Get Some
General => Technology & Hardware => Topic started by: Retardobot on February 23, 2015, 08:14:39 pm
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So, after proclaiming how free I was from PC gaming I've started to miss it.
In the near future I'm going to be looking at a new project (gaming PC). However, this time around I don't want some big hulking tower, instead I'd like something a little more discreet and am interested in investing in a mini-ATX build for gaming.
What can I expect to spend on a build? I have all the peripherals and just need to put together the box.
$1000? Less? More?
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More.
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Oh yip.
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What games do you want to play?
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Mainly, Diablo. But I don't want to pigeon hole myself to that sort of game. I want to be able to play new releases. I've never gamed at ultra high settings. I've always built with the best bang for buck video card, for example, my last build was with an AMD 6950. Doing that has always gotten me the best results. (4 - 500 on a video card).
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TO CLARIFY YOU WANT MATX or MINI ITX?
MATX BUILDS
1300 would give a good rig here you go (not high end smack bang middle of the road ) but aimed at logevity for newish titles not maxed out.
NO CASE - BUDGET $1300 with 290x graphics card almost top end AMD card
Combo Deal: $866.60
Combo: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Intel Z97 mATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Combo: Intel Haswell Core i5 4690 3.50Ghz 6MB LGA1150
Combo: Kingston HyperX Beast 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 (KHX16C9T3K2/16X)
Combo: Motherboard CPU Memory Combo Pre-Install
Sapphire AMD Radeon R9 290 TRI-X OC 4GB GDDR5 PCI-E 3.0 (11227-00-40G) $499.95
TOTAL inc GST $1,366.55
scaled back card and case and psu $1600 odd budget
Combo Deal: $866.60
Combo: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Intel Z97 mATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Combo: Intel Haswell Core i5 4690 3.50Ghz 6MB LGA1150
Combo: Kingston HyperX Beast 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 (KHX16C9T3K2/16X)
Combo: Motherboard CPU Memory Combo Pre-Install
Sapphire AMD Radeon R9 270X Toxic 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E3.0 (11217-02-40G) $349.95
Corsair Carbide Series Air 240 High Airflow Cube Case - Black $149.95
CoolerMaster VS-Series V750S 750W Modular Power Supply 80PLUS Gold $219.95
TOTAL inc GST $1,586.45
MINI ITX BUILDS
NO CASE AND PSU ALMOST HIGH END VIDEO CARD
Combo Deal: $816.42
Combo: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-WIFI Intel Z97 Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard
Combo: Intel Devil's Canyon Core i5 4690K 3.50GHz 6MB LGA1150
Combo: Kingston HyperX Beast 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 (KHX16C9T3K2/16X)
Sapphire AMD Radeon R9 290 TRI-X OC 4GB GDDR5 PCI-E 3.0 (11227-00-40G) $499.95
TOTAL inc GST $1,316.37
With PSU AND CASE LOWER END CARD
Combo Deal: $816.42
Combo: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-WIFI Intel Z97 Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard
Combo: Intel Devil's Canyon Core i5 4690K 3.50GHz 6MB LGA1150
Combo: Kingston HyperX Beast 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 (KHX16C9T3K2/16X)
Sapphire AMD Radeon R9 270X Toxic 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E3.0 (11217-02-40G) $349.95
Corsair Graphite Series 380T Mini ITX Chassis - Black $199.95
Seasonic G Series 650W Modular 80Plus Gold Power Supply (SSR-650RM) $199.95
TOTAL inc GST $1,566.27
sure if you give CL a ring and say you vehemently hate Playtech and offer to leave shit in a bag on fire at their new stores front door you might get some discount as well.
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or one least option if your really tight.
AMD system FM2 style MATX with HIGH end CARD
Combo Deal: $640.05
Combo: ASUS A88XM-A FM2+ mATX Motherboard
Combo: AMD 7850K Kaveri 3.7/4.0Ghz Black Edition 4MB Cache Socket FM2
Combo: Kingston HyperX Beast 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 (KHX16C9T3K2/16X)
Combo: Motherboard CPU Memory Combo Pre-Install
Sapphire AMD Radeon R9 290 TRI-X OC 4GB GDDR5 PCI-E 3.0 (11227-00-40G) $499.95
Corsair Carbide Series Air 240 High Airflow Cube Case - Black $149.95
Seasonic G Series 650W Modular 80Plus Gold Power Supply (SSR-650RM) $199.95
TOTAL inc GST $1,489.90
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Hope that helps RII
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Wow, thanks Xsannz. Has given me a huge starting point.
