My First Build EVER small form factor gaming rig PLEASE VERIFY Specs

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MohitArora

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Hi all I was planning to build a steam OS or windows portable gaming pc. I have a budget of maximum $600 but I want a small form factor mini itx case which I might have to carry on an airplane in the future. I was first considering to go with the alienware alpha i3 version for $550 because of its portability and not too bad gpu but I know the gpu is not upgradable and it only comes with a measly 4gb ram. However, I have decided these components too idk if they will go together properly and if there are better things i can get at this price point. I will be really grateful if someone can shed light on my situation. My prospective specs are:

1. PSU- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008VQ2Y4K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER $96

2. Processor- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009O7YORK/ref=gno_cart_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER $108

3.HDD- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088PUEPK/ref=gno_cart_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER $52.99

4. CASE(SMALLEST I COULD FIND ) - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K8CIZYS/ref=gno_cart_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER $69.99

5.Ram- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J8E92M6/ref=gno_cart_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER $73.99

6. Graphic card- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FR6XP6I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&sc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER $159.99

TOTAL: $560
 
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badboyrog2
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vkPLqs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vkPLqs/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($70.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII M4 58.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H97I AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($107.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($119.50 @ Newegg)
Case: Lian-Li PC-TU200A Mini ITX Tower Case ($155.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified...
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MohitArora

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Thank you for your reply. The case went out of stock just half an hour ago I think I can wait about 1-2 weeks before I do this build. Idk how this PSU isnt compatible with the case when the case supports sfx psu
 
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Havo_k

Havo_k

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My bad.
 
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MohitArora

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No Probs. Do u recommend this or the alienware considering the portability factor or if you have other suggestions at this price point like a smaller case than this one which could fit this video card. Thanks

 
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badboyrog2

badboyrog2

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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vkPLqs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vkPLqs/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($70.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII M4 58.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H97I AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($107.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($119.50 @ Newegg)
Case: Lian-Li PC-TU200A Mini ITX Tower Case ($155.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $619.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-28 21:54 EST-0500
 
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MohitArora

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Could you clarify choosing 750ti over the 270x
 
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badboyrog2

badboyrog2

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``Could you clarify choosing 750ti over the 270x ``

well of course the r9 270X is better then gtx 750 ti..but the problem here is to fit the graphic card in the case
the gtx have almost 2 inches less difference in length and cheaper

the case above can not support gpu card longer then 11 inches , but its possible to install a r9 270x if you can found a gpu brand who is shorter , i will check for you
 
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badboyrog2

badboyrog2

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ok if found this one here
http://www.msi.com/product/vga/R9-270X-GAMING-2G-ITX.html#hero-specification

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/PyWCqs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/PyWCqs/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($70.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII M4 58.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H97I AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($107.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($163.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Lian-Li PC-TU200A Mini ITX Tower Case ($155.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $663.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-29 05:47 EST-0500
 
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PDXDewd

PDXDewd

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You can shave some off the case price and still keep a pretty small box. I landed on a Raijintek Metis box and I'm pretty happy with the size. You can catch it on sale from time to time: http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=100874&vpn=0R200006&manufacture=Raijintek&promoid=1301

Case caveats: definitely have to stick the short cards (EVGA GTX 750 TI, MSI R9 270x, etc), watch out for off-center cpu mounts in some motherboards. I used an ASRock and the cooler edged into the 2.5" drive mount area. Asus and Gigabyte should work fine and the 3.5" slot is in the clear either way. I've seen some complaints about airflow but I haven't noticed an issue but I'm running the 53W Pentium, not a white hot...wait...AMD FX chip?...there aren't any Mini ITX boards for those I don't think. Careful on that one. You're pretty much relegated to 1150 and FM2+ sockets so if you go AMD, you're in the A Series chips.
 
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MohitArora

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From both of of you guys recommendations I have decided to go with these parts + the 30 dollar case which PDX recommends its smaller than the other one and 4 times as cheap. My parts list : http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MJqgK8

Please let me know if these parts are compatible or not. Also, I decided on a 2.5 mm drive. I am going to put the ssd in my laptop. and use my laptops hdd 1TB 7200rpm in the build (enough for me even the speed)
 
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badboyrog2

badboyrog2

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if you going in airplane with his case ..without handle an a too small factor case ?????
good luck!
you will need a lot smaller gpu card too ( maximum length 165mm ), that will be a big mess with overheating problem etc...
the gpu card you choose have 170mm ??????
 
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MohitArora

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I will be putting the case in the check in baggage. So it will be going inside one of my 2 bags without the hard drive, ram and graphic card connected. i will take out these 3 things and put it safely in the second check in baggage i am allowed. I am allowed a massive 100lbs (including both bags). Also doesnt it say that it will support a 170mm card in their specification. I am also concerned about the heat too as you said. Do you think it will really overheat with the 120 mm fan pre-installed at the rear.
 
