Please review my first build

Paperclip

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Jan 30, 2012
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Hello and welcome to another "please help me build my 1st mini itx" :D

After several considerations, I've decided that my build will look like this:
Case: Sugo SG08
Mobo: Asus F1A75-I Deluxe
Processor: AMD A8-3870K
GPU: to be added later
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 12800
HDD: to be added later
SSD: Crucial M4 64GB
Optical drive: Panasonic UJ-875A slot type drive
OS: Window 7 Home Premium 64
Monitor: AOC e2243Fw 54 21.5" 16:9 (Razor?)
Keyboard + Mouse: ?

My budget is around 900EUR or 1200USD. All parts will be bought from caseking.de or amazon.de (cheaper alternatives are welcomed!). The rig is built mainly for gaming in mind.

The reason I choose the AMD route is because I want to add the GPU later to minimize the budget, while at the same time I still want to play some non graphic intensive games and keep the upgradeability of the rig. Moreover, the mobo has a USB 3.0 header which compliments the case nicely and I also hope that the CrossFireX feature will be a nice addition when I plug a GPU later.

I need help with the optical drive because I almost know nothing about them. What do you think about my choice?

As you've probably guessed, the rig is built to be upgraded later so for now I pick the best components as far as my budget allows. I'm particularly concerned about the processor.... Is it reliable? Will aftermarket coolers fit inside the rig? When I got a dedicated GPU do I better swap the processor with something faster or just use the 3870K? Is there something that I need to know about AMD in general?

Thanks!
 
I would get windows 7 Pro 64 bit OEM as it is not much more but is more capable. (My personal opinion.
 
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Actually I put that before on the list but decided that I could save more by going home premium. I don't think that I would lose anything important?
 
You're better off holding out till you can afford a better GPU. And get an Intel chip.. Once you get a GPU you'll be bottle necked by that awful CPU. I love AMD. Just not for their procs.
 
You're better off holding out till you can afford a better GPU. And get an Intel chip.. Once you get a GPU you'll be bottle necked by that awful CPU. I love AMD. Just not for their procs.

Noted. For intel I'll be using Asus P8H67-I Rev.3.0, i5 2500K, and maybe SG07....
 
Noted. For intel I'll be using Asus P8H67-I Rev.3.0, i5 2500K, and maybe SG07....

If you're going to be using a H67 mobo, no point in getting the 2500K considering that the H67 don't allow for any sort of overclocking. Might as well get the Core i5 2400 at that point. However the Core i5 2400 will still outperform most AMD CPUs in games assuming same GPU.

I'd only recommend the AMD Fusion route if you weren't planning on adding any GPU at all or you really really have to play a game to the point where you're willing to gimp yourself in the future in terms of CPU performance. Also note that you can't do Crossfire with any ITX motherboard. AMD hasn't worked on their hybrid Crossfire at all since the HD 3xxx series.

As for the OS, look at this OS comparison and see for yourself if theres any actual features you're gonna need from Windows 7 Pro:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare
 
If you're going to be using a H67 mobo, no point in getting the 2500K considering that the H67 don't allow for any sort of overclocking. Might as well get the Core i5 2400 at that point. However the Core i5 2400 will still outperform most AMD CPUs in games assuming same GPU.

I'd only recommend the AMD Fusion route if you weren't planning on adding any GPU at all or you really really have to play a game to the point where you're willing to gimp yourself in the future in terms of CPU performance. Also note that you can't do Crossfire with any ITX motherboard. AMD hasn't worked on their hybrid Crossfire at all since the HD 3xxx series.

As for the OS, look at this OS comparison and see for yourself if theres any actual features you're gonna need from Windows 7 Pro:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare

I know that someone was going to recommend i5 2400. But if I buy that, then I've to upgrade both my mobo and processor if I decided to overclock in the future.... Do you think Asus or Gigabyte Z77 would ever come out? Or any better mobo beside zotac and asrock z68?

Thanks about the heads up that I wouldn't be able to use crossfire. But Asus says that it supports crossfirex??

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_Socket_FM1/F1A75I_DELUXE/#specifications

Does the win 7 Pro's XP "business programs" compatibility mean that it can run older games better?
 
I know that someone was going to recommend i5 2400. But if I buy that, then I've to upgrade both my mobo and processor if I decided to overclock in the future.... Do you think Asus or Gigabyte Z77 would ever come out?
Can't say. There's been no word from either companies about a Z77 ITX motherboard. Not to mention that even if they announce it, they may not release it as in the case of Gigabyte canceling plans for a Z68 ITX mobo.

Or any better mobo beside zotac and asrock z68?
AFAIK, there aren't any other options on the market for a ITX Z68 mobo.

Thanks about the heads up that I wouldn't be able to use crossfire. But Asus says that it supports crossfirex??

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_Socket_FM1/F1A75I_DELUXE/#specifications
I was thinking of traditional Crossfire, i.e two seperate video cards. But apparently, there's an Asymmetric Crossfire feature:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4476/amd-a83850-review/6

Problem is that the listed compatible cards are kinda slow and you're just better off with a faster GPU.

