Realan E I7 build

[marc3lo19]

Hi everyone
This is my first computer build and I would love some advice

I'm doing aRealan E I7 build. Love the case and I am intrigued by form factor computers

I plan on using it for work. Mostly photo editing software
No overclocking
Budget ~$1500
From Toronto
All new parts
Goals: Quite, powerful, mobile, multi tasking

So far I have the case and a seagate 500gb hdd/ssd hybrid

 

[marc3lo19]

Can anyone recommend an appropriate power supply?
Do I really need 450-600 watts that I keep reading about?
Is there anything small enough but powerful enough to fit in the case?

 

[liangr]

That case looks like it uses a 90W power brick according to the pictures..

If you really want a powerful computer you should find another case.

If you are determined to use that case you will most likely need a 65W CPU, Asus H77 mb, 16gb of ram.

 

[xyexz]

The case you're looking at will not fit a sfx psu, you'd be looking at a picoPSU like this. It looks like the case already comes with a power supply unless you got this secondhand?
You could replace the builtin one with the picoPSU but might as well start out with something better.

If you're not looking to overclock, and only using it for work and that consists mainly of some photo editing software you could easily get away with a very simple build far under $1500 price range:

MOBO: ASRock B75M-ITX
$89.99

CPU: Intel Core i3-3225 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80637i33225
$136.65

RAM: Samsung MV-3V4G3D x 8GB (all you really need)
$41.98

SSD: Crucial M4 256GB
$192.93

I would recommend a different case, bigger psu, allows more power for extra drives, addon card as well as ODD as it comes with a 150 watt psu:

CASE/PSU COMBO: Antec ISK 300-150
$79.22

Wireless: Edimax Wireless N USB
$9.99

ODD: Pioneer Bluray Drive
$47.95

You'll most likely want to buy another fan for that case or two and replace the one the case comes with for noise reduction.

Fans: Noctua NF R8 80mm Fan
$14.95 x 2

Total: $628.61

Add another 2.5 hdd for storage:
WD Blue 1 TB Mobile Hard Drive: 2.5 Inch, 5400 RPM, SATA II, 8 MB Cache - WD10JPVT
$86.99

New total: $715.60

That system has a strong integrated Intel hd 4000 that should be more than adequate with the ram you're getting for office and some photo editing applications; add in the fast SDD and extra storage space for holding large files and I think this would be perfect plus - really small.

 

[marc3lo19]

thanks liangr and xyexz
Already got the case ordered from it China and I'm hell bent on using it. Spent forever looking for a case that spoke to me

This is what I"m looking to put in it
Asus p8h77
I5 3570
16 gb ddr3 (g. skill)
1TB HDD + 128 SSD
Half sized graphics card
Slot load blue ray burner

Will this Pico PSU power supply be enough ?

 

[liangr]

You would probably have to go with a 3570T 45W version .. which brings you up to around 100 total system.. that's with no gpu aside from the integrated. It's also best not to run the brick at 100%.

I don't have much knowledge of pico PSU so hopefully someone can give you some insight.

 

[WiSK]

Even though I5-3570 is rated at 77 TDP, actual tests show it only uses up to 51.6W at full load. No need to get the -T version, but could consider the -K version with Z77 and undervolt it.

It's also best not to run the brick at 100%.

True but for short periods it's fine to load it up though Unless you are continuously resizing large photographs there will be sufficient time for the brick to cool off.

That picoPSU is fine (see review), 120W is ample. The brick provides the 12V/10A rail to the PCB, which is filtered to suppress some ripple, then that's split off to two DC-DC converters which provide the 5V and 3.3V.

 

[runs2far]

thanks liangr and xyexz
Already got the case ordered from it China and I'm hell bent on using it. Spent forever looking for a case that spoke to me

This is what I"m looking to put in it
Asus p8h77
I5 3570
16 gb ddr3 (g. skill)
1TB HDD + 128 SSD
Half sized graphics card
Slot load blue ray burner

Will this Pico PSU power supply be enough ?

My advice:

Get everything except the half height GPU and see if it is enough performance for you + measure the power consumption & temperature levels.

Once you know how much power it uses and how well the power brick and case cooling is holding up, get a half height GPU that fits the remaining power & heat budget.

The system should have no problem running of 120 watts as long as you are using integrated graphics, but a half height GPU can easily push it beyond 120 watts.

 

[marc3lo19]

It's also best not to run the brick at 100%.

