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Help with a new SFF build

D

DarkHairedIrish

n00b
Joined
Mar 13, 2015
Messages
2
1. What will you be doing with this PC?
Mostly gaming, small server hosting (Minecraft, Starbound, Terraria, Killing Floor, anything that doesn't have steam run hosting)

2. Will you be overclocking?
Maybe. I'd be fine with all in one coolers or air cooling but a custom loop is out unfortunately.

3. What's your budget?
$2500, flexible

4. Where do you live?
U.S.A. I have a Microcenter very close by

5. What exact parts do you need for that budget?
CPU, GPU, RAM, Motherboard, PSU, CPU Cooler, HDD, SSD, probably missed something else

6. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?
No reusing of parts, will likely sell off my current computer as a unit or for parts

7. What specific features do you need in a motherboard?
Must have USB 3.0 but nothing else specific is required

8. What resolution output do you need? 1440p

9. Does this system need to fit into a particular space and do you need an optical drive?
Would like it to fit on a desk (hence the SFF)

10. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring?
Comfortable with electrical wiring but have never done any modifications to a case. Have a standard set of tools (drill + drill bits, screwdrivers, wrenches, soldering iron, etc)

11. How important is the noise/silence of this system?
Quiet would be nice but i have a headset on all the time so it's not a priority.

12. How mobile does this system need to be?
I do plan to take it to LAN parties but handle is not necessary and weight is not a problem.

13. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS?
Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit

14. When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Either very soon (next few weeks) or after the next big CPU/GPU release

NEW LINK: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZCL3Mp
PCPartPicker Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rVVpJx

CPU: i7 4790K
CPU Cooler: ?
MoBo: Asus Maximus VII Impact
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 2*8 GB
Hard Drive(s): Samsung 850 Pro SSD (256 GB), Seagate Hybrid (4 TB)
GPU: Asus Matrix 980
PSU: Silverstone SFX 600W
Case: NCASE M1

That is roughly what I'm going for (if you can't tell, I like the colour red.) But I have a few various questions.

First, would it be better to wait for the next set of CPU's and GPU's or just go ahead and get the parts now? I know there is always something better coming out in X months but are we close enough to wait or should I just go ahead and build it? Replacing/Upgrading parts is definitely something I will end up doing eventually but should I wait it out or just go for it?

Second, is the Asus Matrix 980 small enough to fit in an MCASE? I know length wise it is fine but it's fairly tall and while it looks as if NCASE was designed to accommodate that extra height, I haven't found a build using it so I wanted to double check. Also, would the blower style cooler be significantly better for this system? I know it isn't red and black but if it would prevent the thing from melting then I would definitely be willing to switch.

Third, I don't know what I should do for the CPU Cooler. I'm impartial whether it is an all in one water cooler or if it is air cooling but I don't know exactly what will fit and what would work best.
 
Last edited:
Your link to PCPP doesn't work.

Haswell has been out for almost two years and with both Broadwell and Skylake expected in the next three to six months, I would wait unless you need something sooner.

Do get the M1 now if you are set on it since supply is not guaranteed.

There's a good chance the Matrix 980 won't fit in the M1. With the M1 you're usually better off with a reference blower. But if you're waiting for the CPU you might as well also wait for the GPU. I think both Titan X and the next AMD flagship are expected at Computex in June.

As far as CPU cooling is concerned I'm biased towards air due to its simplicity and in that category I would say the Noctua top-down coolers are the most popular. The C14 with a fan mounted to the side bracket is one of the best performing setup I believe, at the expense of the 3.5" cage.

For RAM I'd look into the low profile sticks such as the Crucial Ballistix VLP or Ballistix Tactical LP.

The 4TB 3.5" hybrid drive seems like a bad idea. 3.5" drives take up too much space given their utility. Hybrid drives don't really matter in a system with a real SSD. The SSD also seems a bit small. Unless you have very specific reasons to go with the 850 Pro I would go for a bigger mid-range SSD (1TB Crucial MX/BX or 850 EVO) and perhaps a 2.5" platter drive for media if needed.
 
vipz said:
Your link to PCPP doesn't work.

Haswell has been out for almost two years and with both Broadwell and Skylake expected in the next three to six months, I would wait unless you need something sooner.

Do get the M1 now if you are set on it since supply is not guaranteed.

There's a good chance the Matrix 980 won't fit in the M1. With the M1 you're usually better off with a reference blower. But if you're waiting for the CPU you might as well also wait for the GPU. I think both Titan X and the next AMD flagship are expected at Computex in June.

As far as CPU cooling is concerned I'm biased towards air due to its simplicity and in that category I would say the Noctua top-down coolers are the most popular. The C14 with a fan mounted to the side bracket is one of the best performing setup I believe, at the expense of the 3.5" cage.

For RAM I'd look into the low profile sticks such as the Crucial Ballistix VLP or Ballistix Tactical LP.

The 4TB 3.5" hybrid drive seems like a bad idea. 3.5" drives take up too much space given their utility. Hybrid drives don't really matter in a system with a real SSD. The SSD also seems a bit small. Unless you have very specific reasons to go with the 850 Pro I would go for a bigger mid-range SSD (1TB Crucial MX/BX or 850 EVO) and perhaps a 2.5" platter drive for media if needed.
Click to expand...

I fixed the PCPP link and updated it after your suggestions and some other research.
I figured waiting would be the best option as I don't need the computer right away. I can wait a few months for the next round of GPU/CPU releases.

I'm fairly set on the M1 as I don't really see anything like it out now and I don't know of any coming out in the future (although Nova is tempting me with mATX)

The reason I had done two drives is just because I have a large amount of games and prefer to keep a majority of them installed.
 
I looked at your PCPP list. One thing I don't think I understand is, even with the 1TB SSD, do you intend on installing some of your games on the platter drive?
 
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