SFF Build Help

[dc000]

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).

Gaming w/ moderate OC

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?

$1000 USD all inclusive

3. Where do you live? Do you have any big B&M (brick and mortar) computer chains nearby (e.g. Microcenter, Fry's, etc)?

San Francisco Bay Area, I have a Fry's within 5 minutes of me and a friend who works within 5 min of a Microcenter

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, GPU, CPU, RAM, Motherboard, Aftermarket Heatsink, 1 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.

750w Corsair non-modular, Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro, 750 GB HDD

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.

Don't know if this is possible for mATX, but I want to have a graphics card, PCIe sound card, and wireless. I saw some board with mini PCIe that could be used to install Intel laptop wireless. I rather not use a USB dongle for wireless

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 have an Asus 120 Hz LCD 1920x1080 and don't need multi-monitor output. I have no problem playing at medium to low settings and 1280x720 it if means I get higher/more stable framerates

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

No

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 to / can't mod

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

Doesn't matter

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?

Doesn't matter

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

Already have Win7 64-bit ultimate

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

Prefer to have everything by end of this month

 

[Igor99]

Case, GPU, CPU, RAM, Motherboard, Aftermarket Heatsink, 1 SSD

Case: $100 (TJ08B-E)
GPU: $250 (560 TI)
CPU: $200 (3570K)
RAM: $50 (2X4GB G.Skill Ares 1866)
Motherboard: $150 (Asus P8Z77-M LGA)
Heatsink: $50 (Cooler Master 212 Evo)
SSD: $150 (180 GB Corsair Force Series 3, with rebate)

I did a rough breakdown of approximately how I'd spend $1000 for the parts you listed, and used some that I've bought in the past as examples. You can build a great system for that much. Some of those prices are a little low, some a little high, but you should be able to get something like that for around $1000 with shipping and tax. You can poke around on Newegg and find other options: Use the filters and read the user reviews.

I prefer smaller systems, but because you have a sound card you want to use and because you want to mess around with overclocking, I'd suggest you go with mATX instead of ITX. If you want to do SLI in the future, you might want to go full size ATX, both because it's harder to keep dual GPUs cool in mATX because they are so close together, and because your sound card would take up the room anyway.

Have fun.