Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

$4000 SFF PC Purchase - What's Best? Need Help...

Tags:
  • Build
  • Systems
  • CAD
Last response: in Systems
Share
Anonymous
April 10, 2014 1:01:16 AM

Hello everyone,

I'm doing some research and I need some help looking for a Small Factor Form PC that best suits my needs and environment. So buckle in 'cause this is a big one.

I'm currently saving up to buy a pre-built PC for $4000 (CAD) including shipping and taxes. So in current exchanges about $3600 (USD).

I know building a PC is cheaper but I just don't have the time.

I'm a student doing 3D modelling 'n rendering, sketching, video editing, music production, animation, and game development when working. During my free time, I record music and play a fair amount of games from Steam.

I did look at the new Mac Pro. It's quite impressive that it can perform so incredibly well with such a small package but it doesn't have an optical drive, the delivery time is too long and most importantly, I'm very uncomfortable with using Apple's iOS. Plus, if I did get one, more than half the games on my Steam account would be unplayable. I need my gameplay...

Here's the weird part, every year I travel to and from Canada and UK a few times. So I need a single GPU SFF PC that can fit in a carry-on suitcase with the maximum volume of (LxWxH) 18x5x13 inches / 45.7x12.7x33 centimeters which is the interior volume of my current suitcase. However, the maximum carry-on size is:23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm (9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in).

Here are the computers I found that fits all those categories:

Cyberpower PC Zeus Mini:
17.4 x 4.4 x 13 inches (LxWxH)
i7-4770K 3.5GHz + Pro Overclock w/ Intel Tune Protection
240mm Cooler Master Liquid Cooling
EVGA Z87 Stinger Motherboard
16GB 2133MHz Ripjaws X
Titan Black 6GB + EVGA Superclocked
650W Corsair Ultra Quiet Power Supply
1TB Samsung 840 EVO SSD
2TB 72000RPM HDD
6X Blu-ray Reader
High Definition On-Board 7.1 Audio
Windows 7 Premium
Delivery: Enhanced Packaging + Master Thermal + Pro Wiring + 5day Rush
TOTAL: $4009 (Converted to CAD)
Notes: JUST fits in suitcase and the ONLY SFF that has all full-size parts. Least worried about cooling since it's the biggest of the selection and easiest to change parts.

Origin Chronos Silverstone RVZ01:
15 x 4.13 x 13.77 inches (LxWxH)
Overclocked i7-4770K 4 - 4.7GHz
120mm Frostbyte Liquid Cooling
ASUS Maximus V1 Impact
Titan Black 6GB + ORIGIN Pro Overclocking
16GB 2133MHz HyperX
500W Corsair CX500
500GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD
1TB 7200RPM HDD
1TB 7200RPM HDD
6x Blu-ray Reader slim slot
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Sound Card
Windows 7 Premium
Delivery: Unknown but willing to add $120usd
TOTAL: $3922cad
Notes: 2nd smallest of the selection which means more space available in the suitcase. Worried 'bout the heating though...

Falcon Northwest Tiki:
13.5 x 4 x 13.25 (LxWxH)
i7 4770K 3.5GHz + Falcon Northwest Overclocking
120mm Asetek Liquid Cooling
ASUS Maximus VI Impact
Titan Black 6GB (no overclocking)
16GB 1866MHz (no name)
450W Silverstone SFX
256GB Crucial SSD
256GB Crucial SSD
4TB Western Digital Green HDD
Slot-Load DVD Writer
On-Board Audio
Windows 7 Premium
Delivery: Unknown but willing to add $150usd
TOTAL: $3918cad
Notes: THE smallest case and despite the size, according the reviews, it's still one of the fastest single GPU SFF PC's out there. However I'm worried about powering a Titan Black with only 450W.

The following PC is JUST over the required dimensions to fit in my current suitcase. If this is the best choice, then I'll have to get a new suitcase.

