Mini-ITX Build

[Navbryce]

Thoughts and comments on this computer build. I have my heart set on the case, so I'm not going to change that. I also am not going to change the graphics card because I already own an RX 64, and I am just going to re-use it.

 

In other words, I'm flexible on everything but the case and the graphics card. 

 

In terms of budget, keep it under a $1000 (excluding the graphics card, don't factor that into the price). What am I going to use this computer for? Gaming and coding in college. Lots of google chrome tabs. I definitely want at least 16 GB of RAM and 500 GB of storage. 

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($279.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-L9a-AM4 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler  ($39.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 GAMING-ITX/AC Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard  ($109.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($85.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($85.98 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($125.50 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Sapphire - Radeon RX VEGA 64 8 GB Video Card 
Case: Fractal Design - Node 202 HTPC Case  ($69.79 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS SGX 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply  ($122.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $919.13
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-17 21:04 EDT-0400

 

EDIT 1:

Probably going to switch to the Silverstone RVZ01 for the case instead of the Node 202.

 

Edit 2:

 

ALRIGHT. So this is the new build I came up with -- keeping in mind people's suggestions:

 

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($299.99 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-L9i 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler  ($39.95 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock - H370M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($159.99 @ Corsair) 
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($125.50 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Sapphire - Radeon RX VEGA 64 8 GB Video Card 
Case: Silverstone - RVZ01B Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($103.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS SGX 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply  ($122.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $951.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-18 02:16 EDT-0400

 

[RobFRaschke]

I'm just going to throw out that it's a hell of a lot of heat in that tiny of a case...

[Airdragonz]

Whatever you do, don't put an 8 core cpu in there unless you are willing to deal with thermal throttling and/or undervolting. Something like a r5-2600 or intel i5-9600 might do better. Try adding as many fans as possible to keep things cool. Everything else looks fine to me

[Navbryce]

7 minutes ago, RobFRaschke said:

I'm just going to throw out that it's a hell of a lot of heat in that tiny of a case...

 

1 minute ago, Airdragonz said:

Whatever you do, don't put an 8 core cpu in there unless you are willing to deal with thermal throttling and/or undervolting. Something like a r5-2600 or intel i5-9600 might do better. Try adding as many fans as possible to keep things cool. Everything else looks fine to me

Oh jeez. New plan. Is there another mini-ITX case where I won't have to sacrifice an 8 core CPU? I'm willing to give up that case if I can keep a high-core CPU however I would still like the case to be relatively portable (and durable). 

[SenKa]

You are going to want to knock that down to a 6 core. Other than that, just undervolt your Vega 64 and overclock (very possible on Vega cards. AMD's voltages are insanely high from stock).

 

May I ask why you're buying 2 16GB Ram modules, rather than one 32GB kit?

 

Looks good other than those 2 things.

[Navbryce]

2 minutes ago, SenpaiKaplan said:

You are going to want to knock that down to a 6 core. Other than that, just undervolt your Vega 64 and overclock (very possible on Vega cards. AMD's voltages are insanely high from stock).

 

May I ask why you're buying 2 16GB Ram modules, rather than one 32GB kit?

 

Looks good other than those 2 things.

Is there any way I can change that case and not make the performance sacrifices? Good question about the 32 GB RAM. I just want to fill both slots on the motherboard and figured I would never need to upgrade to 64 GB.

[Airdragonz]

7 minutes ago, Navbryce said:

 

Oh jeez. New plan. Is there another mini-ITX case where I won't have to sacrifice an 8 core CPU? I'm willing to give up that case if I can keep a high-core CPU however I would still like the case to be relatively portable (and durable). 

I recommend you take a look at this spreadsheet (source: r/sffpc). The Louqe Ghost S1 is the one I'd recommend if you're able to shell out some extra money due to it's modular design. General rule of thumb for itx cases: the bigger the case, the cooler your components.

[SenKa]

2 minutes ago, Navbryce said:

Is there any way I can change that case and not make the performance sacrifices? Good question about the 32 GB RAM. I just want to fill both slots on the motherboard and figured I would never need to upgrade to 64 GB.

