Help me upgrade my current desktop - switching mini-itx

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Chiuy

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Sep 7, 2012
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Hi, I want to switch my current gaming rig to a much smaller gaming rig.
I want to buy the BitFenix Prodigy case due to the small size and easy to move to lan events.
The problem is that I need to change my current rig to a mini itx.
I was wondering what is the cheapest way to move over?

My current rig is:
i5 3570k
XFX 7870 2GB
16GB G.Skill Ram
2x HDD, 1x SSD

I'm still looking for a mini itx, but idk which one to get and looking for a new PSU that has a module.
 
Solution
Rammy
If you want to use the "K" on your 3570K you need a Z77 motherboard. Which of these is best value depends on which country you are buying in really.

If you are happy to stick with the H77N, then it's a pretty good option, it's usually the cheapest socket 1155 ITX board with Wifi.

The Wifi is built into the motherboard, and appears as an extra set of connectors on the rear panel, to which you plug in some sort of aerial supplied with it. If you check the official Gigabyte page for the H77N, it has pictures showing the aerial connected to the rear I/O panel.
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Rammy

Rammy

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Sep 3, 2012
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Just an FYI - The Prodigy isn't terribly small or easy to move. If portability is key, then there are better ITX cases on the market. If you still want to go for a Prodigy, that's your call of course.

As for the cheapest way, it depends where you are and what your budget is. There are only around 5or6 Z77 ITX boards, and they all can be decent depending on how much you want to spend, and also what kind of cooler you intend to use.
As a general rule, the Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe is the best Z77 board there is. It's basically good at everything, and has a really central CPU location with good clearances for excellent cooler compatibility. The main downside was the price, but depending on where you live the prices have dropped quite a bit since Z87, it's not that bad at all.

For a PSU, you need to keep to <160mm in length. In most ITX cases, a modular PSU is really good to have, but I don't think in a Prodigy it makes an awful lot of difference. Modular cables can be very awkward in the PSU box (wired cables turn in a smaller area) and there is a good amount of space to tuck loose cables.
Again, without a country/budget it's hard to be specific here but the XFX Core550 is a good bet in most places for value. If you do want a modular PSU, the Antec HCG-M or Seasonic M12 II ranges aren't a bad place to start your search.
 
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Chiuy

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Sep 7, 2012
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If there are other better ITX cases, any other recommendation? The prodigy just looks so nice, simple, and it has a handle on top to carry.
I have a full case desktop with the bare minimum inside.
I think the ASUS P8Z77 board is a bit pricey for me. I want to switch over with less than $250 and even down to $200 if possible.
What's a difference between a good and a cheap Motherboard? It probably has more features... but I only have one GPU, one monitor uses 1 DVI, 2x 8GB ram, etc. I don't need to go all out and have all the other cheap fancy stuff.

 
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Rammy

Rammy

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Sep 3, 2012
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Sorry missed this one.

The Prodigy is big, relatively heavy (for ITX) and the handles are slightly flexible so there isn't a great feeling of security when you carry it (the screws that attach them are held on by a pretty small piece of plastic).
If you like it, then there is nothing to stop you from using it. I've done 3 builds in them now, but I doubt I'd use it again unless I really needed all of that space.

Depending on how much you wanted to spend on a case, the Coolermaster Elite 130, Fractal Design Node 304 and EVGA Hadron Air would be some really nice options for compact size.

There is only so cheap you can go on Z77. In the US right now, the Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe is $127 which is about as cheap as they come. You can drop to a H77/B75 board, but you lose the ability to overclock (and the point of having a k-series processor). Depending on if you need Wifi, you can get the price down to maybe $80.

If you are looking to bring across a CPU cooler, keep in mind that most ITX cases and a lot of ITX motherboards will have limitations on CPU coolers.
 
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Chiuy

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Sep 7, 2012
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Hmm, I really wanted to go with the Prodigy M, but I didn't like the layout of it. I'm planning on going Prodigy and Gigabyte GA-H77N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard to switch over. Also, how does the Mini ITX Motherboard work with WiFi? Is it built in? I don't see a slot where I can put a WiFi card.
 
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Rammy

Rammy

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Sep 3, 2012
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12,960
If you want to use the "K" on your 3570K you need a Z77 motherboard. Which of these is best value depends on which country you are buying in really.

If you are happy to stick with the H77N, then it's a pretty good option, it's usually the cheapest socket 1155 ITX board with Wifi.

The Wifi is built into the motherboard, and appears as an extra set of connectors on the rear panel, to which you plug in some sort of aerial supplied with it. If you check the official Gigabyte page for the H77N, it has pictures showing the aerial connected to the rear I/O panel.
 
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