it's $30 less and will run much cooler.  $30 more gets me an i5-4570, which might be the better buy for me than the i5-4670k.

 

Edit:

 

Wow, when you add everything up, the cost gets pretty high. I'm going to need to make some compromises...

 

CPU: AMD FX-8320 (http://www.microcenter.com/product/401796/FX_8320_Black_Edition_35GHz_AM3_Boxed_Processor) - $130

MB: ASRock 960GM/U3S3 (http://www.microcenter.com/product/420288/960GM-U3S3_FX_Socket_AM3-AM3_mATX_AMD_Motherboard) - $15 (w/ cpu)

RAM: 2x4GB Patriot Viper Xtreme DDR3-1600 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8033819)  - $55 (w/ mir)

GPU: Sapphire HD 7870 (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814202025) - $0 (inherited)

PSU: Antec HCG 620W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059) - $60 (w/ mir)

SSD: 240GB Seagate 600 Series (http://www.tigerdire...2&sku=TSSD-2400) - $100 (purchased)

Case: SilverStone SUGO SG02 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163226) - $60

 

The 10.63" x 8.35" x 15.47" size of the case is a bit on the large size, but appears to be necessary to fit in a mATX motherboard and GPU.  Just need to pick up a wifi card.

Edited by Kiro

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I'd avoid watercooling for LAN builds just to make things easier. Unless these LANs have some kind of prize for best case, not worth the effort. Last I remember closed loop watercooling units were not as good or barely better than cheaper high-end air coolers.

Edited by AZNguyen

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Since I already have a dedicated GPU, there is no incentive for me to depend on an IGP.  Looking at benchmarks, the A10 performance is comparable overall to that of the i3, except with higher temperatures, power consumption, and IGP framerates.  The i3-4130 might not be able to compete with an overclocked A10-6800k, but it's $30 less and will run much cooler.  $30 more gets me an i5-4570, which might be the better buy for me than the i5-4670k.

 

Edit:

 

Wow, when you add everything up, the cost gets pretty high. I'm going to need to make some compromises...

 

CPU: AMD FX-8320 (http://www.microcenter.com/product/401796/FX_8320_Black_Edition_35GHz_AM3_Boxed_Processor) - $130

MB: ASRock 960GM/U3S3 (http://www.microcenter.com/product/420288/960GM-U3S3_FX_Socket_AM3-AM3_mATX_AMD_Motherboard) - $15 (w/ cpu)

RAM: 2x4GB Patriot Viper Xtreme DDR3-1600 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8033819)  - $55 (w/ mir)

GPU: Sapphire HD 7870 (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814202025) - $0 (inherited)

PSU: Antec HCG 620W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059) - $60 (w/ mir)

SSD: 240GB Seagate 600 Series (http://www.tigerdire...2&sku=TSSD-2400) - $100 (purchased)

Case: SilverStone SUGO SG02 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163226) - $60

 

The 10.63" x 8.35" x 15.47" size of the case is a bit on the large size, but appears to be necessary to fit in a mATX motherboard and GPU.  Just need to pick up a wifi card.

Always nice to have a microcenter in your area isn't it? :P

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I generally agree with you, which is why I tend to stick with the Hyper 212+.  However, my concern is with airflow within a relatively small case.  The advantage of watercooling options, from what I can tell, is more flexibility of radiator placement.  An air cooler is limited to being on top of the CPU and is dependent on the air inside of the case.  With watercooling, you can swap an intake fan with the radiator + fan, ensuring that the air passing through the fins is of relatively cooler ambient temperatures.  Also, considering the layout of these small cases, air cooling options tend to be limited since there isn't much room between the CPU and whatever is above it.

 

However, in the case of the SG02 SFF, there really are no watercooling options without cutting up the case.  I'll be looking around for another case.

 

kennethk: Sort of.  It's a 1.5 hour drive from me, and I've never been because the neighborhood has a relatively high crime rate.

Edited by Kiro

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I generally agree with you, which is why I tend to stick with the Hyper 212+.  However, my concern is with airflow within a relatively small case.  The advantage of watercooling options, from what I can tell, is more flexibility of radiator placement.  An air cooler is limited to being on top of the CPU and is dependent on the air inside of the case.  With watercooling, you can swap an intake fan with the radiator + fan, ensuring that the air passing through the fins is of relatively cooler ambient temperatures.  Also, considering the layout of these small cases, air cooling options tend to be limited since there isn't much room between the CPU and whatever is above it.

 

However, in the case of the SG02 SFF, there really are no watercooling options without cutting up the case.  I'll be looking around for another case.

 

kennethk: Sort of.  It's a 1.5 hour drive from me, and I've never been because the neighborhood has a relatively high crime rate.

It's a town over for me about a 30 minute drive, you can order your parts online print it out then hand it to a employee and they can get the parts to you pretty quickly depending on how busy they are.

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