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First SFF MITX Build

F

flipstyle

n00b
Joined
Jan 15, 2012
Messages
1
Hey hardforum, I was planning to buy another laptop but found this forum in my search and was immediately interested in having desktop hardware that could be moved across the country without expensive shipping costs.

1. What will you be doing with this PC?
Gaming, overlocking (maybe), Mathcad, matlab, photoshop, browsing

2. What's your budget?
I'd like to keep it around $1,000. I'd go up to $2,000 at the maximum (including shipping) if it brings worthwhile performance.

3. What specific features do you need in a motherboard?
Need: USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s, Ethernet, reliable for my general hardware (list at bottom)
Want: Effective overclocking, WIFI

4. Does this system need to fit into a particular space?
It MUST fit in a carry-on bag

5. 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...)
As this is my first SFF build, I wouldn't want to do too much more than adding ventilation unless it would be extremely beneficial. However, all of the above tools and more are available to me

6. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
I will use a new 64bit Windows 7 key

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I plan to build now or in late March. I want to build now because of the GTX560ti 448, but I don't really need the computer until early March. Are any major hardware releases expected between now and March that could effect this build?

Current parts list (* are items I am strongly considering):
*CPU: i5-2500k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
*GPU: GTX560 Ti 448 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127615 (I dont know if this will fit. Newegg lists as 9.57" long, thoughts?)
*Case: PC-Q11 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite
*Heatsink: AXP-140 http://www.xoxide.com/thermalright-axp140-heatsink.html
*Fan: Thermalright TY-140 http://www.thermalright.com/products/index.php?act=data&cat_id=16&id=97 or Scythe Gentle Typhoon http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/acc/051/d1225c12b1ap_detail.html (should I be concerned about fan durability when used as a carry-on?)
MoBo: ASRock Z68M http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157268 (the overclock feature looks nearly worthless to me. Suggestions for a cheaper MoBo without OCing?)
PSU: ? (I want modular, but reading through posts here it seems they don't fit as well. Suggestions?)
HD: ? (I am thinking about an SSD+1TB)
RAM: ? (probably 4gb, maybe 8gb)
 
Personally I'd get an SG08 from Silverstone. It's a better layout and will be easier to build/better ventilation. That way you could fit in a larger card than the 560ti. Like a 6950, which will also run on less power. The i5 2500k is always a great choice and also ASRocks makes an h67 itx board that I'm using in this machine that costs about $80. Right now with how cheap ram is i'd get 8gb of vengeance on the cheap.

That's just my 2c.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163187

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102945

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157238

This case also comes with a PSU
 
Hello, I'm planning on building a PC for my friend, using a very similar build. Thank you for your list and other people's suggestions.

I was wondering, what other motherboards will work well? I doubt my friend has any intention to overclocking etc.
Also, due to budget reason, may be sticking with the SG05/6
 
Yoy0YO said:
I was wondering, what other motherboards will work well? I doubt my friend has any intention to overclocking etc. Also, due to budget reason, may be sticking with the SG05/6
Click to expand...

If you have no interest in overclocking, then you should look at motherboards based on H67 chipset, or H61 - the latter doesn't support Sata3. You also won't need the -K version of the CPU.
 
I have a Q11 build and I can say that 9.57" on the graphics is going to be too long.
I have a 5770 that's 8.2" and I'd say it leaves about half an inch of comfort when it is installed.

As far the power supply, I have a sfx power supply because doing modular full ATX power supplies cramped up everything. Huge blockage to my airflow when I had cables going everywhere.

HD space and mounting is great. Shouldn't matter what you go with.


Here's my build: http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1037768275&postcount=619
 
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