I stand corrected. I'm keen for Mini-ITX.
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Wow, thanks Xsannz. Has given me a huge starting point.
I stand corrected. I'm keen for Mini-ITX.
If you want M-Itx you should really spend the extra $50 dollars and go Nvidia with an external exhausting card due to noise and temp concerns with a much smaller enclosure + A decent cpu cooler. Would highly recommend finding a M-itx/SFF case that you really like then move on to spec'ing the components.
I currently use a Evga Hadron Air case with a H60SE cpu cooler loop, i7 oc to 4.2 and Evga 680SC Sig Edition Card. Bit wank factor but I fly across aus/nz with the thing attending bbq lans & piss ups PC as checked in baggage (15.5kg weight) in peli case no damage.
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^ that looks good. Now I want a Hardon.
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I would like to go with nVidia this time around. Have gone AMD the last couple of times.
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I would like to go with nVidia this time around. Have gone AMD the last couple of times.
just change out the ATI card for whatever,, personally i would look for a 780 TI used at a good price the 980 series is pretty much a redressed 7 series card..
thus the 970 causing so many people to bitch.
Dove electronics have some 780TI refurbs for $380+gst 6 month warranty
also i would wait the new 3x series from AMD and the new mantle engine may give you the better edge and will cause a price crash in the AMD gpu segment again so you would be better going with a new mid range 3x series card and be better capable of full DX13 support rather than partial
just my 2c worth seeing how close we are to new architecture release and based on a few articles, I myself am not gaming at the moment so i am only keeping an enthusiast eye on articles and upcoming stuff.. but you know my penchant for system builds and extravagance.
in saying that i am still building pcs for mates and build 3 of the MINI ITX amd systems for steam boxes recently for mates, and they do really well..
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Here you go RII.
this is what I literally just ordered for a colleague at work for a gaming steam box.
Combo Deal: $786.87
Combo: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-WIFI Intel Z97 Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard
Combo: Intel Haswell Core i5 4690 3.50Ghz 6MB LGA1150
Combo: Kingston HyperX Beast 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 (KHX16C9T3K2/16X)
Gigabyte GV-N960WF2OC-2GD GeForce GTX960 2GB Overclocked PCI-E3.0 $369.95
Corsair Obsidian Series 250D Mini ITX Case w/Window $179.95
Seasonic G Series 650W Modular 80Plus Gold Power Supply (SSR-650RM) $199.95
Crucial M550 128GB 2.5" SATA3 6GB/s SSD (CT128M550SSD1) $109.95
Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 64MB Cache SATA3 $89.95
TOTAL inc GST $1,736.6
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personally i like this case and slot load bluray drive better seen a few at lan and prefer them the cases are cool and so easy to pick up.
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=14440 (http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=14440) all cables come out the top and are hidden by a top plate
ONLY THE LATEST POST HAS STORAGE.
I normally install OS on 1 TB Drive with swap file ETC , and then put my steam DIR onto SSD for faster game loading, but that's because i tend to bloat my OS drive with things like OFFICE and Visual studio and unless you want to start playing with system environmental to change program files dir and shit to the 1tb drive it gets annoying and shitty.
so i prefer doing the bulk on 1tb as it starts quick enough with win8.1 and EUFI... and then i get the performance increases for load times in games, just means you have to keep your steam installed games trimmed down... but that's what fibre is for right.. :)
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Thanks so much Xsannz. I love that Silverstone case. Have seen them in person and they're gorgeous.
Out of what you've posted so far, i have pieced together this:
Mobo - GA-Z97N-Wifi (I've never been one for a bells and whistle mobo.)
Case - Silverstone Fortress
RAM - Kingston HyperBeast
CPU - Intel Devil's Canyon i5 4690K
PSU - Seasonic G-Series 650W Gold
GPU - nVIdia 960GTX
HHD - Have plenty at home.
Now, this is probably going to change as the bank account isn't anywhere near ready (if your advice about the new GPU's is anything to go by, I'll be looking at the new series) but the case, RAM and mobo is pretty much there. It's good to have this as a base so I can swap anything out that want.
Do you rate the closed loop water coolers? Will want a cooler that's a bit better than the stock intel cooler.
