[SOLVED] New Mini ITX build $500

[deez86]

I'm thinking of building a a new build and want something that will run games, doesn't have to run BF3 on high or anything crazy but I do want it to be able to run some of the newer games and most games that are out there already. However I would like it to be in a small case because this will be in the bedroom and the misses doesn't want some ugly computer case in here. I will mostly be using it for gaming, torrents, and as a media center of sorts. My budget is around $500 and want to be able to upgrade the graphics in the future. I would prefer a mini ITX case but if this isn't really possible with that then I guess I could settle for a MicroATX case that's small and not full of lights and such.

If anyone can help me out and send me in the right direction I'd love it!

Thanks!

 

[deez86]

I will add that I will not be needing to buy a monitor.

 

[bigcyco1]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pwTv i could not pull it off lol sorry

 

[DarkSable]

Hmm. As for the case, go with a Bitfenix Prodigy. It's slightly larger than a normal mini-ITX case, but that's a very good thing for you - you can get better components. It also looks good so your wife won't complain.

For a motherboard, this is a good one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157312

After that, it's the usual fare - a Pentium G870 or ivy bridge i3 2220. Grab yourself a good video card (I'd go with a nvidia 650ti, for BF3, or a radeon 7770/7850), 4GB of 1600MHz ram with CAS 9, a small psu that's NOT modular, and a hard drive.

 

[manofchalk]

^^ Good system, better hope you can nail all those rebates though.
You will also have to get a copy of Windows as well (if you don't have a retail key already), which on a budget system can be a deal breaker.

 

[deez86]

Ok, seems like I'd definitely use the Bitfenix. One question, would I need a monitor to set all this up or could I just use a tv(hdmi)? Also, would I have any problems with overheating if I left this on all the time? I wouldn't have it overclocked or anything. Sorry, the last time I built a computer was 10 years ago.

 

[manofchalk]

The case (the black model) has good cooling, wouldn't really worry about the parts overheating too much.

Yep, that GPU has a HDMI output.

 

[DarkSable]

It doesn't have an optical drive, but it DOES have wifi:

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/

That Pentium will perform just as well as an i3, since the only difference between the two is hyperthreading and a very minor clock speed boost.

If you don't want wifi, you can save money on the motherboard.

EDIT: the white version has decent cooling as well.

 

[bigcyco1]

Hmmm...no i don't think so i had to add fans because of CPU OC & 670 lol you should be o.k.

 

[deez86]

I probably won't be ordering these parts till 1st week of January if all goes well, I just wanted to make sure that this was a possible build before I started thinking about it. I really appreciate the quick and helpful replies and assume I will be asking this same question as long as I have the money after I pay rent for January. Haven't had a desktop since 2006 and have recently gotten back into gaming and really like the idea of PC gaming on my tv.

Thank you for all the help guys.

 

[bigcyco1]

No problem!Your welcome!

 

[manofchalk]

EDIT: the white version has decent cooling as well.

The white version has a solid front panel (as can be seen in Cyco's pics), not mesh like the black model. Completely chokes the front intake fan.

 

[DarkSable]

Yep. The cooling isn't as good, though it can be modded to be. But it doesn't completely stifle it, from what I can tell.

 

[deez86]

So I've been reading about AMD's APU's and was wondering if that might be what I want so I put together a list on pcpartpicker and here it is. Tell me if this would work for me or if the graphics just aren't up to par.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pxBA

 

[manofchalk]

The graphics on the A10 (the strongest APU) are equivalent to a 6670, nowhere near as strong as the 7770 in CYco's build.

 

[deez86]

But they would still run most games right? I realize not on the highest settings but I'm not too big of a graphics snob. Also, I can always upgrade the graphics with those still if I have understood what I've read correctly, right?

 

[bigcyco1]

It would run most (not all games) on low settings @1920 x 1080

 

[manofchalk]

Also there's a limit to how far you can go with an APU system, it will get to the point where if you add a stronger GPU the CPU will hold it back.

 

[deez86]

and what about the cpu itself? Is it on par with the i3 in your build?

 

[manofchalk]

Its roughly on par except in Single-Threaded performance, which is what you need for games.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/675?vs=677

 

[bigcyco1]

It's pretty much on par

 

[bigcyco1]

Its roughly on par except in Single-Threaded performance, which is what you need for games.
+1]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/675?vs=677

+1 agreed

 

[deez86]

Ok, one more question. Should I add a CPU Cooler and if so what size will fit in this case?

EDIT: My apt can get pretty hot, that's why I keep worrying about cooling issues, obviously I can't really afford liquid cooling or else I would.

 

[bigcyco1]

Your not planing on overclocking so no the stock cooler is fine.I would suggest since you plan to leave it running all the time you buy these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103052

 

[manofchalk]

A Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO is a great budget cooler that will fit in the Prodigy.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
What the hell happened to the price! Its usually between $30 and $25, even before Black Friday.
Anyway, its still pretty good.