Help me build my first SFF gaming rig

B

big_aug

2[H]4U
Joined
Oct 13, 2006
Messages
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I'm building a new rig and I'd like to go SFF. I'm tired of the big ass cases.



1. What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming, Photoshop (or other intensive programs), Web browsing, strictly HTPC/Playback, etc.

Gaming/Streaming

2. Will you be overclocking? (If so, are you looking to watercool?)

Probably overclocking at some point. I like AIO liquid coolers for aesthetic purposes these days.

3. What's your budget? $1000-1500

4. Where do you live? No good stores nearby. Probably buy most on Amazon with prime and 10% off with my CC promo.

5. What exact parts do you need for that budget?

I want to get a 6600k-7700k range processor. The biggest concern is getting a nice case that's going to fit everything. I need help picking RAM/MOBO/GPU to go with it. I've never really had to worry about stuff fitting when doing a build before.

I do need all parts:

Case (Think I'm going to go Corsair Carbide Air 240 as I had the 540 which I loved)
CPU (7700k)
RAM
MOBO
GPU (1080)
SSD
PSU

6. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?

I have a Monitor and Mouse I'll be using. Don't really need suggestions on accessories. I'm just not familiar with SFF hardware.

7. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Thunderbolt? Crossfire or SLI support? How many USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s? etc.

Not really needing any crazy features. Need USB for mouse, keyboard, mic, etc. Probably 5 USB. WiFi is always nice to have.


8. What resolution output do you need?

1440p with a second monitor eventually

9. Does this system need to fit into a particular space and do you need an optical drive?

No particular place to put it. No optical drive needed.

10. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring?

Not very. I'd rather not mod a case.

11. How important is the noise/silence of this sytem?

Don't care

12. How mobile does this system need to be?

Doesn't need to be particularly mobile. I just want a nice small footprint system that looks nice and clean.

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

I'll get a Windows 10 key.

14. When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

Immediately
 
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A couple of notes from parts below. Corsair PSU instead of silverstone & you gotta be careful with CPU cooler, there is height restriction with this case.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i5-7600K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.79 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Scythe BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B 45.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($37.77 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z270N-Gaming 5 Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($168.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($101.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 960 Evo 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Seagate BarraCuda 2TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($85.39 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Windforce OC Video Card ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone Sugo SG13B Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Gold 450W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($87.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1031.89 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-02 23:54 EDT-0400
 
Why are you recommending an 1050 Ti for someone who said Gaming and mentioned an 1080 and budgeted for one? Zotac to the rescue! And it would need a bigger PSU but that's hardly a problem, the SG13 takes ATX even if short ATX only. And yes I am aware that there are SFX PSUs aplenty which would work but why bother? Noise, efficiency and value wise the Strider Platinum eats all SFX PSUs for breakfast. Ps. Silverstone has a rebate for April.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-7600K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.79 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Scythe BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B 45.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($37.77 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z270N-Gaming 5 Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($168.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($101.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 960 Evo 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Seagate BarraCuda 2TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($85.39 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Mini Video Card ($544.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone Sugo SG13B Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ B&H)
Other: SilverStone Technology Platinum Certified Single +12V Rail ATX Power Supply, PS-ST65F-PT ($112.37 @ Amazon)
Total: $1456.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-03 02:19 EDT-0400
 
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OK I'll try. OP says he wants the Carbide 240 and water cooling and a 7700K and a 1080, under $1500. Honestly in the Carbide, it's not SFF so there really is not much homework you need to do to fit stuff. It's a huge case. Sub in the 960 evo for the MX300 and you're still right under $1500.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($343.22 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Corsair)
Motherboard: ASRock Z270M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($106.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 275GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($89.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Founders Edition Video Card ($494.97 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair Air 240 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($87.44 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($62.89 @ Newegg)
Total: $1434.25
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-03 03:19 EDT-0400
 
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Ha, if you compare the two builds the Strider Platinum still fits the $1500 budget :) if you really badly want to you can drop to 550W but I believe the 650W is the sweet spot, it's just a few bucks more.
 
Thanks guys. This helped a lot. I'll be ordering today! Gonna go used on the 1080 to save some cash there and be better off on other hardware.
 
I ended up getting:

Air 240
Asus Z270g
7600k
Corsair Vengeance 16gb DDR4 3000
Samsung 960 EVO 500gb m.2
Corsair H100i
Silverstone Platinum PS-ST65
Mech Keyboard
Thermal Compound

Total: 1252.06

I get 10% statement credits from Amazon purchases on my Amex so that saves me another $125. So $1127 after the discount. I bought a used GTX 1080 for $410.

Grand total: $1537.


I splurged and got some parts that matched aesthetically with the case and got the AIO which is much cleaner.


Thanks guys!
 
And it's done!

Some internal pics. Case is much cleaner looking with the side panel on.

https://imgur.com/a/GPybv

Really glad I went with the Air 240. The size is just about exactly what I wanted. It fits on my desk with my monitor which I haven't been able to do in years. Looks great too.
 
Looks great, congratulations!

Good work on the cable management, too, especially for your first foray into SFF. Most of the time a first-time SFF builder gets exhausted and passes out two hours into the battle with the cthulhu-spawn all PSUs turn into when installed in SFF cases.
 
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