Small Gaming System

[rmele09]

Hello everybody,

I am trying to build a very small HTPC style system that I will be using for gaming. I would like to know if the parts that I have listed below will function together, and all fit in the case. I have never built a system before so I don't want to order all the parts and have them not work. I am worried that the graphics card will not fit coming in at around 8 inches, but let me know what you think. I am not building an extreme gaming system or anything like that, I just want to know if these parts will work correctly together. I will be running a distribution of Linux on the system, possibly Arch Linux or Gentoo. Another thing to point out is that the 9600gt requires 400watt and I am using 250watt power supply, I have tested this build under Thermaltake.com and it shows that it will only require 210watts with 2 gaming controllers being used. (maybe because of the tiny motherboard??) Let me know what you think, I appreciate it.

--ZOTAC G43ITX-A-E LGA 775 Intel G43 HDMI Mini ITX Intel Motherboard
--Celeron L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor (comes with fan and heatsink)
--Secondary Fan Noctua NFP12
--Black Apex MI Series Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer
Case MI-100-BK, w/ 250W Power Supply
--Kingston ValueRAM 2 GB Memory - SO DIMM 200-pin - 667 MHz
--PNY Verto GeForce 9600GT Graphics adapter - 512 MB - GDDR3 SDRAM
--Sony Optiarc Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1678A - OEM

 

[rmele09]

I forgot to add the hard drive, sorry. Will this one work?

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3250318AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
Internal Hard Drive

If anybody knows of a cheaper hard drive I would be interested, I only need 30-40 GB, I want the cheapest 7200 rpm I can find.

Thanks

 

[batuchka]

Hmm i actually do up more HTPCs, LANparty gamers and shoebox/cube rigs more than any other stuff these days and to cut a long story short: up the form factor from itx to mATX and solve matter of PSU, ventilation, GPU fit, etc hehe

 

[rmele09]

Thanks for the advice and that is a nice build you have up. I might up the form factor if this build does not work, but I was wondering since you have experience with these types of builds, will all the hardware I listed work properly together? I wanted to try this build because it would be very cheap, let me know what you think.

Thanks

 

[batuchka]

Not adviseable - your low quality PSU with its dodgy build and weak amps on the 12V could potentially take out other hardware when it goes and this is besides the matter of a mITX case where cooling options and airflow become perennial nemesis w.r.t your hardware lifespan due to heat generation, yada yada

 

[rmele09]

Gotchya. Well thank you very much for your input, I don't think I will stick with this case and PSU lol. I have one last question for you if you don't mind. What if I were to upgrade the PSU to a 400watt, and mod the case to fit another cooling fan? Would the case be functional with those add-ons? I am trying to make this system as small as possible, I know you are probably wondering why I have my mind set on this small case haha. If I can't get it to work I am for sure going with the Thermaltake case you showed me. Thanks again, if you have any more input I'd appreciate it.

 

[rmele09]

I thought of something! Is it possible to use an external power brick for a pc? I am referring to the power cable/brick that the xbox360 uses. Can this be used instead of an internal power supply?

 

[builderbobftw]

Uh, don't get the 5750. Not a very good budget card. Get either a 4850 1gb for 100$, or a 5770 1gb for 150$.