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help designing system

S

syncopied

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 9, 2013
Messages
503
Looking to build a new SFF PC. My last build was 4 years ago before this became popular and thus am quite new...

My build is primarily for HTPC/playback and occasional gaming (1080p both)
I will not be overclocking, watercooling, or modding the case/hardware
My budget is < $1000 (after tax), preferably closer to the $700 or less (before tax) range

I live in the California Bay Area, so Frys is nearby (plus if anyone wants to suggest any hidden b&m gems, please do)

I will be reusing a DVD burner and HDDs (1 SSD and up to 3x 3.5" HDDs)
Will be installing Win7 x64 (I already have the license)

Need: Case, PSU, CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Gfx Card

I plan on finishing building by late June this year (the computer has to survive a move cross-country, as I don't have time to build after I move)

I have done some research already on parts, and my biggest questions along with my research are:

1. Case: I really like the size of the Coolermaster Elite 120 Advanced, but I don't know how much of an issue temperatures will be if I fill it with HDDs (I know it has a limit of 3 3.5", which is annoying but I can buy larger storage size or 2.5" if really needed)
I've seen lots of people recommending the Bitfenix Prodigy, which I have no problem with minus its larger size (which will be harder to take across country in a plane)

PSU: how much wattage do I need? 500?

2. CPU+Motherboard: Looking at Intel because I am getting a separate gfx card. Please suggest (not sure between Z77 and H77 mobos, as well as different processors)

3. Gfx: target ~$150, suggestions please

Thank you all for reading and helping!
 
wow! never even knew that site existed! that will make everything easier than putting stuff on excel!

do you know if the long length of the 7870 + lots of hard drives will make the temperatures too high?
 
Err, just checked that 7870 is out of stock at newegg so I changed it.

cm's site says the case can fit even amd 7990 and gtx 690 so I assume it should.

Temps shouldn't be a problem it has decent cooling just don't expect it to be better then atx cases.

If you can't get the 7870+ id opt for a 660 ti instead, there's an asus one at $260 with a good cooler.
 
if I am not overclocking do I really need a 3570k and also the z77 based mobo?

by running 3+ drives, would you recommend another fan somewhere?

also, I am looking in the $150 range for gfx (definitely <200)
 
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liangr said:
You said preferred budget was around 700 or less?
Click to expand...

yep.. especially since i am not including the hdds that i might have to buy to fit everything in a small case such as the coolermaster elite 120
 
thx! asked this question in the cpu section too, but not sure if it will be answered there because there aren't many threads there


would I be able to purchase haswell cpus in june when I plan to build this pc? or will general availability not be until a few months later?

the reason I ask is that I don't know if I should snag processors right now if they come at a good deal, or if I should wait for the newer architecture
 
No one really knows, but you have to consider that RAM prices are going up which can also mean higher cost overall. (Maybe even video cards?)

The thing with waiting for something new to come out is that there would be something else new just around the corner.
 
well the other side is, once haswell comes out, how much lower will ivy bridge prices be?
 
No one can tell, but I'm assuming not much at all by looking at sandy bridge pricing.
 
I recently did a build for my bedroom with the same requirements as you. I went with a Gigabyte z77 MVP, Intel 3225 and a 7870. It's in a TJ08 case with a Corsair 430 watt PS. After using it for a few months I removed the 7870 and so far the HD4000 IGP is doing everything I need. Best of all it's almost silent and runs 24/7 sipping the power.
 
noticed that your case was a lot larger than the one i have planned. did you feel like it was too hot at any point with many drives in it?
 
I would recommend the Prodigy as well, while it has some issues it is just a wonderful case to do small builds in as long as you practice good cable management. Plus you know having a massive fan on the front tends to help keep things cool. I just like it because of the sheer level of stuff you can fit into it, cute little case doesn't apply to it when you pull off the side panel and show how much you've got in it.

Can I ask you a question though? How much gaming do you plan on doing? Like very little, or are you considering making this into like a steambox hooked up to a TV for both HTPC duty and sitting on the couch with a controller playing some games?

The reason I ask is this, if you have very little gaming need you can get away with a cheaper graphics card and in turn a lower output PSU. This can change build prices some depending on how you want it. On the other hand if you go "well you know I'm going to be gaming some, but I kind of want to get more into PC gaming" we could push the budget up +$100 ($93 was how much more it took for me to fit in a 7950 and if you used microcenter I bet it would be less) and put together a pretty nice gaming rig.
 
Rosewill Line-M is the case I currently have for my SFF setup (in sig). Four 120mm fans: 1 front, 1 rear, 2 side. Has 5 expansion slots so you can install two graphics cards that take up 2 slots each. Dual USB 3.0 ports in the front panel. There's very little room for cable management, but if you are creative and persistenta about it, you should have no trouble tucking things out of the way. Silverstone makes a couple fully modular Strider series PSU's that are only 140mm deep, and has a short cable kit available for them if you want to save yourself the effort.

