Need a new Gaming PC, Ultra Small Form Factor System Possible?

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ChefPodgy

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Nov 22, 2014
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Hi All, looking to get a new gaming pc as my 5 year old CyberPower desktop is finally unusable. I've been out of the loop as far as systems and components, but my old system (as a baseline) was:

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Processor (3.4GHz)
RAM: 4 GB
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 5800 Series

Even recently, it has worked pretty well, but it's time to get a new one. I figured with Black Friday looming, now is as good a time as any to get a new system. I may be travelling internationally in a year or so, so mobility is a definite plus.

I had a bad experience with an Alienware notebook 10 years ago, so am nervous about laptops and overheating.

I am really interested in the ultra SFF PC's like these:
http://www.xoticpc.com/odin.php
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/VenomX_FANG_Mini_Pro

However, it looks like the integrated cards just don't cut it for gaming. Are there any other similar options with a bit more power? I've never built a pc before but would be open to giving it a go if I could put a better GPU in case that is smaller than a 6'' cube....though from what i have seen, it just does not look like a real option.

My main gaming goals would be Skyrim on ultra, ~60 FPS (no mods) and maybe Dragon Age Inquisition on Med/High

Budget is a bit flexible, but starting in the $1000-$1500 ballpark.

If anyone can help me out with some suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it, thanks!
 
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Yes, I'll need an OS, if that puts me above the $1500 cap, not really an issue to grab Windows 8 on top of that.

Also I was just looking at the cyberpower site and one of their USFF configurators had the following GPU:
AMD Radeon R9 M275X 2GB GDDR5 Video Card (HDMI plus Mini Display Port Outputs (supports dual displays))

I wonder if that could take on Skyrim on ultra?

 
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Try -

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus H97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.59 @ Directron)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy M Arctic White MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($76.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-16D1HT Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($90.26 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1132.77
 
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I'll recommend this Mini-ITX/HTPC build
Can play any game on ultra.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($208.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright AXP-200 CPU Cooler ($76.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($132.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($121.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($119.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone RVZ01B Mini ITX Desktop Case ($79.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Silverstone 600W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($117.99 @ Directron)
Optical Drive: Silverstone SOD02B DVD/CD Writer ($63.46 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($90.26 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1442.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-22 22:17 EST-0500
 
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For $1500 you can make a very nice gaming rig, maxing out all games at high fps.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 2.0 Pro 81.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($88.99 @ Directron)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-Gaming 5 Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($133.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Xtreem LV 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($119.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($569.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Tower Case ($37.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1498.40
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-22 23:36 EST-0500
 
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Thanks everyone for the quick replies! It certainly looks like I have several options depending on far I want to go, but all within budget.

I am still tempted by the ultra small Brix form factor as well, maybe even in addition to the suggestions above.

VENOMX FANG MINI R9 from Cyberpower

Case: Fang Mini R9 Ultra Small Form Factor Mini PC (4.5'' x 4.3'' x 2.4'')
CPU: AMD A8-5557M 2.10GHz Quad-Core Processor
RAM / System Memory: 8GB (8GBx1) DDR3-1600 SODIMM Memory (G.Skill Ripjaws)
Video Card: AMD Radeon R9 M275X 2GB GDDR5 Video Card (HDMI plus Mini Display Port Outputs (supports dual displays))
Hard Drive: 1 TB 7200RPM SATA300 Hard Drive
OS: Win 8.1 (64 bit)

Total: ~$500 after Mail in Rebate

Could this work as a dedicated Skyrim/oldschool games (2011 and prior) and web browsing system? Is the design flawed and likely to overheat? Just seems like a cool option for the price, but if it is a waste of $ I won't even bother.

Thanks again, all the above suggestions have been very informative.
 
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You should be able to run skyrim on that, probably not on max settings though. It is a weaker cpu and gpu compared to systems above.
Here is a good review on it: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/04/review-gigabytes-amd-brix-gives-intels-mini-pc-a-run-for-its-money/
 
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Thanks again for all the replies, I've been trying to narrow down my options. Since everyone is suggesting Intel CPU's, I guess that is due to quality/reliability? I see 8 core 4.0 GHz AMD's on Newegg for $150...but I guess Intel is the way to go. I'm liking the 4.0Ghz i7...so will probably go with that one.

Also torn on GPU as far as 970 vs 980 and the $200+ price gap...but i'll figure that out later. Sounds like the difference performance wise between the 2 is more or less negligible for the time being, but the 980 would help future proof the system.

I still can't decide on the case. I definitely want to stick with the small form factor, I'm just worried about potentially transporting it on an international flight and risking it getting banged up. Not sure if any are better or worse with respect to that. I guess whatever I can fit in a Pelican case.

I see everyone has been suggesting Samsung 840 for the SSD, is Intel 730 Series a viable alternative? Newegg has a good deal on these right now that ends in a few hours so I wanted to nab one now while I contemplate the rest of the system.

Thanks again everyone, for your input. This has been extremely helpful and I have decided I will definitely take the plunge in building my first PC!




 
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I love the RVZ1 also, but I wonder can I lay it on its side & it be good? That will mosty block the bottom vent, It makes me so mad the Element Q is a bit low... I hear there is no room for the top gpu power cable & 2 slots would be nice, so unless I want to 100% build a case, out of luck...
 
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