Mini PC Build

[Stonep11]

Hey Guys,

     So I have orderded an M1 Case (NCASE M1) and am trying to plan a build for it.  I will mostly be gaming, but will also do heavy load Excel and Web Browsing.

     I already have a good deal of the parts, but could use some advice/critiques for build in general and remaining parts.

 

     I have:

          1. Case- M1

          2. CPU- i7 4770k

          3. GPU- DirectCUII GTX680 (I know this seems fishy as it doesn'y fit given the specs on the product page, but I have read in their forum that an owner says it fits but barely)

          4. Storage- 2x Samsung 840 Evo's (256gb each)

 

      I need:

           1. PSU- I list this first, because I plan on getting the Silverstone 450w SFX one that is fully modular, gold rated, and super small.

           2. Cables- To go along with this and the small case I want to get their small cable kit

           3. RAM- I am not a pro builder and given the already tight clearances, I was thinking low profile RAM, but I dont know what is good their or if I should get 8GB (2x4) or 16 (2x8)

           4. Mobo- This is the one I am also really unsure of.  I want overclocking/gaming centered (not one of those bare bones workstation ones), mITX obviously, good looking board (Red/Black), A/C wireless, no need for any great onboard sound as I have an external, fan control features is a must.

           6.  Cooler- I want to be able to transport this case, maybe even on a plane if I am traveling (hence the small size) so this is a case that will move at least a little bit. I need advice on the options of an upgradeable water loop (an AIO that can be expanded to include a GPU), a normal AIO, or pure air.  Along with this I would like ideas on if something like an NZXT G10 would be a good idea in a case like this.

           5.  Fans/other stuff- Advice from others with small builds on what fans I need for the cooling and small case size or anything else they think I need.

 

I think that is about it.  Budget is pretty open depending on what I need to get but for those items listed I would like to be between 500-750 USD.  I live in the Eastern US so I can get pretty much anything delivered.  Any help is appreciated.

[MEC-777]

Hey Guys,

     So I have orderded an M1 Case (NCASE M1) and am trying to plan a build for it.  I will mostly be gaming, but will also do heavy load Excel and Web Browsing.

     I already have a good deal of the parts, but could use some advice/critiques for build in general and remaining parts.

 

     I have:

          1. Case- M1

          2. CPU- i7 4770k

          3. GPU- DirectCUII GTX680 (I know this seems fishy as it doesn'y fit given the specs on the product page, but I have read in their forum that an owner says it fits but barely)

          4. Storage- 2x Samsung 840 Evo's (256gb each)

 

      I need:

           1. PSU- I list this first, because I plan on getting the Silverstone 450w SFX one that is fully modular, gold rated, and super small.

           2. Cables- To go along with this and the small case I want to get their small cable kit

           3. RAM- I am not a pro builder and given the already tight clearances, I was thinking low profile RAM, but I dont know what is good their or if I should get 8GB (2x4) or 16 (2x8)

           4. Mobo- This is the one I am also really unsure of.  I want overclocking/gaming centered (not one of those bare bones workstation ones), mITX obviously, good looking board (Red/Black), A/C wireless, no need for any great onboard sound as I have an external, fan control features is a must.

           6.  Cooler- I want to be able to transport this case, maybe even on a plane if I am traveling (hence the small size) so this is a case that will move at least a little bit. I need advice on the options of an upgradeable water loop (an AIO that can be expanded to include a GPU), a normal AIO, or pure air.  Along with this I would like ideas on if something like an NZXT G10 would be a good idea in a case like this.

           5.  Fans/other stuff- Advice from others with small builds on what fans I need for the cooling and small case size or anything else they think I need.

 

I think that is about it.  Budget is pretty open depending on what I need to get but for those items listed I would like to be between 500-750 USD.  I live in the Eastern US so I can get pretty much anything delivered.  Any help is appreciated.

 

1. PSU - I'd go with more than 450 watts for a higher-end build like this. You're running a GTX 680, plus possibly an AIO cooler and you want to overclock. I'd suggest something more like the Corsair CS550M. I wouldn't go less than 550w for a build like this, IMO.

 

2. Makes sense.

 

3. RAM - Just grab what ever is low profile 1600MHz CL9 at the lowest cost.

 

4. Mobo - I suggest the Gigabyte GA-Z97N Gaming 5. It will OC well, has built-in wifi (AC), is black and red. Has everything you need without having to spend an arm and a leg.

 

5. Cooler - Any decent 120mm AIO will do. Something like the Corsair H60 or Cooler Master Seidon 120M. There are some low-profile air coolers out there that will probably work, but for transporting, an AIO water cooler would be best IMO because it will put less stress on the cooler mounting points/bracket and CPU socket. 

 

6. Fans and general cooling - Just make sure you have air flowing in and out of the case in the same direction (in the front, out the back, for example). Some say to have more intake than exhaust for positive pressure inside the case. IMO, just make sure you have decent fresh air flowing through the case and you'll be just fine. 

 

 

I see no reason to spend anywhere near $500 for these components.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($57.99 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-Gaming 5 Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($128.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($71.88 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: Corsair CSM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $323.85

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

 

[MrSuperb]

     I have:

          1. Case- M1

          2. CPU- i7 4770k

          3. GPU- DirectCUII GTX680 (I know this seems fishy as it doesn'y fit given the specs on the product page, but I have read in their forum that an owner says it fits but barely)

          4. Storage- 2x Samsung 840 Evo's (256gb each)

 

      I need:

           1. PSU- I list this first, because I plan on getting the Silverstone 450w SFX one that is fully modular, gold rated, and super small.

