Slim light[?] gaming PC, tips/ help please?

[skreenname]

Okay, so I'm playing around with the idea of building a slim desktop for ( what I assume would be ) light gaming.
Like, WoW, CS:S, and TF2 or something.
What I "put together" earlier:
[ Pretty much rebuilt solely from suggestions. ]

640GB, 7200RPM Western Digital HDD

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz

ASUS P5E-VM DO LGA 775 Intel Q35 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2

SPARKLE SX98GT512D3L-NM GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit

Asus DVD-ROM drive

APEX DM-387 MicroATX Slim Case with 275W PSU

CORSAIR 400W ATX12V

thank you all for your help.
Y'all brought the cost of the system from a daunting $9oo to a manageable $65o + Shipping costs.
<3

 

[JaredAudiophileGamer]

hm well the only thing i would worry about is the fit of the graphics card in the case, aside from that onboard graphics can be disabled of course,and heres a pretty nice motherboard, and some nice memory.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131222
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

 

[aevm]

LOL at the 275W PSU. Here's the recommendation BFG makes for their GTS 250:

"475W PCI Express-compliant system power supply with a combined 12V current rating of 26A or more". A Corsair 450VX would be the minimum here, IMO.

 

[JaredAudiophileGamer]

LMFAO +1 to aevm, i shoulda cought that power supply flub, mhm and if price is your concern here for the psu then might i suggest, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

 

[MykC]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115055 LGA 775 Q8200 $170. Cheaper, same performance, runs cooler

Edit: Difference a period make.

 

[g3force]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115055 LGA 775 Q8200 $170 Cheaper, same performance, runs cooler

I jumped when I thought you said $170 cheaper, until I saw it was only $30 lower. Wish I wasn't dreaming though
---Edit---
Interesting. I looked up some benchmarks for the Q8200 and saw it was neck to neck with the Q6600 on many CPU intensive tasks despite having 1/3 the cache size.

 

[jaguarskx]

The case is too narrow (thin) to fit a full size video card, plus the power supply that comes with the case is too weak.

If you want to keep that case then you need to choose a low profile or "half height" video card. The most powerful one available is the Galaxy 9600GT and it will work with that limited power supply.

Galaxy 9600GT:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162016

 

[skreenname]

I've been editing the wish list on Newegg and I'll update the list in my original post in a second.

Jaguars:I was wondering what exactly a low profile Graphics card looked like.
When I was looking at the Low profile section on Newegg they all looked the same to me. >>;

MykC:
Thanks for the link.
Less heat and money are both very good things.
Especially in a small case intended for light gaming.
At least what I consider light gaming. ^^;

Aevm:
So I was right in thinking that a 275W PSU would be inadiquate.
Thanks. :)

Jared:
Thank you for confirming that for me.
Also for the links.
Improvements, ahoy!

 

[jaguarskx]

Oops....


Looks like the most powerful low profile video card is a 9800GT made by Sparkle. Sparkle didn't even bother to list a minimum power supply for this card, but it should consume about 85w of power, 25w more than a 9600GT (60w) under load.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187061


Will you be able to use it with a 275w PSU and a Q6600? Maybe, but you will probably be putting a big stress on the PSU, thus shortening it's life significantly. Best to have at least a 400w PSU.

 

[gkay09]

^+1 the case cannot fit the full height Graphics card...U should get a low profile card similar to the one given above...
Or here are a few from sparkle...

SPARKLE SX96GT512D3L-NM GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card - Retail $79.99
Free Shipping*
Low Profile 512MB GDDR3 with Native HDMI Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187060

SPARKLE SX98GT512D3L-NM GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card - Retail $114.99
Low Profile 512MB GDDR3 with Native HDMI Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187061

I would suggest u to get the 9800GT...shuld be powerful enuf to handle those games at decent resolutions...

 

[gkay09]

lolz jaguar hahah just the same

 

[gkay09]

For the PSU, u shuld get something like this...

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $54.99
($44.99 after $10.00 Mail-In
Rebate )
Free Shipping*
Additional 10% off with promo code Mar10, ends 3/22
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

One of the best out there...Can easily handle ur config wihtout any problem...

 

[skreenname]

Gkay:
Thanks for your help too.
I've added the PSU you recommended to the wishlist and I'm updating the first post and marking this thread as solved.


