Thoughts on New Build?

cheshirecatsays · Mar 30, 2016

I'm turning my gaming PC into a makeshift Steam Box and would like opinions on the intended build. Size and budget are critical. I plan on low- to mid-end gaming (M&B Bannerlord, Don't Starve, etc.).

CPU: Intel i-5 2500*
GPU: GeForce GTX 560*
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LP 2x4 GB*
OS: Windows 10*

*These components are holdovers from my old gaming PC

Case: SilverStone FTZ01S
Mobo: ??
WiFi: ??
Cooling: CORSAIR Hydro Series H50 120mm Quiet Edition
PSU: SilverStone 450W SFX Form Factor 80 PLUS GOLD
SSD: PNY CS1311 240 GB 2.5" SATA III

Are there any glaring issues with this build? Is there anywhere I could cut down on size & cost without sacrificing too much performance?

Captainawzome · Mar 30, 2016

cheshirecatsays :

I'm turning my gaming PC into a makeshift Steam Box and would like opinions on the intended build. Size and budget are critical. I plan on low- to mid-end gaming (M&B Bannerlord, Don't Starve, etc.).

CPU: Intel i-5 2500*
GPU: GeForce GTX 560*
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LP 2x4 GB*

*These components are holdovers from my old gaming PC

Case: SilverStone FTZ01S
Mobo: ASRock H97M-ITX/ac mini ITX
Cooling: CORSAIR Hydro Series H50 120mm Quiet Edition
PSU: SilverStone 450W SFX Form Factor 80 PLUS GOLD
SSD: PNY CS1311 240 GB 2.5" SATA III

Are there any glaring issues with this build? Is there anywhere I could cut down on size & cost without sacrificing too much performance?

What would be your exact budget?

cheshirecatsays · Mar 30, 2016

Captainawzome :

$400. That's a moving target, though.

$900 is my budget for a pair of gaming HTPCs. This is the "big brother". The "little brother" will be smaller, built from scratch and suitable for low-end gaming (Don't Starve Together, Stardew Valley, etc.).

why_wolf · Mar 30, 2016

you can't use an i5-2500 anything with an H97 motherboard. The 2500 is an Sandy Bridge CPU and uses LGA socket 1155. The H97 is a Haswell board and uses an LGA 1150 socket. You'd have to use an H61or Z77 motherboard to keep using that particular CPU.

cheshirecatsays · Mar 31, 2016

why_wolf :

Thanks for that catch. I've edited the OP to reflect the info.

Is there a particular motherboard you would recommend?

why_wolf · Mar 31, 2016

reusing the i5-2500? No good ones as those boards are basicly discontinued now. Only new mini-ITX board I see is this one. Other than that you'd have to check around on ebay to see what used ones are available. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131878

UrbanZyrx · Mar 31, 2016

You do not need a H55 for cooling. Either of these will do, both efficient in terms of cost and performance.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cryorig-cpu-cooler-h7
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2

cheshirecatsays · Mar 31, 2016

UrbanZyrx :

That's extremely helpful - thank you!

cheshirecatsays · Mar 31, 2016

why_wolf :

Really appreciate the feedback.

How much will SATA II hurt? After a night of searching, it seems like I'll have to compromise on either size or speed (mini-ITX vs micro ATX, or SATA III vs II), and that mobo is good for compromising speed.

Is it foolish to try fitting a micro ATX mobo in that case (FTZ01S)? Similarly-sized cases (DM-387, R379-M) support micro ATX, but I imagine they're built differently inside. Also, micro ATX cases never seem to be shown on their side - do micro ATX cases have to remain vertical?

why_wolf · Mar 31, 2016

yes mATX and micro ITX are very different size. If the case doesn't say it supports that size do not try to force it into it. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Motherboards_form_factors.svg/2000px-Motherboards_form_factors.svg.png

cheshirecatsays · Apr 1, 2016

Will a BOXDQ67EPB3 motherboard work for the build?

why_wolf · Apr 1, 2016

cheshirecatsays :

assuming its this one then yes. It's a min-ITX so it will fit in that case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121513

cheshirecatsays · Apr 1, 2016

Thanks for all your help!

I've got the choices boiled down to the following 2 builds. Now I just have to decide if a flat aluminum body is worth an extra $200...

==============================
Micro ATX ($190)

CPU: i5 2500 ($0)
GPU: gtx 560 ($0)
RAM: 8 GB Vengeance 2x4 ($0)
Fans: E97378-001 ($0)
Powr: SST-ST40F-ES 400W ($0)

Case: Corair Air240 ($90)
Mobo: GA-B75M-D3H ($85)
SSD: PNY CS1311 240GB ($15) [gift card]
==============================

==============================
Mini-ITX ($397)

CPU: i5 2500 ($0)
GPU: gtx 560 ($0)
RAM: 8 GB Vengeance 2x4 ($0)

Case: SilverStone FTZ01S Silver ($110)
Mobo: BOXDQ67EPB3 ($142)
Fans: Noctua NH-L9i 95mm ($40)
Powr: SilverStone 450W SFX 80 PLUS GOLD ($90)
SSD: PNY CS1311 240GB ($15) [gift card]
==============================

why_wolf · Apr 1, 2016

I have the Corsair Air 240. It's a nice case but you'll want to get rid of the 3.5" drive cage as its basicly in the way. A good CPU cooler that fits in the case is the Noctua NH-D9L. Has the great ability to rotate which direction to heatsink faces so you blow air either out the back or directly at the side/top. Since the side fans sit so close to it you basically get a great little push/pull combo without having to install a 2nd cpu fan. Using it on my i7-4790K.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA9PV3Y62123&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

You definitely can't use the Cooler Mast Hyper 212 EVO with that Silverstone case or the Air 240 (slightly too tall for it). It has a height dimension of 120 mm which is way past the Silverstones size of 107mm. You need to use a low profile cpu fan more in line with the stock intel cooler or like the Noctua NH-L9i. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA9PV3Y61170

cheshirecatsays · Apr 1, 2016

I could be wrong (why I'm here ofc), but isn't the height of the Cooler Master 76mm (25 + 51)?

I thought 120mm was the LxW (i.e. 2D dimensions). Or are you using height to refer to any of the 3 dimensions? This is my first smaller custom (only full towers prior), so this is all new to me.

why_wolf · Apr 3, 2016

cheshirecatsays :

I had the old model, its too tall. Looks like Newegg screwed up the dim chart on their listing. If you go to manufacturer page you see this. http://us.coolermaster.com/product/Detail_aj01/cooling/en13082303311851/Specs.html
http://us.coolermaster.com/product/Detail/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/hyper-212-evo.html

80mm thick, 120mm wide and 158.5 tall with fan.

cheshirecatsays · Apr 3, 2016

why_wolf, PM me if you're ever in SoCal, I'll buy you a beer - you've saved me several headaches and some solid cash.

I've edited the final 2 builds with your latest feedback in mind.

I've decided to build the micro ATX option. I'll try to recycle my old E97378-001 (I don't plan on overclocking), and if it doesn't fit the space or keep everything cool enough I'll order the Noctua NH-D9L.

why_wolf · Apr 3, 2016

no problem. Only reason I even knew was because I spent an agonizing amount of time trying to figure out what heat sinks fit in the air 240. A lot of the listings are really bad with either wrong or jumbled numbers that don't make it clear which dimension they're actually measuring. The E9 should fit just fine and keep it cool at stock speeds. The Noctua is solid if you realize you need more cooling. It lets my i7 run at 100% with turbo for hours on end.

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