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Started by DJShafman | | 10 answers
Hello people!
I am planning on building a really powerful, and yet portable mini-itx pc. As you can see, I found a case which I really enjoy the look of, as it has a handle and really pleasing aesthetics along with a really compact design. I am however, not so experienced with the building of custom pc's, and so am not sure as to what would be the best graphic card that would fit, and so on. I am planning on building a pc for new year worth overall at about $3000, along with another $700 spent on other things such as monitors, keyboards and mice. I could go up to $5000, but that is the absolute maximum. I would like this pc to be optimised for gaming, and video rendering and editing. I have got an idea of getting a Radeon R9 295X2, but I am not sure as to whether this graphics card would actually fit. I was also going to go for an Asus MAXIMUS IMPACT VII mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard, but not sure as to whether go with that fully. I prefer 16gb of ram, and a storage space of at least 2tb on a hard drive along with ~500gb ssd's (one or two, depending on whether they would fit). Thanks in advance for proposing solutions to this specific build!
I am planning on building a really powerful, and yet portable mini-itx pc. As you can see, I found a case which I really enjoy the look of, as it has a handle and really pleasing aesthetics along with a really compact design. I am however, not so experienced with the building of custom pc's, and so am not sure as to what would be the best graphic card that would fit, and so on. I am planning on building a pc for new year worth overall at about $3000, along with another $700 spent on other things such as monitors, keyboards and mice. I could go up to $5000, but that is the absolute maximum. I would like this pc to be optimised for gaming, and video rendering and editing. I have got an idea of getting a Radeon R9 295X2, but I am not sure as to whether this graphics card would actually fit. I was also going to go for an Asus MAXIMUS IMPACT VII mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard, but not sure as to whether go with that fully. I prefer 16gb of ram, and a storage space of at least 2tb on a hard drive along with ~500gb ssd's (one or two, depending on whether they would fit). Thanks in advance for proposing solutions to this specific build!
DJShafman
October 16, 2014 7:59:55 AM
MeteorsRaining said:
DDRx where is 1-4 is a RAM type, which we attach to MoBo. GDDRx where x is 3 or 5, is a Video RAM type, which's in the GPU.DDR3 (double data rate-3) is the current preffered solution, DDR4 has just launched and is only compatible with pricy X99 MoBos (Haswell_E, hexa core i7s), and the performance differenece RAM wise is not a lot, as 4 is still in marketting infancy, DDR3 is much more mature, and good value/money right now. DDR5 is quite some years from release (2020 I assume).
G means graphics in GDDR3 or 5. GDDR3 is based on DDR2 memory modules (discussed above), and GDDR5 is based on DDR3 modules, don't ask where did GDDR4 go! GDDR5 is the latest and current standard for VRAM, and GDDR6 (based on DDR4) is a couple years from now, so not worth discussing, no one knows the specs yet.
And the case has a front panel with couple buttons and USB ports, I'm certain you can't fit a LCD OC panel there.
Oook, I am sold! Looks like exactly the solution I was looking for! (Assuming it will fit, and is compatible) Thanks so much for your help. I hope you don't mind me messaging some time later if I have some other question?
DDRx where is 1-4 is a RAM type, which we attach to MoBo. GDDRx where x is 3 or 5, is a Video RAM type, which's in the GPU.
DDR3 (double data rate-3) is the current preffered solution, DDR4 has just launched and is only compatible with pricy X99 MoBos (Haswell_E, hexa core i7s), and the performance differenece RAM wise is not a lot, as 4 is still in marketting infancy, DDR3 is much more mature, and good value/money right now. DDR5 is quite some years from release (2020 I assume).
G means graphics in GDDR3 or 5. GDDR3 is based on DDR2 memory modules (discussed above), and GDDR5 is based on DDR3 modules, don't ask where did GDDR4 go! GDDR5 is the latest and current standard for VRAM, and GDDR6 (based on DDR4) is a couple years from now, so not worth discussing, no one knows the specs yet.
And the case has a front panel with couple buttons and USB ports, I'm certain you can't fit a LCD OC panel there.
DDR3 (double data rate-3) is the current preffered solution, DDR4 has just launched and is only compatible with pricy X99 MoBos (Haswell_E, hexa core i7s), and the performance differenece RAM wise is not a lot, as 4 is still in marketting infancy, DDR3 is much more mature, and good value/money right now. DDR5 is quite some years from release (2020 I assume).
G means graphics in GDDR3 or 5. GDDR3 is based on DDR2 memory modules (discussed above), and GDDR5 is based on DDR3 modules, don't ask where did GDDR4 go! GDDR5 is the latest and current standard for VRAM, and GDDR6 (based on DDR4) is a couple years from now, so not worth discussing, no one knows the specs yet.
And the case has a front panel with couple buttons and USB ports, I'm certain you can't fit a LCD OC panel there.
