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Mini ATX Build

Hi guys,

 

Im planning to build my brother a mini atx pc for gaming, mainly DOTA 2 nothing too graphically intense. I have put together this list which is around my price range, £1000, and around the specs I am looking for. Having only build full size systems in the past i'm concerned i'll order it all and it would fit! Would also appreciate ideas on the parts, have I made any poor decisions on the parts?

 

BitFenix Prodigy - £61 - Case

 

MSI B85I - £60 - Motherboard

 

Intel i5-4690k - £180 - CPU

 

Gigabyte Nvidia GTX 970 Mini - £277 - GPU

 

Corsair CXM 600W - £57 - PSU

 

Samsung 250GB 850 EVO - £79 - SSD

 

WD Green 2TB - £61 - HDD

 

Corsair Hydro H55 - £40 - Cooler

 

Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 16GB - £90 - RAM

 

Arctic F12 120mm Fan x2 - £8 - Fan

 

Current Total Price - £913

 

So yeah, thoughts on the parts I have chosen? And can anyone see any glaring compatibility issues?

 

Thanks for the help in advance!

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So you mean mitx? Why the Prodigy? It's not that small of a case to begin with. 

There's no point getting a K series cpu or the aftermarket cooler if you're not going to oc. 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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Hi guys,

 

Im planning to build my brother a mini atx pc for gaming, mainly DOTA 2 nothing too graphically intense. I have put together this list which is around my price range, £1000, and around the specs I am looking for. Having only build full size systems in the past i'm concerned i'll order it all and it would fit! Would also appreciate ideas on the parts, have I made any poor decisions on the parts?

 

BitFenix Prodigy - £61 - Case

 

MSI B85I - £60 - Motherboard

 

Intel i5-4690k - £180 - CPU

 

Gigabyte Nvidia GTX 970 Mini - £277 - GPU

 

Corsair CXM 600W - £57 - PSU

 

Samsung 250GB 850 EVO - £79 - SSD

 

WD Green 2TB - £61 - HDD

 

Corsair Hydro H55 - £40 - Cooler

 

Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 16GB - £90 - RAM

 

Arctic F12 120mm Fan x2 - £8 - Fan

 

Current Total Price - £913

 

So yeah, thoughts on the parts I have chosen? And can anyone see any glaring compatibility issues?

 

Thanks for the help in advance!

Go with the Silverstone RVZ01. It's a tiny case that you can fit a really long desktop GPU inside. It's a bit smaller than the Xbox One. Also, don't get a "k" series CPU if you're not overclocking, it would be a complete waste of money. 

FairladyZ | If you want to reply to me, please quote my post! Idiocity, the best money wasting PC build ever!

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Yeah sorry mitx is the plan, and I just thought it looked nice and had pretty good reviews. Any suggestions on better mitx cases? The difference between the 4960k and 4960 is around £8 so was planning to get the K just incase my brother ever plans to OC, would you stick with the stock cooler if there was no immediate OC plans? I imagine it would fit fine?

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A full sized 970 will easily fit in the prodigy, or the RVZ01, there is no point comprising if you don't have to.

 

I'm not sure about having the WD green drive. With a 250GB SSD you will have to install some programs on the HHD, and the greens are slooooow and spin down a lot, so you have to wait for them to spin up again every time you want to use them. I'd go with http://www.amazon.co.uk/WD-3-5-inch-Internal-Hard-Drive/dp/B00FJRS628/ref=sr_1_21?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1432398509&sr=1-21&keywords=Western+Digital it's another £40, but will be well worth it. The greens are fine for file storage, but that's it.

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Here you go:

 
CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  (£143.99 @ Novatech) 
Motherboard: MSI H97I AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  (£79.13 @ CCL Computers) 
Memory: Kingston Fury Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  (£42.34 @ CCL Computers) 
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (£78.50 @ Amazon UK) 
Video Card: Palit GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card  (£259.55 @ Overclockers.co.uk) 
Case: Silverstone RVZ01B Mini ITX Desktop Case  (£71.08 @ CCL Computers) 
Total: £776.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-23 17:38 BST+0100
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Here you go:

 
CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  (£143.99 @ Novatech) 
Motherboard: MSI H97I AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  (£79.13 @ CCL Computers) 
Memory: Kingston Fury Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  (£42.34 @ CCL Computers) 
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (£78.50 @ Amazon UK) 
Video Card: Palit GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card  (£259.55 @ Overclockers.co.uk) 
Case: Silverstone RVZ01B Mini ITX Desktop Case  (£71.08 @ CCL Computers) 
Total: £776.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-23 17:38 BST+0100