CL total this as $1,529.70 which I think is a good budget ($1500).
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keep an eye on the upcoming AMD 3x series cards ;(
Do you rate the closed loop water coolers? Will want a cooler that's a bit better than the stock intel cooler.
CL total this as $1,529.70 which I think is a good budget ($1500).
out of all the water systems i have used Corsair HX systems for closed loop came as close for cpu as my dedicated loops and TBH i think they are worth it over the hassle and mess of dedicated hand built water loop systems
you might struggle with rads and the ft03 case... from memory they are pretty tight.
edit: foudn image below, looking at it you might get away with something like the HX80 on the top exhaust port.
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=18297 (http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=18297)
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I looked at a Linus video (dude who does YouTube videos about PC stuff). He points out that Silverstone has included 120mm screw sets at the bottom, just above the intake fan specifically for a closed loop rad. He even quoted Silverstone as saying they recommend installing a closed loop cooler and said the Corsair HX units are a perfect fit.
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I looked at a Linus video (dude who does YouTube videos about PC stuff). He points out that Silverstone has included 120mm screw sets at the bottom, just above the intake fan specifically for a closed loop rad. He even quoted Silverstone as saying they recommend installing a closed loop cooler and said the Corsair HX units are a perfect fit.
ok cool hadnt looked that close and yeah Linus tech tips is my subscribed channel of choice, that and UK ROG as they have a busty girl doing reviews, she talks alot of crap but im there for the hardware.
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Corsair H60SE is all you need retardo the H80 is a much larger radiator with push/pull fans kinda overkill these days. 120mm rad + fan will fit nicely + use an external exhausting gfx card and all your heat problems are sorted.
Note the Silverstone M-ATX is still a big case try and find the silverstone mini and go for the m-itx build with it? wouldn't require a AIO cooler either
http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=333 (http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=333)
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the H80 is 120mm and i ran it only as a pull exhaust setup and worked well
i run it in the FT02 (similar but bigger to FT03) PC i sold to TROLOLOLO a while back he still uses that case
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Corsair H60SE is all you need retardo the H80 is a much larger radiator with push/pull fans kinda overkill these days. 120mm rad + fan will fit nicely + use an external exhausting gfx card and all your heat problems are sorted.
Note the Silverstone M-ATX is still a big case try and find the silverstone mini and go for the m-itx build with it? wouldn't require a AIO cooler either
[url]http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=333[/url] ([url]http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=333[/url])
Shit, thanks dude. Didn't realise they had 2 versions. Would clearly want the mini version. Have sent an email to CL asking if they can get the mini version.
Thanks guys, appreciate all your help :) <3
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m-atx builds are fucking sexy. I'd happily swap my behemoth for one
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m-atx builds are fucking sexy. I'd happily swap my behemoth for one
I'm the opposite, I love huge cases.
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the H80 is 120mm and i ran it only as a pull exhaust setup and worked well
i run it in the FT02 (similar but bigger to FT03) PC i sold to TROLOLOLO a while back he still uses that case
It's also a double thick rad. The new H60SE is the 2nd revsion and keeps everything nicely cool without using alot of space, I was running a H80 in my Fractual Node 304.
(http://i1001.photobucket.com/albums/af133/mayheml33/IMG_1039.jpg) (http://s1001.photobucket.com/user/mayheml33/media/IMG_1039.jpg.html)
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sure if you give CL a ring and say you vehemently hate Playtech and offer to leave shit in a bag on fire at their new stores front door you might get some discount as well.
Can i just do this for them on a daily basis and claim a wage?
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sure if you give CL a ring and say you vehemently hate Playtech and offer to leave shit in a bag on fire at their new stores front door you might get some discount as well.
Can i just do this for them on a daily basis and claim a wage?
I'll pay for your lunch everyday if you do this (youtube channel and daily proof required)
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Not sure just paying for my lunch will pay the mortgages lol
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Not sure just paying for my lunch will pay the mortgages lol
Mortgages? as in more than one .. you rich prick.
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What's a mortgage?? muhahhahahahahhaa 1st world problems. BBL going to sit in my new spa and relax, I filled it with the tears of virgins, so gentle on my skin.
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What's a mortgage?? muhahhahahahahhaa 1st world problems. BBL going to sit in my new spa and relax, I filled it with the tears of virgins, so gentle on my skin.