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PDXDewd

PDXDewd

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Couple thoughts on the new build. See if you can find some reviews on the CPU cooler. A lot of the low profile coolers don't perform any better than the stock coolers, some are worse....they just fit a low profile case better. That said, I chose the Raijintek because it's design allowed for a tall cooler so you definitely won't need to use a low profile if you go that route. I understand you can overclock a decent amount with the G3258's stock cooler...probably not 4.7GHz but maybe 4ish which is way stable but still zippy. With the ASRock board, I can't tell for sure, but that cooler may crowd the lower 2.5" HDD/SSD slot, the upper one should be fine though.

As with any SFF box, it's an interesting puzzle dropping things in. I used the Cooler Master Evo 212 on mine and I had to do things in a pretty specific order to get them in the case, like, mount the drives, wire up the mobo to the case/drives, mount the cooler/fan and RAM, drop the board in, then gpu, then PSU last. The Raijintek has a front mounted PSU which is what shortens the gpu slot but still leaves room for a tall cooler...also makes the build order a little weird. But, that's the fun of the small case.

Here's the build I used: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/PDXDewd/saved/xRDmP6
(I had to jury-rig the SSD drive into the 3.5" slot due to the mobo offset and cooler width)
Max stable OC I've gotten from my G3258 was 4.4GHz with no heat issues but the GTX 750Ti doesn't add much heat of its own.

 
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MohitArora

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you think i can go with the r9 285 compact but it is exactly 170mm. So i am little concerned. Thanks for showing me that fan. Could u post a pic of your rig comparing the size of it too anything else like a screen or on the table. It will be a great help for me. I might never overclock the processor over 4.2. Also, this is my first time buliding a pc. I have experience with notebooks but not desktops as such. I mean I know where everything should go. However, I might take me a long time getting things togethor as a first time builder.However I feel a little overconfident on this so far lol
 
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PDXDewd

PDXDewd

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I believe the 750Ti is exactly 170mm and it's a 2 slot size. I remember it being more snug against the power supply than the front of the case so...yes, the R9 should fit. Some might consider it a bit of a mismatch to the Pentium but if you don't play games that are processor heavy, that won't matter so much. I'm a budget/low power freak so please take my opinions with the proper grains of salt.

Stand by on the case photos. I don't have any readily available but I'll put some up on partpicker as soon as I can and reply back. For comparison, the case size/volume is just over 13 liters. The Silverstone you found is right at 14. (just to bake your noodle a little more on small cases, check out the Rosewill Legacy V3...it wont take a super tall cooler but it's only 10 Liters.)
 
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MohitArora

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Thanks man. I play a lot of COD which isnt as processor eating (I am not sure) and racing games. Also, some rpg's. I think i will go with the 10 litre case u said. I am buying everything off amazon actually.I do not trust any other website and I am willing to pay like 20 bucks extra for the ease of returns and services. I am going to use a sfx power supply with this case so i doesnt interfere with the video card.
 
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PDXDewd

PDXDewd

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Right on. I don't have any experience with the Rosewill case but the specs should work with your build. It's got a tiny bit more room for the gpu but make note of its cooler height restrictions. Stock cooler should fit.

My buddy plays COD on the R9 270 or 270X possibly. Says it's smooth as silk. If you want to budget down even more, that's an option for you. MSI makes an ITX sized 270X. Depends on how much you want to futureproof....I don't but with a $500 box...I never saw the benefit :D

 
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MohitArora

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I am sorry as this is my first time. which component gives you the stock cooler? the case or the processor or motherboard? Also I might just go with the Raijintek because of the price. Only the case i can order from ncix and other things come out to be 571 +tax on amazon. check my wish list out to see my finalized (SO FAR) components http://amzn.com/w/3AQABJ8D4BLBF
 
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PDXDewd

PDXDewd

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Oh, the CPU generally comes with a stock cooler which works fine unless you plan to overclock. The Pentium isn't a high wattage (TDP) chip at 53 watts so you can get away with some overclocking with the fan supplied. Recommend some serious research on the topic though; overclocking is not my forte.
 
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MohitArora

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http://amzn.com/w/3AQABJ8D4BLBF

 
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PDXDewd

PDXDewd

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Heheh, you're going to hate this (*evil grin*) The H81 motherboard has a chance of not working with the G3258. It's the right socket but the CPU is still pretty new and not all "81" boards have a current enough BIOS. It should and most should come with current versions (even with overclocking added to non "Z" boards) but I've seen loads of people complaining about it. "BIOS wasn't current, didn't have an old Intel cpu laying around to boot the board and flash the BIOS with. Had to RMA and get another board."
 
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MohitArora

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what motherboard would u recommend then

 
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PDXDewd

PDXDewd

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The stock answer is Asus Z87/Z97 boards but those are much more expensive and really, all kinds of boards will get the job done. I just wanted to you to be aware of a possible gotchya on the 81 series boards. Look for info on overclocking the G3258 with "non-Z" motherboards, there are loads of them that will work with current BIOS and since you are in Mini ITX land, that'll narrow the search a bit. Happy Hunting :)
 
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MohitArora

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Ya i cant spend more than 60-70 on the motherboard it seems like for now .I am hunting. Thanks for you recommendations. seems like this one might be a good choice http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel-Mini-Motherboard-GA-H81N/dp/B00H7OHW8A/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1419881355&sr=1-8&keywords=mini+itx+motherboard

 
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