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MicroATX gaming box: build help need

B

bboy

Weaksauce
Joined
Oct 14, 2005
Messages
80
I'm in need of some serious build help so I'm here to ask my fellow [H]'ers for expert advice.

Background: I am a long time gamer (mostly FPS) but sadly have not been playing for the last few years (work and wife). So I'm very long overdue for an upgrade and was planning to (don't burn me down) make the switch to Mac but am now having second thoughts. The two reasons for my rethinking are: Apple dragging their heels on updating their desktop hardware (mini) and the mainly... "Left 4 Dead". My love of zombies has reignited my flame for playing and keeping with PC.

Current Box:

Case: Giant ass OwlTech Full size ATX godzilla case..ugh!
CPU: Athlon XP 2700+
RAM: 1 GB
MoB: Asus A7N8X deluxe (Nforce 2)
Video: Radeon 9700 Pro
HDD: WD 300GB ATA
Audio: onboard
Nic: onboard
DVD: NEC ND-4550A
OS: XP Pro SP2

Planned Box:

Case: Below are some candidates but I am open to other suggestions.
Antec NSK3480
Antec Mini P180
SilverStone SS02-BF
SilverStone SST-SG01B Evolution (not generally available anymore but I have seen it in some shops in Akihabara/Tokyo recently).
PwrS: ? I have no clue what is the best to go with and what I would need in terms of wattage.
CPU: Core 2 Duo E8400 or E8500.
RAM: 4 GB (2 x 2GB)
MoB: Must be Micro ATX. Chipset wise...Nforce or Intel?
Video: GeForce 9800 GTX+ 1GB (GIGABYTE GV-N98XPZL-1GH) - will this fit in a MicroATX case and what will I need in terms of power supply for it?
HDD: WD SATA300 300GB+ (Not decided on model yet. Not a big deal but recommendations are welcome!)
Audio: onboard
Network: onboard
DVD: SONY AD-7220S-0B (welcome other suggestions)
OS: XP Pro SP3 (for now)

*Note: Is the GeForce 9800 GTX+ 1GB sufficient in terms of GPU umphhh to stay afloat for the next year or so in terms of gaming performance?

*Note: my preference CPU-wise is to go with Intel this time around.

So that's it in a nutshell. I'd appreciate any feedback and advice any of you can offer.
 
I would suggest a LIAN LI PC-V350B, very easy on the eye and good room...

I personal would go the Phenom 2

Biostar Tseries 760G
Phenom 2 x3 720
Gskill 2 x 2GB DDR2 800
WD 640 GB Black
LG DVD R/W
Sapphire 4870 512MB
XIGMATEK 650W

Which would cost about $800
 
If you're gonna ask us to build/list a PC for you or seek advice about a build, please answer all of the following questions:

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
3) Where do you live?
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
6) Will you be overclocking?
7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?

By answering these questions you help us help you build a PC that's of better quality, better performing, cheaper or all of the above.

If you have any questions and/or comments about this or any of the other Gen[H]ard-related sticky threads, please post them in the GenHard Sticky Discussion thread.
 
You won't get flames from me for your pursuit of Apple. I'm a Mac dude too. But unfortunately Apple doesn't quite cut it gaming-wise.

A few comments:
- 2 of the box you suggested (the 2 Antec) will accomodate larger graphics cards than the Gigabyte. The problem with the 3480 is that it might be limited by its PSU (unless you wanna change it but if you do then beware of its size: I would then recommend the Nexus Value 430 as it is only 12.5 cm deep). With the miniP180 (which most people don't consider a SFF - but it's just a big minitower, the equivalent of the P190 in minitowers), if you remove the lower drive cage (the upper cage accomodates 3 HDDs already) then you can have the biggest/baddest graphics card you want. The reason I say this is that the 9800GTX+ you chose (because of its size) might not be the best value for money. A few more bucks will get you a good 4870 or a nice GTX260 (as you seem to prefer nVidia).
- your choice of processor represents good value for money IMHO. The E8400 can easily be overclocked to 4GHz+ nowadays, provided a good mobo.
- mobo: not much choice: either a P5E-VM HDMI or a DFI P45 JR. My preference would go to the Asus but beware that if you pick a big graphics card like the GTX260, you'll block most of the SATA ports on that board (solvable with angled connectors). It won't be too much of a problem in your case as you seem to want only 1 HDD. SO total 2 SATA ports used (maybe 3 for the miniP180 as you need to connect its front panel eSATA). 2 of the boards should be available and the 3rd one (if needed) can be used via the angled connector provided in the mobo box.
- if you pick a case like the Silverstones or the Lian Li V350, you will have height restrictions on your cooler. The good news is: with a E8400 or E8500 the heat produced is relatively low (even at ~4GHz) so it can be handled by passive coolers like the NT06-E. If you choose the NT06-E, then you might want to pick a Siverstone PSU that's 'made' to work with it.
 
