Advice on mITX gaming rig

[ineomod]

Planning to upgrade my 5 or 6 year old tower to something small yet more powerful. Would there be any issue with the parts I picked?

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: Asus Z170I PRO GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($649 with CPU)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Video Card ($649)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($55)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($189)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 120GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($109)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($229)
Case: Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case ($129)
Power Supply: Corsair SF 450W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($149)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($158)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 High Performance Edition (2-Pack) 62.7 CFM 120mm Fans ($56)

Total: $2352
Prices are from Fuwell except the Node 202 from PC Themes.


I'm concerned about are whether 450W is sufficient, and if there's a small case that you guys can suggest is better? The DAN A4-SFX looks pretty too but is that available yet? Thanks!

 

[yusoffb01]

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 120GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($109)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($229)

dont make sense. and why pay 149 for just 450w

 

[Ark Law]

Why do you need a K-series chip, a Z-series board and Vengeance RAM?

If unable to justify, please don't waste money on it.

 

[markism]

From what I can see - your build looks pretty solid. I'm not sure which GTX 1070 you're getting, but most ITX builders tend to recommend blower style GPUs (i.e. reference boards/Founders Edition).

I'm more or less in the same boat as you - I have been planning a mini-itx build for at least a month now but have been waiting for the Kaby Lake 7600K (replacement for the 6600K) to launch. Now I have to wait few more weeks for the ASUS Z270i ROG STRIX ITX motherboard to be released as well.

Case wise, the Node 202 is a really popular case. I'm going to go with the NCASE M1, which I just received earlier this month after a 2 month wait. I gotta say, the Dan A4-SFX looks really interesting. But, if you didn't back it on Kickstarter during the campaign, it doesn't look like you'll be able to get one anytime soon - at least a few months. Another really interesting mini-ITX case is the Dr Zaber Sentry (google it!) which is going to be open for ordering starting tomorrow. All three cases - the NCASE M1, Dan A4-SFX and Dr Zaber Sentry, are going to cost substantially more than the Node 202, however.

 

[ineomod]

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 120GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($109)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($229)

dont make sense. and why pay 149 for just 450w

Since the case is small, I'm planning to use the M.2 for my boot drive and the 2.5" for storage. I'd go straight for a 1TB but it's pretty costly... Also I don't mind spending extra to get a modular SFX PSU

 

[MianBaoFren]

go for a cheaper gpu. i dun see the point of spending 650 on a 1070 when u can get a zotac one for under 500.

what are u gonna store in your ssds? and what's the point of going m.2 now? unless u are that hard up for more space.

psu might not be enough for your gtx 1070. and certainly not enough if u intend to overclock.

get your os from carousell or reddit @ windows software swap. they are way cheaper.

finally, what are u trying to achieve with this rig? u haven't even mentioned what u really want.

 

[ineomod]

From what I can see - your build looks pretty solid. I'm not sure which GTX 1070 you're getting, but most ITX builders tend to recommend blower style GPUs (i.e. reference boards/Founders Edition).

I'm more or less in the same boat as you - I have been planning a mini-itx build for at least a month now but have been waiting for the Kaby Lake 7600K (replacement for the 6600K) to launch. Now I have to wait few more weeks for the ASUS Z270i ROG STRIX ITX motherboard to be released as well.

Case wise, the Node 202 is a really popular case. I'm going to go with the NCASE M1, which I just received earlier this month after a 2 month wait. I gotta say, the Dan A4-SFX looks really interesting. But, if you didn't back it on Kickstarter during the campaign, it doesn't look like you'll be able to get one anytime soon - at least a few months. Another really interesting mini-ITX case is the Dr Zaber Sentry (google it!) which is going to be open for ordering starting tomorrow. All three cases - the NCASE M1, Dan A4-SFX and Dr Zaber Sentry, are going to cost substantially more than the Node 202, however.

Yup the GPU I've chosen is a blower style! Is there a reason I shouldn't get Kaby Lake over Skylake apart from the fact that it's only a few dollars more expensive?

 

[ineomod]

go for a cheaper gpu. i dun see the point of spending 650 on a 1070 when u can get a zotac one for under 500.

what are u gonna store in your ssds? and what's the point of going m.2 now? unless u are that hard up for more space.

psu might not be enough for your gtx 1070. and certainly not enough if u intend to overclock.

get your os from carousell or reddit @ windows software swap. they are way cheaper.

finally, what are u trying to achieve with this rig? u haven't even mentioned what u really want.

I'm looking particularly for a blower style GPU for my slim case, are there any cheaper options?

I'm basing my storage options based off my current setup (120gb SSD for OS and 1tb HDD for games). I could leave out the M.2 and just stick with 500GB.

Thanks for the tip! This setup is mainly for gaming with some minor video editing. I made a new list out of cheaper parts based on everyone's suggestions.

 

[Encrypted11]

Why do you need a K-series chip, a Z-series board and Vengeance RAM?

If unable to justify, please don't waste money on it.

To the context of this thread (considering TS hasn't answered this), TS needs to establish if overclocking in a slim PC is really viable. You probably can't, unless you case mod it to accommodate an AIO with a 120mm class rad since a normal profile air cooler will not fit.

As such, the options you'd want to pick over the Z170/270+6600k/7600k are the locked skews.
1. H110/B250/B150 + 6600/7600 if you don't need HT
2. ...+6700/7700
because there's no OC headroom in the current chassis anyway.