DJShafman
October 16, 2014 7:40:30 AM
MeteorsRaining said:
Avoid looking for on-paper performance, look up some benchmarks, on 2.5k display, it's just around 5-10 FPS better in any given games, but costs $450 more, not worth it IMO, and add to that heating issues, space issues, and TDP, I'd personally not go for it.Moreover, only Gigabyte's version fit in the case.
And yes, 980 can max out titles for quite some times w/o issues, CUDA cores are always better at rendering. And 295X2 technically gives more FPS, but you see, it's more like raw performance wise not value/money, and 980 is not a weak card by any measures.
And, the difference in the efficiency (Bronze and Gold) comes to play when you use your system 24/7, a gold PSU will suck in a bit less current (around 3-5% less according to load) than Bronze, and with normal 12-16hr usage, you won't see a difference in bills, but with server type usage, you perhaps will. I'd not get Gold unless it's just a condition or we're looking to running a server or build for extended times.
Thanks so much, you've been a great help so far! I just have to ask a couple of questions, I have come across a lot of memory types, and I am not sure what is the real difference. What is the difference between ddr and gddr, and also what is the difference between ddr3,ddr4 or ddr5? Finally would this case be compatible with something like an OC panel, or a Front panel?
Avoid looking for on-paper performance, look up some benchmarks, on 2.5k display, it's just around 5-10 FPS better in any given games, but costs $450 more, not worth it IMO, and add to that heating issues, space issues, and TDP, I'd personally not go for it.
Moreover, only Gigabyte's version fit in the case.
And yes, 980 can max out titles for quite some times w/o issues, CUDA cores are always better at rendering. And 295X2 technically gives more FPS, but you see, it's more like raw performance wise not value/money, and 980 is not a weak card by any measures.
And, the difference in the efficiency (Bronze and Gold) comes to play when you use your system 24/7, a gold PSU will suck in a bit less current (around 3-5% less according to load) than Bronze, and with normal 12-16hr usage, you won't see a difference in bills, but with server type usage, you perhaps will. I'd not get Gold unless it's just a condition or we're looking to running a server or build for extended times.
Moreover, only Gigabyte's version fit in the case.
And yes, 980 can max out titles for quite some times w/o issues, CUDA cores are always better at rendering. And 295X2 technically gives more FPS, but you see, it's more like raw performance wise not value/money, and 980 is not a weak card by any measures.
And, the difference in the efficiency (Bronze and Gold) comes to play when you use your system 24/7, a gold PSU will suck in a bit less current (around 3-5% less according to load) than Bronze, and with normal 12-16hr usage, you won't see a difference in bills, but with server type usage, you perhaps will. I'd not get Gold unless it's just a condition or we're looking to running a server or build for extended times.
DJShafman
October 16, 2014 7:12:01 AM
MeteorsRaining said:
I'm sure you're not looking to game on both screens (you anyways can't, imagine where the pointer would be in FPS titles), so you can add in a FHD monitor for whatever work you want to do, IPS if you like watching movies and want the best possible quality, Dell and LG makes some good ones. My recommendation for the second monitor would be:Monitor: LG 23MP55HQ-P 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($144.99 @ B&H)
Also, yes, 980 would be the best bet, performance wise its much better than 290X or 780 Ti, but a really cool card which is the issue in many AMD cards. And it can max out any title on 1440p with comfortable FPS so I don't think you'd need anything abovr $1k for 5-10 FPS more, and LOT more heat and power requirements.
And everything will fit nice and easy, airflow is fine as the card itself doesn't heat up, the CPU heatsink will take good care of CPU, and it won't decompose
hmm, as shown by some performance charts and websites such as this: http://www.game-debate.com/gpu/index.php?gid=2464&gid2=... , the 295x is at least twice as better (although the prices seem to be outdated). However, I am not sure that it would fit otherwise I would definitely go for the radeon one. I do not 'pick sides' between amd and nvidia, I just compared their specs. Either way, if your build can max out any title at 1440p for the next 3-5 years or so, and can edit and render videos at a reasonable speed, I am perfectly fine with it. That is to say, if there is definitely no better card out there that could fit into the case. Also, I wanted to ask about the differences between a bronze and a gold certified psi. Is there really much point in buying one over the other? Thanks for helping so far!
(PS, nope, I was just planning on getting one screen on other end of where I live, since I travel quite a bit between two countries. My pc will mainly be used for gaming though.)
I'm sure you're not looking to game on both screens (you anyways can't, imagine where the pointer would be in FPS titles), so you can add in a FHD monitor for whatever work you want to do, IPS if you like watching movies and want the best possible quality, Dell and LG makes some good ones. My recommendation for the second monitor would be:
Monitor: LG 23MP55HQ-P 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($144.99 @ B&H)
Also, yes, 980 would be the best bet, performance wise its much better than 290X or 780 Ti, but a really cool card which is the issue in many AMD cards. And it can max out any title on 1440p with comfortable FPS so I don't think you'd need anything abovr $1k for 5-10 FPS more, and LOT more heat and power requirements.