Digital Storm Bolt 2:
14.1 x 4.4 x 16.4 (LxWxH)
i7 4770K 3.5GHz + Stage 2 Overclock 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz
240mm no-name Liquid Cooling
ASUS Maximus VI Impact
Titan Black 6GB (no overclocking)
16GB 2133MHz Digital Storm
700W Digital Storm
250GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD
2TB Western Digital Black HDD
Slim Slot Load DVD Writer
Integrated Motherboard Audio
Windows 7 Premium
Delivery: $70usd - 15 day shipping time - rush was too expensive
TOTAL: $3721.05
Notes: Similar performance to others and fortunately the cheapest. So, if this is by any chance the best choice, there is still some cash left to purchase a new suitcase. However, this choice also has by far the longest delivery time.

Sorry for such a long post but since I'm going to spend $4000 of my hard earned cash, I really want to make sure I get the best I can.

Yes, I do have a laptop but it's getting old quite fast. It's a Sony VAIO F laptop with a 540m graphics card and i7-2630QM processor.

Any help will be much appreciated.

- Cheers.








More about : 4000 sff purchase

April 10, 2014 1:11:12 AM

Anonymous said:
Hello everyone,

I'm doing some research and I need some help looking for a Small Factor Form PC that best suits my needs and environment. So buckle in 'cause this is a big one.

I'm currently saving up to buy a pre-built PC for $4000 (CAD) including shipping and taxes. So in current exchanges about $3600 (USD).

I know building a PC is cheaper but I just don't have the time.

I'm a student doing 3D modelling 'n rendering, sketching, video editing, music production, animation, and game development when working. During my free time, I record music and play a fair amount of games from Steam.

I did look at the new Mac Pro. It's quite impressive that it can perform so incredibly well with such a small package but it doesn't have an optical drive, the delivery time is too long and most importantly, I'm very uncomfortable with using Apple's iOS. Plus, if I did get one, more than half the games on my Steam account would be unplayable. I need my gameplay...

Here's the weird part, every year I travel to and from Canada and UK a few times. So I need a single GPU SFF PC that can fit in a carry-on suitcase with the maximum volume of (LxWxH) 18x5x13 inches / 45.7x12.7x33 centimeters which is the interior volume of my current suitcase. However, the maximum carry-on size is:23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm (9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in).

Here are the computers I found that fits all those categories:

Cyberpower PC Zeus Mini:
17.4 x 4.4 x 13 inches (LxWxH)
i7-4770K 3.5GHz + Pro Overclock w/ Intel Tune Protection
240mm Cooler Master Liquid Cooling
EVGA Z87 Stinger Motherboard
16GB 2133MHz Ripjaws X
Titan Black 6GB + EVGA Superclocked
650W Corsair Ultra Quiet Power Supply
1TB Samsung 840 EVO SSD
2TB 72000RPM HDD
6X Blu-ray Reader
High Definition On-Board 7.1 Audio
Windows 7 Premium
Delivery: Enhanced Packaging + Master Thermal + Pro Wiring + 5day Rush
TOTAL: $4009 (Converted to CAD)
Notes: JUST fits in suitcase and the ONLY SFF that has all full-size parts. Least worried about cooling since it's the biggest of the selection and easiest to change parts.

Origin Chronos Silverstone RVZ01:
15 x 4.13 x 13.77 inches (LxWxH)
Overclocked i7-4770K 4 - 4.7GHz
120mm Frostbyte Liquid Cooling
ASUS Maximus V1 Impact
Titan Black 6GB + ORIGIN Pro Overclocking
16GB 2133MHz HyperX
500W Corsair CX500
500GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD
1TB 7200RPM HDD
1TB 7200RPM HDD
6x Blu-ray Reader slim slot
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Sound Card
Windows 7 Premium
Delivery: Unknown but willing to add $120usd
TOTAL: $3922cad
Notes: 2nd smallest of the selection which means more space available in the suitcase. Worried 'bout the heating though...

Falcon Northwest Tiki:
13.5 x 4 x 13.25 (LxWxH)
i7 4770K 3.5GHz + Falcon Northwest Overclocking
120mm Asetek Liquid Cooling
ASUS Maximus VI Impact
Titan Black 6GB (no overclocking)
16GB 1866MHz (no name)
450W Silverstone SFX
256GB Crucial SSD
256GB Crucial SSD
4TB Western Digital Green HDD
Slot-Load DVD Writer
On-Board Audio
Windows 7 Premium
Delivery: Unknown but willing to add $150usd
TOTAL: $3918cad
Notes: THE smallest case and despite the size, according the reviews, it's still one of the fastest single GPU SFF PC's out there. However I'm worried about powering a Titan Black with only 450W.

