Talk to me about Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX builds...

[NorCalAthlete]

To be honest, I'm just coming back into the PC arena in general after having used nothing but my MacBook Pro (January 2008-ish) and PS3 for gaming. I swore off of PC for a while...but now Planetside 2 is coming out and I'm looking at another build. I've built several mid-tower rigs before with no issues, but I've never actually had to worry about space before either. I know I don't want a monstrous full tower like my last build, and there's a strong possibility I'll be bouncing around a lot within the next 6 months to 1 year so I started looking at ITX for a more portable gaming option. I'm aiming for a budget of roughly $1,000. Also, given that I'm cold-blooded and hate AC, my apartment/room/wherever I'm staying is generally around 70-75 degrees inside - NOT the coolest environment for a compact gaming PC. Anyway, all that being said....here's what I'm looking at so far.

================================================== ==========================================
Mini-ITX build:
ASRock Z77E-ITX LGA 1155 Intel Z77 - $149.99
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz - $239.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB DDR3 1600 - $46.99

Subtotal for Mobo, CPU, Memory - $436.97

- Case:
Either Lian-Li - PC-Q08B ($109.99) or PC-Q18B ($159.99) - or this Silverstone SG07-B (184.99, but comes with a 600w PSU)
- Graphics:
Gigabyte GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX 670 - $399.99 Lengthwise it should be fine in either case, but I'm not sure about width-wise, apparently stuff gets pretty tight in there and I don't know about any potential heat issues as well (hence my reasoning for choosing those two Lian-Li cases - large intake fans in the front, and the Silverstone has a 180mm).
- PSU:
SeaSonic M12II 620W or the PCPCS - $89.99

Subtotals:
PC-Q08B + 670 + PSU - $599.97
PC-Q18B + 670 + PSU - $649.97
SG-07B + 670 + no PSU - $544.98

Haven't decided on a hard drive or optical drive yet. The Silverstone case requires a slim, the others can accommodate a full size but I'm thinking about just buying a slim drive in any case as it'll likely rarely if ever be used other than to install Windows...which can be done through USB anyway.

================================================== ==========================================

Alternatively, this is my Micro-ATX build for a slightly bigger but still compact and probably cooler (temperature-wise) build:

Micro-ATX build:
SilverStone Temjin Series TJ08B-E - $97.99
Western Digital WD5002AALX 500GB - $99.99
LITE-ON Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive - $18.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB DDR3 1600 - $46.99
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz - $239.99
GIGABYTE GA-Z77M-D3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 - $114.99
Gigabyte GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX 670 2 gb - $399.99
SeaSonic M12II 620W or the PCPCS - $89.99

Total : $1108.92

================================================== ==========================================

[yellowsulphur]

GPUs tend to be gigantic and have problems fitting on these small boards due to some component being in the way. At least that was my experience a couple years ago.

[mnguyen84]

the samsung low voltage ram produce less heat.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147094

For your HD, you will definitely want a SDD. Check out the Samsung 830. Windows 7 is like 45gb to install + updates. You will want at least something 100+ gb. I have that and the Mushkin Chrome. The Mushkin works great for me, but they got several bad reviews. Also, the ivy bridge has it's own graphic engine, and so depending on how demanding the game is, you may not need a graphics card.

From what i've read, Seasonic is overrated. They may be fanless, but apparently many feel that they're just overpriced psu w/o fans. You may want to read up on it more.

[woozyjon]

I have built probably 30 or so mini-itx and pico-itx machines for me and friends over the last 7 or 8 years. All 12 volt systems, check out mp3car.com. There is more information there they you can possibility absorb in a lifetime...good luck

[JDay]

GPUs tend to be gigantic and have problems fitting on these small boards due to some component being in the way. At least that was my experience a couple years ago.

Intel HD 3000 is capable of running quite a few games.

[yellowsulphur]

Intel HD 3000 is capable of running quite a few games.

I have an Intel HD 3000 in my laptop and I use it for 2D acceleration where it works quite well under Linux though some workarounds are needed. My past experience with Intel cards is that they have been a generation behind AMD/Nvidia.

