Budget Gaming Mini-itx Build Help?

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thederpiest

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Sep 13, 2013
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Hello, I want a computer, and all I need it to do is to play games well in a portable-ish package. I really do not want a laptop though.

I figured making my own mini-itx computer would be smart, so i thought out this build http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/PooStarStorm/saved/35gy

Since I am a novice, I would like to know if the build is balanced , and if i could do better for less. I honestly do not need anything fancy, just something that plays games on medium to high settings well.

I am very short on cash, so i would like to go cheaper, although if possible, I want to keep the black/red theme i have currently since those are my favorite colors. That being said, it is not like my case has a window, and the black/red interior was half by chance. (I had a few parts that were black and red already in mind, and when i realized how so many of my parts were either black and red or both, I tried to make my few other parts work with the theme.)

Also, is it normal to have to pay about 1000 bucks for a computer like this in Canada?
I mean, the cpu is cheaper than an i3....


Things to note about build:

I had a really hard time finding a cpu cooler that would fit well, since my case has practically no space (Height wise) with the power supply installed.
The two fans I have selected is for replacing the one that comes with the case, as well as adding a fan to the optional slot. I really hope this is enough to keep the computer cool.

The reason for the solid state drive with no hard drive is so that I do not block some of the potential air flow. If I need more storage, I will probably buy an external hard drive.

 
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Rammy
About cooling - Yes and no.
Any small case is going to be more prone to heat getting trapped and components influencing each other. The Elite 130 has a better vented front section over the 120, and a few minor tweaks, but its essentially a very similar design.
By using a reference GTX650Ti like you have, that will help to remove one potential issue, but realistically you are only likely to run into problems if you were running your computer very very hard, on a very very hot day having accidentally blocked off half the vents.
It's never going to be the greatest airflow case in the world, but based on your needs, and the fact you are putting fairly mid range components into it, you shouldn't be running into any major issues.


If you...
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Mike Friesen

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Apr 10, 2013
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You could order everything to the US, and travel over the line to pick your stuff up. I think you can bring back $300 a day of american stuff without paying duty on it. That is, if you live near the border.

If not, I would do a few things. 1. Buy an i3. It's $30 more, it's worth it.
2. Buy a HDD, not a SSD. A little cheaper, 8x the storage (although that's a personal preference)
3. Buy a cheaper h87 board. Similar just no overclocking on the cpu (and with an i3 you can't anyhow.)
4. Technically it is a $800/900 build. The monitor doesn't usually count, the os only usually.
5. If you can, wait for bargains. Best of luck.
 
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thederpiest

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Sep 13, 2013
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thanks!
Also, how would the ASRock H81M-ITX be?
I know it is not an h87 board, but it is very cheap. Will it be ok to go for a low-range board? or should i just stick with an h87?
 
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Rammy

Rammy

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Sep 3, 2012
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Mike covered quite a few things.
I would add that the case fans are superfluous. The case comes with 2 fans equipped, and really doesn't have a lot of space for much else (it has one slot).
You don't need a CPU cooler because you aren't overclocking. The intel stock cooler is plenty sufficient.
The R9 270 doesn't make a lot of sense most of the time. It's too expensive relative to the HD7870 which is very similar.
An SSD almost never makes sense on a budget build.
The memory is good but expensive, you can perhaps cut some money out here too.

A suggested variant on your original build -
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/2haGo
i5, GTX760, slightly improved newer version of the same case.

EDIT - Just read that back and it sounds like I didn't read your OP. I understand your reasons for wanting to improve cooling given how compact the case is, but the truth is that you won't improve it much anyway, and if you pick components wisely, you can reduce internal temps. For example I picked a reference style graphics card which will should exhaust out of the back of the case. Small gain, but potentially significant in a case so small.
 
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thederpiest

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Sep 13, 2013
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Am I just being paranoid about cooling? Because I am scared of mini itx cases becoming to hot even when not overclocking.
Also, isnt the 130 just the same thing but for water cooling?
Anyways, how is this? http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/PooStarStorm/saved/35zN
I took some of your advice, but I decided to get worst parts, for I decided my previous build was a bit overkill for what i really wanted to do.
 
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Rammy

Rammy

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Sep 3, 2012
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About cooling - Yes and no.
Any small case is going to be more prone to heat getting trapped and components influencing each other. The Elite 130 has a better vented front section over the 120, and a few minor tweaks, but its essentially a very similar design.
By using a reference GTX650Ti like you have, that will help to remove one potential issue, but realistically you are only likely to run into problems if you were running your computer very very hard, on a very very hot day having accidentally blocked off half the vents.
It's never going to be the greatest airflow case in the world, but based on your needs, and the fact you are putting fairly mid range components into it, you shouldn't be running into any major issues.


If you are set on an i3, get the i3-3240 as it's basically the same price and a solid chunk quicker.
H77 boards will only support 1600Mhz ram. This won't be a significant performance issue.
I'd also go for a 1TB Barracuda/Caviar Blue. They are $10 more for double the capacity, and have a much bigger cache size too. It's absolutely worth it.
If you do want to upgrade/add to case fans, I'd wait until you have the machine up and running, to see how it does. Then you can decide if you want more airflow, or if you want to keep the noise down. Something like a Scythe Gentle Typhoon fan (while not cheap) will give you good airflow at very low noise levels.
My recommended Antec PSU is definitely the better quality over the CX600M, but it's also quite a bit more expensive. I'll leave that one to you.
 
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