Mini itx gaming rig ($700-$800)

[bthizle1]

I´ve been considering building a mini itx gaming rig and a cheap laptop, or spending some $1,200 on just a gaming laptop. I need the portability so the gaming laptop is tempting, however I hate that it´s not upgradable, and if it is parts are vey expensive either way for a laptop. I am considering buying this laptop sager np8230
http://www.lpc-digital.com/sager-np8230-features.html
So I would need the mini itx to be at least on par with that. If I go the mini itx route I´d spend around $700-800 and use the extra $300-400 on a decent cheap laptop to carry around for other needs, just not really gaming. Also I´m a bit worried about the heating in a mini itx, but I assume it cannot be much worse than really any laptop. I do not have an OS, nor do I have a monitor, however monitors are fairly easy to come across and I can hook up to most TV´s nowadays either way with an HDMI cable. I´d need it to be portable enough to say take as a carry on in a plane without much hassle.

I´m looking to mostly play the Total War games, that includes the new Rome Total War II that is coming out soon. Any recommened builds, or advice?


PS: I don´t plan on overclocking.




Don't...

Bump posts


http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/283384-33-read-first

 

[Paul Hackenberger]

this is a mini itx build that i am looking to buy this can cf with the a10 and has a 7750 in it and the cpu cooler is a h60 so no need to worry about over heating the base cost is 700 http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1BD9D check it out

 

[realchaos]

I seriously wouldn't consider the above build.
The psu and case is crap, H60 is horrible for the price, and you can get a bigger HDD for a cheaper price.
Here's my recommendation:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($203.98 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $740.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-08 23:19 EDT-0400)
-Intel i5 processor.
-Doubled the HDD space.
-Good quality case and psu.
-Stock cooler should be fine if you're not overclocking.
-7950 should be able to do extremely well in every game including Rome. Just don't expect ultra settings on those higher-end games.

 

[refllect]

Here you go. An even smaller and better build.

The dimensions of this case are only 11"x 7"x 8" It's literally 3x smaller than that Bitfenix mini-itx case. But it has very good cooling and fits a full size GPU. I'm using one myself.

i5, GTX 760, a SSD with a HDD for $830 in a super small form factor. Can't beat it.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1BEo3