BitFenix Prodigy First Time Build (need your opinion)

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WeberIsHere

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Mar 27, 2013
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So knowing enough to get me buy, I wanted to build my first desktop with the intentions of it being a gaming computer; curious to see how you all think of the components I've chosen and whether or not they work or if there is a better option out there.
Here's the build:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz
CPU Cooler: Not sure if I should get one other than the original "in box" one that came with the CPU
Motherboard: ASUS P8H77-I LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR3 1600 Server Memory SR x8
Storage: Western Digital WD Black 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: EVGA SuperClocked GeForce GTX 560 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case
Case Fan: Original fans that came with the case
Power Supply: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE
Optical Drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

So whats the verdict? Anything worth changing? Am I missing anything?
Thought i throw in that my budget was $875 and this system costs around $860.

 
Solution
DarkSable
(Just to preface, I have a prodigy rig and love it and gained a lot of experience from it - it's my first venture into small form factor builds.)

Just a couple things - first of all, I'd get a 200mm fan to mount in the front of the case.
Second, I'd get an aftermarket cooler (make sure it'll fit) because the stock cooler is going to be noisy.
Third, you can, and should, do WAY better than that on the graphics card. Rule of thumb is to spend twice on the graphics card what you do on the CPU.
Fourth, that's 1) Way too much power for what you need, by about 200w, and 2) not going to fit in the case.
Finally, do you really need an optical drive? You can install windows from a USB stick easier than you can from a DVD, so think about...
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Sep 27, 2012
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(Just to preface, I have a prodigy rig and love it and gained a lot of experience from it - it's my first venture into small form factor builds.)

Just a couple things - first of all, I'd get a 200mm fan to mount in the front of the case.
Second, I'd get an aftermarket cooler (make sure it'll fit) because the stock cooler is going to be noisy.
Third, you can, and should, do WAY better than that on the graphics card. Rule of thumb is to spend twice on the graphics card what you do on the CPU.
Fourth, that's 1) Way too much power for what you need, by about 200w, and 2) not going to fit in the case.
Finally, do you really need an optical drive? You can install windows from a USB stick easier than you can from a DVD, so think about it.

Here's what I'd do with that budget (pushed it slightly, but it'll have WAY better performance.):
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($58.79 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($234.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $896.68
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-27 20:15 EDT-0400)
 
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Uther39

Uther39

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Feb 3, 2011
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This is good.
 
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WeberIsHere

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Mar 27, 2013
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Liked you answer, not mention you've had experience with this type of system. Tweaked it in a few areas:
Video Card: ZOTAC ZT-60901-10M GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Motherboard: ASUS P8H77-I LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard
Any other thoughts, or is this sufficient for the build to commence?
 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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The graphics card I selected is only about $30 more and is going to be WAY WAY better. *(A normal 7870 is slightly faster than a 660 already, and the 7870 xt trashes that.)

As for the motherboard, I personally don't think it makes sense to spend more on the motherboard and less on the graphics card - if you're worried about quality, the AsRock is actually probably better. Asus started AsRock as a subsidiary to design better budget motherboards - they did so well that they started selling on their own, and make bloody amazing, good quality, highly featured motherboards.

 
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WeberIsHere

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Mar 27, 2013
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In that case I'll probably stick with your build, and with that thanks for the recommendations.
 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Sep 27, 2012
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Of course! And I didn't meant to say the ASUS is going to be a bad motherboard - if you want it, then by all means, get it. I was just saying that the AsRock is going to be equally good quality and just as reliable.
 
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