Building my first PC

[SimplyAimless]

Hi,

I'm attempting to build my first PC, I know the basics but I'm a little nervous about buying it all and it all being incompatible so I was wondering if you guys may be able to suggest a list of components that are all compatible with each other and will fit nicely into a MiniITX case.

I'm looking to make a low-mid end MiniITX PC for around £300($462) but could stretch to £400($616) if really necessary. A few requirements: must be Intel, must have HDMI out and must be small.

So, if you guys could tell me exactly what I need to buy (what case, motherboard, cpu, gfx card, RAM, DVD drive, HDD, etc) to build something like this that will definitely work I'd be grateful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[g-unit1111]

Don't get me wrong - I'm always up for a challenge but if I may ask why mini-ITX? You can purchase and use far better hardware if you go the micro-ATX route instead of mini-ITX.

Keep in mind a few things - mini-ITX builds have very small cases - you will not be able to use coolers or an external graphics card such as a 6790 - only low profile ones like a 5450. You will also have to use laptop hard drives and CD/DVD burners unless you use an external CD/DVD burner.

Try this build:

Case + PSU: SILVERSTONE Sugo Series SG07-BW Black Aluminum / SECC Mini-ITX Desktop Computer Case 600W 80+ Bronze Certified / Single +12V ... - $209.99
Motherboard: ASRock Z68M-ITX/HT LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard - $119.99
CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120 - $129.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL - $29.99
HD: Seagate Momentus ST9750420AS 750GB 7200 RPM 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $149.99
DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151242 - $25.99

Total: $665.94

 

[SimplyAimless]

Not looking for superior hardware TBH and microatx is too big for me afaik, mini-ITX case's from what I've seen appear to be far smaller. Unless I'm getting it all wrong?

 

[SimplyAimless]

Thanks for the setup, looks good - is there any cheaper case though? Also, if i was to go with it what would a Micro ATX setup look like, would I get more for my money?

 

[madchemist83]

Check out some DIY kits

 

[g-unit1111]

Not looking for superior hardware TBH and microatx is too big for me afaik, mini-ITX case's from what I've seen appear to be far smaller. Unless I'm getting it all wrong?

MicroATX is easier to upgrade in the long run than Mini-ITX is. With Mini-ITX you're using every available component built into the motherboard - graphics, sound, you name it. If something goes wrong with a mini-ITX build you have to replace the whole board instead of an individual component.

Thanks for the setup, looks good - is there any cheaper case though? Also, if i was to go with it what would a Micro ATX setup look like, would I get more for my money?

The case includes a 600W 80+ rated PSU - and that's rare for cases with built in PSUs to begin with. So you're actually saving money that way and the PSU conforms to the case rather than you buying one separately and having to cram it in.

A micro ATX build will run a bit more but it will look something like this and you'll get far better hardware out of it:

Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini - $99.99
PSU: Corsair Builder Series CX500 - $59.99
Motherboard: Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z - $169.99
CPU: 3.30GHz Intel Core i3-2120 - $129.99
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 - $25.99
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaw X 8GB RAM 1.5V 1600MHz - $29.99
HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB - $99.99
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6790 - $139.99

Total: $759.92

 

[SimplyAimless]

MicroATX is easier to upgrade in the long run than Mini-ITX is. With Mini-ITX you're using every available component built into the motherboard - graphics, sound, you name it. If something goes wrong with a mini-ITX build you have to replace the whole board instead of an individual component.

Could you do me a build using a case like this then?:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antec-ISK310-150-Micro-ATX-Case-Silver/dp/B0036CQJG8/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1323888813&sr=8-20

Cheers

 

[elayman]

I don't know much about it but strange that the case you linked is titled Micro-ATX when in fact it fits Mini-ITX

 

[g-unit1111]

Could you do me a build using a case like this then?:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antec-ISK310-150-Micro-ATX-Case-Silver/dp/B0036CQJG8/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1323888813&sr=8-20

Cheers

The tricky part to that case is finding a power supply that will fit in that bay without taking up too much room. There's only one on the market that might meet those specs but even then I don't really like the manufacturer.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3860496&CatId=4324

 

[madchemist83]

I'm pretty sure that case comes with a integrated psu 150 w. Here is a good article http://m.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-itx-small-form-factor-pc-case,2814.html

 

[SimplyAimless]

The tricky part to that case is finding a power supply that will fit in that bay without taking up too much room. There's only one on the market that might meet those specs but even then I don't really like the manufacturer.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3860496&CatId=4324

It has a 150 watt power supply, any chance you could tell me a setup using the case I mentioned earlier for about $500?

Cheers.