Mini-itx gaming build (budget USD$1000-$1200)

_Epix_ · May 7, 2014

I want a mini-itx gaming pc. I don't know what to get. Any suggestions?? this is what i want so far....

proc-i5 4670k
mobo- (Suggestions?)
ram- 8gb basic ram
storage-wd 1tb
video card- (suggestions?)
Case- Bitfenix Prodigy (Red)
power supply- (suggestions?)

if i missed out anything, just correct me.

Thanks in advance

Deleted member 1300495 · May 7, 2014

I would get something like this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($549.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1146.35
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-07 09:22 EDT-0400)

_Epix_ · May 7, 2014

I would get something like this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81.Amp-UP ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($59.69 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($549.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1194.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-07 09:19 EDT-0400)

thx for the reply, but i want a pc that i could just put on my desk and small. And, is ATX better for gaming compared to m-itx??

terry4536 · May 7, 2014

I would recommend a a GYX 760 or 770 for the graphics card. I would include a SSD, they make a big difference in performance and boot times. I would recommend a good 650 watt power supply (Seasonic or XFX).

Here are four mini-itx motherboards. I prefer the two Asus motherboards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%20600009028%20600438202&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=280|13-132-039^13-132-039-TS%2C13-128-615^13-128-615-TS%2C13-157-374^13-157-374-TS%2C13-132-028^13-132-028-TS&percm=13-132-039%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B13-128-615%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B13-157-374%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B13-132-028%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24

Rammy · May 7, 2014

You seem more or less on the right track.

If you want to overclock, then you'll need a Z87 motherboard (or if you wait a while, a Z97). I'd suggest sticking to the Asus or ASRock models as they give greater flexibility for CPU coolers. With those boards and a Prodigy case you can basically stick most coolers on. Something like a Hyper 212 would be a popular reasonably priced solution, but you can spend as much as you like.

If you don't want to overclock, then ditch the k-series processor, and get as cheap an i5 as you can, it won't be noticeably slower and will save you a bunch of money. You can go super cheap on the motherboard (down to H81 versions) but if you want Wifi then you'll be looking at around $100+ for something like a B85N-Wifi or H87N-Wifi.
This is a great option if you want to try and keep the budget down.

Graphics are the place to spend if you want a gaming system, but it's ultimately limited by your display resolution. Going much beyond say a GTX770/R9 280X doesn't make much sense if you only plan to use a single 1080P display. Sky is the limit if you want to use a high resolution monitor, or multi-screen setup.

Popular high quality models which fit in a Prodigy would probably be the XFX 550 (wired) or the Antec HCG-620M (semi-modular) - which is seemingly always on sale/rebated. Both are made by Seasonic, a great OEM, and both are reasonably priced for the quality they provide. If you go for an alternative, make sure to check the length of the PSU as you only have 160mm to work with.

Avoid windowed Prodigys if you can. You can't see a whole lot anyway, and they remove all of the graphics card ventilation, replacing it with a solid window.

There isn't a terribly compelling argument against ITX vs ATX. You are limited in terms of expansion, but those limitations are widely exaggerated and for the average user with a single graphics card and a couple of drives, there really is no significant drawback.

_Epix_ · May 7, 2014

Rammy :

You seem more or less on the right track.

If you want to overclock, then you'll need a Z87 motherboard (or if you wait a while, a Z97). I'd suggest sticking to the Asus or ASRock models as they give greater flexibility for CPU coolers. With those boards and a Prodigy case you can basically stick most coolers on. Something like a Hyper 212 would be a popular reasonably priced solution, but you can spend as much as you like.

If you don't want to overclock, then ditch the k-series processor, and get as cheap an i5 as you can, it won't be noticeably slower and will save you a bunch of money. You can go super cheap on the motherboard (down to H81 versions) but if you want Wifi then you'll be looking at around $100+ for something like a B85N-Wifi or H87N-Wifi.
This is a great option if you want to try and keep the budget down.

Graphics are the place to spend if you want a gaming system, but it's ultimately limited by your display resolution. Going much beyond say a GTX770/R9 280X doesn't make much sense if you only plan to use a single 1080P display. Sky is the limit if you want to use a high resolution monitor, or multi-screen setup.

Popular high quality models which fit in a Prodigy would probably be the XFX 550 (wired) or the Antec HCG-620M (semi-modular) - which is seemingly always on sale/rebated. Both are made by Seasonic, a great OEM, and both are reasonably priced for the quality they provide. If you go for an alternative, make sure to check the length of the PSU as you only have 160mm to work with.

Avoid windowed Prodigys if you can. You can't see a whole lot anyway, and they remove all of the graphics card ventilation, replacing it with a solid window.

There isn't a terribly compelling argument against ITX vs ATX. You are limited in terms of expansion, but those limitations are widely exaggerated and for the average user with a single graphics card and a couple of drives, there really is no significant drawback.

i just want a fast processor, but maybe not gonna overclock. Any motherboard suggestions if not overclocking (wifi)??

Rammy · May 7, 2014

At stock speeds a 4430/4440 is near to identical in most games to a 4670K, so the cheaper the better, as you get the best value for money. There is the odd game which is incredibly CPU heavy where an OC CPU will make a difference, but even then it's likely that graphics will supersede the significance of a few fps here and there.

Gigabyte made a Gigabyte GA-B85N-WIFI model but it appears to have vanished from pcpartpicker, perhaps as it was priced quite close to H87 models, but it was among the cheapest Wifi enabled socket 1150 boards. The Gigabyte GA-H87N-WIFI is similar though, and if you get the REV2.0 version you get the most up to date ac Wifi version (though that might not be of use to you).

geofelt · May 7, 2014

I love small cases.
Unfortunately, the bitfenix prodigy is not exactly small . 9.84" x 15.91" x 14.13"
Compare that to a cm elite 120 @ 9.4" x 8.2" x 15.8"
If you want red, there is a lian li Q08R @ 13.58" x 8.94" x 10.71"

ITX is a motherboard size specification, and it will have only one pcie x16 slot.
That is not an issue for a gamer because a single card is sufficient for any single monitor.
ATX is much larger and need a correspondingly larger case.
M-ATX is in between.
Most such cases will handle the longest graphics card and a atx psu.
A 750w psu will handle even the strongest single graphics card.

Perhaps you can post some links to the exact specs you are looking for.
If your cpu budget can handle a 4670K, I think a GTX780 in some form would be appropriate.
And... wait a week for the Z97 motherboards to become available. There are some very nice Z97 ITX boards coming.
And... if you can wait for the first week in June, the i5-4690K(aka devil's canyon) should launch.

kromboy · May 7, 2014

geofelt :

Exactly my sentiment,
most mITX cases aren't exactly small, the ones that really are minimal, lack the space for any performance. AND you have to stick to low profile gpu of which I'm unsure if there are any truly "gaming" class cards.

Try looking at small form factor mATX cases, they are almost the same in size with most mITX cases, only a little bit bigger.

One of the notable mATX case I've seen is Sentey Slim 2421. However, this case also limits you to low profile cards.

I ended up using an In-Win BK series case for myself
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108092

Coupled with only a minute size difference, and the premium price for the mITX motherboards + gpu limitations, I would suggest a small mATX case instead.

geofelt · May 7, 2014

If you will not overclock, I would suggest a H97 ITX motherboard like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132123
It includes wifi which is a good thing since there is no room for extra add in cards.

When released, look for a haswell quad that will be supported.
haswell refresh will generally offer a slightly higher clock at the previous prices.
Without overclocking, the stock intel cooler will be fine.

I have used the lian li Q08R before. The red color is stunning.
Perhaps the only downside is the lack of room for a tall tower air cooler.
For conservative overclocks, there are available low profile coolers available.
You can put any graphics card in the case.
I would use a GTX780 with a conventional blower type cooler.
Here is one build blog with pictures:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1260571/mini-itx-gaming-monster-build-with-lian-li-pc-q08-case-lots-of-pics

_Epix_ · May 7, 2014

kromboy :

geofelt :

Exactly my sentiment,
most mITX cases aren't exactly small, the ones that really are minimal, lack the space for any performance. AND you have to stick to low profile gpu of which I'm unsure if there are any truly "gaming" class cards.

Try looking at small form factor mATX cases, they are almost the same in size with most mITX cases, only a little bit bigger.

One of the notable mATX case I've seen is Sentey Slim 2421. However, this case also limits you to low profile cards.

I ended up using an In-Win BK series case for myself
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108092

Coupled with only a minute size difference, and the premium price for the mITX motherboards + gpu limitations, I would suggest a small mATX case instead.

firstly, thanks for the reply

and with those points you stated, im now considering a mATX.. Thx

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