Mini-ITX system, components help needed!

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alexanderaird

Honorable
Nov 30, 2013
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10,510
Hello everyone,

I'm looking at putting together a mini-itx system in the very near future (likely as soon as the components are decided on), but I've been having a few headaches as to a few of the parts - the case, the cpu cooler, and possibly the power supply.

I should note that the plan for this system is to have it *as small as possible*

Here's my list of definites so far:
CPU: 4670K
(http://www.computeralliance.com.au/intel-s1150-core-i5-4670k-3.40ghz-quad-core-cpu-unlocked)

MoBo: ASrock Z87E-ITX
(http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=25&&bid=2&sid=136404)

RAM: Kingston hyperx 2x4gb 1600MHz
(http://www.computeralliance.com.au/ddr3-8gb-(2x4g)-1600mhz-kingston-hyperx-blu-ram-pn-khx1600c9d3b1k2/8gx)

GPU: Here's one not out yet - the TRI-X R9 290
(http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1227&pid=2091&psn=&lid=1&leg=0#)

Now, as to the case, I had originally planned on the SilverStone SG07 or 8 (http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=317&area=en), which comes with its own 600W 80+ bronze PSU, however, according to Sapphire's website, the TRI-X R9 290 requires a 750W power supply, so I suppose that's out of the question??

If so, could you please recommend the SMALLEST POSSIBLE case you know, and a good PSU which will fit, and supply the 290? As a matter of preference, please don't recommend the BitFenix prodigy or phenom, as those case really aren't that small in comparison. Please also keep in mind price is a significant factor, I don't have a lot of money.

Secondly, I've got no idea as to the most effective/efficient CPU cooler for a mini-itx system, suggestions?

Thanks in advance :)




 
Solution
Rammy
You are hitting the standard SFF issue that as you go increasingly smaller, the number of considerations and potential disadvantages mount up. Building a system like this definitely needs a different mindset and priorities.

I'm not knocking your choices as they are all great components, but they are a little idiosyncratic. 750W for the Toxic might be a bit of an exaggeration but as (to my knowledge) there is no testing on it yet, it may well be higher rated to accomodate various tweaks on the reference design. Also remember that a wattage or tdp has a fairly linear relation to the amount of heat you have to dissipate and that would be of increasing concern to me. A design like that would be fantastic in a bigger case, but in something...
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Rammy

Rammy

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Sep 3, 2012
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You are hitting the standard SFF issue that as you go increasingly smaller, the number of considerations and potential disadvantages mount up. Building a system like this definitely needs a different mindset and priorities.

I'm not knocking your choices as they are all great components, but they are a little idiosyncratic. 750W for the Toxic might be a bit of an exaggeration but as (to my knowledge) there is no testing on it yet, it may well be higher rated to accomodate various tweaks on the reference design. Also remember that a wattage or tdp has a fairly linear relation to the amount of heat you have to dissipate and that would be of increasing concern to me. A design like that would be fantastic in a bigger case, but in something as compact it may be counterproductive.
ITX systems are never going to be good value for money, so approaching it from that angle is always going to cause problems. For me, if I were trying to build a high end ITX system like that, I'd be looking at the reference GTX780 even though it is far worse performance/$, as it handles itself so much better in a confined space.

The case you have picked is certainly capable of handling your components in terms of size, and while I can't comment on the characteristics of a custom 290, its PSU should handle the reference design. Problem is, when you factor in CPU overclocking headroom, and the heat that thing generates (290/290X is designed to run a good 10-20degrees hotter than a GTX780/R9 280X), it starts to be a lot less comfortable

As for CPU coolers, that is hugely depandant on which case you pick. For more info see below
 
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