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HTPC/SFF Gaming Rig!

K

KrAzYaZnFLiP808

Gawd
Joined
Apr 12, 2011
Messages
730
Hey guys. I have another post related to HTPC. I have posted in their, but this is more less in the SFF area. They told me my rig was way to overkill just to have it as HTPC. I have now experience battlefield 3. Their is no way I am backing out of my GTX 680. It was a difference of nite and day from a gtx 295 to GTX 680. I also want to run XBMC/Hyperspin on it aswell.

Parts I have..
i7 3770k
GTX 680

I am looking for a good mobo, ram, case, and HSF?

For motherboard I was leaning towards a Z77 Asrock/asus board.

For Case I was leaning towards a SG08/Q08? Not sure if GTX 680 fits in Q08. I also like the fractal design node case. I would like it to be the smallest case that would fit GTX 680?


Ram have no idea. Fastest would be great. Since I am going overkill, and I have saved money on some parts, I can splurge alittle. 2 x 8Gb 2133. Which ever is fastest for mobo.

If you have any other cases please post in here what would be your recommendations. I will put together a build thread. It just needs to have 2 usb ports in front so I can plug in my 2 Fight Stick Controllers for fighting games.

Currently working on a deal for a GTX 690. I know way to overkill, but hopefully we can come to an agreement. So he can be happy and I can be happy.

Would I need a GTX 690 over GTX 680 in gaming wise. I am only thinking of this path because of 1 Pci e slot.

Thanks for your guys input!

*****If you know if combinations that would give me problems with HSF, Motherboard, and Ram being to high, please state. I dont really want to be modding or dremeling stuff. I know SFF is a tough build, and actually, I dont want to build the almighty ATX. No challenge. Lol.*****
 
check out the sticky at the top of the forum, there are some good questions to answer in there that will help folks provide the best recommendations for you ;)
 
TTT

Leaning toward the ASrock Z77 iTX

SG08 Case, and Ram. Still havent decided on ram and heat sync. H100 I would like, but not sure if it would fit. I think I have seen the H80 fit.

Thanks!
 
Check my sig.

Asrock Z77E-ITX is the bomb. SG08 is the bomb. ITX in general is the bomb.

DOOO ITTT!!! :D
 
1. What will you be doing with this PC?

I will be encoding blu ray discs, to mkv. I will be gaming FPS games, fighting games. Will be running hyperspin/xbmc on front end for retro gaming box, as well as current gen pc games.

2. Will you be overclocking?

Yes, I will be overclocking to a safe extent in a iTX form factor. Need to know what kind of HSF would be great with a Asrock/Asus Z77 iTX board.

3. What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included in this budget? Is your budget flexible? Is cost a driving factor in component selection?

I have no budget. I have already purchased i7 3770k, and GTX 680. As I was told it was way to overkill for a gaming/htpc rig. This supposedly to set me back at-least $850 in building my rig. I only picked up these top of the line parts, because it was at the lower end of the line prices, and I couldn't resist.

4. Where do you live? Do you have any big B&M (brick and mortar) computer chains nearby (e.g. Microcenter, Fry's, etc)?

I live in paradise USA. Their is only best buy, and 2 local computer stores. The stores sell older parts, and at a good profit margin.

5. What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.

I would need..... Case/PSU/Mobo/Ram/HSF/Mouse/Keyboard/Slim DVD/SSD/HD/OS/ and other stuff I might need other then the 2 stuff I have already.

6. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. For reused parts, list brands, model #s, and, if applicable, firmware revisions.

Not reusing, but a i7 3770k, and PNY GTX 680. These parts I have new here.

7. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc. Which is more important, size of the system or having the particular feature? Make sure you indicate *required* vs. *wanted* for each feature you list.

Since I am building a new PC. I would like it to have the recent ports. USB 3.0, and Sata 3/ 6Gb/s. The case 2 have 2 usb ports in from for my gaming controllers/arcade sticks for street fighter. Have space for a SSD and mechanical drive.

8. What resolution output do you need? 1080p, 720p, DVD quality, etc for HTPC or list Vertical/horizontal resolution for non-HTPC SFF rigs. Do you need multiple monitor output?

I would like it to have multiple ouput to 3 monitors. Which I can do with my GTX 680. Not sure if it will run great with current gen PC titles with proper frame rates on ultra, but what I heard playable. Hence looking for GTX 690 since only have 1 pci slot. Monitor resolution is 1920*1080.

9. Does this system need to fit into a particular space? Think entertainment center shelves, closet space, rackmount, etc.