Airflow is fantastic in the case. All my 120mm case fans are 4 pin PWM which I have set to silent mode in the Asus FanXpert control panel, and most of the time they are sitting idle not even spinning until I load up the cores with a more demanding program or game.

You can get some models of a 120mm CPU HSF in there, but you will have to lose the upper side panel fan for clearance reasons. I've got the Xigmatek Loki 92mm HSF with its fan in a pull config and everything fits with no problem.

I'll be honest, the case is a bit flimsy when empty, but with everything installed it becomes a bit more solid. If you are wanting to tote this around on trips, then be sure to pack it well with adequate cushioning, since I could foresee the side panels getting dented if you don't. But, it's a $40 case (shipped!) when it's on sale, so I have ZERO complaints.
 
i probably won't do that much gaming, which is why i mentioned around $150 for gfx... I was hoping for a smaller case than the prodigy (which would be my backup option) or the line-m because otherwise it would be hard to fit the case in a piece of luggage to carry on board a plane when I move (I'm not shipping anything to my new apartment because of time issues)

how much lower output can the psu be if I need to power many hdds?
 
In that case (no pun intended), I would recommend you stick with a Mini-ITX form factor like you originally linked with the 120 Advanced.
 
syncopied said:
i probably won't do that much gaming, which is why i mentioned around $150 for gfx... I was hoping for a smaller case than the prodigy (which would be my backup option) or the line-m because otherwise it would be hard to fit the case in a piece of luggage to carry on board a plane when I move (I'm not shipping anything to my new apartment because of time issues)

how much lower output can the psu be if I need to power many hdds?
Click to expand...

Well you sure won't be needing a 500w psu :p

Keep in mind it isn't the end all be all but it can give you a better idea of what range you'll want for a PSU: http://support.asus.com/powersupply.aspx use that figure as a "rough" estimate and then make sure to add headroom across the board using logic and manufactures recommendations to come up with what you'll actually need.

Personally though if I didn't plan on doing much if any gaming I'd go either onboard (gasp!) or about as basic and low draw as possible with the card, though I would splurge for a card that is a bit newer as to get a bit better power consumption out of it when idle.
 
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iRevert said:
Well you sure won't be needing a 500w psu :p

Keep in mind it isn't the end all be all but it can give you a better idea of what range you'll want for a PSU: http://support.asus.com/powersupply.aspx use that figure as a "rough" estimate and then make sure to add headroom across the board using logic and manufactures recommendations to come up with what you'll actually need.

Personally though if I didn't plan on doing much if any gaming I'd go either onboard (gasp!) or about as basic and low draw as possible with the card, though I would splurge for a card that is a bit newer as to get a bit better power consumption out of it when idle.
Click to expand...

would a gtx 650 ti or hd 7770 sound reasonable (or the best deal i can get in the 100-150 price range)?

wow... i am recommended 600w if i get a 650 ti, but if i only get a 650, then 500w... hmm how do i drop to less than that if I have lots of hdd?
 
HD 7770 is worth every penny considering it is significantly faster then 650 ti and on top of it AMD throws in Far Cry 3.

Those psu calculators overestimate in cases you buy a really low end psu

Even with an non-overclocked core i5 and 7770 you will be fine with a good 450w psu.

What game do you even plan to play? You might not even need a video card if you hop over to AMD apus.
 
well civ 5... so i doubt that the apus will cut it

would amd or nvidia be better for civ 5?

this is what i found on anandtech reviews:
50586.png


i guess i could live on lower settings but still 1080p+ res gaming
 
Case: $90
Bitfenix Prodigy

PSU: $130
Silverstone Strider ST65F-G (140mm depth)

CPU: $220
I5-3570K

MoBo: $175
Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe/WD

RAM: $64
Crucial Ballistix Sport Low Profile 2x4GB DDR3-1600 1.35V

GPU: $305
Galaxy GTX 660ti 3GB

Grand Total: $984

Optional: $25
Silverstone Strider Short Cable Kit (PP05)
 
is 3GB necessary on a 660 ti? I feel like you probably wont need more than 2GB until you go past 1920x1200... but then the 660ti wont be fast enough anyway.
 
for me $300 for a gfx card is really way over... what would you suggest for $150 and for $200 (assuming I go make a bit more $s)

I know that I am way under my hard upper limit of $1000 but right now I only have a bit over $750 to spare... by the time I build the computer in june I am hoping to have more... but just in case I don't, please suggest gfx cards at multiple price points!
 
Then I suggest a 7870, 7950, 650ti, or 660 vanilla.

