Intel Mini Itx Build

[CobaltMK33]

I'm thinking about building a Mini-ITX computer for easier transportation to the weekly LAN parties, and I have ran into a few problems. I have the 550 Ti from EVGA and a power supply, and I want to know if the i3-3225 would be bottle necking the card. I wouldn't be using a Z77 board, just because I can't overclock the processor. I don't want a 3570K becasue it is a little too high in price and I don't want to overpower my main rig. So would it bottle neck? 

[hiyayhi]

no the GTX 550ti wouldn't be bottlenecked at all. The card won't perform that well anyway though.

[CobaltMK33]

For me, it is good enough. I have one that I took out of my main rig, so that's why I'm going with it.

 

Sorry, forgot to thank you, so thanks!

Edited April 29, 2013 by CobaltMK33

[Emperor_Piehead]

Do you need any other help in picking out any other parts?

[CobaltMK33]

Yes actually, I have heard that the EVGA Stinger has overheating issues and will throttle down the MOSFETs and such because of it. Is this true? Would you recommend a different motherboard for the 3570K? 

[Emperor_Piehead]

I haven't heard about that problem and its a decent motherboard but the best motherboard for ITX ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe. Its around the same price and very beefy(has a daughter board connected to it), but the only problem is that it has 3 audio ports.

 

Link- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131840

[Raptus]

^ What he said.Linus did an unboxing of that paticular motherboard actually.

 

Link: 

[CobaltMK33]

I've heard nothing but good things about the board, I just didn't see the price as very good. Then I figured, if I want a 3570-K then I'm going to overclock the poop out of it. Bluetooth 4.0 is also pretty awesome. Anything against the H80i for the CPU?

[Emperor_Piehead]

Usually EVGA boards are not to well regarded and the asus board has gotten several awards and such. The H80i is a good liquid cooler but the 2x120mm rads beat out of the completion the link is a water/air cooling roundup a couple days old. If I remember the H80i didn't do to well. I'm guessing the case you picked out is the Bitfenix Prodigy?

[CobaltMK33]

Yes, that is the case I chose. I might go with the H100i. If I go with the 3470 from Intel, then would an H60 work fine?

[CobaltMK33]

Whoops, never mind. Micro Center gives me $40 off the bundle of 3570-K and the ASUS motherboard, which totals to the exact same price of the 3470 and the motherboard. 

[Emperor_Piehead]

A dual 2x120/140 would be a great idea if you buy now Ncix has the Bitfenix prodigy 20 off normal price($80 normal) and has the H100 for $80 which is pretty much the same thing as the h100i without the software

[Raptus]

An Asus motherboard with the 3570k would work awesome. You can never go wrong with Asus motherboards. If you can fit it in the case and in the budget, get an H100 or H100i. Big surface radiator would cool very well. You could also run the fans on a low RPM no minimize noise if you're ears are sensitive to that. 

[CobaltMK33]

I would love an H100/H100i, the ASUS, and the 3570-K, but I just have to decide to save the money, build this, or water cool my main rig. Any thoughts?

[KyonCoraeL]

If you don't plan on overclocking, you can get a intel 3570 instead of a 3570k and save 30$? Have you considered any AMD solutions? 

 

You don't need any water cooling, this generation of cpus run way cooler than the core 2 quads I used to run air-cooled especially if you aren't overclocking. If your cpu gets really hot like around 90 degrees, than I would suggest installing a coolermaster Hyper 212 which is like 30$ or something.

[CobaltMK33]

You're probably right. I'll save and upgrade my main rig to Haswell and buy the mini-ITX as soon as I can. And a build log, of course  :) .

[Emperor_Piehead]

I thought you just wanted watercooling but yes an air cooler would be fine I would recommend the Xigamatek dark knight 2 it's cool and quiet. The haswell vs ivy bridge thing is up to you performance difference at most will be 5-10% they are focusing more in to lowering power consumption this generation since AMD is still catching up 

[CobaltMK33]

I have an aftermarket in my main rig now, and for the Mini-ITX I'm putting an H100i in. My main rig has an 8320 in it now, so there might be a bit of a performance boost!

[Emperor_Piehead]

what do you mean by a performance boost?

[CobaltMK33]

I mean performance boost as in game FPS, even in the slightest. Not only that, but I would love less power consumption and heat. 

[Emperor_Piehead]

yes the 8320 is not as good as an i5 but its a bigger difference than you may think

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHnsfIJtZ2o&list=PL8mG-RkN2uTzThDLOVYT6e0WpVz_0-dRc

 

 

[CobaltMK33]

I have seen all the videos from Linus, believe me. I enjoy the -41 Watt difference between the two, and the new technology inside of it. 

[Emperor_Piehead]

Now too bad that I5 is getting put with a gtx 550 ti, but maybe when the next gen comes out or whenever you can get a graphics card that will give that I5 a good partner

[CobaltMK33]

As in 650 Ti Boost? Haha it'll probably get that after I upgrade my main rig (which has the Boost in it now).

[Emperor_Piehead]

Oh ok well I see you are all set to go it seems you are ready to retire that 8320 for an itx rig