 

 

Oh wow, thats awesome! Thanks bro, will have a look through :)

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Oh wow, thats awesome! Thanks bro, will have a look through :)

No prob :D

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Yeah sorry mitx is the plan, and I just thought it looked nice and had pretty good reviews. Any suggestions on better mitx cases? The difference between the 4960k and 4960 is around £8 so was planning to get the K just incase my brother ever plans to OC, would you stick with the stock cooler if there was no immediate OC plans? I imagine it would fit fine?

You'd need a z-board to oc which would be a bit more than just £8. There's also little point getting the more expensive 4690 over the cheaper 4460 or 4440 if you're not going to oc. 

Why itx?

You need to quote a post or tag a member or else they won't get a notification you replied to them.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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You'd need a z-board to oc which would be a bit more than just £8. There's also little point getting the more expensive 4690 over the cheaper 4460 or 4440 if you're not going to oc. 

Why itx?

You need to quote a post or tag a member or else they won't get a notification you replied to them.

 

All my brother does is play DOTA and a few other similar intensity steam games, as long as it can do that for the considerable future he's happy. I want to build a small form factor PC that will allow him to do that for convenience I guess. Yeah i'll probably get the 4460 if its similar without OCing.

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All my brother does is play DOTA and a few other similar intensity steam games, as long as it can do that for the considerable future he's happy. I want to build a small form factor PC that will allow him to do that for convenience I guess. Yeah i'll probably get the 4460 if its similar without OCing.

Could be much cheaper in that case: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/f9f7FT

If you'd need a smaller system: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/fjf7FT

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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Could be much cheaper in that case: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/f9f7FT

If you'd need a smaller system: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/fjf7FT

 

Yeah I know I could do it cheaper, I personally want to future proof it a little for the next few years incase he wants to play some more intensive games. He has around £1000 to spend on it anyways so making it much cheaper would just leave him money he will spend on rubbish ;D

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Yeah I know I could do it cheaper, I personally want to future proof it a little for the next few years incase he wants to play some more intensive games. He has around £1000 to spend on it anyways so making it much cheaper would just leave him money he will spend on rubbish ;D

Spend money on better peripherals in that case?

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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Spend money on better peripherals in that case?

 

Could do, he doesn't need a keyboard or headset but could definitely use a new mouse and a second 1080 monitor. Guess i'd be looking to sped around £800 on the pc if I took them out of the budget, similar to what mosin40 posted before.

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Could do, he doesn't need a keyboard or headset but could definitely use a new mouse and a second 1080 monitor. Guess i'd be looking to sped around £800 on the pc if I took them out of the budget, similar to what mosin40 posted before.

Some good options include

Storm Reaper: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-mouse-sgm6002kllw1

G402: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/logitech-mouse-910004069

G502: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/logitech-mouse-910004074

(Not so well-priced) Deathadder 2013: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/razer-mouse-rz0100840100r3u1

Not listed with pricing on pcpartpicker, M45. 

 

As for the display, you could go higher res if you just have money to blow.

P2314H: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/dell-monitor-p2314h

U2515H: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/dell-monitor-u2515h

P2715Q: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/dell-monitor-p2715q

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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This will fit in a Prodigy and most other mini-ITX cases that support ATX psu.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor  (£154.98 @ Novatech)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  (£80.69 @ More Computers)
Memory: Kingston Fury Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  (£47.76 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5"; Solid State Drive  (£67.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5"; 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (£32.40 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card  (£275.96 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  (£40.63 @ CCL Computers)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  (£52.74 @ Aria PC)
Total: £753.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-23 19:14 BST+0100

80+ ratings certify electrical efficiency. Not quality.

 

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Thanks for that, will link a few to my brother and see what he thinks!

 

 

This will fit in a Prodigy and most other mini-ITX cases that support ATX psu.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor  (£154.98 @ Novatech)

Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  (£80.69 @ More Computers)

Memory: Kingston Fury Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  (£47.76 @ CCL Computers)

Storage: OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5"; Solid State Drive  (£67.99 @ Amazon UK)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5"; 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (£32.40 @ Aria PC)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card  (£275.96 @ Scan.co.uk)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  (£40.63 @ CCL Computers)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  (£52.74 @ Aria PC)

Total: £753.15

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-23 19:14 BST+0100

 

Looks like a pretty solid list, thanks for that! Still not sure if I need a 4590 over a 4460, all he plans to do is dota, streams, voice coms and watch music/video. I feel I could move the money I saved into a slightly bigger HDD and better quality case, as I have heard that the CM Elite 130 feels a bit shoddy due to the plastic and the build quality, anyone have any ideas on that?

