Don't let me buy a mac: budget build but sleek

[dlbaxter]

PURPOSE: I want a much sleeker, slimmer desktop PC.

DILEMMA: I'm thinking about buying the next iteration of the iMac.

Save me from myself!

BUDGET: $1200; acquisition within 3 months.

REQS: small desktop footprint, light gaming (Diablo 3, at most and I can live without fx), hardware drivers (highly) compatible with Linux, quiet. Overclocking, etc. not necessary though I might fiddle if I had time.

SOLUTION: budget PC with sexy monitor

My PCPartPicker list

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Hard Drive: OCZ Agility 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card
Case: Inwin BL631.300TBL MicroATX Slim Case w/300W Power Supply
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer
Total: $419.93

Questions:

1. Can I fit these components into this case? Is there a better slim case?
2. Mobo recommendations based on my goals?
3. PSU recommendations?
4. Monitor recommendations?

In addition, I have these parts leftover from my previous build (5 years ago!):

C2D E4500 in Gigabyte P35-DS3L
4gig Gskill DDR2 6400
Nvidia Geforce 8800 GT
Antec Truepower Trio 550w PSU
Sony DVD RW
Various SATA HDD

Bonus Question:

1. Can I repurpose this stuff into a separate HTPC? Is there a MicroATX board that would fit the E4500 and an HTPC case which would fit all of that plus the graphics card? The graphics card doesn't have HDMI (just DVI).

Thank you so much for your help. The last time I built a PC the forum and website was so useful I never had to post!

 

[obsama1]

For $1200, you can build a better rig. Like an i5-3570k, and HD 6870 GPU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121373

That mobo is $40, has a PCI-E x16 slot, and is socket 775.

 

[obsama1]

PSU: http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-500-Watt-Certified-Compatible-Platforms/dp/B004W2T2U6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341873563&sr=8-1&keywords=corsair+500w

I would recommend either the i5-3450, i5-2500K, or i5-3570K CPU. I would chose the 2500K, if you want to save money, but overclock. The 3570K if you want to keep up with the latest tech. The i5 3450 is powerful, but cheaper. Chose which one.

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157306

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

 

[batuchka]

+1 i agreed - go with a non slim mATX case with better ventilation and allowance for full height GPUs/ATX PSUs? I am thinking u are a casual gamer and seeing how a now dated GTX 460 doing well over 60fps 1920 x 1080 for Diablo 3 : an idea for simple stock/no OC mATX light/casual gaming build

 

[smorizio]

http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=582&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=63
http://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/news/show/54,bitfenix-unleashes-prodigy/

 

[anti-painkilla]

You could get a case like this Silverstone Sugo SG07, if you are after a more compact form factor. Cant comment on sound as it sits 2m away. Get a Mid-tower if you want to overclock.

We have this for our HTPC, supports Micro-ATX and a full size graphics card. We have a i3-2100 and a 6850 in it, no problems with heat.