micro/itx Intel build?

[ThatGuy2u2]

I have a
Amd 8350
Gtx 760
8 gigs or ram
Windows 8

And my case is cooler master I think haf xb and this case is to big. I'm in college and will from time to time need to move it around.

I was thinking about getting a grandia case but I'm not sure if its small enough to fit in a book bag or other types of bags. So I'm thinking about switching to an Intel build. Could someone recommend me a Intel processor with mobo and a SMALL micro or itx case? This case needs to fit my gtx and other regular sized computer parts. This computer is for gaming, editing, graphic design etc. Keep that in mind and please try to keep the 3 parts under $400.

I understand I may need to down scale my PSU, thx to anyone that helps!

 

[Epsilon_0EVP]

What style of case would you prefer? The mITX cases come in several styles.

There's the standard tower design, very similar to a standard tower, but smaller. This is an example.

Then there are cases that use a riser card to make them flatter. This is most often for HTPC's and such. Here is an example I like.

Finally, there are cases with the motherboard sitting horizontally. This is probably the most common type of mITX case. This is an example. I think this might be closer to what would work for you. Some of the more premium cases even have neat handles, like this, but they're probably outside of our budget.

In terms of the actual CPU and motherboard, since you plan to do editing and graphic design, an i7 would be useful, but since overclocking is very limited due to the size, we might as well not consider it. Thus, I would consider the i7-4790 and an H97 motherboard like the AsRock H97M Pro4. Unfortunately, though, that would cost $390 without a case, so we might have to step down to a 4690 instead. You save about $90, but losing the hyperthreading will hurt your editing performance.

 

[dv8er86]

This is what I have https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/LandingPages/ZeusMini/
Price for mobo and cpu Subtotal (2 items): $362.66
Z97I AC
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Mini-Motherboards-Z97I-AC/dp/B00K23BUK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426268866&sr=8-1&keywords=z97i

i54690k
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-4690-Processor-Cache-BX80646I54690/dp/B00JST2QEW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426269045&sr=1-1&keywords=Intel+Core+i5-4690

 

[ThatGuy2u2]

What style of case would you prefer? The mITX cases come in several styles.

There's the standard tower design, very similar to a standard tower, but smaller. This is an example.

Then there are cases that use a riser card to make them flatter. This is most often for HTPC's and such. Here is an example I like.

Finally, there are cases with the motherboard sitting horizontally. This is probably the most common type of mITX case. This is an example. I think this might be closer to what would work for you. Some of the more premium cases even have neat handles, like this, but they're probably outside of our budget.

In terms of the actual CPU and motherboard, since you plan to do editing and graphic design, an i7 would be useful, but since overclocking is very limited due to the size, we might as well not consider it. Thus, I would consider the i7-4790 and an H97 motherboard like the AsRock H97M Pro4. Unfortunately, though, that would cost $390 without a case, so we might have to step down to a 4690 instead. You save about $90, but losing the hyperthreading will hurt your editing performance.

for the case i was thinking a htpc case or any case with a low hight. i dont plan on overclocking either. i actually like that silverstone can it fit a hard and disk drive?

 

[ThatGuy2u2]

This is what I have https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/LandingPages/ZeusMini/
Price for mobo and cpu Subtotal (2 items): $362.66
Z97I AC
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Mini-Motherboards-Z97I-AC/dp/B00K23BUK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426268866&sr=8-1&keywords=z97i

i54690k
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-4690-Processor-Cache-BX80646I54690/dp/B00JST2QEW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426269045&sr=1-1&keywords=Intel+Core+i5-4690

is the i5 4690 good for editing and graphic work?