We're starting to get games that are pushing the 2GB VRAM threshold, even of cards that otherwise run those games at perfectly acceptable frame rates. I'm just trying to maximize your system capability with your stated budget with an eye to the future. That is, unless you have plans to buy a budget GPU now and then upgrade to a mid to upper tier card once the GTX 700 and HD8000 series arrive.
 
Sorry I meant hd 7770 vs gtx 650 not the 650ti, but if your willing to spend ~$150 the hd 7790 is better. (Free Bioshock Infinite)
Whether is comes to Nvidia and AMD doesn't matter which one its a matter of opinion. I just see AMD cards performing better for the same priced nvidia side according to reviews at the same price points.

53687.png
 
hmm so in those price ranges I mentioned it is more worth it to spend the extra $10-20 to get the 2gb versions?

and I couldn't really tell, but please correct me if I am wrong in saying that whatever price point I decide to choose, AMD/Nvidia doesn't matter for Civ5 performance (one doesn't have an edge over the other). I would be better off by snagging a good deal, right?


edit: wow that 7790 is a big bump over the 650 ti

another edit: I'm noticing that lots of people are replacing the stock cooler on their cpu with another one... as I've never done that before, can anyone point to a guide to learn more about the process of choosing good coolers/paste and their installation? I don't plan on getting one now because of budget/time, but perhaps in the future I would like to try!
 
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If your not planning to overclock just leave the stock cooler, its actually silent and pretty good on its own.

As for installing aftermarket coolers they all have different installation methods. As for thermal paste I use arctic silver 5, everyone has their own favourite.
 
The HSF is really easy when you are doing it as you assemble everything else. I just installed two of the Xigmatek Loki 92mm HSF's in two SFF builds I just completed. Quite easy.

One thing I really appreciate about this specific model is that the backplate has a foam backing that is layered with sticky tape, so you just:
1. Align the backplate with the HSF retention/bolt holes in the motherboard around the CPU socket.
2. Insert the retaining screws, the insulators, and the bottom lugs.
3. Install the motherboard in the case.
4. Install your processor and a small dot/blob of thermal paste.
5. Attach the heatsink to top of the processor - heatsink brackets over/through the retaining screws and put the top lug on to secure it in place.
6. Install the fan onto the heatsink and plug it in to the CPU fan header on the MoBo.
7. That's it!
 
syncopied said:
well civ 5... so i doubt that the apus will cut it

would amd or nvidia be better for civ 5?

this is what i found on anandtech reviews:
50586.png


i guess i could live on lower settings but still 1080p+ res gaming
Click to expand...

I play civ5 on a single 6870 without issue, so you aren't really going to have that much issue with that.

Personally if it were me I'd just set my sights on a 7850 it is going to add about a hundred (more like $80) and you'll end up with Bioshock, Crysis, and Blood Dragon that you can either sell to offset the cost difference or keep and play. My thoughts are it will give you a little bit more wiggle room if you decide you want to pickup any games that are a bit more taxing as well as like I said being able to get more for about the same price if you sold off the games that came with it.

The thing that gets me is that you are close to a microcenter so you can score a i5 for cheaper than any online retailer, while I get you aren't wanting or going to be overclocking (and subsiquently don't really need to worry all that much about a aftermarket cooler) if you can get say a 3570k for only a minor bit more than something else it is something you should keep in mind. Just because you don't need it now, doesn't mean you won't use it down the road.
 
iRevert said:
I play civ5 on a single 6870 without issue, so you aren't really going to have that much issue with that.

Personally if it were me I'd just set my sights on a 7850 it is going to add about a hundred (more like $80) and you'll end up with Bioshock, Crysis, and Blood Dragon that you can either sell to offset the cost difference or keep and play. My thoughts are it will give you a little bit more wiggle room if you decide you want to pickup any games that are a bit more taxing as well as like I said being able to get more for about the same price if you sold off the games that came with it.

The thing that gets me is that you are close to a microcenter so you can score a i5 for cheaper than any online retailer, while I get you aren't wanting or going to be overclocking (and subsiquently don't really need to worry all that much about a aftermarket cooler) if you can get say a 3570k for only a minor bit more than something else it is something you should keep in mind. Just because you don't need it now, doesn't mean you won't use it down the road.
Click to expand...

i heard from people that fry's pricematches microcenter cpus so that is where I'd potentially be getting my cpu (microcenter closed its bay area store :(). yeah i thought about it and agree with you on the cpu, getting an easily overclockable cpu is better for the future

btw how much do those games that come with several of those gfx cards sell for? i've never really followed or liked fps so i dont know much. personally i am a big fan of strategy
 
You could sell those two games for $30 or so on here, more elsewhere, Blood Dragon for 8$ or so I bet
 
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