MicroATX builds

[JusticeToad]

Hello community! I have put together 3 microATX portable builds at different price ranges. Let me know what you think or if you have any advice!


CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H50 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3V Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($72.45 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SG09B (Black) MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XClio 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($130.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit) ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1190.33


CPU: Intel Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($499.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Zalman Ultimate Liquid Liquid CPU Cooler ($82.74 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV Gene Micro ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($279.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($78.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($468.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Armor A30 ATX Mini Tower Case ($98.44 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 560W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($140.71 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit) ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2086.77


CPU: Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($1044.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Zalman Ultimate Liquid Liquid CPU Cooler ($82.74 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV Gene Micro ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($279.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 690 4GB Video Card ($984.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Lian-Li PC-V354B MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 660W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($140.71 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit) ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $3270.34

 

[g-unit1111]

What's the primary use of this build going to be? If it's gaming you don't benefit from going X79 - you're spending a lot of money needlessly. The GTX 690 most likely won't fit in a lot of mATX cases. I'd also stay away from closed liquid loops. Also do not purchase an Xclio power supply - they are one of the industry's worst brands.

Here's what I would suggest:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($112.49 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.57 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($439.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($439.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($98.39 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1722.35
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-02 17:50 EST-0500)

 

[TheBigTroll]

1)

-if this is a gaming rig, there is no need for a i7
-b75 boards cant overclock.
-cheaper ram options from crucial
-a hyper 212 evo performs the same. there is no point of closed loop in unless you are in a very tight space, which you are but then i have a different case in mind
-get a bigger SSD. at least 120gb. id get a sandisk extreme for 89.99
-a galaxy gtx 660 sells for 209.99. performs the same as a 7870 (or a tad less) but is 30 bucks less
-seagate has a 2tb for 89.99. cheaper and performs a fair bit better
-a fractal define mini would be a better option if you ask me.
-you dont need 750w for a single GPU system. and certainly not from a company that does not have a long track record of good psus such as seasonic. id get a xfx 550w for this system. that should be more than enough
-there is no point of professional windows when you cant put more than 16gb of ram into this rig. and most people dont like windows 8 that much.

2)

-i7s again are also not for gaming. and 90% of computer users do not need a 6 core if its for work given its only 10 sec faster than a i7 3770k. the difference is huge if you make money off of rendering but otherwise its a waste.
-zalman does not have a "ultimate" closed loop cooler. there are better options for closed loops and certainly better values from heatsinks like the noctua nh-d14, which can fit in the define mini
-id say ok to the rampage iv gene, given other x79 matx motherboard solutions arent that great
-use quad channel for a quad channel platform
-sandisk exterme 240gb is 159.99. faster and costs less $/gb
-get another hard drive. red drives are designed for home servers, not really for desktops
-670s perform the same for cheaper. and evga doesnt offer the best cooling solution. out of all the aftermarket solutions avaliable, evga has the worst performing one. but then there warranty is pretty good
-gold psus are overkill. you arent sucking much power
-id still say a fractal define mini would be a better option
-same goes again for windows 8

3)

-if you are looking for x79 rigs, there is no reason to go below the i7 3930k or above the i7 3930k. the extreme editions dont perform any better. they overclock the same as well
-cheaper 4x8gb kits
-faster SSDs as stated
-690s are useless if a 670 plays almost all games at max at around 50-60fps
-not a big fan of Li-an Li but ok
-platinum is overkill. you arent running this thing 24/7, where efficiency matters

 

[jonjonjon]

if your going to get a 3770k get a z77 mb so you can overclock. otherwise get the locked cpu and save some money. if you cant overclock then the stock intel fan will work.

there is nothing wrong with zalman sealed liquid coolers. i believe its the newest model from asetek. especially when its only $30 after MIR.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118134

and they do make an ultimate version
http://www.zalman.com/eng/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=709