New ITX Gaming PC

[Celdwist]

Hello, I have built many computers in the past, however this is my first ITX one. I have assembled a parts list that I wanted feedback on and wanted to make sure I was getting the most out of my money. Or if there was information that would be helpful.

Parts:

CPU: Intel Core i7 6700
Motherboard: Asus ROG Strix H270i
GPU: Nivdia GTX 980 Founder's Edition
RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4 2133 (2xGB) 16GB
PSU: Corsair SF450 or SF600 (450 may be a little too low for the gpu )
Case: Fractal Design Node 202
SSD: Samsung Evo 850 256GB

I'm going with the non K of the cpu cause first of all my motherboard doesn't support it and it would cost a lot more for the version that does. Secondly, its kinda small in that itx case. Thirdly, the cpu is cheaper and I found a used one off of ebay for $245. However would it still be up for the task? I chose the i7 due to its higher thread count, I do not want an i5.

 

[1LiquidPC]

A 6700k will work in the board you select, just not able to OC it. Still, the 6700 is a great choice if getting a good price. Also, you would need a cooler with the 6700k. I have the Corsair SF450 in my HTPC ITX system. Works great with my GTX 970 and OC'd 7600k. The 980 isn't using much more power than 970. Also using 2 SSDs, bd burner, hdd, 16GB RAM.

 

[cisco001]

why gtx980?

 

[envy14tpe]

For ITX I do like the locked i7. More than enough and no extra heat in overclocking. Only suggestion, try to get at least 2666MHz RAM. And I'd go for the SF600, to leave extra room for efficiency. Also, I don't like to keep used wattage and possible wattage close. Otherwsie, looks good.

 

[Celdwist]

why gtx980?

I bought it recently. I'm not a hardcore gamer, I just play at 1080.

 

[Celdwist]

For ITX I do like the locked i7. More than enough and no extra heat in overclocking. Only suggestion, try to get at least 2666MHz RAM. And I'd go for the SF600, to leave extra room for efficiency. Also, I don't like to keep used wattage and possible wattage close. Otherwsie, looks good.

Ya, I thought the 6700 would be a good choice, especially used at $245. I was thinking of a 7700K, do you think it would be worth the money? I have been seeing them around on ebay for $300 to $330.

 

[Karadjgne]

K cpus are wasted on stock values for the most part, anything Intel above @3.2GHz is plenty for most gaming applications. So that 6700 will be more than happy, without all the extra fluff involved with OC. Will a 7700k out perform the 6700k?sure,even at stock, but that's only at the top end, anything less than 100%cpu usage and they are pretty much equitable. Wouldn't hurt to have the 7700k, even on a non-oc board, it does have greater potential, but it'll be upto you to decide just how worth it that potential really is, is it really worth the $50-$100 extra. For me, not worth it.
Go with the SF600, the extra spent there isn't wasted, better to have the juice and not need it, than to shortchange the psu and be running it almost maxed for long time periods.
For ram, while stock values put the skylake cpus at 2133, it's a kabylake board and fully supports 2400,so that's what I'd run, since anything faster will be limited to board restrictions. Cost is negligible between 2133 and 2400,so might as well get the most bang for the buck.
256Gb will go fast if that's the only storage option, might want to think about something considerably larger, like a hdd, for mass storage of media files or game libraries etc.

 

[envy14tpe]

For ITX builds that have cases that really restrict airflow...stick to locked i7. For 1080p gaming, the 980 is more than enough.

Skip the 7700k.

 

[Celdwist]

K cpus are wasted on stock values for the most part, anything Intel above @3.2GHz is plenty for most gaming applications. So that 6700 will be more than happy, without all the extra fluff involved with OC. Will a 7700k out perform the 6700k?sure,even at stock, but that's only at the top end, anything less than 100%cpu usage and they are pretty much equitable. Wouldn't hurt to have the 7700k, even on a non-oc board, it does have greater potential, but it'll be upto you to decide just how worth it that potential really is, is it really worth the $50-$100 extra. For me, not worth it.
Go with the SF600, the extra spent there isn't wasted, better to have the juice and not need it, than to shortchange the psu and be running it almost maxed for long time periods.
For ram, while stock values put the skylake cpus at 2133, it's a kabylake board and fully supports 2400,so that's what I'd run, since anything faster will be limited to board restrictions. Cost is negligible between 2133 and 2400,so might as well get the most bang for the buck.
256Gb will go fast if that's the only storage option, might want to think about something considerably larger, like a hdd, for mass storage of media files or game libraries etc.

The psu I completly agree. I saw that the i7 6700 and the i7 7700 actually have the same TDP of 65 watts. So I'm going to hunt around for a used 7700, I think that would be the best choice and the ram would run at higher frequencies.

 

[Celdwist]

For ITX builds that have cases that really restrict airflow...stick to locked i7. For 1080p gaming, the 980 is more than enough.

Skip the 7700k.

Ya, the node 202 is very tight. The the 7700K has a 26 more watt increase in TDP and also it would cost more. Including those factors, my motherboard doesn't even overclock.

 

[Karadjgne]

Heat output will be the biggest concern in that case, as said, airflow is somewhat restricted, so a cpu with lower TDP makes more sense. The gaming difference between the 7700 and 7700k is negligible unless you are after top performance fps. At 1080p, that's not really something to have any concerns over.

 

[Celdwist]

I know I was against the 7700K, I found an auction on eBay, and actually won it for $280. So I feel that I got a good price for it used. My only question is that, my motherboard does not overclock, however the Z270i version of it does. Other the fact it overclocks, does the Z270i have more worth, or features that will change anything dramatically than the H270i? The motherboard to clarify again is the Asus ROG Strix H270i or the Z270i

 

[Karadjgne]

Same features with that level board. If comparing something like an asrock pro4 vrs the ROG, then I'd say there was some upgrades, but the ROG H and ROG Z are basically the same with the exception of anything related to OC, which'll mean bumped up power phases, better heatsinking, stronger VRM's etc. You may or may not OC, OC after all is a hobby, not a necessity with this level of cpu, but you will have that option. If you ever decide you are done with the node, and want to go in a different direction, like custom loop or full on itx, you'll not need to replace any core items, which is a hassle concerning motherboard replacement and windows.