New SFF Build

[armchaircommando]

Hi there, I've decided to do a new SFF build. I'm looking for a quiet powerhouse in a small package but on the other hand don't want the huge power consumption associated with OC'd components. I've been doing some research for about 2 weeks as to the best parts for the job and this is an incomplete parts list on components I've decided to go for.

CPU - Q8200 (At stock speeds has an edge over q6600 for performance/power)
MOBO - ASUS P5Q-VM
CPU COOLER - Noctua NH-C12P (Although quite pricey)
GPU - MSI 260GTX 896MB
CASE - LANBOX LITE/SUGO/V350 (Havent quite decided on a case yet)
RAM - 2x2GB(or 4x2GB) GEIL Black Dragon DDR2 800MHz ram
STORAGE - 2x1TB drives

These components are a bit pricey but I'm making my budget stretch for them, however I'm leaning more towards the LB Lite because of its price vs. the others.

Any ideas on PSU and alternatives to these parts?

 

[Dangman]

Please answer these questions so that we can help you better:

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.

By answering these questions you help us help you build a better quality/preforming/cheaper PC.

 

[armchaircommando]

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.

By answering these questions you help us help you build a better quality/preforming/cheaper PC.

1. I will be doing some gaming/media transcoding but primarily programming.
2. My budget is $1500-$1800 AUD. But I want to pick up any parts locally because I dont have a credit card and dont want one.
3. I'm in Perth, Western Australia.
4. I'll need the following:
A processor which can chew through calculations as well as deal with heavily multithreaded apps. I'm trying to keep power consumption and noise down as it will be in a SFF case. Large amounts of storage within the case will also be helpful.
5. No parts will be reused. Because its a fresh build.
6. Not likely.
7. I'm looking at a 22-24" display.
8. I'm looking at building it within the next couple of weeks.
9. RAID would be handy but not needed as I keep offline backups of core files. One of the big requirements is linux support and as ATi driver support is not as good as nvidia it rules out ATi.

 

[lowteckh]

You need to list how much stuff costs, we're not in Australia and frankly... can't be bothered to go convert AUD to USD then wonder how much things cost. Since you're also buying local, well.. we don't exactly have a shop list with us so you need to tell us what's available.

 

[Dangman]

HSF wise, you should take a look at the Silverstone NT06-E as a cheaper but still decent alternative.

PSU wise, if looking for a modular PSU, check out the following PSUs (ranked in order of quality):
- Corsair 520HX, 620HX
- Silverstone ST60F, ST75F
- Antec Neopower 650, Neopower 650 Blue

If you're ok with a non-modular PSU, check out the following PSUs (no ranking):
- Corsair 550VX, 650TX, 750TX
- BFG ES-800, LS-550, LS-650

 

[vertigomhs]

are you sure that HSF fits in the lanbox/sugo? i ordered the same cooler and it barely fits in my lian li v350, and i know my clearance is higher than those. I may be wrong , as for case choice, go v350! its nice!

 

[lowteckh]

The Noctua will only fit the LL. You are limited to 5 hard drives for the Lanbox, 4 for the SG01/02 and 4 for the LL with no optical drives and using 5.25" converters.

 

[vertigomhs]

The Noctua will only fit the LL. You are limited to 5 hard drives for the Lanbox, 4 for the SG01/02 and 4 for the LL with no optical drives and using 5.25" converters.

didnt make sense read post below.

 

[lowteckh]

Your post doesn't make sense. From the first part you say 6 (2+4)will fit total

Umm, for the Lian Li you have 2 in the hard drive cage, and 4 slots in the Optical Bays

but then the next part says you can fit 4 total ... then 5 total? What? If you're talking about 4 and 5 total in the optical drive cage... how do you fit 5 without the optical drive.

do if you have one optical drive, you can fit 4 in total, or 5 in total without optical drive, and if you have a modular PSU you can probably fit 6, or 5 with an Optical drive.

 

[vertigomhs]

Your post doesn't make sense. From the first part you say 6 (2+4)will fit total


but then the next part says you can fit 4 total ... then 5 total? What? If you're talking about 4 and 5 total in the optical drive cage... how do you fit 5 without the optical drive.

delete.

 

[lowteckh]

WTF, swear I read that the OP wanted HD space, ninja edit imo.

I've also read that you can only have 1 optical drive per "layer", how does that work?

 

[vertigomhs]

WTF, swear I read that the OP wanted HD space, ninja edit imo.

I've also read that you can only have 1 optical drive per "layer", how does that work?

idk, he said something about wanting large amounts of storage, have no idea if that applies to hard drive space, or just space. haha

about the layers i have no idea as i only have one dvd drive, but im guessing they mean only 1 optical drive per side?

Seems like 2 would be able to fit on one side, heres some pics and sorry about crappy iphone quality:

http://i34.tinypic.com/2s62e06.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/30dkqy9.jpg

 

[lowteckh]

How would a HD with converter plates fit with the optical drive? I see 2 screw holes covered and that usually means there won't be enough length ....

My way of seeing "large amounts of space is lots of TB HDs...Having to delete stuff from my drives already -delete prono wtf!? 1 OS drive and 2x1TB drive = 3 drives already. Unless the OP is thinking of using a TB drive as an OS drive... which is a fail choice.

 

[vertigomhs]

How would a HD with converter plates fit with the optical drive? I see 2 screw holes covered and that usually means there won't be enough length ....

My way of seeing "large amounts of space is lots of TB HDs...Having to delete stuff from my drives already -delete prono wtf!? 1 OS drive and 2x1TB drive = 3 drives already. Unless the OP is thinking of using a TB drive as an OS drive... which is a fail choice.

which screw holes?

as for this case its weird fitting the 5.25 bays, you use thumbscrews to secure them in, and you need to reach in from the hard drive cage and the sides. It is really weird but im sure there's some way to fit them in there.

And to the OP, id get a wd6400aaks for your OS drive, its fast, silent, and cheap.

 

[lowteckh]

1st pic, rear screw holes are blocked by the optical drive meaning you only have 2 screws to secure a hard drive.

 

[vertigomhs]

1st pic, rear screw holes are blocked by the optical drive meaning you only have 2 screws to secure a hard drive.

damn i never noticed that lol, guess im wrong.

i didnt realize how long the optical bay is, oh well now i look like a dumbass

 

[lowteckh]

Prolly just that optical drives are big. Guess it'll hold 6 drives with no optical but only 4 w/ one. Still better than this SUGO that can sort of hold 3 drives. My 5.25"->3.5" hard drive is slanted cuz the cover gets in the way... Anyways.