Looking for a relatively small case in PC build

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zerokaraichi

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This is the first time I'm going to be building a PC, and I'm doing it from parts I already have plus parts I'm planning to buy. However I would like a smaller footprint and I believe I need a special motherboard/case. What mobo-case combo should I get if my remaining budget is ~$150?

Build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/TTcYzy
I already own the PSU and GPU so replacing those aren't an option, but I'm open for any better alternatives for other parts!

I'm not planning on OC'ing my CPU hence the Xeon (better performance at a lower price, from what I've researched). Also, with this in mind, do I need to buy a separate CPU cooler/any other cooler? Will be using this build for gaming/lightroom/photoshop.

Thanks!

Update, finished build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LxHW8d
 
Solution
xStampede


The Xeon E-3 1231 V3 is slightly slower than the i7 4790 but if you get it for 50$ cheaper then go for it.

You cann keep it cool...
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xStampede

xStampede

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You should go for MicroATX motherboard and PC case, here is a microATX build with your parts. Also added a CPU cooler to keep more silent and cool. You can get a much cheaper microATX motherboard if you need, the Asus Z97M-Plus is full feature modern motherboard. The Case is highly customizable so you can remove the drive cage where your GPU is and still have slots for over 4 hard drives.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($123.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($96.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card ($351.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1500 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($54.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($81.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1197.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-13 04:23 EDT-0400

4ed50a0e-f911-4f84-921e-17b1df8a9f01


7680ceda-8b28-4ec8-8047-896156b9a41c
 
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Z

zerokaraichi

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Apr 13, 2015
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Thanks for the responses everyone!

I'm actually looking for a case that's even smaller than the one xStampede suggested (sorry for not being too specific earlier). I did a bit more research and found that the mini-ITX form factor looks like a good size.

The Cooler Master Elite 130 looks like a good option, just mainly concerned about the airflow as it looks like there isn't much. And I don't think the CPU cooler would fit in there either. But I'm not overclocking, so would that possibly work?
 
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xStampede

xStampede

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Well as you have a xeon in your build i thought it might be used at 100% load for prolonged period, like over 16 hours a day, otherwise you should just get an i7 4790. If you use it at 100% for longer time then the stock cooler is not good enough, you need an aftermarket CPU cooler for silence and lower temperatures so the CPU will last forever.

The Mini ITX build is good and there are many good CPU coolers that fit Mini ITX cases, you won't be able to put as many hard drives in it thou.

You haven't told what exactly you need it for and how many hard drives you planing on using.

 
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zerokaraichi

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My main reason for getting the Xeon is its price tag; it's $50 cheaper than the i7 4790 but should have similar performance, right?

I probably won't be running at 100% most of the time, but the computer will be active for ~10 hours a day.

I'm planning on using this computer for Cities:Skylines/BF4/GTAV/Assassin's Creed/CoD/Witcher3 games on ultra/high settings around 70% of the time and Adobe LR/PS 30%. 1 hard drive and 1 ssd should be enough for now but I might expand and add another HDD later on.

So with that in mind, would I run into heating problems with the miniITX airflow w/o a CPU cooler?
 
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xStampede

xStampede

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The Xeon E-3 1231 V3 is slightly slower than the i7 4790 but if you get it for 50$ cheaper then go for it.

You cann keep it cool and silent with the Mini ITX build but you must plan carefully on which case you take and what CPU cooler fits in, the stock cooler can get kinda noisy and loud with that small fan working at over 2000 RPM even when CPU is only on half load.

What you must have in mind thou is that most mini ITX cases are "fatter" due to motherboard horizontal position so you might not save space so i would suggest you to go with vertical "slim" one and put a low profile CPU cooler with 120mm fan like in the second picture.

Asrock M8 case:

M8_web_spces_img1.jpg


Image_32S.jpg


http://content.hwigroup.net/images/products_xl/197424/3/asrock-m8-d45.jpg

Horrizontal type gaming Cases:
bWFpbmltYWdlcy9wcm9kdWN0X2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8xMjBBZHZhbmNlZC01MDAtNi5qcGc=.jpg


first-page9.jpg

 
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Solution
Z

zerokaraichi

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Apr 13, 2015
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The Asrock case looks perfect, but unfortunately I couldn't find it sold as a case separately (only bundled with a pre-built machine). Also, I don't think vertical-slim cases fit the full-sized power supply I have (XFX XTR) so I think I'll stick with the horizontal ones.

Edit for reference: My finished build that also meets my budget: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LxHW8d
 
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