Budget SFF Build

[Machupo]

Hey all,

A buddy of mine asked me to put together a general home use system for him, so I figure I would share my search notes. Notable requirements came out to: some very light gaming (think counterstrike or newer RTS games), able to make and edit video / picture DVDs (going to be a new dad shortly), small impact on desk real-estate, and as little $ as possible.

I happened to have an i3-530, 2x2GB DDR3-1333, 750GB WD Blue 2.5" laying around, so I whipped them together into a basic, relatively modern SFF system. Just wanted to share the adventure.

As of 04AUG2011, parts are still enroute, so this will be a build-log of sorts

Parts list:
Apexi MI-008 case w/ 250w PSU
Giada MI-H55-01 mobo w/ extra 802.11n half-height mPCIe card I had laying around
Intel i3-530 w/ retail HSF
Kingston 2x2GB DDR3-1333 RAM
750GB Western Digital Scorpio Blue 2.5" HDD
XFX HD6670 single-slot 1GB GDDR5 vid card
Samsung 8x DVD-RW drive
Eleventy-billion in 1 card reader (3.5" mount)

Parts came out to $270.02, figure about $175 for the cpu, ram, and hdd I threw in and we're under his price target of $450 (minus OS). Could definitely go cheaper if I trawled the FS/FT market, but for mostly new (i.e. warrantied by manuf.) parts, I think this was a decent deal.

Other things I considered and ultimately dismissed:
- Sugo 05. It was a $73 premium (shipped) over the Apexi case; figured that could be better used towards a discrete vid card for low-level gaming.
- Going w/ the onboard HD3000 graphics of an open-box ASRock H67 board w/ an i3-2105, but decided the discrete vid might be more useful in the long run.
- (If I went onboard HD3000), M350 w/ Pico PSU. Too much of a price premium, so I went with the cheapo case to get the job done

Thoughts, comments?

 

[fr500]

I have both the Apex and the SG05....well the Apex case is pretty bad in the accoustics and temperatures department. Otherwise you'll be fine

 

[CBD]

The Apex PSU runs really hot is isn't all that good... If and when the PSU does die, replace it with a Seasonic unit.

I used to have the same case along with a Intel D945GCLF2 motherboard and replaced the original power supply with a Seasonic SS-200SFD that I found on ebay for $18.

 

[Machupo]

sorry, also got a Seasonic 250 watter off ebay ($20 shipped)

 

[Machupo]

So, as you guys have mentioned, the thermal characteristics of this case are pretty rough (mainly due to the PSU touching/blocking the intel hsf).

I added a 120mm fan pulling air in the side of the case and that helped quite a bit.

Another random thing I noticed is that rather than fabbing a custom case for my new high-end build, I think everything I need will fit in this case. 6990 (w/ waterblock) will fit with a small amount of front metal interior cutting, a 2x140mm radiator will fit perfectly in the 5.25" bay, and my deboxed 630w nexus compact will fit on the floor just in front of the mobo tray. Muhahahahaha....

Anyone got the height of a Laing DDC (or similar pump)?

 

[fr500]

I was thinking of modding one of these MI cases as it's a 24/7 torrentbox and hdds do get toasty, the CPU goes up to 60c under load (Intel Atom)but the HDDs are more important for me.

IMHO, a 120mm fan on top should be doable, just need to find a decent source for a grille to be put up there and then cutting time!

 

[Machupo]

I ended up cutting a rectangular blowhole in the rear roof over the vid card / space between it and the psu... that thing puts out some serious heat when gaming. I'll post a pic later.

That being said, the case is too short for a waterblock on a vid card, so I ordered a second case for my non-budget build and am going to make a 2nd slot cutout for the vid card heatsink in the case wall. Also going to cut out the 3.5" bay and put the psu (sfx 450w) in the front and then blowhole my antec h2O above the cpu.

Should be fun, and heck at $40 shipped a case, you can afford to screw up a couple times