           2. Cables- To go along with this and the small case I want to get their small cable kit

           3. RAM- I am not a pro builder and given the already tight clearances, I was thinking low profile RAM, but I dont know what is good their or if I should get 8GB (2x4) or 16 (2x8)

           4. Mobo- This is the one I am also really unsure of.  I want overclocking/gaming centered (not one of those bare bones workstation ones), mITX obviously, good looking board (Red/Black), A/C wireless, no need for any great onboard sound as I have an external, fan control features is a must.

           6.  Cooler- I want to be able to transport this case, maybe even on a plane if I am traveling (hence the small size) so this is a case that will move at least a little bit. I need advice on the options of an upgradeable water loop (an AIO that can be expanded to include a GPU), a normal AIO, or pure air.  Along with this I would like ideas on if something like an NZXT G10 would be a good idea in a case like this.

           5.  Fans/other stuff- Advice from others with small builds on what fans I need for the cooling and small case size or anything else they think I need.

 

have:

1) nice

2) nice

3) huh ... that will be tigtht ... I hope for you it works out

4) nice

 

need:

1) Either get the ST45SF-G or wait for the SST-SX600G or the SST-SX500LG

2) PP05-E - with your GPU you might want to use that flat cable set (which comes included with the SX600G and SX500LG, but not with the ST45SF-G)

3) any ram with not to large heatsinks should be fine. you might consider low profile ram depending on what cpu cooling solution you decide on.

4) don't really know the newest mitx boards

5) I'd prefer a large air cooler, but choice is really limited and largely depended on what motherboard you choose. Someone just proved in the [H]ardForum that it is possible to use two 120mm AIO coolers (together with a G10) to cool a CPU and the GPU. I probably prefer a single loop.

6) I have two Noctua NF-F12s below my MSI 760 (which you can't use as your GPU cooler is a triple slot one. I have a NF-A15 on my CPU-Cooler and a NF-B9 PWM on the back (which imho is more for aesthics and less for real cooling

 

 

1. PSU - I'd go with more than 450 watts for a higher-end build like this. You're running a GTX 680, plus possibly an AIO cooler and you want to overclock. I'd suggest something more like the Corsair CS550M. I wouldn't go less than 550w for a build like this, IMO.

2. Makes sense.

3. RAM - Just grab what ever is low profile 1600MHz CL9 at the lowest cost.

4. Mobo - I suggest the Gigabyte GA-Z97N Gaming 5. It will OC well, has built-in wifi (AC), is black and red. Has everything you need without having to spend an arm and a leg.

5. Cooler - Any decent 120mm AIO will do. Something like the Corsair H60 or Cooler Master Seidon 120M. There are some low-profile air coolers out there that will probably work, but for transporting, an AIO water cooler would be best IMO because it will put less stress on the cooler mounting points/bracket and CPU socket. 

6. Fans and general cooling - Just make sure you have air flowing in and out of the case in the same direction (in the front, out the back, for example). Some say to have more intake than exhaust for positive pressure inside the case. IMO, just make sure you have decent fresh air flowing through the case and you'll be just fine.

next time before writing a recommendation, you should consider what the OP is looking for. then you would know, that it is almost impossible to fit a CS550m together with a GTX680 in a NCASE M1

[Stonep11]

QUOTE

 

Thank you so much for your response! This isn't a widely used case given the limited runs so far, so it means a lot to get an actual user.

 

I know the 680 will be close and I have to plans to deal with that so it should be ok. 

I purchased the recommended PSU (and cables) as it was also the one I was really looking at (I know 450W seems low, but considering ALL the prebuilt SFFs have a similar makeup I think 450W will be totally ok)

I went with some smaller RAM (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00569K7LM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

I got this mobo (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K8HNGYW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) as it is not too expensive, but seems to have all the bells and whistles I need

I am nervous about and air cooler in this small of a case (especially with the GPU situation). I think I will try just using a stock cooler and seeing how temps and fits are for a bit before I figure out what I need exactly

I was looking at getting 2 of the Noctua fans to start for the side panel (I assume these should be airflow optimized intakes?) and a 92mm Noctua for the rear as exhaust.  I am worries about purchasing any fans for the bottom until I am sure of the room with the GPU.

[MrSuperb]

I got this mobo (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K8HNGYW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) as it is not too expensive, but seems to have all the bells and whistles I need

I am nervous about and air cooler in this small of a case (especially with the GPU situation). I think I will try just using a stock cooler and seeing how temps and fits are for a bit before I figure out what I need exactly

 

That is a tough one to fit an air cooler onto : /

 

But a Noctua NH-C14 should be doable

 

but only with the top fan installed / fans mounted on the side bracket.

would end up looking like the build Necere (M1 designer) did

[MEC-777]

 

 

 

next time before writing a recommendation, you should consider what the OP is looking for. then you would know, that it is almost impossible to fit a CS550m together with a GTX680 in a NCASE M1

I knew what the OP was looking for.

 

At a glance, the CS550M looks the same size as most other mid-range ATX PSU's. Will check that more closely next time. Thanks for pointing that out.

[MrSuperb]

I knew what the OP was looking for.

 

At a glance, the CS550M looks the same size as most other mid-range ATX PSU's. Will check that more closely next time. Thanks for pointing that out.

Although the M1 can hold an ATX PSU, SFX PSUs are really highly recommended.

ATX PSU only work in that case if either the GPU is really short or if the PSU is max 140mm AND non-modular, and even then it is a really tight fit