Need help with Intel i5/FT-03 Mini build

[sliv]

Hello all, long time admirer, first time poster here!

I'm fairly familiar with computers and have built several over time, but have never dabbled in mini itx builds before, so think of it as being lost in a familiar place? Here's my Centurion5 Case mod.
I've been meaning to upgrade my midtower for a while,now, but could never settle on a case... until the FT-03 Mini came out! What a beautiful design! I basically just need to know what's compatible with the parts I currently have, and preferably not be too expensive.

Here's the info following the sticky on this forum:

1. I'll be mostly using this for 1080p gaming, but Photoshop and Ilustrator would like to share the spotlight.

2. I wont necessarily be overclocking, but would like the option to do so. But if not being able to overclock means saving a significant amount of money, then I'll go for that.

3. My budget is around $500 as I already have some parts, but that's not set in stone. And yes, I'd like most bang for the buck

4. I live in Manhattan NY and the only thing even remotely close to B&M chains is a B&H electronics shop. I have no problem making purchases online.

5. I currently need the FT-03 case itself, motherboard, video card(upgrading from GTS 450 1GB), water cooling(in the video poster below he uses a cpu water cooling system that I would REALLY like to have, but if there are cheaper versions of it that would be nice), power supply, and a slim cd/dvd drive.

6. I have available i5 2500k, 8gb 1333 ram (2 x4gb), 64gb SSD, 1tb HD, keyboard and mouse, 1080p moniter. I will more completely update this list once I'm near my computer.

7. For the mobo, I have no need for RAID or SLI. SATA 6gb/s and USB 3.0 are the only things I could benefit from. Just basically need a nice simple and cheap board to handle single card gaming.

8. 1080p resolution preferred, on a single monitor setup.

9. I would eventually be using this as a media pc, so I'd need a bluray drive, but for now think of it as a standard desktop pc.

10. I'm very comfortable with custom case designs and have modified cases in the past, but not at all comfortable with modding wires. I've done cable management, but that mostly involved hiding the cables. I also have all the necessary tools.

11. I'd like the case to be as silent as physically possible, but If I had to sacrifice sound for performance I wouldn't think twice.

12. This baby is staying stationary at my house until the day it dies, so no, it does not need any special transportation features.

13. I have a copy of Windows 7 64bit.

14. I'm planning on building this system NOW! I I'll most likely mod the case and post a build log once I'm done

Here's the video that sold me (also shows the water cooling system I mentioned earlier)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWAeZYB9DGg

Any help from the internet computer gods would be appreciated.

 

[WiSK]

Here's the video that sold me (also shows the water cooling system I mentioned earlier) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWAeZYB9DGg

Brb after watching the video

Right. So first things first. That video proves (from 13:32) it's possible to use the gold ST45SF-G power supply with the 3.5" bay. This had been a recent discussion in the main FT03-mini thread.

I'm not that great at picking parts within a budget but I can say some things about possibilities. First, if you want to overclock then Asrock Z77E-ITX is best bet for performance and price; otherwise drop down to some H77 board. Video card, you want a reference style closed-shroud GPU shorter than 262mm. Personally I went with the EVGA GTX660 Ti/SC but there are other options, just make sure it looks like the one in the video. CPU watercooler: I think the Antec 620 is cheapest, but the new model Corsair H55 or H60 are good too. Power supply: the bronze ST45SF is cheaper, quieter at idle and moreover easier to route the wires when using 3.5" drive cage. BR drive: this case needs a slimline optical drive which is quite expensive if you want blue ray; it might eat up an unnecessary chunk of your budget. Can you settle for a regular CD/DVD burner? Either way, when using a slimline optical, you need this: http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=353&area=en

 

[sliv]

As far as the GPU goes, I was thinking of drilling holes on the side of the case where the video card is to allow for better airflow. Question: would adding extra ventilation to the side effect the single 140mm optimized airflow inside? And if not, then I could use either Closed or Open-shroud GPU right?

I was also looking at the Asrock Z77E-ITX myself, but was put off by it's price. I'll probably end up going with one of the H77 boards you mentioned, thanks.

And yeahhhh.... gonna pass on that Bluray drive, pricey! I really wanted to have it just in case I'd ever watch a bluray disc, but that's not likley. I'm going to go with a slim cd/dvd drive instead (edited OP).

Hows the performance on that gtx6600 ti? Also what cpu and res do you play at just so I can kinda get an idea of where I'm headed?

 

[WiSK]

It would be criminal to drill holes in the front. When you see the quality of the panels in person you'll understand what I mean Anyway, it's unnecessary: there are closed shroud GPUs that fit the case from both Nvidia and AMD at most price points.

Dunno yet about performance of 660Ti yet. Only got it yesterday. Best to check some review anyway, much more objective than someone random on a forum

 

[sliv]

I don't doubt the quality of the case, I just like adding my personal touches, after all quaity can always be built upon. If it looks too precious though I just might leave it alone, we'll see once I have it in my hands.

I checked out that review, and man that card looks beast, way better than my 450gs! Thanks for all your help WiSK, I feel enlightened on itx builds now