The following PC is JUST over the required dimensions to fit in my current suitcase. If this is the best choice, then I'll have to get a new suitcase.

Digital Storm Bolt 2:
14.1 x 4.4 x 16.4 (LxWxH)
i7 4770K 3.5GHz + Stage 2 Overclock 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz
240mm no-name Liquid Cooling
ASUS Maximus VI Impact
Titan Black 6GB (no overclocking)
16GB 2133MHz Digital Storm
700W Digital Storm
250GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD
2TB Western Digital Black HDD
Slim Slot Load DVD Writer
Integrated Motherboard Audio
Windows 7 Premium
Delivery: $70usd - 15 day shipping time - rush was too expensive
TOTAL: $3721.05
Notes: Similar performance to others and fortunately the cheapest. So, if this is by any chance the best choice, there is still some cash left to purchase a new suitcase. However, this choice also has by far the longest delivery time.

Sorry for such a long post but since I'm going to spend $4000 of my hard earned cash, I really want to make sure I get the best I can.

Yes, I do have a laptop but it's getting old quite fast. It's a Sony VAIO F laptop with a 540m graphics card and i7-2630QM processor.

Any help will be much appreciated.

- Cheers.











I think these custom pc builders are very pricey .
Buy parts online and then build your own or call someone .
IT would save up more money '

CPU: Intel Core i7-4930K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor ($565.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X79-UP4 ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($224.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($156.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($699.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($699.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 1250W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($242.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - OEM (64-bit) ($137.98 @ Amazon)
Other: Your other stuff listed ($605.00)
Total: $3764.86
m
0
l
Anonymous
April 10, 2014 1:22:46 AM




I think these custom pc builders are very pricey .
Buy parts online and then build your own or call someone .
IT would save up more money
[/quotemsg]

Yea it is expensive but my time is very limited. I did consider building one but there is only one case that would fit into my suitcase and that is the Silverstone RVZ01. Plus, I've been told the smaller the case the more difficult the build. Apparently, heat is more a concern with small cases so wire organization is key and I don't have the time or skills to do that. Additionally, having a warranty just gives me a peace of mind.
m
0
l
Related resources
April 10, 2014 1:24:26 AM

https://www.digitalstormonline.com/configurator.asp?id=...

This is also good chocie [i made it]
iIts includes monitor change if you want ti .

i7 4770k : Hyper threading is needed for rendering .
Gtx Titan Black : for readering and gaming
Asus 27" 1440p monitor : more real estate is good for rendering .
You can drop few stuff like monitor , storage tec if you want .

Pretty much same as u mentioned

That build would MAX out anything .

Hope that helps :) 
m
0
l
Anonymous
April 10, 2014 1:25:12 AM

Though, having SLI 780 ti's sounds nice as well.
m
0
l
Anonymous
April 10, 2014 1:27:07 AM

It's over my budget but I'll surely consider it.
m
0
l
April 10, 2014 1:29:00 AM

Anonymous said:
Though, having SLI 780 ti's sounds nice as well.


But okay no problem but i don't think digital storm bolt can add 2 gfx cause u want a small case right ?
There are some cases but u have to assemle it .
m
0
l
Anonymous
April 10, 2014 1:52:59 AM

BuzzKenway said:
Anonymous said:
Though, having SLI 780 ti's sounds nice as well.


But okay no problem but i don't think digital storm bolt can add 2 gfx cause u want a small case right ?
There are some cases but u have to assemle it .


Yea, I want a case that can fit in a carry-on suitcase when travelling from country to country. So, although I said SLI is nice, I'm still looking for a single GPU PC.
m
0
l
April 10, 2014 2:59:53 AM

Anonymous said:
BuzzKenway said:
Anonymous said:
Though, having SLI 780 ti's sounds nice as well.


But okay no problem but i don't think digital storm bolt can add 2 gfx cause u want a small case right ?
There are some cases but u have to assemle it .


Yea, I want a case that can fit in a carry-on suitcase when travelling from country to country. So, although I said SLI is nice, I'm still looking for a single GPU PC.


but single gpu is fine or if you got $$$$$ wait anf get Titan Z
m
0
l
!