Micro-ATX Gaming PC Component Recommendations?

[berderder]

Hi all,

 

I am looking to build a MicroATX gaming PC with at least 8 USB 2.0/3.0 ports.  Anyone know of a particular brand/model motherboard that would support this?

 

Also, any other part recommendations would be terrific.

 

I like the portability, and I would like the 8 or so usb - it seems to me like that is sort of uncommon with the microATX boards - I am not even completely sure whether that is possible or not.

 

I plan on overclocking, and want something with the good TMU/VRAM GPU for pc gaming mods implementing high resolution textures.

 

I am located in the United States and I don't really have any other preferences besides the things listed.  However, I would really like to do without an optical drive like a burner, but I don't know if that is possible or not, or whether they even make cases like that. 

 

My budget is a long haul budget as I will being working on this over the course of some time, but I would say $1200 maximum.

 

Thank you for all of your help!!!

 

EDIT:

 

Would also like to pick and choose components to transfer from my current rig:

 

MSI H77MA-G43

i5-3570k

Stock cooling

2 x 4GB DDR3 RAM

Geforce GTX 660

120 GB SSD, 220 GB HDD

Can't remember PSU without opening case

 

Thanks!

[Shaqo_Wyn]

MSI Gaming Z97M for the motherboard.

[berderder]

MSI Gaming Z97M for the motherboard.

I would partly like to stick with MSI as well.  My current Mobo is MSI.  That must have the on hand OC Genie II button on the mobo....the one I have now is listed in Bios as an option, but doesn't even work because they were too lazy to take it out   (H77 chipset)

[Held657]

This is what I'd recommend: 4x USB 3.0 + 4x USB 2.0 included

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Asus GRYPHON Z97 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($162.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston XMP Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($75.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card  ($379.00 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1183.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-11 16:23 EDT-0400

[berderder]

MSI Gaming Z97M for the motherboard.

And boy that mobo is pretty

[berderder]

This is what I'd recommend: 4x USB 3.0 + 4x USB 2.0 included

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.00 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($49.99 @ Micro Center)

Motherboard: Asus GRYPHON Z97 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($162.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: Kingston XMP Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($75.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($84.99 @ NCIX US)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.99 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card  ($379.00 @ Newegg)

Case: BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($99.98 @ OutletPC)

Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $1183.92

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-11 16:23 EDT-0400

I guess I should say that I would like to pick and choose items from my current rig as well.  I am new here, so I don't know if my rig displaying below my posts is working or not...

[berderder]

This is what I'd recommend: 4x USB 3.0 + 4x USB 2.0 included

Motherboard: Asus GRYPHON Z97 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($162.99 @ Amazon)

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-11 16:23 EDT-0400

That's great with the mobo.

[Held657]

I guess I should say that I would like to pick and choose items from my current rig as well.  I am new here, so I don't know if my rig displaying below my posts is working or not...

 

No your Signatur is not working if you got one. Just post your current specs here.

[berderder]

Going to have to say that even more than 8 USB is great.  I currently have to do with a USB hub, and want to do away with that potential of happening all together.  Maybe something even like 10 or 12 USB, but again, I don't know if micro ATX mobo's like that even exist. 

[berderder]

No your Signatur is not working if you got one. Just post your current specs here.

Ok, thank you, I posted an edit in the original post. 

[Shaqo_Wyn]

And boy that mobo is pretty

I would do something like this for a $1200 build from scratch. 

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FxZcgs

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FxZcgs/by_merchant/

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($239.99 @ Newegg) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($35.98 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97M Gaming Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($159.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory 

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB PCS+ Video Card  ($402.98 @ Newegg) 

Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($107.98 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1161.89

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-11 16:33 EDT-0400

 

With your current components. Stick with the CPU till broadwell and keep all the other stuff too. 

Some worthy upgrades: MSi Twin Frozr R9 290 or the Sapphire Vapor-X model if you've got the money, Corsair 350D and a good CPU cooler U14S/ 212 Hyper EVO, X41, Seidon 240M are some good options.

[berderder]

 

I would do something like this for a $1200 build from scratch. 

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FxZcgs

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FxZcgs/by_merchant/

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($239.99 @ Newegg) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($35.98 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97M Gaming Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($159.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory 

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB PCS+ Video Card  ($402.98 @ Newegg) 

Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($107.98 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1161.89

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-11 16:33 EDT-0400

 

With your current components. Stick with the CPU till broadwell and keep all the other stuff too. 

Some worthy upgrades: MSi Twin Frozr R9 290 or the Sapphire Vapor-X model if you've got the money, Corsair 350D and a good CPU cooler U14S/ 212 Hyper EVO, X41, Seidon 240M are some good options.

 

That is a nice build!  And something appropriate it looks for my budget (and hopefully skill level ).

