Mini ITX build?

[alliarnette]

Hi,

I plan to get a mini-ITX build as a present for my niece who will be using it for a few months before she heads overseas for uni study. Think she'll want to bring it along with her as well so hopefully it's safe to ship across!

My budget for it will be around $1500 ideally, with maximum at around $2000.

The case we've earmarked already is the Fractal Design Node 304, but everything else is up in the air. We're also thinking of getting the Corsair RM750, but that's subject to change.

What she'll be using it for is mostly schoolwork and whatnot, but I suppose she'll be wanting to play some games as well, with her current favourite games being League of Legends and Counter Strike: Global Offensive. She'll be away for quite a while, though, a few years at the very least, so I hope to get a build that can last her through probably 3-4 years without falling behind on playing the latest games.

Thanks!

 

[etoilebiscuit]

Hi,

I plan to get a mini-ITX build as a present for my niece who will be using it for a few months before she heads overseas for uni study. Think she'll want to bring it along with her as well so hopefully it's safe to ship across!

My budget for it will be around $1500 ideally, with maximum at around $2000.

The case we've earmarked already is the Fractal Design Node 304, but everything else is up in the air. We're also thinking of getting the Corsair RM750, but that's subject to change.

What she'll be using it for is mostly schoolwork and whatnot, but I suppose she'll be wanting to play some games as well, with her current favourite games being League of Legends and Counter Strike: Global Offensive. She'll be away for quite a while, though, a few years at the very least, so I hope to get a build that can last her through probably 3-4 years without falling behind on playing the latest games.

Thanks!

for those games, ur budget more than enuff at 1.5k.

 

[alliarnette]

for those games, ur budget more than enuff at 1.5k.

Those games are what she's playing right now, but if she wants to play games like Fallout 4, Dark Souls III and any other upcoming games from now till 2018-ish I'd prefer if a build for $1500+ could play those games without problem.

 

[koroshiya8]

$2k is really overkill ... as you say she will be away a few years..so u build a up to date rig today will be wasted in a few years time as technology changes very fast...

BTW any chance she brings the Mini-ITX with her? If so then really worth to invest as it will be fully utilise.. you can sponsor the delivery as well with any leftover budget.

 

[alliarnette]

$2k is really overkill ... as you say she will be away a few years..so u build a up to date rig today will be wasted in a few years time as technology changes very fast...

BTW any chance she brings the Mini-ITX with her? If so then really worth to invest as it will be fully utilise.. you can sponsor the delivery as well with any leftover budget.

She WILL bring the mini-ITX with her. Maybe I didn't communicate well but I meant that she will be using it overseas as well, that's also why I suggest mini-ITX to her so delivery not so mafan. ^^;

Again, I'm just looking for something suitable, just as long as they fit within budget can liao. If can have a build for $1000 but perform everything that she needs then I even more happy, confirm angpao give big big. But I want her to have a good computer overseas because I a bit too pamper her already.

 

[Jian19]

Ideally a laptop will be better since she going to bring it overseas for her studies.

Aftershock s15 with 970m will be a good choice @ ur budget

If u wan to build a mitx

i5-4460 + Gigabyte h97n wifi ～ $443
Kingston Hyperx 16gb ddr3 kit ～ $195
Samsung evo 850 250gb ssd ～ $169
Wd blue 1tb ～ $75
Asus gtx970 mini ～ $579 / Gigabyte 960 mini ～ $320
Superflower leadex 550w ～ $129
Jonsbo U2 ～ $119
Win8 64 oem ～ $35 （g2a）

$1744/$1485 buy and assemble @ pctheme ask for discount.

 

[wwenze]

Just sell off and buy new one there. SG prices are chop carrot anyway, and if buy from Amazon it doesn't matter where you live.

And maybe their uni may have student deals which are actually cheaper than outside (Unlike, for example, ours. Ooo 1.5k for a POS for uni student such deal much special)

 

[t258jgn]

Silverstone Fortress FTZ01 Mini-ITX Full Aluminum Case (Black)
Gigabyte GA-H97N-WIFI mini-ITX Motherboard w/ WiFi a/b/g/n/ac & Bluetooth
Intel i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core
Kingston HyperX Fury HX318C10FBK2/16 16gb (2x 8gb) 1866 CL10 DDR3 (Black)
Silverstone SX600-G 600W Full Modular 80+ Gold SFX
Samsung 850 EVO 250gb 2.5" SATA3 SSD
@ $990

Asus STRIX GTX 970 DirectCU II OC 4GB GDDR5 @ $555
Asus STRIX GTX 980 Ti 6GB GDDR5 @ $1100

 

[Rogue]

Buy her a laptop... I expect her to move around a lot. A Lenovo Y50 is good enough.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi,

I plan to get a mini-ITX build as a present for my niece who will be using it for a few months before she heads overseas for uni study. Think she'll want to bring it along with her as well so hopefully it's safe to ship across!

