Portable Gaming Desktop/laptop

Major_Spanky

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Aug 17, 2013
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Hello, I need some advice and or suggestions. I am traveling around everywhere for work, and I am looking to get something that will play modern games and be easily portable, and airport friendly. I've been looking at laptops, they are pricey, then I had a thought about just using a portable desktop. I have successfully built a desktop before that works well so this is an option. I can use the TV in hotels as the monitor, WiFi, keyboard and mouse are easy to transport. Now I know the main question is how much do you want to spend, well the best answer I have is enough to get something that will play games like ARMA III *heavily modded* and fallout 4 *also modded* at a comfortable level. I don't mind spending enough for this but I don't need the fluff that you get with almost everything you see for sale. Guess it's worth mentioning that this will be solely a gaming platform used with Steam. I have a laptop that works for everything else I do. I've even thought about cannibalising the desktop I currently have to build this if it's at all possible. Here is my desktop https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Major_Spanky/saved/pgsv6h
 
Honestly, if you built that system you linked to yourself, I would just pick a micro case and MB that suits you, and cannibalize what you can use from that rig.

With that CPU and GPU though, I would pick a case with good ventilation, because you probably won't have much room for aftermarket coolers in a micro case.

You also really should consider getting a durable bag with decent padding, or adding your own padding, if you plan to put it in baggage vs carry on.
 

Major_Spanky

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I didn't think everything in my current build would fit in a small box. Especially the CPU cooler. I will look around for a good tough case. As for transport, if I'm able to save that much by just cannibalising my current system then I'll just buy a pelican case for it, problem solved lol. Thanks for the help, and if you know some particularly tough travel cases for the components to go in I'd like to see what options are out there.

Edit- I did see where you mentioned the MB wouldn't work. That's fine and shouldnt be an issue to replace.
 


Depending on it's size, the PSU (your 850w) may not fit in a micro case either. Micro cases are a very personal preference thing. Some for instance prefer ones with handles. Just make SURE you try to find a build article or video using the ones you narrow down to, because there are often little things to overlook.

 

Major_Spanky

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I'm currently looking at this setup http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Major_Spanky/saved/2yWxFT got some more compatability issues to look into, but this is where I'm at so far. Thinking of trying a waterless heat sink and declocking from 4.7 back to 4.0 to see how it runs. I'm pretty sure my H100 would fit but I'm sketchy about a closed loop and high altitudes. Like I said still doing some research on the build. I also need to see if my PSU will fit.
 

Major_Spanky

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I've discovered a different case that would be easier to fit in a travel case. I also haven't seen any issue with water cooling and flying (not carry-on). So I've revised my parts list. http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Major_Spanky/saved/2yWxFT It says the cooler won't work but I've seen the 75 mounted in this case in a ATX setup. I would go with the 75 but the 80 should help cooling more. I'll still have to lower my clock most likely but it's a small compromise. Besides the labor of moving everything this is fairly cost effective too. I will be adding some High performance case fans to the list, probably Corsair. Any thoughts or objections? Did I miss anything?
 
I was going to suggest an HTPC style case, since they pack flatter. That's a pretty good one too, and comes with easy access filters. I'm not sure whether the top has any vents, but it may not need them.

Looks like you're on the right track. Just make sure you pack it carefully!
 

Major_Spanky

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That's good to hear, and thanks for the advice. I noticed they have a GD10 case that is just a tad more roomy so that is looking like my pick unless I can I can find something better with similar or better dimensions. I'm having to look at every individual cases dimensions since they are never posted which makes this aggravating lol. I am going to buy a Pelican Storm travel case to carry this thing so it should have a soft ride. There are only vents around three ends but with a liquid cooler and some good fans it should stay cool. I doubt I'll be able to clock it much past 4.2 if that. I'm going to leave out the optical drive too so that should free up some space for air to move. Since this conversion will cost around $600 including the case it's still a far better deal for me than a comparable laptop.
 


Definitely! As we all know, $600 doesn't go very far when it comes to gaming laptops, and they're prone to heat, dust buildup, and damage.

Shoot us some pics when you've got it built, and one of it in the Pelican.

BTW, I noticed the previous case you mentioned has a Kensington slot, and I'm sure the bigger model probably does too. You may want to invest in a Kensington lock if you're going to be leaving it in hotel rooms, and Kensington makes some pretty good ones.

 
After looking at the Pelican cases, it looks like the im2700 would best fit the larger Silverstone HTPC case you mentioned, with room for a Keyboard as well. They go for $150 on Amazon, with foam included.

I imagine the biggest pain might be checking it through the airport guys that inspect your luggage, so good luck with that. LOL
 

Major_Spanky

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I was actually looking at the im2720, and that should be perfect. Im pretty sure there's no chance this could be carry on so I've been planning on checked luggage. I really hate the thought of it getting tossed around but that's what the Pelican is for. I am planning on going all SSD so I don't have issues with that HDD. I don't think XRAYs will hurt anything. And there shouldn't be any that could jar loose, no top heavy heatsink. RAM maybe??? Idk...

One thing that I have really been thinking about is fan setup, I am not planning on using stock fans. They have it setup as positive pressure, yet I been running negative method. I can do either easily with this case. I'm just not sure which would be best. I could have all the fans exhaust, I think enough air could vent in from the I/O. I feel as if positive pressure wouldn't work with this rig.
 
Slight positive pressure is always best. It avoids dust being continuously sucked into small crevices or vents that have no exhaust fans or intake filters. It's the way I set up my Antec DF-85, and it stays pretty clean and cool.