To add some alternatives into the mix:
-Silverstone RVZ02 ITX case
-Silverstone SFX PSU

 

[ineomod]

Updated list

Here's the updated parts list, managed to shave $300 off the previous one...:

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI B150I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($467 with CPU)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($55)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($169)
Storage: Samsung 750 Evo 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($229)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1070 Aero 8GB Video Card ($629)
Case: Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case ($129 from PC Themes)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Gold 450W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($135)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($158)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 (2-Pack) 62.7 CFM 120mm Fans ($46)
Total: $2017

I'm sticking with the Gold PSU since its fully modular design can help with cable management in the compact case.

 

[ineomod]

To the context of this thread (considering TS hasn't answered this), TS needs to establish if overclocking in a slim PC is really viable. You probably can't, unless you case mod it to accommodate an AIO with a 120mm class rad since a normal profile air cooler will not fit.

As such, the options you'd want to pick over the Z170/270+6600k/7600k are the locked skews.
1. H110/B250/B150 + 6600/7600 if you don't need HT
2. ...+6700/7700
because there's no OC headroom in the current chassis anyway.

To add some alternatives into the mix:
-Silverstone RVZ02 ITX case
-Silverstone SFX PSU

Yup I looked it up and updated my parts based on those suggestions too haha

 

[MianBaoFren]

Here's the updated parts list, managed to shave $300 off the previous one...:

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI B150I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($467 with CPU)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($55)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($169)
Storage: Samsung 750 Evo 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($229)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1070 Aero 8GB Video Card ($629)
Case: Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case ($129 from PC Themes)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Gold 450W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($135)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($158)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 (2-Pack) 62.7 CFM 120mm Fans ($46)
Total: $2017

I'm sticking with the Gold PSU since its fully modular design can help with cable management in the compact case.

i still think u need a higher capacity psu. 450w might be barely enough for that gpu.

and if u don't mind value ram, consider kingston 8gb ram.
http://list.qoo10.sg/item/KINGSTON-KINGSTON-MEMORY-RAM-STICK-VALUERAM-DDR4-2133-8GB-4GB-LIMITED/455039959

also, change your windows to one purchased from carousell or reddit @ windows software swap. those cost only $20-$30.

 

[ineomod]

i still think u need a higher capacity psu. 450w might be barely enough for that gpu.

and if u don't mind value ram, consider kingston 8gb ram.


also, change your windows to one purchased from carousell or reddit @ windows software swap. those cost only $20-$30.

Got it thanks! updating my list now...

 

[hlots123]

I'm looking particularly for a blower style GPU for my slim case, are there any cheaper options?

i not read much abt node 202, but its gpu/cpu layout look v similar to raven rvz02. and for the raven, open air cooler seems to perform better than blower style cooler.
is there recommendatn to use blower style cooler in node 202?

http://www.overclock.net/t/1466816/...l07-ml08-ftz01-owners-club/6300#post_25421677
http://www.overclock.net/t/1466816/...l07-ml08-ftz01-owners-club/6380#post_25481577

 

[ineomod]

i not read much abt node 202, but its gpu/cpu layout look v similar to raven rvz02. and for the raven, open air cooler seems to perform better than blower style cooler.
is there recommendatn to use blower style cooler in node 202?

Interesting! I believe there are recommendations to use blower style for the Node 202 but if I go for the RVZ02 then my GPU options would open up.

 

[Ark Law]

Just to note, some users find the Strider SFX series on the noisier side due to the smaller fan. That's the reason I went with the SFX-L 500W, which has a 120mm fan instead.

It's not as quiet as my 4 year old Seasonic but it's okay. Don't think the SFX-L fits the Node 202 though

 

[ineomod]

Just to note, some users find the Strider SFX series on the noisier side due to the smaller fan. That's the reason I went with the SFX-L 500W, which has a 120mm fan instead.

It's not as quiet as my 4 year old Seasonic but it's okay. Don't think the SFX-L fits the Node 202 though

True true, the RVZ02 would fit the SFX-L too

 

[Ark Law]

True true, the RVZ02 would fit the SFX-L too

That should be the case as it should be main reason released SFX-L, to fit into RVZ01/ML07/FTZ01/RVZ02 console like cases.

As for GPU wise, I'd recommend you pick a blower style, GPU won't be as cool as say a Twin Frozr but more importantly, it won't be dumping heat in the chassis. Besides, my 1070 blower is quieter than my PSU at load

 

[ineomod]

That should be the case as it should be main reason released SFX-L, to fit into RVZ01/ML07/FTZ01/RVZ02 console like cases.

As for GPU wise, I'd recommend you pick a blower style, GPU won't be as cool as say a Twin Frozr but more importantly, it won't be dumping heat in the chassis. Besides, my 1070 blower is quieter than my PSU at load

Open air coolers are vendor recommended for the RVZ02 though, at least based on the previous links

 

[ineomod]

Updated updated list

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI B150I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($467 with CPU @ Fuwell)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($55 @ PC Themes)
Memory: Kingston ValueRAM 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($152 @ PC Themes)
Storage: Samsung 750 Evo 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($229 @ Fuwell)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 8GB AMP! Edition Video Card ($689 @ PC Themes)
Case: Silverstone RVZ02B HTPC Case ($145 @ PC Themes)
Power Supply: Silverstone 600W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($179 @ PC Themes)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($20 @ Carousell)
Total: $1936

$400 cheaper than my original list, awesome! Thanks peeps ^^