Once again, I'm very grateful for all of y'all's help today.
I learned a bunch today.
:]

 

[jaguarskx]

I've been editing the wish list on Newegg and I'll update the list in my original post in a second.

Jaguars:I was wondering what exactly a low profile Graphics card looked like.
When I was looking at the Low profile section on Newegg they all looked the same to me. >>;

When doing an Advanced Search look for the Form Factor field. You should see Low Profile and Low Profile Ready. Low Profile should mean the video card already comes with a low profile bracket attached, while Low Profile Ready means the video card comes with a full size bracket already attached, but also includes a low profile bracket.

The Galaxy 9600GT is a Low Profile video card, click the following link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162016

Click on the image of the 9600GT for larger pictures. Note the size of the bracket.


The Sparkle 9800GT is a Low Profile Ready video card, click the following link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187061

Then click on the 9800GT image for larger pictures.

The Sparkle 9800GT comes attached with a full size bracket. Click the right most picture which shows the video card, box, manual, CD and other accessories. In between the VGA to DVI adapter and the red wire is the Low Profile bracket. Note the size.

 

[jaguarskx]

For the PSU, u shuld get something like this...

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $54.99
($44.99 after $10.00 Mail-In
Rebate )
Free Shipping*
Additional 10% off with promo code Mar10, ends 3/22
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

One of the best out there...Can easily handle ur config wihtout any problem...

He won't be able to fit a full size ATX PSU in the slim-line case the OP wants.

 

[skreenname]

I see what you mean.
I guess in my 'surf mode' when I was looking at Video cards I didn't notice.

 

[gkay09]

Well just a question though...
Are u comfortable with an AMD build because u get quality mobos at cheaper rates than the intel mobos and for $170, u can get gud CPUs too...(actually even for less...X3 720 less than $150) and they also have very performance and are very efficient)

 

[skreenname]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338008

This one would fit and work, wouldn't it?


Gkay:
I could probably do an AMD.
I'm just more familiar with Intel, so I used that.
But if I needed to make the System cost less I could probably go AMD.

 

[JaredAudiophileGamer]

hmm well iv'e found something you might want to have a look at, considering that you want to do "light gaming" here are some benchmarks that feature the intel quads vs the phenom II lineup in left 4 dead and fallout 3.

as you can see the phenom II X3 720 BE has a pretty good position in these charts in terms of gaming, a pretty good lead over the q8200 also, for about 240 you can get an excellent quality gigabyte board and a 720be.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165024

edit: i think that psu would be sufficient, but im still not entirely sure whether i would fit or not. but will post once i match dimensions.

 

[gkay09]

He won't be able to fit a full size ATX PSU in the slim-line case the OP wants.

Well yes...My bad...

 

[gkay09]

Well I could fin oly this PSU suitable for his need...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338009

But if he overclocks I doubt it can handle tat...And not sure about the build quality...hmm...

Rest looks gud though...Single 12v with 20A shuld provide enuf power for the graphics card...

 

[gkay09]

And +1 for the X3 720...Has so many gud reviews...and is very competitive wit the Q8200

 

[jaguarskx]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338008

This one would fit and work, wouldn't it?

I suppose it should work. The problem is that it seems there is no definitive standard size when it comes to mini-ATX PSUs. For example, there are mini-ATX PSUs specifically for e-machines and HP cases.

Additionally, I recommended a mini-ATX PSU to someone who was buying a mini-ATX / Slim-Line case around 18 months ago. Although both case and PSU clearly stated "mini-ATX" the PSU was not an exact fit. The guy said he had to jury rig it so that the PSU would fit in his case.

If you are dead set on that particular Slim-Line case then either call or e-mail the manufacturer and ask if you can replace it with a standard mini-ATX PSU. Better safe than sorry (or annoyed).

 

[skreenname]

Thanks for those benchmarks.
Now I'm thinking AMD would be a good Idea.
The Phenom X3 8650 is about half the cold of the Core 2 Quad and it had almost the exactly the same Framerate.


Edit:
I would definately call the manufacturer and ask about something like that.
I have no Issue slightly modifying the case, but not modifications would be best. o 3o

 

[JaredAudiophileGamer]

hmm i checked the dimensions for the power supply to see if it would fit in that case, and it seems there aren't any power supplys tailored to fit a case like that, that you could buy separate, all the ones i've seen are all to wide to fit it, is there any chance you would consider changing form factor to a standard micro atx case?