And everything will fit nice and easy, airflow is fine as the card itself doesn't heat up, the CPU heatsink will take good care of CPU, and it won't decompose
Monitor: LG 23MP55HQ-P 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($144.99 @ B&H)
Also, yes, 980 would be the best bet, performance wise its much better than 290X or 780 Ti, but a really cool card which is the issue in many AMD cards. And it can max out any title on 1440p with comfortable FPS so I don't think you'd need anything abovr $1k for 5-10 FPS more, and LOT more heat and power requirements.
And everything will fit nice and easy, airflow is fine as the card itself doesn't heat up, the CPU heatsink will take good care of CPU, and it won't decompose
DJShafman
October 16, 2014 6:51:09 AM
Newbbuilder11 said:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchantCPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($290.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII IMPACT Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($227.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($158.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M550 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($257.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($585.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 380T Mini ITX Tower Case ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($98.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Acer GN246HL 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Corsair Vengeance M95 Wired Laser Mouse ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Sennheiser PC 363D 7.1 Channel Headset ($299.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $2740.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-16 09:25 EDT-0400
I also included a headset, these headsets sound so good, but are kinda ugly. Now, even though they aren't the prettiest they offer crystal clear surround sound and are open eared at the back so you can hear people when they are talking to you and hear the game perfectly. I need these, my friend has them and THEY ARE SO GOOD! Whenever I game I can't hear when people talk to me so I end up getting slapped upside the head.. I need these because I can hear the game, experience surround sound and "point-of-direction"(Where the gun shots are coming from) and so that I can hear when someone is talking to me...
This is perhaps the greatest tactical combat machine, the world has ever known.
MeteorsRaining said:
Here's my build for your purpose:PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14CS_RD 88.6 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII IMPACT Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($227.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($229.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($585.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 380T Mini ITX Tower Case ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus PB278Q 27.0" Monitor ($459.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow Wired Gaming Keyboard ($90.00 @ Mechanical Keyboards)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Wired Optical Mouse ($52.85 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Sennheiser HD 598 Headphones ($181.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $2752.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-16 09:33 EDT-0400
Thanks so much for this build. First of all, I'm sorry that I didn't specify that I only need 2 good screens and a keyboard as I have all the other components. Also, are you sure that the gtx 980 will fit, and is one of the most high-end gfx cards that will fit? I am going for a really high-end performance pc that would be quite small too. Finally, are you sure that all of those components would fit into the case, and provide a decent airflow? Where the PC doesn't spontaneously combust? Thanks!
Best solution chosen by DJShafman
Here's my build for your purpose:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14CS_RD 88.6 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII IMPACT Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($227.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($229.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($585.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 380T Mini ITX Tower Case ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus PB278Q 27.0" Monitor ($459.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow Wired Gaming Keyboard ($90.00 @ Mechanical Keyboards)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Wired Optical Mouse ($52.85 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Sennheiser HD 598 Headphones ($181.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $2752.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-16 09:33 EDT-0400
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14CS_RD 88.6 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII IMPACT Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($227.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($229.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($585.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 380T Mini ITX Tower Case ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus PB278Q 27.0" Monitor ($459.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow Wired Gaming Keyboard ($90.00 @ Mechanical Keyboards)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Wired Optical Mouse ($52.85 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Sennheiser HD 598 Headphones ($181.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $2752.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-16 09:33 EDT-0400
Newbbuilder11
October 16, 2014 6:23:30 AM
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($290.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII IMPACT Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($227.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($158.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M550 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($257.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($585.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 380T Mini ITX Tower Case ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($98.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Acer GN246HL 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Corsair Vengeance M95 Wired Laser Mouse ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Sennheiser PC 363D 7.1 Channel Headset ($299.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $2740.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-16 09:25 EDT-0400
I also included a headset, these headsets sound so good, but are kinda ugly. Now, even though they aren't the prettiest they offer crystal clear surround sound and are open eared at the back so you can hear people when they are talking to you and hear the game perfectly. I need these, my friend has them and THEY ARE SO GOOD! Whenever I game I can't hear when people talk to me so I end up getting slapped upside the head.. I need these because I can hear the game, experience surround sound and "point-of-direction"(Where the gun shots are coming from) and so that I can hear when someone is talking to me...
This is perhaps the greatest tactical combat machine, the world has ever known.
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($290.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII IMPACT Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($227.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($158.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M550 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($257.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($585.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 380T Mini ITX Tower Case ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($98.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Acer GN246HL 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Corsair Vengeance M95 Wired Laser Mouse ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Sennheiser PC 363D 7.1 Channel Headset ($299.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $2740.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-16 09:25 EDT-0400
I also included a headset, these headsets sound so good, but are kinda ugly. Now, even though they aren't the prettiest they offer crystal clear surround sound and are open eared at the back so you can hear people when they are talking to you and hear the game perfectly. I need these, my friend has them and THEY ARE SO GOOD! Whenever I game I can't hear when people talk to me so I end up getting slapped upside the head.. I need these because I can hear the game, experience surround sound and "point-of-direction"(Where the gun shots are coming from) and so that I can hear when someone is talking to me...
This is perhaps the greatest tactical combat machine, the world has ever known.
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