 

Part of the thing is that I am new to this, although picking up speed!  That's sort of part of the reason I'd like to do it in sort of slow steps....maybe by then Broadwell will be out....is Broadwell like Ivy Bridge or Sandy Bridge but for 4th generation i5?  Also, only 3.5 GHZ?  My cpu now is 3.4, but it is an older model, the i53570k..

[Held657]

So first to the USB problem. I don't know any mATX mainboard with more than 8 USB ports, so just get a USB3.0 controller for pcie x1: http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=DF1426%20&vpn=TS-PDU3&manufacture=TRANSCEND%20%20%20&catid=1

[berderder]

So first to the USB problem. I don't know any mATX mainboard with more than 8 USB ports, so just get a USB3.0 controller for pcie x1: http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=DF1426%20&vpn=TS-PDU3&manufacture=TRANSCEND%20%20%20&catid=1

Ah, I see.  I haven't seen those.  I don't really want to do the USB hub thing, so that is a good idea.  8 might be enough, but this also looks handy enough to do. 

[berderder]

So, so far we have:

 

MSI Gaming Z97M     or  Asus GRYPHON Z97 for motherboard

Possibly USB3.0 controller for pcie

212 Hyper EVO (I think this is the one I have heard about alot)

Corsair 350D (Is this PSU?)

GPU:  I would choose whichever had higher TMU/VRAM between the two cards both of you have recommended

[berderder]

 

 

 

With your current components. Stick with the CPU till broadwell and keep all the other stuff too. 

Some worthy upgrades: MSi Twin Frozr R9 290 or the Sapphire Vapor-X model if you've got the money, Corsair 350D and a good CPU cooler U14S/ 212 Hyper EVO, X41, Seidon 240M are some good options.

 

Oh, gotcha, upgrades for my current rig...

[Held657]

So technically it's not worth upgrading from your i5 3570K to a i5 4690K, but since you want a new mainboard ...

Else there's not much to keep from your current rig. I would defenetly keep the SSD. Else maybe case, PSU & RAM? Case depends wether you want to keep it, PSU depends if it's good enough. And RAM, well what RAM do you have? 8 GB DDR3 will do.

Everything else I would stay with the build I already posted, but switch the GPU to a GTX 780: http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=DF1426%20&vpn=TS-PDU3&manufacture=TRANSCEND%20%20%20&catid=1

[Held657]

So, so far we have:

 

MSI Gaming Z97M     or  Asus GRYPHON Z97 for motherboard

Possibly USB3.0 controller for pcie

212 Hyper EVO (I think this is the one I have heard about alot)

Corsair 350D (Is this PSU?)

GPU:  I would choose whichever had higher TMU/VRAM between the two cards both of you have recommended

 

Corsair 350D is a case. For PSU I would go with the Seasonic I already suggested if your current PSU is not good enough: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ssr650rm

Oh and I forgor about you needing much TMU/VRAM. You might wanna switch to a 6GB GTX 780 like t his one? http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-06gp43787kr

[berderder]

So technically it's not worth upgrading from your i5 3570K to a i5 4690K, but since you want a new mainboard ...

Else there's not much to keep from your current rig. I would defenetly keep the SSD. Else maybe case, PSU & RAM? Case depends wether you want to keep it, PSU depends if it's good enough. And RAM, well what RAM do you have? 8 GB DDR3 will do.

Everything else I would stay with the build I already posted, but switch the GPU to a GTX 780: http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=DF1426%20&vpn=TS-PDU3&manufacture=TRANSCEND%20%20%20&catid=1

 

Yeah, I would like to upgrade with my existing parts if I could, into something more portable that can be overclocked with the 8 or more USB ports.  My current mobo can't be overclocked because it has an H77 chipset, and so I am not really accessing the full power of the i5-3570k.  Also, considering the TMU/VRAM of a nice GPU is for rendering high resolution textures in mods for PC games.  My Gefore GTX 660 may be good for now, but I will definitely look at the GTX 780.  My current RAM is 2 x 4GB DDR3, but with a mATX board, I would just like to do 2 x 8GB sticks, if that is all there is room for.  That would be cool, actually, because I feel that'd be all I need for a long time, and would also enjoy how much more compact that would make the rig.  My PSU in my current rig could probably be upgraded, I am not completely sure what it is though without opening the case.  My friend has built this one.  Would also of course like the small portable case that'd go with mATX. 

[berderder]

Corsair 350D is a case. For PSU I would go with the Seasonic I already suggested if your current PSU is not good enough: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ssr650rm

Oh and I forgor about you needing much TMU/VRAM. You might wanna switch to a 6GB GTX 780 like t his one? http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-06gp43787kr

Thanks, that's great.  I am not totally familiar with what I need yet for that, but was asking questions about TMU and VRAM in an earlier post. 

