First Mini ITX build, circa $1000, fragbox type gaming build

[Dantheman1129]

Budget Range: ~$1000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, schoolwork (mostly word processing)

Parts Not Required: monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com, Microcenter.com (There is a retail store nearby my house as well)

Country: USA, east coast

Parts Preferences: Intel Ivy Bridge, Nvidea GPUs (preferably EVGA)
Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1080p

Additional Comments: Looking to make a mini itx, tiny, quiet, cool, and preferably low power (but not the highest priority) for a college dorm.

Here's my list of currently planned parts, I'm concerned that the CPU cooler may cause problems as far as space with the ram. I would like some advice on which ram to get, they all seem mighty similar.

CPU: Core i5 3750k Ivy Bridge
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577

Motherboard: ASRock Z77E-ITX LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157312&Tpk=As%20rock%20z77%20mini%20itx

Data Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB Sata 3.0 G/Bs
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0347237

(I already own a boot drive SSD, OCZ Agility 3 120gb)

DVD/ Disc Drive: Samsung 22X DVD±RW Burner with Dual Layer Support - OEM
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382892

Case: LIAN LI PC-Q08B Black Aluminum Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112265&Tpk=Lian%20Li%20PC-Q08B

PSU: Silverstone ST60F-P 600W Modular
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256064&Tpk=silverstone%20ST60F-P

CPU Fan: Zalman 110mm ultra quiet extreme
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118126

GPU: EVGA GTX 670 FTW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787

Price of SSD is not included in the $1000 price range, and I have not listed any RAM, hoping for some advice on that point. I'm mostly interested in this being very quiet, and not heating up a room like my current build. portability is a large factor, dorm rooms are small. Any advice from more seasoned builders (I've built two full computers, upgraded one of those many times over the past few years) on any of the parts I have chosen is welcomed. Thanks in advance!

 

[Dantheman1129]

Another thing, I will not be purchasing this computer until early August, so do not worry about availability issues. I would assume (hope, rather) that Nvidea will not still be almost always out of GPUS by then.

 

[Guest]

do NOT get a zalman, they perform terribly. get a hyper 212, noctua or antec kuhler 620. for ram I would get 8gig 2x 4gig matched, my favorite company for ram is g-skill, I have used their products in 5 computers without a hitch. that's a pretty expensive mobo, but it looks pretty robust to me, the rest of the build looks good

 

[Dantheman1129]

Are those coolers similarly quiet? Obviously performance is important to me but I'm willing to forsake a little overclocking (I was hoping for 4.5 ghz) to make sure it's quiet. The selection of Z77 mini ITX boards is pretty abysmal, and the only other one newegg has was 200 bucks. Thanks for the advice! Also, how important is the speed of the ram? Would I notice a difference in gaming/general computing?

 

[Dantheman1129]

Ok, that Noctua looks legit. I will probably end up going with that. Also gonna go with this ram since it's so highly rated and in my budget http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

Thanks again!

 

[azeem40]

I have a Hyper 212 and it is silent even at 4.5 GHz.

 

[Dantheman1129]

Best answer selected by dantheman1129.

 

[Why_Me]

Low profile RAM.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382101 $39.99
Crucial 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory Modules)

http://www.amazon.com/PC-Power-Cooling-Silencer-compatible/dp/B0064XAIXQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1337578808&sr=1-3 $76.49 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 600W Modular 80PLUS Bronze Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom

 

[Dantheman1129]

That looks perfect! Thanks! Anybody know how reliable PC P &C is? Haven't used their stuff before.

 

[Why_Me]

That looks perfect! Thanks! Anybody know how reliable PC P &C is? Haven't used their stuff before.

PC Power & Cooling is right up there with Seasonic and Enermax. They are a top brand psu manufacturer.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=263 <----- review of that psu @ johnny guru

 

[Dantheman1129]

It does seem very reliable, but as the review says, it seems to run kind of loud. Is there any other version that is more quiet than this? Sound is of large importance to me for this build. (Don't wanna keep my room mate up)

 

[Why_Me]

It does seem very reliable, but as the review says, it seems to run kind of loud. Is there any other version that is more quiet than this? Sound is of large importance to me for this build. (Don't wanna keep my room mate up)

http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?N=4294966654+4294966384 <----- Antec has a 520w modular and a 620w modular on there. I haven't read the reviews on them yet but they might run a bit more quiet.

 

[Guest]

for coolers I would do noctua, then the antec kuhler, then hyper 212 in that order. it depends on budget but all will easily OC to 4.5. it really depends on Max temps and idle temps, the more you pay the better off you will be with reliable high rated coolers. ram speed does not really matter with ddr3, 6gigs is the gaming 'sweet spot' but you should always get matched ram so 8 gigs is the best bet. on my build I was starting to get up there in price so I got a lower priced raidmax 850w PSU I have been pleased with it thus far

 

[Guest]

and all listed are decently quiet

 

[Dantheman1129]

Thanks! Another thing, am I going to be Ok if I go with the Antec 520w modular as far as having enough power or should I step up to the 620w because I'm interested in over clocking?

 

[Guest]

images10.newegg.com/BizIntell/tool/psucalc/index.html?name=Power-Supply-Wattage-Calculator

that is a wattage calculator, I tend to recommend going with 75w more than what is suggested in case you add another hard drive or 2, its better to have more than you need than to be short.

 

[Guest]

that includes load, so the extra 75 will be more than enough to take care of OCing after you select the full featured mobo option

 

[Dantheman1129]

the 520w would be cutting it kind of close, so I'd rather be safe and front the extra 10 bucks for the 620w version. Thanks!

 

[Guest]

sounds good and your welcome, ill keep checking this post if you have any more questions. I just caught something, I don't know if you are using the caviar green as boot drive, if you then get a blue or black, the green is too slow, I wouldn't even use a green for a data drive if you have to move large files often.

 

[Guest]

oh you have an SSD, good, that's the best way to go but I'd still get a blue or black if you can

 

[Dantheman1129]

Would the black use more power/be louder/ get hot? Those were the primary reasons I picked the green. Also, as far as gaming keyboards go, I was thinking of getting the razer non-mechanical, since the mechanicals are so loud. I have a G11 but it's getting up there in years and takes up a lot of space

 

[Dantheman1129]

I also just realized, you guys gave me alternate PSUs but never pointed out a problem with the one I picked. Is there anything wrong with the silverstone? I was under the impression they were a very high quality company

 

[Dantheman1129]

In addition, which Noctua CPU fan would you recommend? There are many choices...