First build EVER. Mini-itx gaming rig.

[rlj89]

Hi everyone. This is my first build so I really need a thumbs up from some of you old veterans! Thank you!!

Questions/things to keep in mind for the kind reader:
- Am I missing anything?
- Does everything fit together? Does all the component lead to a "greater whole"?
- Money matters to me. I'm a student.

The build
Case: Bitfenix prodigy
Mobo: MSI Z77IA-E53
Ram: Corsair 2x4GB vengeance low profile, 1600 Mhz
CPU: i5 3570k 3.4GHz, socket LGA1155, Ivy bridge
GPU: Sapphire 7950 OC version (considered the 660 ti for a long time)
SSD: 128GB samsung 830 Basic kit
HDD: Seagate barracuda 7200.14 1TB
PSU: Coolermaster silent pro M700
CPU cooling: Corsair H100 Hydro series (mounted in the top)
Monitor: Dell 21,5” ultrasharp u2212HM, IPS, 60 hz (Considered a 120 hz TN. Decided not to)

Thank you so much for any feedback!

 

[TheBigTroll]

id suggest just go with a m-atx case. the prodigy is rather large for a itx case

here you go
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hQSw

 

[rlj89]

Yea: I'm kind of in love with the bitfenix prodigy, although I know it's big for a mini-itx. Still, I just love the design and all the posibilities it offers.

Thanks for the feedback though!

 

[idroid]

OMG!! i love mini-ITX rigs, give me a sec

 

[idroid]

Whats your budget?

 

[mousseng]

That looks like a really solid list, but my only concern is the PSU. The Silent Pro series is a pretty good line, but I'd tend to err on the side of safety (as Cooler Master isn't really known for being too great in the power supply field) and go for something better. If you've got the dosh to spare, I'd recommend a Rosewill Capstone 650M (ironic, I know) as it's 80PLUS Gold (more efficient, less heat, less noise), modular (less clutter and loose cabling), and more affordable than the M700.

The Capstone 550 and 650 (non-modular versions) are also good choices, and much less expensive (the 550 is $80, 650 $90, and the 650M is $100).

 

[idroid]

here you go:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($190.39 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($427.55 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($176.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1253.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-18 15:31 EDT-0400)

 

[rlj89]

That looks like a really solid list, but my only concern is the PSU. The Silent Pro series is a pretty good line, but I'd tend to err on the side of safety (as Cooler Master isn't really known for being too great in the power supply field) and go for something better. If you've got the dosh to spare, I'd recommend a Rosewill Capstone 650M (ironic, I know) as it's 80PLUS Gold (more efficient, less heat, less noise), modular (less clutter and loose cabling), and more affordable than the M700.

The Capstone 550 and 650 (non-modular versions) are also good choices, and much less expensive (the 550 is $80, 650 $90, and the 650M is $100).

Thanks a bunch!
It seems the rosewill capstone 650M isn't sold in my country (Denmark). With import cost it gets way too expensive. Looking at other 80 plus gold PSU's they seem quite expensive to be honest.

Wouldn't the Sea sonic 620W 80 plus bronze recommended by idriod be a good choice in your opinion? I guess I'm having a hard time finding the extra cost justified. That is going from a bronze to a gold certified PSU.

 

[mousseng]

Thanks a bunch!
It seems the rosewill capstone 650M isn't sold in my country (Denmark). With import cost it gets way too expensive. Looking at other 80 plus gold PSU's they seem quite expensive to be honest.

Wouldn't the Sea sonic 620W 80 plus bronze recommended by idriod be a good choice in your opinion? I guess I'm having a hard time finding the extra cost justified. That is going from a bronze to a gold certified PSU.

Ah, bummer mate, didn't know you were in Denmark. Yeah, the Capstone series are (if I'm not mistaken) the most affordable Gold-certified PSUs - most others like a Seasonic X-series cost around 50% more (at least). I wouldn't recommend the others simply due to the price tags.

The Seasonic idroid recommended would definitely be a good alternative, as it's modular and incredibly reliable. Another good choice would be a PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk.III 600W (modular, quiet, made by Seasonic). I'm not sure how pricing is for you, so if you find something you feel is a better deal, let us know.

 

[vrumor]

Shame they dont offer the 7950 in low profile. I build mini itx gamers into old NES cases. Pretty cool looking. 7850 they do offer in low profile tho. Gonna do one of those soon.

 

[rlj89]

here you go:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($190.39 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($427.55 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($176.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1253.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-18 15:31 EDT-0400)

Thanks!
- The vertex 4 vs samsung 830 seems like a hard choice.
- The monitor looks really nice! I pretty sure I will go for that one instead. The 8 vs 14 ms update timing doesn't seem like anything one would notice. That is for all but the pro gamers, which I'm not.

 

[idroid]

Thanks!
- The vertex 4 vs samsung 830 seems like a hard choice.
- The monitor looks really nice! I pretty sure I will go for that one instead. The 8 vs 14 ms update timing doesn't seem like anything one would notice. That is for all but the pro gamers, which I'm not.

The vertex 4 is faster.

 

[TheBigTroll]

yeah but the samsung 830 has a longer and proven track record

 

[TheBigTroll]

also note that the prodigy is quite wobbly when you place it on a hard surface given the feet flex. it wont tip over but just wobbles

 

[idroid]

yeah but the samsung 830 has a longer and proven track record

Doesn't matter, the vertex 4 doesn't suffer from OCZ quality issues, they actually did an amazing job manufacturing that SSD.

 

[TheBigTroll]

good thing to hear. all their other sandforce drives are crap in terms of reliablitiy

 

[rlj89]

also note that the prodigy is quite wobbly when you place it on a hard surface given the feet flex. it wont tip over but just wobbles

Thanks for the tip!

I will have a second look at the vertex 4 vs the samsund 830 before i make my purchase. Thanks guys!

Note: The thing about the 830 that seems kind of cool is the fact that it doesn't rely on compressed data analysis or what the heck that thing is all about. Haven't spend time researching whether that actually has anything to say or not.

 

[Guest]

Whats your budget?

I am thinking about building a 2000 dollar gaming rig, hopefully mini ITX. Any suggestion would be much appriciated. I would love to be able to put in a EVGA GeForce 680.