Questions about Form Factor and making a Best Value Build

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paul3000

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Hello Everyone,

I have a few questions but first let me explain my plan. I want to take my existing SSD, mechanical drives and my brand new PNY 750Ti 2GB video card (decent upgrade from my HD4850 considering my system is getting dated) and utilize them for a new build. I don't game as much as I used to, so I don't see that I need to spend as much money as I used to in previous builds. This computer will be for light photoshop and lightroom use, as well as casual gaming (Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, D3, and hopefully Fallout 4). I'm looking for the best bang for my buck.

On to the questions

First, other than the loss of additional slots and expansion is there any other downsides of going with a mini-itx build? I would like to build something small, don't see the point in making another ATX tower where I don't need most of the slots.

Second, regarding CPUs I was looking into the Pentium G3258 and overclocking it. However would it just be a better bet to pony up some more cash for a better CPU (taking into consideration what I will be using the PC for)?

Third, any good value motherboards you would recommend?

Thanks for the help!!
 
Solution
cleanshot911
Other than potentially higher temps and the inability to go SLI, there aren't really any other problems with Mini-itx other than the ones you listed. As for parts, an i3 will do you better than a Pentium. I'd suggest the parts below, the case is cheap, but good enough quality, and one of the smallest cases on the market, about a cubic foot.

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

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($120.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus H170I-PLUS D3 Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.00 @ Mac Mall)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX...
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turkey3_scratch

turkey3_scratch

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For Photoshop, you should benefit more from an I3 processor than an overclocked Pentium. Other than less slots and ports on mITX, usually they have less power phases for overclocking CPUs. But considering that you aren't going for a high end CPU anyway, it absolutely doesn't matter if you go with mITX.

I would go with the I3-6100.
 
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paul3000

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I currently have a AMD Phenom X4 Black Edition 9950, I assume even though the i3 is dual core the system will have more pep since it's newer architecture? (also would probably help the SSD using SATA 3 instead 2 which my mobo currently has).

 
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cleanshot911

cleanshot911

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Other than potentially higher temps and the inability to go SLI, there aren't really any other problems with Mini-itx other than the ones you listed. As for parts, an i3 will do you better than a Pentium. I'd suggest the parts below, the case is cheap, but good enough quality, and one of the smallest cases on the market, about a cubic foot.

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

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($120.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus H170I-PLUS D3 Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.00 @ Mac Mall)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case ($37.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX Core Edition 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $359.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-09 22:25 EST-0500
 
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cleanshot911

cleanshot911

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Yeah an i3 would definitely have a bit more "pep in its step" than an AMD Phenom. Certainly worth the money, an i3 is a great combo to go with your gtx 750ti.
 
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paul3000

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Do you think it's worth getting the i3-6320 over the 6100?
 
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