Advice : My first ITX build - got some small plans!

[ultimate7563]

Hi,

I'm trying to build the smallest most powerful PC I can but need some advice - planning to go with these parts :

Mini-box M350 Case (700) - GOT!
http://www.mini-box.com/M350-universal-mini-itx-enclosure

PicoPSU 160W XT (500) - GOT!
http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-160-XT

150w AC-DC Power Adapter (500) - GOT!
http://www.mini-box.com/12v-12-5A-AC-DC-Power-Adapter

ASRock Z77E-ITX (1700) - ORDERED!
http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/asrock-z77eitx-intel-chipset-mitx-p-8620.html

Corsair CML16GX3M2A1600C10 Vengeance Low Profile 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 (2 x 8GB) (1503.66) - ORDERED!
http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/corsair-cml16gx3m2a1600c10-vengeance-profile-16gb-240pin-ddr3-sdram-ddr3-1600-p-8328.html

StarTech EPS48ADAP (124) - ORDERED!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/STARTECH-STA-EPS48ADAP-6IN-4-PIN-TO-8-PIN-EPS-POWER-ADAPTER-WITH-LP4-F-M-/130729847886?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e701b2c4e#ht_3266wt_1379

Still to order :

Intel Socket 1155 Ivy Bridge i7 3770S Quad Core 3.1GHz CPU With Fan (3323.10)
http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/intel-socket-1155-bridge-3770s-quad-core-31ghz-with-p-8614.html

Corsair Force GT 60GB (1100)
http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/corsair-force-60gb-sata6g-p-7092.html

So my questions are :

(1) I've seen pictures of this motherboard used with the PicoPSU and when using any RAM with heatsinks (like the ones I've ordered) ... the PicoPSU touches the RAM (as seen here). Do you think this would cause any problems like shorting out parts? Can I just stick some electrical tape in between? How hot would the PicoPSU get?

(2) I'm undecided on whether to go with the i7 3770S or i7 3770T - is the i7 3770T stock cooler low profile like the i3 2100T? Do you think I would have any power issues if I tried to overclock a little if going with the i7 3770S?

(3) To save space I'm undecided on whether to order the normal 2.5" SSD or just get a mSATA SSD and use it as the OS drive - the 2.5" SSD is SATA3 and the mSATA is SATA2 ... how much of a difference would I notice? If I go with the mSATA I might then think about getting an aftermarker cooler like the Skythe Kozuti...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm not a gamer so IGP suits me just fine (the HD4000 would allow me to do whatever I need).

Regards,
ultimz

 

[leeleatherwood]

I have that same case with a Core 2 socket 775 mobo, it BARELY keeps it cool during normal usage. (HTPC)

I would not use it for something that would be under load often.

 

[ultimate7563]

Thanks - will test it out when I receive the parts... I can always change the case I guess but I hope I can make this one work.