As @Airdragonzsaid.

 

Also my question was why did you set it up as to purchase 2 individual sticks, rather than purchasing one kit with the same amount of RAM. There is usually a unit price discount.

[Fasauceome]

27 minutes ago, Navbryce said:

Is there another mini-ITX case where I won't have to sacrifice an 8 core CPU?

You rang?

[Navbryce]

I was thinking the latest version of the Raven might be good, the RVZ03. Anyone have thoughts on the case? 

 

Seems like there might be some QC issues on the case, so I might go for the RVZ01. The RVZ02 has a smaller volume, which probably means worse temps.

 

8 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

You rang?

According the excel sheet linked above, it would be pushing it to put an RX 64 in an SG13.

[Daniel Z.]

Best I could do in that case.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rcqp7W

[brob]

Use the 65W TDP 2700 instead of the 105W 2700X. See https://noctua.at/en/products/cpu-cooler-retail/nh-l9a-am4/cpucomp.

 

Buying separate sticks of memory runs the small chance that they will not be able to run in dual channel mode. For peace of mind get a 2x16GB kit.

 

You may want to consider an Intel build.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($299.99 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-L9i 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler  ($39.95 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock - H370M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($174.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($125.40 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Sapphire - Radeon RX VEGA 64 8 GB Video Card 
Case: Fractal Design - Node 202 HTPC Case  ($69.79 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS SGX 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply  ($122.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $932.11
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-17 22:44 EDT-0400

 

 

[Navbryce]

43 minutes ago, Daniel Z. said:

Best I could do in that case.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rcqp7W

What if I changed the case to https://www.silverstonetek.com/raven/products/index.php?model=RVZ01&area=en . I really don't want to buy a 2060 cause I have a spare vega 64.

[Navbryce]

2 hours ago, brob said:

Use the 65W TDP 2700 instead of the 105W 2700X. See https://noctua.at/en/products/cpu-cooler-retail/nh-l9a-am4/cpucomp.

 

Buying separate sticks of memory runs the small chance that they will not be able to run in dual channel mode. For peace of mind get a 2x16GB kit.

 

You may want to consider an Intel build.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($299.99 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-L9i 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler  ($39.95 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock - H370M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($174.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($125.40 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Sapphire - Radeon RX VEGA 64 8 GB Video Card 
Case: Fractal Design - Node 202 HTPC Case  ($69.79 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS SGX 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply  ($122.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $932.11
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-17 22:44 EDT-0400

 

 

I might go with the the i7-8700. Good point about the memory. The kit you suggested is cheaper anyways, so I'll definitely go that route.

 

 

ALRIGHT. So this is the new build I came up with -- keeping in mind people's suggestions:

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($299.99 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-L9i 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler  ($39.95 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI - H310I PRO Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($85.36 @ Newegg Business) 
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($159.99 @ Corsair) 
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($125.50 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Sapphire - Radeon RX VEGA 64 8 GB Video Card 
Case: Silverstone - RVZ01B Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($103.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS SGX 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply  ($122.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $936.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-18 01:04 EDT-0400

 

[brob]

H310 motherboards are intended for low-end builds. At the very least you should consider a B360 motherboard, but really an H370 strikes me as a better choice for an i7.

[Navbryce]

19 minutes ago, brob said:

H310 motherboards are intended for low-end builds. At the very least you should consider a B360 motherboard, but really an H370 strikes me as a better choice for an i7.

Sounds good, I swapped the board for the one you suggested in your earlier build. 

[Navbryce]

AIGHT. Here's the final computer (middle of first picture). The graphics card is missing because that's in storage near my college, so currently I'm just using a filler card I had lying around. I used a 65mm noctua cooler instead of the 35mm one. Also, the RVZ01 is a special kind of hell to build in.

 

Far left is full tower. Far right is mid-tower. In between full tower and mid-tower is a can. Gives perspective on the size of the case.