Nope, just in a small form factor. Tired of big rigs. Loud, Noisy, Dusty, Lots Of Power. Need The Challenge. Preferably I would like it to be the smallest case possible with a GTX 680/690 fitting in, with proper PSU.

10. 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...)?

I have most tools ready, like soldering equipment, and have a good amount of experience in custom modding pcb's and stuff for like my arcade sticks. I have tutorials on how to solder, and wire up arcades sticks for Dual Mod/Light Up Led's controllers. I do not have a dremel. So less case mods would be a plus, unless its a bad ass mod that would take the extra effort to pull off then Ill be off to the hardware store to get my dremel.

11. How important is the noise/silence of this sytem? HTPCs typically want to be quiet while all-out SFF gaming rigs don't care.

I would like it to be as cool, and comfortable on the inside it need to be with a 3770k chip. Sound doesn't matter to me, only how cool the system is capable of getting.

12. How mobile does this system need to be? Need a carrying handle or carrying straps? Is weight important (carry-on bag, etc)? Water cooling quick disconnects, etc?

No water cooling for me. All air on this SFF. Only thing I would like or consider is the Closed Loop Coolers. I would like to put a handle on a SG08, Q08. Not sure if their are any other cases to consider.

13. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit? Remember that OEM copies of Win7 have issues with new motherboards.

Maybe I don't really need a OS. I would like it to run XBMC front end. Maybe I can get a distro, with just xbmc per link. Running the games from steam, see if xbmc can make a menu from that. Which I really suck at doing. If not I can run windows 8 to see if that makes my experience better.

14. When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Immediately, in a couple weeks, 3-5 years?

I plan on building it in a couple of weeks. Still reading reviews on HSF to make sure they fit the asrock/asus boards. I really don't want to be stuck with ram being to high, hsf to big, all of the nasty stuff coming from SFF build. I just want to purchase the parts, do some cable management, and possibly no modding unless, its something bad ass...

I did get some thoughts on 2 builds of the SG08 here. One was doing cable management, and other was doing some GFX card vent cut out. Really nice, and thats where I came up with the idea. Hopefully you guys can help me with my build, and I appreciate that.
 
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If you want a big challenge -- I'd go for an SG05 w/ ATX mod :D (this would pretty much prevent you from using an optical drive, though)

You'll get better temps in an SG08 or a Bitfenix Prodigy, but they're certainly larger (with the prodigy being the 250 lb. chica in the room)
 
The 3770K is not just overkill - you won't be able to utilize the extra capability that the 3770K has over the 3570K because 99.9% of games don't use hyperthreading. Basically, you paid extra money for nothing.
 
FYI, I got it for less then the 3570k BNIB. Hence I purchased it because it was such a good deal. So I got extra for nothing. And or even less.
 
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All of your questions are easily answered by my post above.

Asrock board is a great choice all around (overclocking especially) as is the SG08 case (great construction, powerful power supply, great cooling).

The only REAL question is how to cool the CPU. Now, in my case, I use a all in one water cooler for the CPU (GPU as well, but that's another story and rids me of a internal ODD). You can EASILY add a water cooler to the SG08 as long as you take some time to do so. It isn't difficult just gotta pay attention.

Look here to see how I did mine:

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1731390

Quite simple really and offers the best results!
 
Alai said:
The 3770K is not just overkill - you won't be able to utilize the extra capability that the 3770K has over the 3570K because 99.9% of games don't use hyperthreading. Basically, you paid extra money for nothing.
Click to expand...

You may be shocked to hear this, but people use computers for high end tasks that aren't gaming. Never mind that most != all.

I've personally decided on a 3770K because it'll cut my compile times in half...

EDIT: Though given that this thread specifically mentions gaming, I'm just tangenting here.
 
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Man, I know my rig is overkill, and I just like to have the best of the best. I am wanting to get rid of my gtx 680 and get a gtx 690 to even future proof it even more as I only have 1 PCI slot. Am I asking to much? Does it benefit and outweigh the costs?

Its either I am going to build this HTPC rig, and put it into a arcade cabinent, or have it setup with a entertainment center.
 
Get the Asrock z77e-itx, as much memory as you can afford.

Case: if you got a Node304 you wont have odd, and youll most likely need a small atx psu to fit that gpu or an sfx psu. I originally bought a Node304 but ended up with everything in a bitfenix prodigy.

HSF: cant decide till you decide on a case. IMO close loop water would work better than a huge hsf for your wants.
 
Okay, bumping this up. Who would I get sound through TV, if I have a GTX 680 through HDMI. As I know, the hdmi to hdmi, would only transfer video.
 
An HDMI cable transfers audio as well. That's how you get audio on your TV out of your cable box.
 
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