Help building gaming rig + ATX or mATX?

[murraydemonicskull]

Hi guys, I am planning to build my first gaming rig, so I am pretty much a noob. Right now my specs are the following:

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor

CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CLP0564 101.6 CFM CPU Cooler

Motherboard: ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Gaming Motherboard with 3-Way SLI/CrossFireX Support and UEFI BIOS

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory

Storage: SAMSUNG 840 SSD 120 GB (100)+ Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

Videocard: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB

Powersupply: Corsair AX850w

Optical drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer

Case: RAIDMAX Super Aeolus

Mouse: Roccat Kone

Keyboard: Steelseries Apex gaming keyboard / Roccat keyboard

Headset: Logitech G430

Let me know your opinions on this please.

Also I really like the bitfenix prodigy case and was wondering whether I will still use a mid-tower or a small case like the prodigy case, any disadvantages? (I only plan to use a graphic card)

THANKS!

 

[ksham]

Your BitFenix Prodigy case is a MiniITX case. Your ATX motherboard will not fit inside it.

I think everything looks good. Just a few changes:
1. Change the CPU Cooler to a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO.
2. Drop the power supply to a Corsair TX 650W V2. That's enough for your one GPU. If you plan to SLI, then 750W V2. But you said just one graphics card. So no need to pay more.
3. With the spare change, upgrade the SSD to a Samsung 840 Pro 120GB.

 

[murraydemonicskull]

Thanks, I was wondering what are the pros and cons of an ATX and mATX for gaming? If I opted for a bitfenix prodigy and a mATX mobo would my potential options for changing components be limited?

In other words, is mATX just smaller and thats it or is it any less powerful than other ATX when it comes to components and what you can fit inside? Also, is it any less efficient when it comes to the cooling system?

If I go with ATX I will choose Raidmax super aeolus, if I go with mATX will choose bitfenix prodigy what do you guys think of these cases.

Tkz.

 

[ksham]

1. Some MicroATX motherboards don't support CrossFire or SLI. Some do. Overall, MicroATX is just a smaller version of the ATX. If you like LAN parties and want something more mobile, the MicroATX is a great fit.

2. The BitFenix Prodigy can't fit a MicroATX.

3. MicroATX is smaller and in a way, can be less powerful. They usually have less power phase design. MicroATX is usually enough for MOST people.

 

[murraydemonicskull]

2. But isn´t the bitfenix a microATX case? If not, what kind of mobo can it fit?

 

[ksham]

It's a Mini ITX. Mini ITX motherboards will fit into it.