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Help with SFF Build

A

Alai

2[H]4U
Joined
Jul 19, 2008
Messages
2,701
Ok, so I need to build my friend a (semi) budget build for an SFF gaming Lan machine for, ideally, under $1k, but the utter max should be $1.3k. He doesn't plan to OC, especially in an SFF, but a mild one should be possible, hopefully.

I have never built an SFF, but I have built regular desktops. So you guys need to help me with the SFF parts of the build (Mobo, Case, etc.).

He also needs a monitor, but is ok with 17" to 20" so we don't need to spend too much on graphics.

Case: SG01B-F or SG03B or Thermaltek Lanbox Lite VF6000BWS which is ~$100 including shipping and tax.
Mobo: No idea.
CPU: E7300 or E8400 or Q6600 which ranges from $130 to $200 with shipping and tax.
RAM: 4GB of something at 800MHz that will probably be $45 (G.Skill)
PSU: Corsair 550 for $90 from Buy.com
GPU: 4850 for ~$200ish from Newegg with tax and shipping.
HSF: No idea what fits in these cases.
HDD: WD6400AAKS for $70
Optical Drive: Something less than $50 probably.
OS: Vista Home Premium for $100.
Monitor: No idea. I think I will ask in the Displays forums for this one.
Keyboard: We will probably find something really cheap.

So we are probably looking at approximately $700-$750 without a Monitor, Mobo, and HSF at minimum. At most, I think we are seeing about $1000, if I get fancy with the case and CPU. What are your recommendations for Mobo and HSF given these components and do you have any further input on the current components? Keep in mind I will probably need about $150-$250 for the monitor.
 
I'd personally go with the ASUS P5E-VM HDMI board. Its rock solid and is a good OC should you choose that path. This is also my first SFF build and once again, ASUS boards haven't dissapointed me. Everything else looks good though you can buy a nice DVD/RW drive on egg for around $25, no need to spend $50 unless you have good reason.

For HSF, I personally recommend the Scythe Shuriken. I love mine, SHIT loads quieter the the stock intel HSF and cools much better also. Its perfectly sized for the SUGO cases.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131237

shruikenbetter.jpg
 
Ok, thanks. That's awesome. And super cheap compared to some mobos too. Couple more questions:

1) Will the EA380 do with this rig? Or should I stay safe with the Corsair 550?
2) Will the 4850 fit in any of those cases?
 
Alai said:
Ok, thanks. That's awesome. And super cheap compared to some mobos too. Couple more questions:

1) Will the EA380 do with this rig? Or should I stay safe with the Corsair 550?
2) Will the 4850 fit in any of those cases?
Click to expand...

1. I'd upgrade to the Cosair 550, nothing wrong with having breathing room for your PSU for future power requirements.

2. If my GTX 260 can fit, a 4850 will fit no prob. The SG01-"F" series cases were redesigned for the larger video cards vs the "E" series It will also fit fine in the SG03 or Lanbox

icelight.jpg
 
Um... I need to bump this because I just looked over the Shuriken and alot of people are complaining about its cooling capabilities. Is that because they are dumb about airflow or they try to use it for a full tower or what?
 
Alai said:
Um... I need to bump this because I just looked over the Shuriken and alot of people are complaining about its cooling capabilities. Is that because they are dumb about airflow or they try to use it for a full tower or what?
Click to expand...

Dunno, but my idle temps temps for the intel stock HSF were 50-52c idle and a blistering 70-72 load at stock speeds.With the Scythe, I dropped to 40-42c idle and 59-61c load and thats with the fan at half speed and still very quiet and its only $35 on the egg.

I know the Zalman 8700 is good but its freaking nearly $70 and I couldn't justify that not to mention people say its noisy vs cooling. I would start out with the stock HSF and see how well you like the cooling/noise factor on it. I hated mine from day one even at low speeds so I ditched it. Try it first and go from there
 
Freezebyte said:
2. If my GTX 260 can fit, a 4850 will fit no prob. The SG01-"F" series cases were redesigned for the larger video cards vs the "E" series It will also fit fine in the SG03 or Lanbox
Click to expand...
Does the mobo play a role in what length card you can fit in a SG01-F? I have a SG01B-F with an Intel DG31 mobo and a 7800GT video card, and when I put it together it looked like the PCIe slot was too far inboard to clear the hard drive cage with a longer card (but I could be wrong). If the PCIe slot is located at the innermost location, does it preclude using a long card?

I ask because I'm thinking of eventually putting a GT280 in there, probably with a new mobo at the same time, and I want to know if I need to be very careful about picking my next mobo.

Is there enough room to put TWO GT280's in there, if desired?
 
If the motherboard follows the microATX standards, then you should have no problem accessing the PCIe x16 slot regardless of where it's placed. However, the placement of the HDD cage, the HDD(s), and/or the cables -- in addition to where the PCIe slot is located at -- may affect how long of a card you could "safely" handle.

Two GTX 280s? They could fit in the "F" series SG01/SG02 cases -- the "F" series cases can hold cards up to 12 inches in length -- but it's not recommended. Two GTX 280 cards would produce a lot of heat, and the SG01/SG02 cases have only three 80mm fans (in addition to the CPU fan and/or the PSU fan) to control all of the excess heat.
 
Those 2 intake/exhaust fans are way more than enough to cool my 2x4850s. GTX280s have the dual slot exhaust so it could even be better. The 80mm intake fan is positioned right where it needs to be to draw air for the video cards so there should be no problem cooling them in the SG-Fs.
 
Just keep in mind its gonna basically cover up all your SATA ports so your gonna need to use angled connectors to use them, I lost 4 alone with my single 260.
 
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