Building Ultra Form Factor Gaming PC

[fugben]

Form Factor Gaming Pc:

Im going to try to build a form factor gaming pc in a micro atx case because I travel between countries a lot.

Your help is appreciated! (I don’t really know whats going to fit / what wont fit)

Case: ??? Im really open to suggestions. Im looking for something along the size of these shuttles or an xq pack possibly. I need to be able to fit a 4870x2 graphics card. I think shuttle will work but I don’t know for certain.

Heres a list of micro atx cases
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090007+1054808292&name=MicroATX+Desktop
Price around 100 $.

SILVERSTONE SST-SG01-B Black Aluminum MicroATX Desktop Computer Case - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163050
This actually looks the best
$119.99

Motherboard:
Id really like a micro ATX mobo with 2 pci x 16 slots but I could find one…

GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128078
60 $

Will a dual slot graphics card fit on this MOBO???

CPU:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115043
270 $

CPU Cooler: Whats going to fit in the case?

Graphics Card:

Radeon 4870x2
500 – 550 $

RAM:

ORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
66.50 $

Hard Drive:

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
90 $

Power Supply:
I hope this thing will fit in the case (also is it the best one?)

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, CB, TUV, FCC, CCC - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
109.99 $

Thermal Compound:

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
6 $

DVD Drive:

LG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache ATAPI / E-IDE Super Multi DVD Burner – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136117
30 $

Monitor:

SAMSUNG T220 Rose-Black 22" 2ms GTG Touch of Color series Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 20,000:1 – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001273
300 $

Or maybe

BenQ T241W Black 24" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with Height and Pivot Adjustments 250 cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014169
340 $

Sound Card:

Don’t know something cheap around 50 bucks would be good...

Wireless Card:

EDIMAX EW-7128G IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, AES - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315041

24$

Total cost around 1700 $

Btw this is my first computer ive ever assembled. Do you put parts on mobo before putting it in computer? And any other tips would be great….

Thanks for help!!!!!!!!!

 

[fugben]

Dont forget good ole operating system http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116485
windows home premium 32 bit - 110 $ (doesnt matter it say system builder do it?)

 

[IH8U]

Ok, so you basically want a mATX to carry around eh, well here goes

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133033
($140, has a carrying handle and better overall design)(other than weak 60mm fans)
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341005
($85, 720W modular)
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128078
($60, same as your choice)
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018
($195, OEM but next is a better HSF)
HSF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233022
($17)
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
($45, 2GB DDR2 800 G.Skill)
Vid: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130338
($390, 9800 GX2)
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288
($85, 500Gb with 32MB cache)
DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072
($36, retail SATA DVD burner 20x)
OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116485
($110, the 64bit is the same price)
Fans: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999106
($5, x2)(better than the 2 60mm fans in the case)
Sound: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829128003
($15, cheap 5.1 sound)

Total: $1188 + S&H (not counting MIR, or specials)(without monitor too)

 

[IH8U]

For the monitor, I'd say go with the Samsung (it is a great monitor).

 

[fugben]

Awesome thanks IH8U. I suppose a 4870x2 will fit if a 9800 gx2 fits right>?

 

[fugben]

Build looks awesome and cheap. Thanks a lot. U sure about clearance of HSF?

 

[fugben]

Will use same build except 4870x2 instead of 9800gx2 and 4 gig of corsair ram isntead of 2 gig. Awesome thanks. Lets pray they fit

 

[M@Sc0T]

get 64bit OS for the RAM... Think theres a waranty prob if it's not.... Anyway u need 64bit to use all 4GB of RAM

 

[Guest]

I'm running a Q6600 in the SG01 case with the Nitrogon cooler using only the PSU fan for cooling. On full load it gets to 68C (a little bit high).
Case takes any Matx board and is big enough for the 4870, 2x3.5" Hdd and 2x5.25" Drives. Build quality is amazing, Cannot recommend it enough.
Downside is price $119 and no PSU .

On the shuttle note - don't go there for a gaming PC. This build replaced a 5-year old shuttle, while shuttles are fantastic PC's and I had no real complaints the case is very cramped and airflow is lousy - I has to install some extra fans (held in with sticky pads) when installing a second Hdd as it messed up the airflow from the front of the case through the CPU cooler. You also have no upgrade path for the MB

You can build a great portable PC using the matx format but it is about foucusing on the core purpose of the PC and making comprimises, eg why get a 5.1 soundcard when the PC is about portability and to use the card properly youu you will need to carry about a large number of speakers too?
A $15 card will have problems competing with the MB onboard sound and with a Matx case you will need all the expansion slots you can get, say if you want to install a TV card / other expansion card later. It won't help that the Graphics cards you are palnning on using will be double slot.

Final Note - If you run into problems with HSF clearance you might think about the Scythe Ninja cooler, it works well and has a ridiculously low profile.

 

[fugben]

Isnt the sound card necessary for good headphone suround performance?
(i have a pair of high quality alienware headphones 200 $ or so)

 

[fugben]

stuart. Awesome. I think the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163050
Case is the best option.
Do you think this is the best of the silverstones or should i pay more for the other one? I dont rly know what the difference is.
If it fits a 4870 then a 4870x2 should be no problemo? i think its 1 inch difference

 

[fugben]

Also what is a modular power supply? is it necessary for sugo case? if not id rather go for the higher quality corsair supply?

 

[rubix_1011]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146043

Spend a few more bucks and get this; its bigger and has MUCH better airflow than the tiny, tiny cases. In my mind, the extra $50 is way worth the ability to haul gaming components in a portable case with good airflow.

EDIT: OOOOHHHHH, I just saw that it has a $30 rebate. $120 after MIR.

 

[fugben]

Just when i thought i was going for the sugo theres another choice!!! so confused

 

[fugben]

Oh **** rubix i just saw that thing is 20.3 pounds LOL way too much. Sugo is only 6 pounds. No way i could get that on an airplane.

Sugo it is guys!!!!!! stuart can u confirm a 4870x2 fits in the sugo?

 

[rubix_1011]

You may want to consider a gaming laptop if you travel that much. I know its more money, but a lot more portable...and you don't have to lug a monitor with it. My mistake...I forgot you travel a lot; but its a good LAN case otherwise.

Which one is the Sugo?

 

[fugben]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811163050
Silverstone Sugo. What modular power supply do u think is best? i dont care about the price as long as it lasts

 

[tonyn84]

I'd also suggest the gaming laptop if you really are traveling constantly. Smallest option and it would avoid issues with a case getting bumped around a lot in baggage processing. Would suck to get off the flight to find that the gfx card or something had gotten loose and was rattling around the case the whole time.