Looking for expert advice on a new mini-atx build!

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

mhung

Honorable
Mar 21, 2013
10
0
10,510
Processor: Intel Core i5-3350P $179.99
Mobo: ASUS P8H77-I $99.99
RAM: Corsair Venegeance 8GB DDR3 1600 $61.17
Graphics: Sapphire Dual-X Radeon HD 7950 3GB $299.99
Case: BitFenix Prodigy Midnight Black $79.99
Boot Drive: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB SSD $129.99
PSU: Corsair TX650 V2 $79.99
Disc Drive: Asus Internal Blu-Ray Drive $56.03
Wireless Adaptor: Intel Ultimate N 6300 $36.59

Does anyone know or have firsthand experience with fitting a card like the Dual-X in the BitFenix? Any advice on areas to cut the price without sacrificing too much performance? I am looking to use the system for games and website creation with no plans to ever overclock.

Thanks!
 
Solution
DarkSable


Yeah, my first experience with the prodigy was moving from a mid-atx case to mini-itx, and my CX750 didn't even come CLOSE to fitting with cabling attached. It sat basically flush with the power supply cage. :p

I've got an overclocked i5-3570k and a heavily overclocked GTX 670 running on a 550w seasonic power supply with more than enough room to spare. You really don't need that much - the reason graphics cards recommend it is because they're accounting for the bad brands that can't even output anywhere close to what they...
Sort by date Sort by votes
M

mhung

Honorable
Mar 21, 2013
10
0
10,510
The prices quoted above are from Amazon which are similar if not identical to Newegg. The budget is $1k with some minor flexibility.

Thanks,

Michael
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
DarkSable

DarkSable

Judicious
Sep 27, 2012
8,890
1
34,965
Looks good to me, but from having built a couple rigs in that case, which I love, here are some tips:

1) You only need a 550w power supply.

2) Bigger is NOT better for the power supply, because whatever you get you want to make sure it's modular / semi modular, and that it's 120-140mm long. The 160mm power supplies like that one will NOT give you enough room to route cables.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

mhung

Honorable
Mar 21, 2013
10
0
10,510
Great points, DarkSable. I know the case can accommodate up to 160mm but that likely won't leave much room for cabling. Would a 550w provide enough power for a potential i5-3570 or 7970 upgrade in the future?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
DarkSable

DarkSable

Judicious
Sep 27, 2012
8,890
1
34,965


Yeah, my first experience with the prodigy was moving from a mid-atx case to mini-itx, and my CX750 didn't even come CLOSE to fitting with cabling attached. It sat basically flush with the power supply cage. :p

I've got an overclocked i5-3570k and a heavily overclocked GTX 670 running on a 550w seasonic power supply with more than enough room to spare. You really don't need that much - the reason graphics cards recommend it is because they're accounting for the bad brands that can't even output anywhere close to what they claim.

EDIT: One other thing to look at is buying HIS for the graphics card - they have the best blower coolers out there, to my knowledge, and that's what you want. In the prodigy, because of how airflow is designed, a blower / reference cooler is actually going to keep everything a bit cooler than an aftermarket cooler that dumps everything back into the case and creates pockets of hot air.

PPS: Does that motherboard have room for a wireless card? Might be a safer option to buy a motherboard with built-in wifi if you really need it. Just remember that gaming on wifi is going to be hell - it's slow and it's unreliable.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom