Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

Building mini-ITX/micro-ATX Haswell system ($1,000-$1,300) - Need help with case!

Tags:
  • Haswell
  • Prodigy
  • Build
  • TJ08-E
  • 870 GTX
  • mini-ITX
  • ATX
  • H100i
  • Silverstone
  • Systems
  • micro-ATX
  • Cases
  • Betfinix
  • 250D
  • Colossus
  • Obsidian
  • EVGA
  • SG09
  • RVZ01
  • Hadron
  • Corsair
  • SG10
Last response: in Systems
Share
May 11, 2014 9:54:51 PM

Hello,

I'm building a new smaller PC for myself and a fellow friend. I already have a large HAF X enthusiast system but I plan on selling it. I built that in 2012 and it cost me $1,800. I hope to sell it to at least cover some of this new build's cost. I need help on making a few decisions on my build.

This is what I've came up with so far:
Micro-ATX Build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.29 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus H87M-PRO Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($107.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($107.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB ACX Video Card ($329.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Silverstone SG09B (Black) MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($97.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1187.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-12 00:41 EDT-0400)

Mini-ITX Build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.29 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87E-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($107.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB ACX Video Card ($329.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 250D Mini ITX Tower Case ($84.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1197.18
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-12 00:52 EDT-0400)

Here are my issues. The difference between both builds is $10, the motherboards, and case. I figured that a mITX chassis would be smaller than an mATX. Apparently the Silverstone SG09/SG10 lineup is mITX/mATX and it's only 23 liters in volume while the Corsair Obsidian 250D is 28.2 liters in volume.

Other cases I've reviewed was the Prodigy M (36 liter volume), Betfinix Colossus(30.8 liter volume), Silverstone TJ08-E (30 liter volume), Hadron Air/Hydro (15.88 liter volume, would probably have to go water cooled), and Raven RVZ01 (14 liter volume, most likely have to go water cooled)

I don't mind having a 30 liter volume case as long as it has exceptional airflow. I believe Corsair's Obsidian 250D is larger than the mATX SG09/SG10 because Corsair has exceptional water cooling capabilities, such as the H100i.

As you can tell, I didn't grab an unlock "K" CPU because I won't be overclocking my CPU. I may wait for the Haswell 'Refresher' lineup to arrive, which should be within a few weeks, and just grab a H97 or Z97, although I have no need to get the Z-series chipset other than better build quality. I may overclock the GPU to match EVGA's overclocks.
_________________________________________________________________________

TL;DR: SG09/SG10 vs 250D vs RVZ01 vs Hadron Air/Hydro? mATX vs mITX? If you own any of these cases then your opinion is greatly valued. If you guys have any suggestions on the other components, then feel free to let me know. I've built three systems so far so I would classify myself as rather noobish. Thanks.
__________________________________________________________________________

More about : building mini itx micro atx haswell system 000 300 case

May 12, 2014 1:45:00 PM

Anyone?
m
0
l
May 13, 2014 3:32:07 PM

For the micro atx, I would go for a 350d It looks really nice , and the mini Itx A prodigy I love both and look awesome
m
0
l
Related resources
October 12, 2014 10:54:49 AM

For the mitx I used coolermaster elite 130 which you can use a full size psu and a full size gpu
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 9:53:08 AM

I would go with this 1167$ build which is mITX:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($222.58 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($95.38 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($78.22 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($118.70 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.78 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($370.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 250D Mini ITX Tower Case ($84.78 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($111.28 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1166.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-13 12:49 EDT-0400
I personally like the 250D as it looks nice and has EXCELLENT reviews on Newegg.
I got you the best non-K i5 Haswell Refresh CPU, the 4690
The motherboard is mITX and has Wi-Fi, which is great
You don't need an aftermarket cooler if you're not overclocking, stock is pretty good
I doubled the SSD capacity for ten bucks
The 970 is better than the 770 as:
1, It's newer
2, It's on Maxwell
3, It has a lower power consumption
You won't be SLIing anytime in the future, though. One 970 is good enough.
The PSU is one of the best ever on Earth (I don't know abotu the ones on Mars or Jupiter, though:) )
m
1
l
October 13, 2014 10:01:57 AM

You could also go with a Xeon E3-1231 V3 for $20 more, it's 100Mhz slower than the i5, but it offers you Hyper Threading.

I would go with ITX though, mATX and ATX are pretty similar in size. Also +1 on the 970.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 10:48:06 AM

Transmaniacon said:
You could also go with a Xeon E3-1231 V3 for $20 more, it's 100Mhz slower than the i5, but it offers you Hyper Threading.

I would go with ITX though, mATX and ATX are pretty similar in size. Also +1 on the 970.

The i5 already has Hyper-Threading...
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 10:52:40 AM

zeyuanfu said:
Transmaniacon said:
You could also go with a Xeon E3-1231 V3 for $20 more, it's 100Mhz slower than the i5, but it offers you Hyper Threading.

I would go with ITX though, mATX and ATX are pretty similar in size. Also +1 on the 970.

The i5 already has Hyper-Threading...


Desktop i5's do not have hyperthreading. They are a pure quad core.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 10:54:49 AM

Ohh, didn't know that. How would a two-core CPU with Hyper-Threading compare to a desktop i5?
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 10:58:01 AM

zeyuanfu said:
Ohh, didn't know that. How would a two-core CPU with Hyper-Threading compare to a desktop i5?


In desktop that would be the i3. The dual core i5's are mobile only. How they compare to a desktop i5, I do not know, but the i5 desktop is superior to both.

