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First mITX build

G

Gott

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
4,958
1. What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming, movies, coding, some photoshop/video editing

2. What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included in this budget? Is your budget flexible? Is cost a driving factor in component selection? Flexible budget, nothing really set in stone but at a reasonable price for components.

3. Where do you live? Do you have any big B&M (brick and mortar) computer chains nearby (e.g. Microcenter, Fry's, etc)? Upstate NY and will be purchasing everything online.

4. What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, motherboard, case, video card, heatsink

5. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Just my Intel 160GB SSD.

6. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc. Which is more important, size of the system or having the particular feature? Just a mITX motherboard - see my list so far below.

7. What resolution output do you need? 1080p, 720p, DVD quality, etc for HTPC or list Vertical/horizontal resolution for non-HTPC SFF rigs. Do you need multiple monitor output?
HP zr30w monitor running at 2560x1600.

8. Does this system need to fit into a particular space? No.

9. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? What tools do you have (Screwdrivers/Leatherman, Drill, Dremel, Metal snips, Soldering Iron, Bending Brake, CNC/Welding machines/Plasma cutter, etc...)? I'd rather not modify the case but if need be, I can to make things fit.

10. How important is the noise/silence of this system? I'm shooting for a [very] low noise system but won't sacrifice performance to keep the noise down.

11. How mobile does this system need to be? Need a carrying handle or carrying straps? Is weight important (carry-on bag, etc)? Water cooling quick disconnects, etc?I won't be mobile with this very often.

12. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit? Windows 7 Professional x64

13. When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Immediately, in a couple weeks, 3-5 years? Couple weeks


Here's what I currently have picked out:

MB: ASRock H67M-ITX LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel
RAM: G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core
Case: SILVERSTONE SG07-B Black Aluminum / SECC Mini-ITX Desktop Computer Case 600W 80+ Bronze Certified / Single +12V rail Power Supply
SSD: Intel 160GB SSD
Heatsink: Thermalright AXP-140
Video Card: I'm thinking MSI nVidia but I'm not sure which version to go with - 560, 570, or 580. ATI is out of the question as I've had nothing but problems with mine.
 
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I have Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm fan that I'd be using for the heatsink. I'll have to take a look at the GTX570's as I'm looking at the MSI Lightning Xtreme GTX580.
 
Gott said:
I have Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm fan that I'd be using for the heatsink.
Click to expand...
Per Silverstone this is unnecessary.

Special note: The 120mm fan installed on top of the CPU cooler is for reference only, it is not required for safe operation as SG07’s included AP181 on top of the case can provide enough cooling to support CPU up to 95W power level.
Click to expand...
IMO it will only become a potential source of additional noise.

Will you be adding a HDD? I used just a single 240GB SSD, but I imagine a 160GB SSD might get tight if space is required for video editing.
 
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H'm, interesting. I have a NAS that I offload large files to.
 
You realize that H67 motherboards are designed for ddr3 1333 memory right? I would recommend going with that type of memory.

The ASRock board will let you tighten the memory timings in BIOS.
 
makwy2 said:
For the case I might suggest one of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...93&cm_re=mini-itx_case-_-11-133-093-_-Product Save you a couple bucks w/o skimping on quality
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I think I'm still going to stick with the SilverStone case. Great PSU in it and is what I'm looking for in an mITX case.

wwischerath said:
You realize that H67 motherboards are designed for ddr3 1333 memory right? I would recommend going with that type of memory.

The ASRock board will let you tighten the memory timings in BIOS.
Click to expand...
Ah OK, I didn't realize that. I swapped out the 1066 memory for 1333 - G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
 
I have a 560 ti and it runs everything pretty good /maxed out at 1080p for the 2500x1600 I would try to bump that up though especially if your into the eyecandy, If you can swing it there are some great deals on the gtx 480's out there = about the same performance as the 570's but a little hotter and more power hungry.
 
UrbanSmooth said:
Read the reviews, this case has terrible airflow and a HOT psu.
Click to expand...

HOT psu it's not. terrible airflow it's true.

BUT

Save you a couple bucks w/o skimping on quality
Click to expand...

I lol'd it's the same as all the APEX derivatives and it's just a tin can, even if you get your components cool you'll be pissed because of the accoustics.
 
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