Bitfenix Prodigy Build Help Please

[oneson2k]

It's been about 3 years since I've built a new system and I could use a little help please. I've got the following spec'd out:

• Bitfenix Prodigy Case

• Core i-5 3570K 3.4GHz

• Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz

• Gigabyte LGA 1155 DDR3 1600 Intel Z77

• EVGA GeForce GTX760 SuperClocked w/EVGA ACX Cooler 2GB

• Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler

• WD Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive

Where I'm running into trouble is the following:

• What modular power supply under $100?

• Do I need the 3570K if I don't plan to overclock?

Anything else I should be considering or aware of with what I'm planning on building? I really appreciate the help!

 

[FelixRussia]

If you're not going to overclock, there's not much point in getting the K model or the Z77 board, or you could and then at least you'd have the ability if you ever decided you wanted to.

I'm running a Corsair 430w in my Prodigy, and it'll run a 660Ti just fine, so I would assume you could get away with running a 500w or so and be fine. It shouldn't be too difficult finding a modular/semi-modular PSU for under $100.

My only concern would be trying to use a CM Hyper 212 Evo. It might fit, but it might be pretty close to scraping the top of the case. I haven't tried installing an Evo in my Prodigy, but the GeminII I'm using almost causes problems because of the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket will touch the bottom of the mobo tray, but you should still be able to secure the mobo.

 

[Romir]

There is only 180mm of room for the PSU so modular 160mm ones with their plug lengths are extremely tight fits. I have a non-modular 165mm length Rosewill Fortress 450w platinum which was pushing the depth to the limit.

Top mounted 25mm fans clear my 160mm cooler's height with over 5mm to spare so the 159mm EVO will fit. A quick google search confirmed that. However, I doubt the EVO and any heatsink wider than 95mm will block the pci-e slot on that gigabyte. The Coolermaster TX3 with its 92mm fan is as good as you get with towers. Source: I had the gigabyte itx and the tx3 in my prodigy for a while. Try to get a motherboard with the cpu socket in the center, and even then compatibility can be a problem due to components on the back near the mounting holes.

If not overclocking, I'd go with a Haswell cpu and the Asus H87I-Plus. Stock Haswell is plenty fast and that motherboard has the cheapest center socket of ITX 1150/1155 bords.. Plus Asus fan control is my favorite motherboard feature, ever.

 

[drklu]

Personally, I would get the K version. Oc'ing isn't as hard as it used to be (pending how far you wan't to go and hardware/user knowledge). I also love the Asus bios, especially on the ROG series. Get a k version, it's a little more but you can get a mild OC with a flip of a switch. Have you checked out the Ncase M1 ? It's a limited production m-itx enclosure (around 200 left). It is $205 (US shipped) but worth it. Also, I would get a SSD instead of the WD, and just get a HDD later if I needed more storage. Just my 2 Cents. Good Luck!

I just realized though the Ncase won't be available until january so you may wan't to check out this Caselabs. It was my alternate if I didn't get the M1.