 

Edit: Just reailsed I was originally on the 4690, the 4590/4460 could both be around the mark I need. Thoughts between the two?

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CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  (£167.94 @ Scan.co.uk) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  (£80.69 @ More Computers) 

Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  (£83.24 @ CCL Computers) 

Storage: OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (£67.99 @ Amazon UK) 


Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card  (£275.96 @ Scan.co.uk) 



Monitor: Dell P2314H 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  (£147.88 @ Scan.co.uk) 

Total: £985.37

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-23 20:10 BST+0100

 

After going through a few reviews and considering what i'm looking for, this is what i'm thinking at the moment! Anyone have any criticism on these parts or ideas on better choices?

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Edit: Just reailsed I was originally on the 4690, the 4590/4460 could both be around the mark I need. Thoughts between the two?

If you're going with an i5, go with the cheaper 4440 or 4460 depending on the motherboard. 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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If you're going with an i5, go with the cheaper 4440 or 4460 depending on the motherboard. 

Alrighty,will do!

 

 
CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  (£143.99 @ Novatech) 
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  (£80.69 @ More Computers) 
Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  (£83.24 @ CCL Computers) 
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (£67.99 @ Amazon UK) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card  (£275.96 @ Scan.co.uk) 
Monitor: Dell P2314H 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  (£147.88 @ Scan.co.uk) 
Total: £961.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-23 20:30 BST+0100
 
This is what im currently looking at.
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  (£143.99 @ Novatech) 
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  (£80.69 @ More Computers) 
Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  (£83.24 @ CCL Computers) 
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (£67.99 @ Amazon UK) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card  (£275.96 @ Scan.co.uk) 
Monitor: Dell P2314H 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  (£147.88 @ Scan.co.uk) 
Total: £961.42
This is what im currently looking at.

Why so much ram?

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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Why so much ram?

I personally ran 8GB until a few months ago when I started having issues when using Chrome heavily, would prefer if he didn't run into similar issues.

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Thanks for that, will link a few to my brother and see what he thinks!

 

 

 

Looks like a pretty solid list, thanks for that! Still not sure if I need a 4590 over a 4460, all he plans to do is dota, streams, voice coms and watch music/video. I feel I could move the money I saved into a slightly bigger HDD and better quality case, as I have heard that the CM Elite 130 feels a bit shoddy due to the plastic and the build quality, anyone have any ideas on that?

 

Edit: Just reailsed I was originally on the 4690, the 4590/4460 could both be around the mark I need. Thoughts between the two?

 

The price and performance differences between the three cpu are fairly small. Choose the one that best fits the budget. I will generally elect to spend  ~$/£/€ 10 - 12 more if it will get another 100MHz or so. But that is just personal preference.

80+ ratings certify electrical efficiency. Not quality.

 

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The price and performance differences between the three cpu are fairly small. Choose the one that best fits the budget. I will generally elect to spend  ~$/£/€ 10 - 12 more if it will get another 100MHz or so. But that is just personal preference.

Yeah thats been my preference in the past, may do the same here!

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CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  (£167.94 @ Scan.co.uk) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  (£80.69 @ More Computers) 

Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  (£83.24 @ CCL Computers) 

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (£76.98 @ Aria PC) 


Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card  (£275.96 @ Scan.co.uk) 



Monitor: Dell P2314H 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  (£147.88 @ Scan.co.uk) 

Total: £994.36

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-23 21:55 BST+0100

 

This is the current plan, am going to bed now so will be checking this tomorrow and then will probably start ordering! Would appreciate any critique on the parts I have chosen.

 

I went for the 4690 as it was only £20 more than the 4460 and I would rather pay that for the slight extra increase in speed. I would like to run 16GB of RAM just to future proof it and as I expect my brother to be using Chrome as much as I do. Would anyone advise trying to find a decent third part cooler that would both fit nicely into the case and be more effective than the stock CPU cooler? I don't want to burden my brother with having to mess around with watercooling even if it is only a few times a year.

 

Thanks for all the help upto now guys!

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