Small micro atx gaming pc build

[cangle]

I have been interested in buying a gaming pc for a while, but due to space constraints on my desk I will need to have it be small. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next month or two


Budget Range: 1500$ before rebates


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, schoolwork, internet browsing.


Parts Not Required: OS, speakers, keyboard, mouse, mousepad.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: Silverstone FT03, nvidia 600 series graphics, intel cpu,H70


Overclocking: Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: No


Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200


Additional Comments: n/a

 

[batuchka]

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, schoolwork, internet browsing.
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200

Hmm strictly based on needs there is no need for a $1.5k machine but either way just share with ya my SFF/shoebox gamer config that i send over the email hehe

$626AR core build

Optional Items

60GB Sandforce based SSD $105AR Free Ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227550

CM GeminiIIS cooler $32
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0290966

One is paying just the $190AR for that HD 5870 in the combo so thats monster gaming value right there

 

[geofelt]

1) If you can wait until April, when the sandy bridge motherboards resume shipment, then I would do so. There is simply nothing that matches the 2500K at $200 or so.
Otherwise, a i3-550 duo @3.2 $130 makes for a good gaming processor for most games. Very few games can use more than 2 cores.
If you want a quad core, then the i5-760 @2.8 $ 210 is good.

2) How much graphics power do you need? A GTX560ti will run games at 1920 x 1200 very well. If you want the best, then the GTX570 or GTX580 is great, but pricey.

3) For a case, I think lian li makes the best small cases. The smallest might be the LI PC-Q11R . 10.24" x 7.87" x 12.40"
It will hold a GTX560 and a mini-itx motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112298

A longer case that can hold a GTX580 sized graphics card would be the PC-Q08B 13.58" x 8.94" x 10.71"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112265

The cases come in black, silver, and red. The colors are not painted, they are anodized aluminum and are gorgeous. I have the red V351.

4) I love the SSD. Get one for your OS and apps. It will make everything feel so much snappier. If 120gb will do for everything, the Intel X25-M 120gb is a safe buy, and at a reasonable price per gb. If you need more, you could get a 64gb unit for the OS and apps, and a hard drive for storage and backup.

5) I think I would stick with a conventional aftermarket cpu cooler. H50 is OK in a large case with aggressive overclocking. If you get a 2500K, no overclocking will be needed; the cpu is shockingly fast. If you have a duo @ 3.0 or better, you can game very well.

6) What do you really need? Read this article on <$150 cpu's. They used a GTX480 in the gaming tests which is reasonably close to today's GTX560ti.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-processor-core-i3-athlon-ii,2666.html