SFF ITX Build vs Notebook

[chowder]

Before plunging into my first PC build, I just wanted to check if there is any point or should I just get notebook.

GTR Lian-Li PC-Q08
Scythe SY1212SL12L 120mm Case Fan
CORSAIR CWCH50
Intel Core i7 860 (2.8GHz)
Gigabyte GA-H55N-USB3 mini ITX
OCZ OCZ3G1333LV4GK DDR3 1333 4G
MSI DI-R5770 HD5770 Hawk
Asus DRW-24B1LT 24X DVD writer
OCZ 60GB Vertex Series
WD Caviar Green 2TB
CM SPM700 Silent Pro 700W 80Plus
Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit (OEM)

Above total around US$1,500 plus I would also need to buy a monitor and keyboard/mice so total cost in the region of US$1,700.

One notebook I'm considering is the Asus G73JH-A1 at around US$1645.

I'm not a heavy gamer but want a machine that can be used for video encoding and editing photos using DXO and photoshop. Only games I would be interesting in would be WoW.

However, the machine must be small and hence the need for a mini-itx system.

Both systems have been approved by the wife but now just want confirmation which would offer the best performance?

The mini-itx board above can support only 8GB Ram but the notebook can handle 16GB. Does that make much difference?

The reason I chose this notebook was because it's cooling is meant to be good and seems to score well in the reviews.

Any comments on the proposed build would be most welcome too.

 

[canadian69]

Since you are trying to cram everything into as small a space as possible it would seem logical to go with the laptop. Either way your upgrade paths are limited. If you want to get a bigger screen at some point you can always use a docking station for the laptop. If the argument was the laptop vs a full size desktop then it would be about scalability vs. portability.

 

[WR2]

Can you really cram the Corsair Hydro H50 CPU Water Cooling radiator inside the PC-Q08 case?
Because of how the PSU is mounted hanging above the motherboard I don't think the radiator would have enough clearance when mounted to the top fan. And I'm not sure about that big where you have to remount the case fans to blow IN to the case instead of out.
At best it looks like it might be nearly flush with the side of the PSU.
Did you find anyone owning the PC-Q08 and also using the Hydro H50 cooler?

In terms of actual CPU power the i7 860 has a big advantage. Benchmark scores:
PCMark Vantage
i7 720QM = 6145
i7 860 = 10388
Passmark CPU
i7 720QM @ 1.60GHz = 3227
i7 860 @ 2.80GHz = 5525

Is your thinking on the Silent Pro 700W PSU that it will be cooler and quieter because it's using a lower percentage of it's rated power?
Otherwise it's rated a lot higher than your system will need. You can easily drop down to the 600W or 500W model.

I think any advantage a 16GB RAM laptop might have over a 8GB PC is easily washed away by the much faster CPU.

 

[chowder]

I saw someone with the set up of a H50 in the case on the following site:

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1481013&page=9

Looked readlly neat and I think would help with a cool and quiet build. A slim fan is required on top to make it work and wouldn't require any other modding which is ideal.

The reason for selecting the 700w power supply is as your said as I've hear that is the case and also as it's quiet based on the following review: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article936-page1.html

It's looking like the i7860 would give me the best performance and will like to go this route.

 

[WR2]

Excellent example of research - thats the way it should be done. Kudos

With the slim 12mm case fan

 

[chowder]

Best answer selected by chowder.