Need Advice For A Mini-ITX Motherboard suitable for gaming

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Jaanbo

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Jun 15, 2013
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Basically i have found that i can actually cut my costs on a PC if i go ahead and buy a Mini-ITX PC instead, primarily because of the reduced fan mounts and case cost.
Anyway, i really need advice on a good Mini-ITX Motherboard that is well suited for general use and gaming, preferably with a black colour scheme and the ability to support 16gb ddr3 1600MHz RAM.
Whilst here i might aswell run the specs i have decided upon so far just incase im making a massive mistakes someway so here goes.

List:
Bitfenix Prodigy
i5 3570K CPU
GTX 660 (or 760 if it comes out soon enough)
Patriot Viper Red RAM 8gb 1600MHz (with intention to expand to 16gb later)
A corsair PSU, probably a 600w CXM Builder Series 80+ Bronze
1Tb Western Digital HDD
Either the Hyper 212 Evo or a Corsair H55 Liquid Cooler

Im pretty sure this is a good build for an average to above average gaming PC, although i cant decide on a motherboard suited for me as i have little to no experience with the Mini-ITX variety and extremely worried i would end up spending a load of money and wind up finding out it was wasted.

Anyway, any helpful advice, comments or links are greatly appreciated.
Cheers :)

PS: Am i stupid to go for a Mini-ITX PC if space is not an issue? Am i severely limiting myself to a point where im just being dumb?

Also, i heard that the Bitfenix Prodigy does not support Modular PSUs, is this true?
 
Solution
Maxx_Power


It is a bit expensive. However, it is consistently rated and reviewed (everywhere so far) above all the other ITX options for Ivy Bridge performance boards. You can sometimes get it for sale for 169...
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Jaanbo

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Jun 15, 2013
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I saw that one and it looked decent, only issue is im pretty sure its expensive? also i intended to buy some fans which were red, which means this MoBo would completely go against the colour scheme, maybe i just need to change the fans if there isnt another decent MoBo on the market.

I've heard good things about the ASrock Z77E-ITX??? Opinions People? would it accept a H55 cooler? I think i read it could only accept a 92mm CPU Cooling fan???

Also the PSU i mentioned is hybrid modular, so would that still not be appropriate?
 
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Maxx_Power

Maxx_Power

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Jul 17, 2012
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It is a bit expensive. However, it is consistently rated and reviewed (everywhere so far) above all the other ITX options for Ivy Bridge performance boards. You can sometimes get it for sale for 169 dollars or even cheaper, if you keep an eye out.

The Asrock looks pretty good too, but the guys at a local computer store warned me about some excessive returns due to defects (I can't prove or disprove that for you). Consider that anecdotal... Other than that, the only thing I really don't like about the Asrock is the mSata location (might be what you were talking about with the 92mm fan/heatsink). It blocks the install of a few good aftermarket CPU coolers (including some backplates of water coolers), and since you are going with the Prodigy, you CAN actually install a good tower cooler. This is a caveat you HAVE to be aware of, before buying the Asrock and a cooler.

The PSU can't be modular at all. If you see the picture I attached, you'll see that there are no holes to let the cables out, if the cables are not ALL at one side of the PSU (non-modular). UNLESS, you are good with a dremel...
 
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J

Jaanbo

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Jun 15, 2013
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10,510
As much as it kills me to say, i've seen some video's from computex announcing the MATX version of the bitfenix prodigy, although it may not be released for another 3/4 months. I might just have to save up some money and just grin and bear it until its release, where ill then probably just buy a GA-Z87MX-D3P :s

Thanks anyway :)
 
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Maxx_Power

Maxx_Power

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You are welcome. If space isn't an issue, MATX does seem like a better solution for you. Cheers!
 
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