$1500 Mini-ITX gaming build

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THE50SEVEN

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
7
0
1,510
Approximate Purchase Date: Next few weeks

Budget Range: $1500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, movies, general usage, some CAD.

Parts Not Required: Peripherals

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I have a $800 credit limit with Newegg, but anything past that I only care that it's a quality business

Country:United States

Parts Preferences: Asus ROG, nVidia, Intel

Overclocking: Learning

SLI or Crossfire: N/A

Monitor Resolution: 1080p+

Additional Comments: Build needs to be able to fit in my desk, W10.5\H11\D19

I'm looking to build a gaming PC that will be able to fit in my desk where 3 drawers used to be. I've found that mini-ITX is going to be my best option. This is the parts list I have now, just looking for a second opinion on everything as it's been 6 years since I've done anything with computer hardware. If there are any bottlenecks or areas that could be improved, please let me know. I would also like to know if there is anything I happened to be missing, though I think I have everything... Thank you in advance for any help!

Case: Lian Li PC-Q17WX
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112540&cm_re=pc-q17wx-_-11-112-540-_-Product]

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700k
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117559&cm_re=i7-6700k_processor-_-19-117-559-_-Product]

CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro H75
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181058&ignorebbr=1]

Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus VIII Impact
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132638&ignorebbr=1]

GPU: EVGA GTX 1070 FTW Hybrid
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487264&ignorebbr=1]

RAM: G.Skill Aegis 1x16Gb 2133Mhz
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232249&ignorebbr=1]

Storage: Intel 600B 256Gb M.2 SSD
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAZU4P53467&ignorebbr=1]

PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 750W
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438027&ignorebbr=1]

Total cost: $1580.43 (before shipping)
 
Solution
ScrewySqrl
you can bring that back under $1500 with a smaller Power supply. even with verclocking, a 550W PSJU is mre than enough (stock, you only use 314W

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VIII IMPACT Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($234.90 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.42 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini Video Card...
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xFeaRDom

xFeaRDom

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Jul 28, 2016
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Couple of changes:

Don't get an intel SSD, go with something like the 950 pro, people say that the Intel ones aren't too good.

Also, get a 2x8GB Kit, run it in dual channel and it will be much quicker and efficient over the 1x16GB.

The AIO water cooler is practically useless, you may as well save some money and get a decent air cooler, as they perform basically the same, such as the Noctua NH-U9S.

That PSU is also a little overkill, a 600W would be enough and have a good headroom when components are overclocked.
 
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ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

Champion
Aug 2, 2010
11,199
232
53,540
By swapping to a less expensive case and air cooling, I was able to get a 1080 instead of 1070, a 512 GB SDD and a 2 TB HDD, all from NEwegg:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Reeven Brontes RC-1001b 30.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($36.50 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($125.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($78.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.05 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1080 8GB TURBO Video Card ($599.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1471.47
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-23 05:59 EST-0500

 
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T

THE50SEVEN

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
7
0
1,510
You both gave me a bit to ponder, and so I did since it was slow at work today. I've taken xFeaRDom suggestions and removed the water cooling out as it wasn't something I really needed, but just wanted. I've also switched to 2x8gb RAM, originally I was just going with the 16Gb to keep it in budget and then buy another 16Gb down the road, but I thought about it and I'll probably have no need for 32Gb of RAM. I've also dropped to a 600W PSU.
Screwsql; you have me interested now because I would love to be able to do a 1080, but didn't think it was all that possible in my budget, as it's a tight fit. The problem is that even with the cost deductions in cooling and PSU, I would still need to cut money from another component in order to stay within my budget. I may be willing go with the Elite 130 case as it was my original choice before learning of the Lian Li ROG case. The problem is I both really love Lian Li's designs and am admittedly an ROG fanboy.
Either way, here are a few revised builds. Opinions?

Build 1: Based on FeaRDom's suggestions

Case: Lian Li PC-Q17WX
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...]

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700k
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...]

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master V8 GTS
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103189&ignorebbr=1]

Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus VIII Impact
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...]

GPU: EVGA GTX 1070 FTW
[https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487259]

RAM: G.Skill Aegis 2x8Gb 2133Mhz
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232242&ignorebbr=1]

Storage: Samsung 850 Evo
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147372&ignorebbr=1]

PSU: Corsair CX600
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...]

Total Cost: $1513.92 (before shipping) Much better price than before


Build 2: GTX 1080 Build w/Elite 130 case

Case: Cooler Master Elite 130
[https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119286&cm_re=cooler_master_elite_130-_-11-119-286-_-Product]

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700k
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...]

CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro H75
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...]

Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus VIII Impact
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...]

GPU: Asus GTX 1080 ROG
[https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814126116&cm_re=asus_rog_1080-_-14-126-116-_-Product]

RAM: G.Skill Aegis 2x8Gb 2133Mhz
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232242&ignorebbr=1]

Storage: Samsung 850 Evo
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147372&ignorebbr=1]

PSU: Corsair CX600
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028&ignorebbr=1]

Total Cost: $1630.92 (before shipping) A bit over budget


Build 3: GTX1080 w/Lian Li Case

Case: Lian-Li PC-Q17WX (my ideal build)
[https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112540&cm_re=pc-q17wx-_-11-112-540-_-Product]

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700k
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...]

CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro H75
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...]

Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus VIII Impact
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...]

GPU: Asus GTX 1080 ROG
[https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814126116&cm_re=asus_rog_1080-_-14-126-116-_-Product]

RAM: G.Skill Aegis 2x8Gb 2133Mhz
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232242&ignorebbr=1]

Storage: Samsung 850 Evo
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147372&ignorebbr=1]

PSU: Corsair CX600
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028&ignorebbr=1]

Total Cost: $1753.92 (before shipping) Okay, this is far above budget but it is my favorite of the 3 builds. I can afford it, it would just mean waiting until next Friday to order everything. So unless the 1080 is really worth it, I'm willing to settle for a 1070.
 
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T

THE50SEVEN

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
7
0
1,510
I'm currently maxed at 1080p because that's all my monitor will do. I might upgrade to a higher resolution monitor or go with a multi monitor 1080p setup in the future, but nothing in the next year. So if that's the case I'm probably just better off saving the $200 and sticking with the 1070, right?
 
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T

THE50SEVEN

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
7
0
1,510
Just going over some of the notes I have from planning, and was wondering if I'd be better off going with an i5-6600K cpu for $100 less and then using that $100 to upgrade to a GTX1080? From the benchmarks I've seen, game play isn't heavily affected by the CPU with the core i7 only slightly out beating the i5, whereas the 1080 is far better than the 1070. I suppose it would come down to how much I really need hyper-threading and the extra 2mb of cashe. I do plan to do some CAD work, but nothing major, mostly just playing around and 3D printing. I don't really do any video editing or photo editing, and those seem to be where the i7 would really shine. The 6600k is only marginally slower than the 6700k, but both allow for overclocking so the 6600k could be overclocked to compete with a base clock 6700k.
This is an option I didn't much consider since my previous (now dead) computer was an i7 so I didn't really want to downgrade.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
Jul 27, 2011
42,548
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You do not want to pair a GTX 1080 with a Corsair CX600, it would be better to stick with the EVGA G2 from your previous build. This is how I would spend $1500:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z170A GAMING M5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($148.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($97.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($112.25 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.78 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card ($604.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1559.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-24 22:26 EST-0500
 
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T

THE50SEVEN

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
7
0
1,510
That's a great build and all, but I can't fit an mid tower case in my desk and I'd really love to have at least an ROG mobo.
I'm pretty much in love with the case and the mobo at this point, so I don't think I can alter that in my build. The more ScrewySqrl mentions 1440p and 4k the more I'm thinking about it in the possible future. My current monitor is fine, but it's about 7 years old now and even though it's rated at 1080p it never really impressed me from the get go. (I mean, it's better than my old CRT's that it replaced, but it always seemed to lack that HD luster. And it's small) So while I don't plan on doing anything above 1080p for now, I can't say a new monitor is out of the question sometime in the next year. I thought I was confident in my original parts list, but now I find myself questioning it more and more. I think I'll wait another week or two to better refine my build and also have some extra $$$ in the bank.
Thanks everyone for your input!
 
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ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

Champion
Aug 2, 2010
11,199
232
53,540
how abut $1500 build including a 1440p monitor then?


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($125.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($84.97 @ Jet)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.42 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.82 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini ITX OC Video Card ($383.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G257HU smidpx 25.0" 2560x1440 60Hz Monitor ($233.99 @ Jet)
Total: $1473.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-25 12:17 EST-0500

overclocking and a 1070

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($302.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($72.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Avexir Core Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 275GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.60 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.78 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 8GB AMP! Edition Video Card ($580.81 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Rosewill 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G257HU smidpx 25.0" 2560x1440 60Hz Monitor ($233.99 @ Jet)
Total: $1478.13
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-25 12:25 EST-0500

no overclocking and a smaller ssd/hdd for a 1080
 
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T

THE50SEVEN

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
7
0
1,510
That's a cool idea but I don't want to buy another monitor just yet, I'll save that for my new apartment this fall. I did a little more research and actually found out that neither the 1070 or 1080 will fit in the Lian Li case, which I am dead set on using. I did learn though that Zotac makes a "mini" 1070 that will fit, with not much of a reduction in performance vs. the standard size, oh and it was cheaper! So here's what I think is my best build option as it's only $11.83 over budget and that's only because of shipping. What do you all think? I personally think this is the best I'm going to do given my stubbornness about the case.

(I know the PSU is probably overkill, but it was the same price as the 650W in the same series, so why not give myself the free extra head room, right?)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VIII IMPACT Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($234.90 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini Video Card ($389.99 @ Jet)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Other: LIAN LI PC-Q17WX Black Aluminum Computer Case ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1511.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-26 00:22 EST-0500
 
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ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

Champion
Aug 2, 2010
11,199
232
53,540
you can bring that back under $1500 with a smaller Power supply. even with verclocking, a 550W PSJU is mre than enough (stock, you only use 314W

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VIII IMPACT Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($234.90 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.42 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini Video Card ($389.99 @ Jet)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ B&H)
Other: LIAN LI PC-Q17WX Black Aluminum Computer Case ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1486.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-26 06:37 EST-0500

this also gets you a larger SSD
 
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