OP: If i were building a mini-itx rig, it would probably be something like this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($248.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($144.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ B&H)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1212.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-13 13:56 EDT-0400
m
1
l
October 13, 2014 10:58:24 AM

Well, I don't think OP needs 8 threads, though. Xeons are for editing, rendering, heavy gaming and stuff like that.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:00:22 AM

logainofhades said:
zeyuanfu said:
Ohh, didn't know that. How would a two-core CPU with Hyper-Threading compare to a desktop i5?


In desktop that would be the i3. The dual core i5's are mobile only. How they compare to a desktop i5, I do not know, but the i5 desktop is superior to both.

OP: If i were building a mini-itx rig, it would probably be something like this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($248.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($144.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ B&H)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1212.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-13 13:56 EDT-0400

It's not bad, but:
1, I wouldn't use a CLC kit as they can fail, especially the low-end ones.
2, The PSU isn't that great as lots of people said it failed, the SuperNOVA 750 B2 would be better
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:03:40 AM

i5's are not hyper-threaded.

I don't really see an reason not to get a more capable CPU for only $20 more. If you aren't overclocking, the E3 Xeon's offer exceptional value. The build Logain posted would be a great choice OP.

m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:09:10 AM

zeyuanfu said:

It's not bad, but:
1, I wouldn't use a CLC kit as they can fail, especially the low-end ones.
2, The PSU isn't that great, the SuperNOVA 750 B2 would be better


1) AMD now bundles a Coolermaster Seidon 120, not sure on which version, with the FX 9590 now. If it is good enough for that space heater, it is fine for this.

2) A 650w gold is sufficient for this build. A 750w bronze is overkill.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:12:17 AM

logainofhades said:
zeyuanfu said:

It's not bad, but:
1, I wouldn't use a CLC kit as they can fail, especially the low-end ones.
2, The PSU isn't that great, the SuperNOVA 750 B2 would be better


1) AMD now bundles a Coolermaster Seidon 120, not sure on which version, with the FX 9590 now. If it is good enough for that space heater, it is fine for this.

2) A 650w gold is sufficient for this build. A 750w bronze is overkill.

1, They do?
2, I was talking about the PSU itself, not the wattage. The 750 B2 would be better in terms of construction and design.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:16:14 AM

With a Xeon, you can't OC so you don't really need a CLC. A good low-profile air cooler would work well and be much quieter. Noctua makes some good options.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:19:30 AM

The Hyper 212 EVO would be much cheaper.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:21:50 AM

Transmaniacon said:
With a Xeon, you can't OC so you don't really need a CLC. A good low-profile air cooler would work well and be much quieter. Noctua makes some good options.


It isn't necessary, I agree. It is just how I would build one, personally. It could be cheaper, but I do not know how much quieter it would be. Noctua can get expensive fast.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:22:28 AM

zeyuanfu said:
The Hyper 212 EVO would be much cheaper.


I doubt that you are not going to fit a hyper 212 into an elite 130.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:24:08 AM

zeyuanfu said:
The Hyper 212 EVO would be much cheaper.


It's also 160 mm tall, which often is too big for an ITX case. It is also not that quiet, I have one. The Noctua U9B would be my choice, it's only 125mm tall, will be very quiet, and is still cheaper than the CLCs at $47.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:24:37 AM

logainofhades said:
zeyuanfu said:
The Hyper 212 EVO would be much cheaper.


I doubt that you are not going to fit a hyper 212 into an elite 130.

You're actually saying that I can fit one in there... You just said the equivalent of ''I don't think you are not going to fit one in there'':) 
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:33:53 AM

zeyuanfu said:
logainofhades said:
zeyuanfu said:
The Hyper 212 EVO would be much cheaper.


I doubt that you are not going to fit a hyper 212 into an elite 130.

You're actually saying that I can fit one in there... You just said the equivalent of ''I don't think you are not going to fit one in there'':) 


It has been a long day. :lol:  No, it will not fit. Anyway, revised the build with a THG smart buy, low profile cooler.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($248.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS8900 Quiet CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($144.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ B&H)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1165.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-13 14:32 EDT-0400

m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:36:49 AM

I would actually say use stock and save 30$...
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:40:20 AM

I agree that you could do that, but they tend to be noisy. It is really up to the OP on that one.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:49:54 AM

The reviews on that case suggested heat and ventilation challenges, which is why I went for the Silverstone ML07/RVZ01 interior.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:50:13 AM

Also, you don't know what OP will be doing with the computer. If he/she is simply gaming, there is no need for a Xeon, the i5 will do fine.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:58:13 AM

Gaming is becoming more multi-threaded, I wouldn't pass up the chance to double the threads for $20.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 11:59:39 AM

OK, but most games DON'T use more than 4-5 cores/threads.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 12:08:40 PM

Not at the moment, but in a couple years I can see them being able to take advantage of >4 cores/threads.
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 12:17:51 PM

I don't know if the OP is still looking since he started this in May ( :)  ) but I've just ordered parts for my Matx build which will use the Cooler Master N200 Matx case. It's listed as 34L volume and will take 2x120mm fans at the front(preferably with the HDD cage moved back) with 1x120mm at the back & 1x120mm up top.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core OEM/Tray Processor (£169.38 @ Scan.co.uk)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.19 @ CCL Computers)
Motherboard: MSI Z97M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£70.53 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (£59.94 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£88.57 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For £0.00)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 290 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (£225.59 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case (£30.36 @ CCL Computers)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (£65.56 @ CCL Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£69.29 @ Aria PC)
Case Fan: Zalman ZM - F3 120mm Fan (Purchased For £0.00)
Other: Internal DVD Writer (Purchased)
Total: £803.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-13 20:12 BST+0100
m
0
l
October 13, 2014 12:19:54 PM

I even missed the necro this time. I am slacking today. I scrolled down and say a good deal of Oct 12-13, so didn't even pay attention to the OP date. :lol: 
m
0
l
!