 

[dv8er86]

This is the case that cyberpower uses for my model. you would need a riser for your gpu

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517029&cm_re=Mini-ITX_case-_-11-517-029-_-Product

 

[ThatGuy2u2]

This is the case that cyberpower uses for my model. you would need a riser for your gpu

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517029&cm_re=Mini-ITX_case-_-11-517-029-_-Product

i dont know what a riser is or what that means

 

[dv8er86]

This is what I have https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/LandingPages/ZeusMini/
Price for mobo and cpu Subtotal (2 items): $362.66
Z97I AC
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Mini-Motherboards-Z97I-AC/dp/B00K23BUK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426268866&sr=8-1&keywords=z97i

i54690k
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-4690-Processor-Cache-BX80646I54690/dp/B00JST2QEW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426269045&sr=1-1&keywords=Intel+Core+i5-4690

is the i5 4690 good for editing and graphic work?

The only time i notice lag is when i have multiple projects open in Ai and Ps at the same time but even then it is not that bad.

 

[dv8er86]

This is the case that cyberpower uses for my model. you would need a riser for your gpu...I checked and the riser comes with the case

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517029&cm_re=Mini-ITX_case-_-11-517-029-_-Product

i dont know what a riser is or what that means

On a case that is too thin to have a gpu sitting in the PCI you would put an adapter in that lets the gpu sit on its side flat with the mobo.

 

[Epsilon_0EVP]

The Silverstone case can hold 1x3.5" HDD and up to 3x2.5" HDD's. It cannot fit a standard sized disk drive, but it does fit slim disk drives, which are pricier. You will also need an SFX PSU, which is smaller.

If you liked that case, you can also consider this one. It is cheaper, but a bit flashier and apparently slightly lower build quality. There apparently is also a new version of the Silverstone coming out soon, called the RVZ02.

The 4690 is a good CPU, but it can only do four threads, so it's not as good as the 4790 which can do eight. That's usually not an issue, but for editing it becomes a big bonus. However, for the price, the 4690 is still a very good CPU. Make sure to remember the 4690K and the 4690 are different; the 4690K is meant for overclocking and costs a bit more than the 4690.

 

[ThatGuy2u2]

The Silverstone case can hold 1x3.5" HDD and up to 3x2.5" HDD's. It cannot fit a standard sized disk drive, but it does fit slim disk drives, which are pricier. You will also need an SFX PSU, which is smaller.

If you liked that case, you can also consider this one. It is cheaper, but a bit flashier and apparently slightly lower build quality. There apparently is also a new version of the Silverstone coming out soon, called the RVZ02.

The 4690 is a good CPU, but it can only do four threads, so it's not as good as the 4790 which can do eight. That's usually not an issue, but for editing it becomes a big bonus. However, for the price, the 4690 is still a very good CPU. Make sure to remember the 4690K and the 4690 are different; the 4690K is meant for overclocking and costs a bit more than the 4690.

ok. could you reccommend a mini itx mobo for the i7? i think i'll go with the raven rv

 

[ThatGuy2u2]

This is what I have https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/LandingPages/ZeusMini/
Price for mobo and cpu Subtotal (2 items): $362.66
Z97I AC
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Mini-Motherboards-Z97I-AC/dp/B00K23BUK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426268866&sr=8-1&keywords=z97i

i54690k
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-4690-Processor-Cache-BX80646I54690/dp/B00JST2QEW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426269045&sr=1-1&keywords=Intel+Core+i5-4690

is the i5 4690 good for editing and graphic work?

The only time i notice lag is when i have multiple projects open in Ai and Ps at the same time but even then it is not that bad.

ok. could you reccommend a mini itx mobo for the i7? i think i'll go with the raven rv

 

[Epsilon_0EVP]

Here is a list of parts that I think would work. I also took the liberty to add a PSU and a CD drive that would work with this machine.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($289.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone RVZ01B Mini ITX Desktop Case ($79.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Silverstone 450W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GS40N DVD/CD Writer ($34.30 @ Mwave)
Total: $547.25
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-14 00:09 EDT-0400

Do notice that, although most cards will fit, some graphics cards may not fit well in this case. Try to make sure your card is compatible before buying. As mentioned before, you can save some by going with an i5-4690, but the editing work will really like the extra threads. On the bright side, the motherboard I chose is rather well-priced, and it has built-in wireless so you don't have to worry about connecting it when you move it around.