New Mini ITX Gaming Build

gmsbballplayer33

Distinguished
Feb 3, 2010
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18,530
So its that time again and I'm ready to build a new pc. However instead of going all out like I have in the past (3 video card/eyefinity builds and lots of overclocking) I want to go with something simpler. I also tend to find myself with more computer than I actually "need". With that being said I want to build a gaming rig in a small form factor. I not only think that it will be fun to build on a small scale but I also think it will be challenging. I fell in love with the small form factor soon after my last build when the bitfenix prodigy came out. I just love the idea of a small powerhouse system. So enough with the back story and on to what I'm looking for specifically. I want a system that is somewhat future proof or as future proof as I can make it. Building a new system every few years is tiring. I want to just take out an old component and pop in a new one. I also want the system to be able to run games now and games for the next few years on high/ultra at 1080p. This system will also need to be able to stream if at all possible and still maintain a good frame rate in game. I understand that this is a lot of requests however I consider the readers on this forum to be some of the best and if anyone would be able to give me a decent build it will be you all. Thanks for looking and I look forward to your replies.

Approximate Purchase Date: Mid to late January

Budget Range: Want to try and stay under 1000 if possible, however around 1300 is my max

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming and Streaming

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: Yes
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Location: Lexington, KY

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Perhaps just a little. Don't want to go crazy

SLI or Crossfire: Probably Not

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Thanks.
 

Sylvanriv

Honorable
Dec 1, 2013
225
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10,860
How does this look? If you want to max out your budget, you could upgrade to a 780.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS8900 Quiet CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($115.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: PNY XLR8 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($127.58 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($86.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card ($390.91 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($69.99 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1202.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-28 03:07 EST-0500)
 
I modified sylvanriv's build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($231.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87E-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($334.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($69.99 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($94.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1092.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-28 03:40 EST-0500)

-Better cpu cooler. The Hyper 212 EVO is perfect for your needs since you only plan on moderate overclocking.
-Went for a Z87 chipset motherboard because it supports overclocking.
-8gb of ram is plenty for gaming.
-Faster HDD.
-No need for 4gb of vram. 2gb vram is good enough at 1080p. You won't notice a difference.
-Windows 8.1 is better than 7 now. You can download free programs to make Windows 8.1 look like 7 while keep the advantages of 8.1 (better security, overall faster, etc. ).
 
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