How do you not run it at 100% all the time? Just not over loading the computer with draining software all the time?

but could consider the -K version with Z77 and undervolt it.
That picoPSU is fine (http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story9&reid=207

Is that the opposite of over clocking? never heard of undervolt
I'm deff considering your psu recommendation thanks!

My advice:Get everything except the half height GPU and see if it is enough performance for you + measure the power consumption & temperature levels.Once you know how much power it uses and how well the power brick and case cooling is holding up, get a half height GPU that fits the remaining power & heat budget.

Great advice and clever idea I would have never thought of that!
Are there some half height GPU that draw less power and would be more suited to this build?



How about getting 150 watt pico PSU? Do these even exist? Are there larger ones available?

Thanks for the quick responses everyone!

 

[WiSK]

Undervolting is not the same as underclocking, you are just telling the CPU to use less volts. The idea is to get same performance while using less power. It's quite possible on the -K chips even to overclock on less volts. I'm not an expert about this, but there are some good guides to be found depending on your motherboard. Here's a brief mention of it by our very own Xyexz: http://xyexz.wordpress.com/tag/undervolting/

Larger picoPSU? http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-160-XT

 

[runs2far]

How do you not run it at 100% all the time? Just not over loading the computer with draining software all the time?

By not pulling the rated power all the time.

Great advice and clever idea I would have never thought of that!
Are there some half height GPU that draw less power and would be more suited to this build?

Try seeing how well that case handles 100 watts before you start throwing 150 watts into it.
One of the big problems with adding a half height GPU that is more powerful than the Intel IGP, is that it can easily pull additional 50 watts and you have to get that heat out of the case.

 

[marc3lo19]

thanks wisk and run2far. Deff going to leave the GPU until the end
Here is the power supply I am going with
any thoughts appreciated

 

[runs2far]

You should be good to go, do post your experience, fan clearance, temps etc. when you get the machine up and running.

 

[Zap]

How do you not run it at 100% all the time? Just not over loading the computer with draining software all the time?

How do you not run your car at 100% all the time? Just don't have the pedal pressed down all the way.

How do you not run your kitchen sink at 100% all the time? Just don't turn the handle all the way.

Typically the only way to run a computer at 100% for extended periods of time (more than a minute or two) is to either specifically run torture or stability software, or to run some task known to do such (huge code compiling, transcoding HD video, etc.).

You will do photo editing? Whenever you do something in it like a filter, you have to wait a moment, right? That's probably the only time your system will come close to 100%.

never heard of undervolt

You don't need a K processor to undervolt, but you will need a motherboard that allows it. I know the ASRock Z77E-ITX board does. I do not know which others do. Undervolting allows your system to use less power. It is "similar" to overclocking in that you are running your CPU outside of specification, and you will need to take the proper precautions - with undervolting meaning you need to stress test to make sure it is still stable. If you aren't familiar with this, then don't worry about it and just run your CPU normally.

Are there some half height GPU that draw less power and would be more suited to this build?

What do you need the GPU for? Just run integrated graphics.

My recommendation is to use the PSU that they included, and to use integrated graphics.

 

[WiSK]

You will do photo editing? Whenever you do something in it like a filter, you have to wait a moment, right? That's probably the only time your system will come close to 100%.

Resizing is also programmed multicore in most photo editing applications. Last 10 years most use bicubic or Lanczos formula which is incredibly simple to run parallel.

 

[marc3lo19]

What do you need the GPU for? Just run integrated graphics.

My recommendation is to use the PSU that they included, and to use integrated graphics.

Thanks for clarifying undervolt. Not familiar with it at all so I think I'll steer clear

I play gary's mod on occasion and a few other steam games so I though I would need it. I have always thought that integrated graphics were 'weak' and minimal ?
Will a better GPU help at all for photo editing?

 

[Zap]

I play gary's mod on occasion and a few other steam games so I though I would need it. I have always thought that integrated graphics were 'weak' and minimal ?
Will a better GPU help at all for photo editing?

The Intel Ivy Bridge (Core i7 3770K) Review

Gary's Mod uses a similar game engine, right? Frame rates will of course be higher if you don't have it set to "very high quality." Here's a video of Gary's Mod on a notebook with HD 4000.

This means you will need to buy the 3570K as only the K CPUs have HD 4000. The non-K have HD 2500, which is a lot slower. Good thing is that pricing is very similar, plus you can often find it on sale (or at Micro Center if you live near one).

Photoshop CS6 GPU FAQ

Looks like the integrated graphics is supported.