My budget for it will be around $1500 ideally, with maximum at around $2000.

The case we've earmarked already is the Fractal Design Node 304, but everything else is up in the air. We're also thinking of getting the Corsair RM750, but that's subject to change.

What she'll be using it for is mostly schoolwork and whatnot, but I suppose she'll be wanting to play some games as well, with her current favourite games being League of Legends and Counter Strike: Global Offensive. She'll be away for quite a while, though, a few years at the very least, so I hope to get a build that can last her through probably 3-4 years without falling behind on playing the latest games.

Thanks!

IMHO DIY PC is a terribad choice for your niece. Here's why:

1. It will require to rack your our brain hard to minimise mass and space occupied by the PC chassis. Such DIY PC will occupy a minimum of 10 litres and at least 4-5kg heavy given the limited availability of SFF barebones to fit in all those standard sized parts.

2. It will consequently result with your niece getting less space to pack her things into her luggage when she's leaving for overseas studies.

3. Weight becomes the main issue where baggage surcharge will hike with such heavy PC inside.

4. It will be tough for her to lug the luggage (with the heavy PC inside) all the way to her dormitory (where she may even curse you along the way, just kidding). Don't think you want your beloved niece to suffer lugging her PC right?

5. Moreover, what about separate accessories like monitor, speaker, peripherals? I seriously don't think she will want to squeeze them into the already super-packed luggage with the heavy PC chassis. That will only rub more salt on the 4 wounds mentioned above.

6. And if she decides on homecoming during school breaks and she needs to use the PC, will she be willing to lug her PC back and forth on the plane?

If I were you, i will love my niece by getting her a dedicated notebook customised and tailored to all her needs, with an Aftershock S-15 notebook with GTX 965M as such:

Just a little over $2000 get you so many accessories and professional optimisation and calibrations that will otherwise cost you additional with a DIY PC. FYI GTX 965M is simply an underclocked GTX 960, chip for chip, where the latter is able to max most games comfortably on Full HD with good fps.

Not only can she tailor the notebook to her preference, the much better compact configuration and lower mass also allows her to transport it over the plane in a much easier, cheaper and safer condition. Performance this will also not lose to the $1500 rival DIY PC. The only disadvantage is just slightly higher price point given the notebook integration form factor.

It will be great to make a trip with your niece to COMEX 2015 next week and see for yourself the actual product at their booth, if they are there.

With no intention of promoting for Aftershock, they are the only local PC company that offers such great extensiveness for customisations, that are also being offered at super reasonable rates, unlike some 'Alien" brand products.

 

[trento]

i suppose she wants to play on big screen hence a desktop choice.

Node 304 has PSU size constraints, especially if the GPU is longer. u may need a shorter PSU. u may refer to http://www.overclock.net/t/1266342/official-fractal-design-node-304-owners-club for more info.

750w is overkill for a single gpu. maybe only needed for 290x type of gpu. im crossfiring my 280 with only 620w and it works fine.

GPU wise, 970 is a good choice and def also don't need 750w.

to break it down parts wise-

mobo+cpu- any h81 itx + i5 4460 ($300+)
psu- silverstone ST55-FG ($150) for Node 304. Size will accommodate longer GPU
gpu- Palit 970 ($400+)
HDD/SSD?

It should fit within yr budget nicely.

 

[shock]

Make sure you set the voltage correctly and have the correct plug. Laptop will not have any issue but maybe need a travel adapter.

Laptop is the way to go and preferably long battery life.

 

[koroshiya8]

Years ago i brought my own 'PC' and fix it up when i was overseas..I packed my own MOBO and critical PC components and bought the PC towers and speaker there.

It is much more suitable to get a laptop as compared to 15+ years ago it's almost required not just in hostel but also at school, for presentation etc..

 

[darkarn]

IIRC, Aftershock laptops are using auto-switching power supplies since they are actually from Clevo. In other words, no need those international power supply, can go anywhere use as long you have the correct plug.

And while I supporting Aftershock here cos of best price-performance ratio on paper alone and how sturdy their laptops are (speaking from experience since I use a Sager/Clevo laptop), may want to consider other companies for their international warranty though (if Aftershock somehow gives international warranty though, then your choice quite obvious liao ).