Bitfenix Prodigy First Build - Seeking Advice

Supernova12345 · Dec 12, 2013

Hello everyone,

I have decided to build my first desktop. Due to space restrictions I decided to go for a Bitfenix Prodigy case. I have done a fair bit of research on all the components that will go into my build, but would really appreciate a second opinion, particularly on the PSU.

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670k Haswell 3.4GHz

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S (from the videos I've seen, it seems to fit nicely in the Prodigy)

Video Card: EVGA Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 Superclocked ACX Cooler 3Gb

Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe 1155, Intel Z77, DDR3, S-ATA 600, Mini ITX

Memory: Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 8 Gb (2 x 4Gb) DDR3 1600 MHz

HDD: Western Digital Blue Caviar 1TB 7200 RPM 3.5"

SSD: Samsung 840 Evo SSD 250Gb

Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case

Case Front Fan: Bitfenix Spectre Pro 230mm

Case Rear Fan: Noctua NF-P14 FLX 140mm

PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650M 650W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE

Optical Drive: None

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Home Premium (64-bit)

From what I've researched, all the components run pretty quietly, and there should be sufficient airflow through the system. The main question, is the PSU really... Will 650W be sufficient, considering I will overclock and cannot SLI? How about all the other components - do they seem OK? Have I missed anything?

Thanks in advance for your help!!

VincentP · Dec 12, 2013

CPU is socket 1150 (haswell)
Motherboard is socket 1155 (sandy bridge, ivy bridge)
These are not compatible.

Power supply is good for a stock system.
If you are going to overclock your CPU, bump it up to the 750W version.

H4X3R · Dec 12, 2013

Great build. Wouldnt change anything

goodguy713 · Dec 12, 2013

id go with a 700 watt personally.. but look at it this way .. if your going to go with a 650 get the ax version those are the pro models and are are gold and up. i have had a 750 watt running crossfire well over 2 years on top of a power hungry cpu so .. you wont feel bad about it.

Novuake · Dec 12, 2013

Other than mobo and CPU differing in socket as mentioned.

Right soooo here is a cheaper and faster RAM kit :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/G-Skill-PC3-14900-1866MHz-9-10-9-28-Channel/dp/B004TGFWCW/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1386843367&sr=1-1&keywords=g.skill+sniper

You do not need more than 550W power supply.

The rest is great.

Novuake · Dec 12, 2013

goodguy713 :

WHY would you suggest so mcuh wattage? He CAN NOT SLI at all.

Supernova12345 · Dec 12, 2013

VincentP :

Good point! I can't believe I didn't even notice such a big mistake! Would an Asus Z87I-Deluxe be a good substitute? It's Haswell (1150) compatible and has good reviews.

VincentP · Dec 12, 2013

Supernova12345 :

VincentP :

Good point! I can't believe I didn't even notice such a big mistake! Would an Asus Z87I-Deluxe be a good substitute? It's Haswell (1150) compatible and has good reviews.

Yes, that motherboard would be fine.

goodguy713 · Dec 12, 2013

Novuake :

honestly you dont tell me your one of those that think it constantly draws 750 watts of power all of the time? the point in the professional models is that they have high energy ratings saves money in the long run and provided cleaner power to the the system. I have a watt miser that i use. It comes in handy to judge a systems power draw among other things. yea 650 is over powered but 750 watt power supplies tend to be built better / better parts sure they cost more. unless your gaming you wont even pull any where close to the max power requirements personally i have 6 internal drives and i dont really care much for taking risks with my equipment.

Novuake · Dec 12, 2013

goodguy713 :

There is a difference between getting quality and going overboard. For example you can get EXTREMELY well build 520W from Seasonic that is fully comparable to a 750W as you claim.

Wattage is not connected to build quality at all.

Hell an Antec HCG 520 / 620 is one of the best PSUs I have ever seen in its meager price bracket.

VincentP · Dec 12, 2013

goodguy713 :

You don't have to go with a high wattage power supply to get quality.
Seasonic in particular make some very good low wattage power supplies.
If you want a better supply, choose a better model at the right wattage rather than a model with a high wattage rating.

A power supply is most efficient around the middle of its range.
At high load or low load, it is less efficient.
A power supply should run at about 60% when the system full loaded.
This system will draw about 350W at load, so 600W is about right.
At idle it will only draw less than 100W.

Supernova12345 · Dec 12, 2013

Novuake :

Thanks for your replies. I'll consider the RAM you suggested, although isn't 1866 MHz unnecessary? From what I've read, most people seem to think that 1600 MHz is all that's needed for now? Although if I can get it for cheaper, I might as well!

As for the PSU, is it worth getting higher wattage to have some headroom? so if you recommend 550W, then something like 600 or 620W? I'm concerned that the other replies suggest wattages around 700W...

Novuake · Dec 12, 2013

Supernova12345 :

Precisely. Cheaper for better.
Some games are starting to use faster RAM, so it makes sense.

Your system will not even draw 500W but having a bit more is good as mentioned by VincentP.

VincentP · Dec 12, 2013

Novuake :

"Some games are starting to use faster RAM, so it makes sense." What are you talking about?
RAM speed is related to the CPU and motherboard. It has nothing to do with the programs you run.

The Core i7 4670k has a memory controller that supports DDR3-1333/1600.
If you choose to run the RAM faster (which wont have any benefit), your are overclocking the memory controller.

Novuake · Dec 12, 2013

VincentP :

Novuake :

Now that is where you sitting things a bit miss.

If that were true, then why would a stock APU perform better on RAM at 2133MHz?
Things are never that simple.

If you like we can discuss this, but it will be lengthy.

VincentP · Dec 12, 2013

Novuake :

VincentP :

Do you have an article you are thinking of when you state "a stock APU perform better on RAM at 2133MHz"?
Do you mean this article?
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-bandwidth-scaling-trinity,3419-7.html

Some of the A-10 APUs have memory controllers supporting memory up to DDR3-2133.
The software running on the PC does not "support" this memory speed, the application plays no part in how the CPU communicates with the RAM.

The article shows faster memory has some benefit for the integrated graphics of the APU.
In a system with a graphics card using dedicated video memory, you will not see the same benefit.

Novuake · Dec 12, 2013

Of course.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-bandwidth-scaling-trinity,3419.html

Here are some interesting number from there :

EDIT : Oh and for the record the CPU(5800K) tested on has support for 1866MHz RAM natively.

http://www.amd.com/US/PRODUCTS/DESKTOP/PROCESSORS/A-SERIES/Pages/a-series-apu.aspx#3

VincentP · Dec 12, 2013

Novuake :

Some of the A-10 APUs have memory controllers supporting memory up to DDR3-2133.
The software running on the PC does not "support" this memory speed, the application plays no part in how the CPU communicates with the RAM.

The article shows faster memory has some benefit for the integrated graphics of the APU.
In a system with a graphics card using dedicated video memory, you will not see the same benefit.

Novuake · Dec 12, 2013

VincentP :

I was just indicating that the memory controllers "rated speed" is NOT where memory scaling ends, since that was your initial argument/statement.

Now you say software does not "support" the faster speed. I never said it did, however if the game can optimize well enough and actually saturate that bandwidth, then it definitely could see improvement. However it would be to a lesser degree.

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