Does the win 7 Pro's XP "business programs" compatibility mean that it can run older games better?
Not sure to be honest.
 
Hi there

A3870 and its brothers are only compatible with certain cards, the most powerfull of which is AMD 6670 with gddr5 memory, but this set up will only be good to play at 1600x1050 as long you are ok with this, fine, in which case you have to question yourself if you really need an SG08 case with the extra cost.

I personally think that if I was you, I would opt for a SG05, the new ones come with usb3 front plugs standard, and the money I saved on the case I would put towards a more powerfull graphic card, the most powerfull card you can squeeze in without moding the case would be either AMD 6950 or nvidia 560ti

The standard 300 watt psu can cope with either of those card when linked with sandy bridge, if you want more power the SGO% is also available with a 450 watt psu.

Regards

Joe
 
Hi there

A3870 and its brothers are only compatible with certain cards, the most powerfull of which is AMD 6670 with gddr5 memory, but this set up will only be good to play at 1600x1050 as long you are ok with this, fine, in which case you have to question yourself if you really need an SG08 case with the extra cost.
Wow I didn't know about this. Why I never heard about it?

I personally think that if I was you, I would opt for a SG05, the new ones come with usb3 front plugs standard, and the money I saved on the case I would put towards a more powerfull graphic card, the most powerfull card you can squeeze in without moding the case would be either AMD 6950 or nvidia 560ti
Again, I never heard that there's a new sugo SG05, but apparently you're correct! I also just knew that there's a USB 3.0 upgrade for the SG05 and 07 from reading Silverstone's site! But the only sandybridge mobo that's equipped with a USB 3.0 header is zotac z68 as far as I know. Is there anything else? I've heard negative things about zotac z68 and it's keeping me from picking the board.

I also hate how the optical driver slot leaves some gap all the way around an installed driver's bezel on some rigs that I've seen. Which optical dirive has bezel that fits the slot?
 
All parts will be bought from caseking.de or amazon.de (cheaper alternatives are welcomed!).

Have you tried out geizhals.de (which is a very handy price comparison site, especially for hardware). It should show you where to get the best offers. Recommended vendors are Mindfactory, K&M Computer, VV-Computer, Home of Hardware, Hardware-Versand. I have ordered from Mindfactory and VV-Computer in the past. Went smoothly every time. Also with returns.

About the case: Have you considered Lian Li? They have some nice mITX cases as well which fit rather long GPU. Eg the Q25 can fit graphic cards up to 32 cm which is even more than in the Sugo. Some of Lian Lis cases actually come with a drive cover which would solve the problem with the ugly look of the ODD...

When are you going to buy the rig? Is it ASAP or is there still some time?
 
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Actually I'm currently looking at geizhals.de, lol. And thanks for the other suggestions.

I don't really like how Lian Li shape their cases, I prefer long to tall. The PC-Q07 looks really sexy though, but I think it doesn't suit me.

I will build it hopefully in April when I get to Germany (I'm going to study there).
 
Intel is going to release their Sandy Bridge CPU in April. And they stated stated that the iGPU will see a major update so it might be worth to see what it can actually be used for.
I am actually planning to do exactly the same as you. Waitingfor Ivy Bridge, building a nice SFF system without a dedicated first and then wait for nice passively cooled AMD 78XX series GPUs. Todays released 7950's Performace-per-Watt-ratio looks very promising :)

If you are using geizhals.de: You can put together items into a wish list and let the search engine calculate how to combine orders from different vendors to get the best deals. The aforementioned vendors often show up in the geizhals comparisons and are reliable shops. Another recommended shop is Alternate (often a wee bit pricier, but very good service).

And just out of interest: Where about in Germany are you going to study?
 
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I recently built a similar system and bought everything at mindfactory.de :)

CPU: AMD A8-3870K
Mainboard: Asus F1A75-I Deluxe
RAM: 8GB Corsair Vengeance LP Black DDR3-1600
Case: Chieftec FI-02BC
GFX: Sapphire Radeon HD 6570 2GB LP
PSU: 300W be quiet! TFX Power
SSD: OCZ Vertex 2 E 120 GB & Samsung 500 GB HDD
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64bit

Its more than enough for a console-like pc, if you dont play any blockbuster games like battlefield3. you can even run the APU & GPU in a Dual Graphics Mode (similar to Crossfire). this system scored 2200 Points in 3dMark11.

if you want to go for intel, i recently built a system, too.
CPU: Intel Core i5 2400
Mainboard: Asus P8H67-I
RAM: 8GB Kingston ValueRAM DDR3-1333
Case: Lian Li PC-Q11B
GFX: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850
PSU: 400W be quiet! Straight Power L7 (or 450W Silverstone Strider Series SST-ST45SF SFX)
SSD: OCZ Vertex 2 E 120 GB
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64bit

Works like a charm, battlefield 3 on high is no problem. keep in mind that the small form factor results in higher temperatures, i wouldnt recommend any overclocking in such a small case.
 
It's just the questions how sensible it is to plan a system now if he wants to wait till April anyway when both Ivy Bridge and a broad range of new AMD 7xxx-GPUs will be released by then.
 
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