[Held657]

Yeah, I would like to upgrade with my existing parts if I could, into something more portable that can be overclocked with the 8 or more USB ports.  My current mobo can't be overclocked because it has an H77 chipset, and so I am not really accessing the full power of the i5-3570k.  Also, considering the TMU/VRAM of a nice GPU is for rendering high resolution textures in mods for PC games.  My Gefore GTX 660 may be good for now, but I will definitely look at the GTX 780.  My current RAM is 2 x 4GB DDR3, but with a mATX board, I would just like to do 2 x 8GB sticks, if that is all there is room for.  That would be cool, actually, because I feel that'd be all I need for a long time, and would also enjoy how much more compact that would make the rig.  My PSU in my current rig could probably be upgraded, I am not completely sure what it is though without opening the case.  My friend has built this one.  Would also of course like the small portable case that'd go with mATX. 

 

 

Thanks, that's great.  I am not totally familiar with what I need yet for that, but was asking questions about TMU and VRAM in an earlier post. 

 

So this would be my recommendation: You keep the SSD and throw everything else away in the end to get this:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.00 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($49.99 @ Micro Center)

Motherboard: Asus GRYPHON Z97 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($162.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($142.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.99 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card  ($379.00 @ Newegg)

Case: BitFenix Prodigy M Midnight MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $1165.94

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-11 17:19 EDT-0400

 

The Bitfenix Prodigy is the small formfactor case, it won't get any smaller than that for such powerfull hardware. I would go with the Corsair H60 liquid cooler instead of the 212 EVO because it's smaller on the mainboard and more powerfull for better overclokcing. You could keep your 8 GB of RAM for now and get the GTX 780 I suggested instead.

[Devil0359]

Replace your motherboard with a MSI Z77A-G45 GAMING.

Take your stock heatsink out for a cooler master hyper 212 evo.
And add another gtx 660 to your rig.

In case of a need for a power supply add a corsair rm 650 watts.

And some extra hdd/ssd is your wish.

It will total cost u max around 500$ - 700$ max according to which one of the parts you take.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

That is a nice build!  And something appropriate it looks for my budget (and hopefully skill level ).

 

Part of the thing is that I am new to this, although picking up speed!  That's sort of part of the reason I'd like to do it in sort of slow steps....maybe by then Broadwell will be out....is Broadwell like Ivy Bridge or Sandy Bridge but for 4th generation i5?  Also, only 3.5 GHZ?  My cpu now is 3.4, but it is an older model, the i53570k..

Broadwell is the next batch of Intel CPU's. Your CPU is good for now, no need to go to Haswell Refresh (aka i5 4690K) and Z97 isn't compatible with your CPU.

 

Wait for Broadwell. 

 

Then my suggestion would be, (this will give you some more time to save up and go all out then) : 

i5 Broadwell

MSi Gaming Z97M

New GPU 

CPU cooler

New PSU 

350D or other M-ATX case you fancy. Note that the Prodigy M is overrated and makes inefficient use of it's space IMO.

[Held657]

Broadwell is the next batch of Intel CPU's. Your CPU is good for now, no need to go to Haswell Refresh (aka i5 4690K) and Z97 isn't compatible with your CPU.

 

Wait for Broadwell. 

 

Then my suggestion would be, (this will give you some more time to save up and go all out then) : 

i5 Broadwell

MSi Gaming Z97M

New GPU 

CPU cooler

New PSU 

350D or other M-ATX case you fancy. Note that the Prodigy M is overrated and makes inefficient use of it's space IMO.

 

I think you really can't compare the Prodigy M with the 350D, the 350D is just much bigger.

[berderder]

So this would be my recommendation: You keep the SSD and throw everything else away in the end to get this:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.00 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($49.99 @ Micro Center)

Motherboard: Asus GRYPHON Z97 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($162.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($142.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.99 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card  ($379.00 @ Newegg)

Case: BitFenix Prodigy M Midnight MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $1165.94

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-11 17:19 EDT-0400

 

The Bitfenix Prodigy is the small formfactor case, it won't get any smaller than that for such powerfull hardware. I would go with the Corsair H60 liquid cooler instead of the 212 EVO because it's smaller on the mainboard and more powerfull for better overclokcing. You could keep your 8 GB of RAM for now and get the GTX 780 I suggested instead.

Nice, I love the 1TB internal SSD.  Also, it seems the ASUS parts have come up quite a bit, too, I will juggle both of those ideas in my head.  ASUS versus the MSI board.

 

Replace your motherboard with a MSI Z77A-G45 GAMING.

Take your stock heatsink out for a cooler master hyper 212 evo.

And add another gtx 660 to your rig.

In case of a need for a power supply add a corsair rm 650 watts.

And some extra hdd/ssd is your wish.

It will total cost u max around 500$ - 700$ max according to which one of the parts you take.

I really, really like the two gtx 660 idea.  If I built the mATX rig, I don't know if that would fit, but that would be a great upgrade for my current rig