I have a mini p180 and it is without a doubt the best gaming matx case made. It's not small however..it's the size of an antec solo. Read the silentpcreview review for more info. It's designed for airflow and low noise, not for size. The nsk3480 is a good matx case, but there are better choices for gamers. My build is below.

Mini P180 w/ 1 Nexus fan | Earthwatts 380w | e6750 @ 3.4 fanless w/ Scythe Ninja | 8gb Crucial ram | GTX 260 | P5E-VM HDMI
 
Is this the case that your looking for?

I have both the SUGO SG01 and SG02.

I prefer the SG01 because of the aluminum material. It is MUCH lighter than the steel SG02. The front of the SG02 is very glossy and the paint on the steel could be better.
 
SG01-F is steel, which you'll want if you want a longer video card.
 
Jezuz, why do I have to repeat myself? SG01-F F for revised hard drive cage, F for longer video cards, F for cheaper than the E, E for Al, F for steel. Do I have to melt my case and identify the properties of it for you?
 
lowteckh said:
Jezuz, why do I have to repeat myself? SG01-F F for revised hard drive cage, F for longer video cards, F for cheaper than the E, E for Al, F for steel. Do I have to melt my case and identify the properties of it for you?
Click to expand...

Don't argue with a noobie. :D
 
lowteckh said:
Jezuz, why do I have to repeat myself? SG01-F F for revised hard drive cage, F for longer video cards, F for cheaper than the E, E for Al, F for steel. Do I have to melt my case and identify the properties of it for you?
Click to expand...

Yes :D
 
I noticed you were shooting for a 9800GTX+ in your specs list. You might want to consider getting the new GTS 250 1gb instead. It is basically a smaller (only 9" long), more power friendly version of the 9800GTX+ that only needs 1 PCI-E power connector, which is perfect for a SFF pc. Its performance is of course equal to, if not a bit greater than the 9800GTX+ (higher memory clocks on the 1gb version). It should be available to buy within a week or two. $129 for the 512mb model and $149 for the 1gb model.
 
Benchmarks seem to indicate that both power consumption and performance are roughly the same with the GTS 250 and 9800GTX+.

It's unfortunate nVidia had to do what is essentially tricking the consumer into thinking they've made a new ship; sure it simplifies their product line but it gives the wrong impression.
 
e1ement said:
Benchmarks seem to indicate that both power consumption and performance are roughly the same with the GTS 250 and 9800GTX+.

It's unfortunate nVidia had to do what is essentially tricking the consumer into thinking they've made a new ship; sure it simplifies their product line but it gives the wrong impression.
Click to expand...

Hmm I agree with you regarding nVidia's attitude towards consumers but I think you overlooked 2 things on the power consumption benchs you linked to:
1. The GTS was an OC version.
2. The 9800 GTX+ they tested is one of the very few with the newer/shorter board design (same as the one for the GTS) with just 1 power connector. Tom's mentions it somewhere in the article that the 2 cards are essentially the same apart for the memory and the OC. If you look at Anandtech's review, they test a 9800GTX+ of the 'old'/common design (very long board with 2 connectors) and the power consumption difference is significant.
 
I own a SUGO SG03 and it is a fantastic gaming case.

My only caution would be to pick a high speed PWM fan for the top of the 120, and a power supply with a 140mm intake.

I've got my e8400 on a p5e-vm hdmi clocked at 3.7. The fan is pretty loud when gaming, but the rig is near silent when clocked down.
 
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