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SFF build suggestion request

X

Xenpo

n00b
Joined
Jun 17, 2011
Messages
3
Hello everyone, I am new to the boards and I am looking to build a SFF LAN box rig.

Here are the answers to the sticky, any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

I have a lot of reading to do here on the forums, there is a wealth of info here ( I will be reading this afternoon.)

1) Gaming(Starcraft 2, Diablo 3, TOR, SKyrim, Arma III/Carrier Command), Netflix/Web browsing

2)$600.00(U.S.) negotiable, though not over $1000.00, I can always add a second video card later. Figure does not incuding tax/shipping.

3)TN - No worthwhile computer chains near me. (I love you Newegg, but why did you put a warehouse in TN?!)

4)Case, CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Power Supply, Graphics Card, Thermal Paste, Heat Sink/Fans, Sound Card

5)I have two spare western digital Sata II 500 gig drives. And an OEM ASUS CD/DVD drive.

6)SLI/Crossfire if Nesscary for dual monitors

7)1080p min.

8)This is a LAN party box, I would love a mini tower (i.e. Thermaltake ARMOR A30 VM70001W2Z) I have not found others.

9)I have screwdrivers, and no experience, but I am willing to learn.

10)Not looking for silence

11)Weight is not important, I would love a handle. LAN party moble box to go mostly everywhere I do.

12)I have a legit 64-bit OEMs of Win XP, Vista, and 7

13)buying parts and building by August, before then if finances work out.
 
Do you need:

1. More power?
2. More efficiency?
3. Low-wattage?
4. Coolest temps possible?
 
Do you need:

1. More power?

A: I would like enough power to run dual video cards, or at least enough to ensure I can upgrade to a better card in the future without worrying over my power supply.


2. More efficiency?

A: mobility(I would like it to be pretty mobile)

power(not an issue)

easier build(I'm up for a challenge!)

3. Low-wattage?

A: No I have an old Toughbook for my purely portable computing needs.

4. Coolest temps possible?

A: No considering I wasn't thinking of overclocking. Of course I don't want my rig to melt itself. I have never attempted water cooling, and do not know any aspects of doing that mobile or otherwise. I also would be willing to get into this, but I need to be pointed in the direction of much reading material, I don't have the budget to experiment with something my insurance/parts warrenty would not cover (i.e. overclocked cpus, watercooling).
 
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Hm, for under $1,000, you're looking at a slightly limited gaming machine, though, it CAN be done. For $600, you're REALLY looking at a limited gaming machine, though, it can be done.
 
Ok so let's say we take out SLI/Crossfire support and no Dual monitors, and we chose the AMD platform because they are usually cheaper, where does that leave me.
 
Let me ask the OP this...If you are talking a price between $600 and say $900 (to keep it below $1000 with any possible tax) I'd say go with a i2500k or i5 2600k build. Probably i5 2500k just to save a little. My suggestion is to forget SLI/CF altogether and go with a single GPU build. It'll be easier to get a build within your budget, easier to find a SFF case to house all your components, and a lot less hassle overall. If your resolution is 1920x1200 or less you really don't have to go dual GPU. A good single card will do the job fine. Would this be acceptable to you?

Edit: Hmmm... just saw the need for dual monitors. Are they for gaming? Odd to game on two monitors. 99% of gamers game on single or triple monitors these days.
 
-i5 2500k
-cheap, but effective 1155 mobo
-GTX 560ti
-650W 80+ PSU
-4GB fast DDR3 ram (2x2GB)
-Crucial M4 SSD
-cool, quiet case
-All-in-one CPU water cooler (Corsair HXX/Antec Kuhler)
-MX-2 thermal interface material (TIM)
-For the sound card, you're using headphones, correct? If so, then the HT|Omega Claro Halo is a plus with great hardphones such as the Sennheiser HD555.
 
Alright, here's my first attempt at a mock-up build for you:
firstw.png

Use this as a reference. As you start to knock down components to get closer to budget, you're obviously going to lose quality and reliability, however, it will fit your budget.
 
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