I would imagine the tears be actually rather harsh since they are all tears of Guilt, Jilted love, Pain and Realization.
I heard Cleopatra used milk to bathe in.. but in the spa it might just turn it into a giant kids fluffy..... with you as the marshmellow
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I might build a m-itx at same time as Ri....
I need an upgrade for my old 2500k anyway, only need cpu mobo ram.
How many HD can fit in the one above?
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so the FT03 is sexy.... until I saw the horrible plastic side panel, ewwwwwwwww WTF were they thinking!
(http://iforce.co.nz/i/dj2radxu.n3y.png) (http://www.iforce.co.nz/View.aspx?i=dj2radxu.n3y.png)
then I saw the jonsbo U2S, much nicer finish.
(http://iforce.co.nz/i/ja5nsbwd.3sk.png) (http://www.iforce.co.nz/View.aspx?i=ja5nsbwd.3sk.png)
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I was looking at the Jonsbo's and they seem to be priced better as well.
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I was looking at the Jonsbo's and they seem to be priced better as well.
Looks to be quite limited on length of graphics card though? tidy looking case. Have a look at a Node304 growler if you want HD space?
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Have a look at a Node304 growler if you want HD space?
Ohhhhh i like, thanks for that Mayhem
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Have a look at a Node304 growler if you want HD space?
Ohhhhh i like, thanks for that Mayhem
Computer-lounge has them for $200 atm. Note if you want to use a full size GFX card you will loose 2 mounts for HD's and also need to make sure your PSU does not have to big an arse. But still four 3.5" mounts and some nifty placement of SSDs in one case is pretty good. Case available in black or white http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=18292 (http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=18292)
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I thought I was sold on the Silverstone FT03-mini case. The plastic in some parts doesn't really bother me, but having the cables spew out the top then dangle down the back of the chassis like a messy pony tail is a massive deal breaker.
The Fractal case you posted, Mayhem, looks pretty nice, but that rounded face is naff, I would have preferred a smooth, flat face.
At the moment, the Corsair Obsidian 250D isn't looking so bad, also the EVGA Hadron Air looks pretty cool but the slim profile PSU that comes with it (and price tag) is cringe-worthy.
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So I've found my case:
NCASE M1 V3.0 | Incredibly Optimized mini-ITX Chassis! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azFtK7TWAfo#ws)
Not cheap, and will be pricey getting it into the country but it looks amazing. Was crowd-funded on Indigogo.
The N-Case M1 - https://www.ncases.com/ (https://www.ncases.com/) $185USD
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ive put mine on the back burner, no reason for me to upgrade from a 2500k OC, id only be getting a small boost. Going to wait until next gen and then do a mitx build
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So this is the board I'm looking at getting. Can anyone suggest any better? Willing to go up to $250 for the board.
Mobo - GA-Z97N-Wifi
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I would go for the asus version of Z97 Board If the GA-Z97N does not have full voltage and multiplier control to allow mild overclocking. Consult google i know it was an issue with the GA-Z77n
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=21820 (http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=21820)
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Thanks Mayhem. I will name my first born after you.
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I think ram speed above 1600 is the shiznet these days but not much higher.... 1866speedz? Also go for the 16gb (pricey in nz though or could still be mark up after floods)
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Will make a new order for a mobo either this evening or tomorrow seeing as CL have an Easter sale on.
Made the order for my PSU and fans on Wednesday night after emailing CL. Wasn't warned that they would be having a sale the next day. Just emailed them asking if they could apply the savings I would have made on my PSU and fan if I would have ordered them on the Thursday, to my mobo purchase. So if they agree to this, I might be able to stretch my budget more.
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New edition GFX card coming out from asus http://www.tweaktown.com/news/44435/asus-announces-red-white-geforce-gtx-970-turbo-video-card/index.html (http://www.tweaktown.com/news/44435/asus-announces-red-white-geforce-gtx-970-turbo-video-card/index.html) External exhausting card with a shortened PCB. Nice to see someone's been paying attention to the SFF/Mini Itx case band wagon
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Nice heads up, Mayhem.
Might think about ordering my stuff from another store. Thought it was a bit shit of CL to neglect to tell me they were going to be having an Easter sale the day after I ordered a few things from them.
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Woot! Just ordered the Gigabyte z97 Wi-Fi gaming 5. Doesn't have M.2 but has a great audio chipset. Playtech had it on sale from 260 down to 230.