Is this a good setup?

[xinux]

After a bit of research this is the setup I have come up with for my mini gaming lan-rig.

Chassis: Silverstone Sugo SG05B 450W (Svart)
Motherboard: ASRock Z68M-ITX/HT
GPU: MSI GeForce N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC 1GB
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K 3,3GHz Socket 1155 Box
CPU Cooler: Antec Kühler H2O 620
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Low Profile DDR3 PC12800/1600MHz CL9 2x4GB
SSD: Crucial m4 2.5" 128GB

1. What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming, Photoshop (or other intensive programs), Overclocking, Web browsing, strictly HTPC/Playback, etc. (If you have multiple things you want to do with the system, make sure you rank them from most important to least important).

In order of importance: Gaming, overclocking, programming, image/video editors
Not much multitasking.

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

In dollars my budget would be ~1000$, tax and shipping included.
The budget is not very flexible, and yes, it's a driving factor in component selection.

3. 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 sweden. I don't get what a B&M is, but I will be buying from ~3 different places.

4. 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.

Case, MB, GPU, RAM, CPU, CPU Cooler, SSD

5. 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.

I won't be reusing any parts, selling my old rig.

6. 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.

I don't have much requirements for the MB. USB 3.0 and SATA 6gb/s are nice.
The size of the system is very important to me, which is why i chose the SG05B.

7. 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 want 1920x1080 or higher.

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

It's going to be a LAN rig, the only requirement is being able to fit in my backpack, and the SG05B does.

9. 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 prefer not modding anything, and using as few tools as possible. I have a screwdriver and a drill, and I believe that will be sufficient.
(I will remove the optical drive/hdd holder, and try to fit the SSD somewhere good)

10. 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 want it to be as quiet as possible, without sacrificing performance.

11. 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?

I want to be able to put it in my backpack and be on my way.

12. 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

Yes, I have 64bit windows 7.

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

I will probably start buying the parts tomorrow, and will have all of them when my old rig gets sold.

I'm making this thread mainly because I'm worried about the motherboard.
Reading some threads about it here I realized it maybe isn't the best choice.
Would giving up the new features be worth it for a more overclock-friendly Z67?
Or is it the best choice for overclocking, because of the new features?

Thanks in advance, and hello, this is my first post on hardforum

 

[fr500]

There are no options, either Zotac Z68 ITX or the Asrock. ITX it's still a niche so there aren't many players. Hopefully Gigabyte or Asus will step in.

If you don't mind giving up on overclocking. Either will do.

 

[xinux]

There are no options, either Zotac Z68 ITX or the Asrock. ITX it's still a niche so there aren't many players. Hopefully Gigabyte or Asus will step in.

If you don't mind giving up on overclocking. Either will do.

Ah ok. Well it will definetly be one of them then.
There were at least a couple of people who had good results in the Asrock thread. I'll just cross my fingers and hope for the best.

Has the Zotac had any better results in the overclocking area?
I think had wifi/bluetooth, that's a bonus. But not alone worth the price jump.

 

[xinux]

Does any M-ITX motherboard have decent overclocking capabilities or am I completely screwed? If so I'm considering changing to an air-cooling solution. Opinions?

 

[Zap]

Does any M-ITX motherboard have decent overclocking capabilities or am I completely screwed? If so I'm considering changing to an air-cooling solution. Opinions?

Only two Z68 chipset boards have overclocking. One is the ASRock and the other is the Zotac without the GeForce onboard. They both have issues. The Zotac is limited to around 4.4GHz or so, but has had problems with magically dying or with it making strange noises. The ASRock seems to have insufficient VRM cooling causing constant throttling, plus doesn't give you any way to control CPU voltage, resulting in low overclocks. Still, it seems a more reliable board (as in doesn't die) than the Zotac.

 

[xinux]

Only two Z68 chipset boards have overclocking. One is the ASRock and the other is the Zotac without the GeForce onboard. They both have issues. The Zotac is limited to around 4.4GHz or so, but has had problems with magically dying or with it making strange noises. The ASRock seems to have insufficient VRM cooling causing constant throttling, plus doesn't give you any way to control CPU voltage, resulting in low overclocks. Still, it seems a more reliable board (as in doesn't die) than the Zotac.

I would be happy with 4.4ghz, but with those problems it really isn't a choice.
I'll stick with the Asrock board and also keep the watercooling, for silence and potential overclocking with later motherboards.

 

[xinux]

I ended up looking at aircooling alternatives anyway.
When googling, the Samuel 17 and the Big Shuriken caught my attention.
I'm pretty sure the Big Shuriken blocks the gpu slot.
Does the Samuel 17 block it? And can I fit the Samuel with a fan, or will it be too high?
Or is there a better air-cooling choice?

 

[wonSR4]

Samuel 17 doesn't block the gpu slot and you can fit a fan on top. Have a s-flex 800 rpm fan on top of it

 

[xinux]

Samuel 17 doesn't block the gpu slot and you can fit a fan on top. Have a s-flex 800 rpm fan on top of it

Sounds good. How is it compared to a stock cooler?
I'm wondering if I would still be able to overclock if i give up on the watercooling.
Maybe samuel 17 + fan even would be better for that purpose, as with it's size it cools the motherboard a bit? The problem with the Asrock motherboard I think is overheating.