HOWEVER, it's easy to get only slight positive pressure in my case, while still having plenty exhaust, because I have fan speed controllers, and the top of the case has two 140mm exhaust fans. On that Silverstone case, it's set up for a lot of intake venting, with very little exhaust vents. That can make airflow stagnate, and pool warm air before it exhausts.

I've read some reviews on that case, and with a small Thermalright fin stack type cooler, it did not fair too well temp wise with the case filters in place. I'm sure that is as much to do with lopsided intake/outtake venting, as it is the filters. I've also seen some say other flat type HTPC cases have a better layout, which better avoid problems not fitting certain things.

It depends a lot whether the hotels you'll be in have AC though. They also said in that review, which used an ASUS Strix 980, that changing the GPU's fan speed profile helped a lot on temps, but made it significantly louder. They ARE however a site called Silent PC Review though, so they might be nit picky about noise.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1466-page1.html

BTW, seems the 10 model case is not bigger than the 9, it just has a locking front door.

Just saying be SURE you check everything out before you buy.
 

Major_Spanky

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OK, thanks for the info, I think I've read that article as I have been reading alot about this case. My main reason for going with it the dimensions, it and that Pelican go well together. I figured I could deal with cooling one way or another. I have already ordered this case to keep me from second guessing myself. I am going to use the Corsair H75 for the CPU. Looking at the case from the top with the front being North, the H75 would mount in the SW fan slot. I will not be using the drive bay so that bracket to the NW would be removed for better air flow and a 120mm fan in its place. On the east side there's two more 120mm fan mounts, one of which will be covered by the PSU. I'll add another 120mm fan in the NE slot. Then straight South of the CPU is two 80mm fan mounts, I have seen some 80+CFM fans on newegg for about $25ea that I'm considering for there. However I probably should do some CFM calculations on each fan and adjust so I have just a tad more CFM in than out. I do have a fan speed controller built into my MB that is fan curve programmable and has 4 basic settings (silent, normal, turbo, full) Noise doesn't bother me at all as I won't hear it thru my headset. I have fans for all the 120mm spots including the one that will come with the H75. I can use the two that are on my H100 for the other two slots. They are are high static pressure fans so that could help maybe??? Idk, I will probably have to mess with different setups till it's good. One thing I'm not to sure about is the GPU, I'm assuming the fans pull air in from the case and blows out the port??? I never had to deal with this much with the HAF X lol, it moved a ton of air. As far as dust goes I don't have a problem with having to open the top and clean it once a month or so. I'll definitely let you know how it turns out when I get it done with pics. I'm kinda excited for the project, but I am sad to leave the HAF X.
 
I'm thinking if you could just have the two 120mm fans on one side as intakes, and on the other side as exhaust, then the two 80mm ones as intakes, it would be doable as a slight positive pressure setup. It would probably handle heat much better than in that review, since they were using the stock lopsided setup, and the divider, which blocks a lot of airflow.

On your GPU cooler, you can only expect it to effectively exhaust air out the case if it's a reference cooled one with the one blower fan design. I'm guessing it's an aftermarket cooler, with at least 2 propeller type fans that just blow downward on the heatsink. That is one big reason it's so important to have good airflow in these types of cases, esp if you're using a high end GPU with aftermarket cooler.

These receiver shaped HTPC cases generally don't have top vents to fit fans. Otherwise they'd be nearly cube shaped.
 

Major_Spanky

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I will try that when I get to that point. That would have the H75 pulling air in (warm) and another 120mm pulling in across the MB towards the GPU. The 80mm's will be blowing on the air coming from the H75 towards the CPU, which should cool that air. Then on the opposite side 1x 120mm pushing the exhaust out and the PSU would be exhausting.

Now the GPU I have is an EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0. It hasn't really ever gotten warm on me. I haven't OC'd it from factory settings. I will obviously keep an eye on temps for awhile after its built but I think it will be fine as long as there's fresh air. I don't think I've seen it above 50%fan speed or 61°C. I use MSI AB to set the curve for it and I have it on a step system untill 70°c then it's 100% as it will get louder than any of my other fans. It's a real beast lol. Worse comes to worse I'll build a loop for it with a separate rad for the GPU.

I do have a full modular PSU so I'm going to make sure all the wires are out of the way. That will help alot, as I noticed some of the reviewers didn't think wire management was important. I don't want to but I could do external fans that I can easily unplug and set in the carry case. Anyway, like I said, I know it can be cooled. I will get it done even if it's a little crazy looking. Aesthetics aren't high on priorities with this, all about function.
 
Oh cable management matters a LOT, esp in those small cases. They were just being lazy.

Try and make sure you mount your GPU in a slot that puts it's fans right under that top intake vent on the case. That should help.

I looked at the im2720, same as 2700 with pull handle and wheels. That's going to help a lot when you're tired from travel and work. Esp since this thing will probably weigh at least 20lbs total with the Pelican.
 

Major_Spanky

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Aug 17, 2013
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I will get the cables nice and tidy. Since this kinda looks like a tower laid on its side there isn't a top vent. The vents/fans are all around the ends. There's only two appropriate slot for the 980 I think and that would be top two as the MB is SLI ready. So the GPU fans will be towards the PSU if I'm not mistaken.
 

Major_Spanky

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Quick question... I have some 91% rubbing alcohol... Will that be OK to clean components before I reinstall them? Mainly for the thermal paste and the fans. Going to use air for the boards.
 

Colonel Kernel

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Does your laptop have an eGPU slot or i believe it's called a thunderbolt slot? If so, you could just buy a decent GPU, and connect it through there. For cheap I would recommend a GTX 750 TI 2 or 4 Gb. If you've got the cash, you could dish out a GTX 960 or 980, however those higher end cards will need an external power source.