[JDay]

I have an Intel HD 3000 in my laptop and I use it for 2D acceleration where it works quite well under Linux though some workarounds are needed. My past experience with Intel cards is that they have been a generation behind AMD/Nvidia.

You'd be surprised how far they've come. My friends Sandy Bridge (HD 3000) has no issues playing any game with decent quality settings. The HD 4000 is even faster.

[Hoop]

I have a computer built with a lanbox case. Space inside it isn't a problem as long as you just want a mobo, GPU, and one hard drive but cooling is somewhat. Not a lot of airflow in it.

If I were to do it again I'd go with a microatx tower. It's still pretty small and space-saving but you have a bit more room inside for extra hard disks and fans to keep things cool + cable routing isn't as much of a problem.

[Hoop]

You'd be surprised how far they've come. My friends Sandy Bridge (HD 3000) has no issues playing any game with decent quality settings. The HD 4000 is even faster.

If you want to have a good idea of where a video card stands performance wise check out passmark.com.

FWIW the HD3000 ranks about like a Geforce 520. So not great but probably okay for 720P with most games.

[BucDan]

Don't go with a mITX build. Those builds were dedicated for everything else except gaming, and very popular for HTPCs. If you are doing light gaming, or low-med detail 3D gaming, the HD 4000 integrated will work fine, although depending on the resolution you are planning to play on, the video card will matter. If you plan on trying to play higher than 1600x900, the video card will be real nice.

The mATX build looks solid. Though I'd recommend jumping on to 2x8GB DDR3 ram while it is still CHEAP, trust me.

Though personally, I'd rather jump back one generation and grab a 2500K and build around Sandy.

If you need more ideas, check out overclock.net
I've been a member there since '06 and I'm under the same username as here on CGN.

[NorCalAthlete]

Don't go with a mITX build. Those builds were dedicated for everything else except gaming, and very popular for HTPCs. If you are doing light gaming, or low-med detail 3D gaming, the HD 4000 integrated will work fine, although depending on the resolution you are planning to play on, the video card will matter. If you plan on trying to play higher than 1600x900, the video card will be real nice.

The mATX build looks solid. Though I'd recommend jumping on to 2x8GB DDR3 ram while it is still CHEAP, trust me.

Though personally, I'd rather jump back one generation and grab a 2500K and build around Sandy.

If you need more ideas, check out overclock.net
I've been a member there since '06 and I'm under the same username as here on CGN.

Little ahead of you heh I posted over there too under the SFF subforum.


Ummm as for some of the others posting here - not trying to be rude but suggestions about integrated graphics, airflow problems, etc. kinda show you either didn't read my OP, or skimmed right over the part where I listed an Nvidia GTX 670....heh. I've done some research on my own and air flow should not be a problem with these cases. One's got a 180mm fan directly over the mobo and CPU cooler, and the GPU gets its own filtered closed circulating system if you get a card with a blower on it. The cases will fit up to a 12"+ card, which is larger than the $1,000 cards on the market right now. So plenty of room there. My concerns are/were mainly more about the CPU cooler/RAM and how close they'd be to each other + the video card, because even with decent cooling out the side/rear the sheer proximity WILL add to the heat. I'm shying away from the Lian-Li Q08 due to the video card's orientation on the bottom; I don't like the way the air flows under/around that even if it's claimed to be efficient. Intake from the floor? Dust much? Bleh. The SG07 is in the lead right now for my taste.

[shmeare]

I went with ATX and mid-side tower, my tower runs very well playing BF3 doesn't get too hot. Btw make sure you have plenty of ventilation!!! Big fans help a lot

[Hoop]

Though personally, I'd rather jump back one generation and grab a 2500K and build around Sandy.

I feel the same way.

GPU bottleneck happens WAY before processor bottleneck when gaming.

[NorCalAthlete]

Won't be any GPU bottlenecks here GTX670 can max any game at 1920x1080, which is the highest ratio any of my monitors goes up to at the moment. 2560x1600s are just way too expensive for now.

Update: Everything's purchased and here except the CPU and motherboard. I'll post a link to my build log at Overclock.net once it's all put together and running.