Z170 Mini-ITX Gaming PC Build Parts Apprasial

[Steve N. Mavronis]

Do you think this would be a powerful Z170 gaming PC build in mini-ITX format? I had other more expensive motherboard and graphic card choices but scaled it back to reduce total cost. I kind of like to 'theme-bundle' part brands like having the motherboard and graphics card paired together for a more uniform look when possible.

 

[The Official Czex]

Nice.

 

Get the black/red EVOLV ITX.

 

[JebKerman]

looks good to me (oh and ^yea^ if available)

[Steve N. Mavronis]

I was mulling over the black/red Evolv ITX. I think it's a fine ITX case and one of the best.

[The Official Czex]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811854023&cm_re=phanteks-_-11-854-023-_-Product

 

For the case.

[The Official Czex]

I was mulling over the black/red Evolv ITX. I think it's a fine ITX case and one of the best.

 

It would tie the rest of the build together nicely.

[GalacticRuler]

You might want to hold back on buying a 6700K for now. Intel says they'll be getting their stock back up soon, which will cause prices to go back to their reasonable range.

[The Official Czex]

You might want to hold back on buying a 6700K for now. Intel says they'll be getting their stock back up soon, which will cause prices to go back to their reasonable range.

 

This.

 

I spent 100 USD less on my 6700K a couple of months ago.

[Steve N. Mavronis]

It would tie the rest of the build together nicely.

 

Yes I agree. Might kill that Phanteks logo mid-plate though. It just looks odd unless you're using it.

[Steve N. Mavronis]

This.

 

I spent 100 USD less on my 6700K a couple of months ago.

 

Yes I've been monitoring market price swings. I'm not in a hurry, maybe by Q2.

[The Official Czex]

Yes I've been monitoring market price swings. I'm not in a hurry, maybe by Q2.

 

Q2, it'll drop down again.

[dizmo]

I'd drop down to 16GB of RAM and get a better mouse and keyboard.

Or, just pony up the extra cash.

Those are two items you interact with all the time, I think it's foolish to go with such low end peripherals.

[Steve N. Mavronis]

I'd drop down to 16GB of RAM and get a better mouse and keyboard.

Or, just pony up the extra cash.

Those are two items you interact with all the time, I think it's foolish to go with such low end peripherals.

 

I think you have to populate both RAM slots for dual channel? That's why I'd rather max out 16gb per slot instead of a pair of 8gb memory.

 

I may bump up the keyboard and mouse. I had a K40 and K70 there before depending on membrane vs mechanical.

[The Official Czex]

I think you have to populate both RAM slots for dual channel? That's why I'd rather max out 16gb per slot instead of a pair of 8gb memory.

 

I may bump up the keyboard and mouse.

 

You could have two 8GB sticks if you don't plan on upgrading RAM.

[dizmo]

I think you have to populate both RAM slots for dual channel? That's why I'd rather max out 16gb per slot instead of a pair of 8gb memory.

 

I may bump up the keyboard and mouse.

You won't need 32GB of RAM for gaming for probably a decade. It's a waste of money.

[Steve N. Mavronis]

You won't need 32GB of RAM for gaming for probably a decade. It's a waste of money.

 

If I stick with 2x8GB what speed best for that mobo and still have some RAM overclock potential?

 

The specs say DDR4 3200*(*OC)/ 3000*/ 2800*/ 2600*/ 2400/ 2133 so does those asterisks mean 2400 is the fastest I'd need and overclock further?

[The Official Czex]

If I stick with 2x8gb TridentZ what speed best for that mobo and still have some RAM overclock potential?

 

The specs say DDR4 3200*(*OC)/ 3000*/ 2800*/ 2600*/ 2400/ 2133 so does those asterisks mean 2400 is the fastest I'd need and overclock further?

 

Just grab a 2x8GB kit of TridentZ. It's, like, 120 USD on Newegg.

[dizmo]

If I stick with 2x8gb TridentZ what speed best for that mobo and still have some RAM overclock potential?

 

The specs say DDR4 3200*(*OC)/ 3000*/ 2800*/ 2600*/ 2400/ 2133 so does those asterisks mean 2400 is the fastest I'd need and overclock further?

The motherboard supports up to 4200mhz, so go as high as you want.

Personally I'd try for 3000mhz. Seems to be a good middle ground between price and speed, because you won't really see a huge increase in performance. At all, really.

 

If you're looking for a decent deal on a keyboard, I saw the KM780 on sale for $89. Mechanical, red switches, macro keys, media controls. Much better.

[Steve N. Mavronis]

This 2800 TridentZ 16GB kit is $105.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231924&cm_re=tridentz-_-20-231-924-_-Product

 

And 3000... for $105 so there!

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231926&cm_re=tridentz-_-20-231-926-_-Product

[The Official Czex]

This 2800 TridentZ 16GB kit is $104.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231924&cm_re=tridentz-_-20-231-924-_-Product

 

3000MHz kit is the same price.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231926&cm_re=tridentz-_-20-231-924-_-Product

[Steve N. Mavronis]

Thanks for the memory help.

 

It's good to fine tune things to be optimal. With the black/red case and 16GB memory the total cost is now down to $2000 even. Just have to monitor 6700K price drops between now and Q2.

 

Updated spreadsheet: (haven't changed keyboard/mouse yet - on my current old PC was using Logitech G15 but that died so now using cheap $10 Insignia LOL because I don't want to put more into this old beast)

 

[The Official Czex]

I wish you luck. Have fun building! 

 

Will you be posting a build log?

[Steve N. Mavronis]

I wish you luck. Have fun building! 

 

Will you be posting a build log?

 

Thanks, yes I will when the time comes and maybe a YouTube timelapse. This for be my first PC from scratch, not counting an old IBM PC/XT clone I had 28 years ago. I've been a PC tech since the old school days of 1985 and used to just buy customized Compaq, Dell, and Gateway before now. Time to be creative.

[Steve N. Mavronis]

I was just watching this ASUS build video using the same Evolv ITX case with a similar build. Do you think the ASUS Z170i Pro Gaming motherboard is a better choice that the MSI Z170i Gaming Pro AC?

 

If so I wouldn't mind getting the ASUS Matrix 980 Ti to go with it. My original plans featured the ASUS Maximus VIII Impact so that is another option, especially for overclocking, except it doesn't have an M.2 slot.

 

One thing with the red colors. I'm thinking the Evolv ITX with the black interior would look better for some contrast rather than the red interior. Also, not sure if I like that Phanteks cooler in the video vs the Cryorig H7. The Phanteks cooler has more heat pipes but the heatsinks are are thin. The Cryorig has a thicker heatsink even though it has less pipes and 120mm fan.

 

Anyways this video will serve as a general guide using this case.

 

[The Official Czex]

I was just watching this ASUS build video using the same Evolv ITX case with a similar build. Do you think the ASUS Z170i Pro Gaming motherboard is a better choice that the MSI Z170i Gaming Pro AC?

 

If so I wouldn't mind getting the ASUS Matrix 980 Ti to go with it. My original plans featured the ASUS Maximus VIII Impact so that is another option, especially for overclocking, except it doesn't have an M.2 slot.

 

One thing with the red colors. I'm thinking the Evolv ITX with the black interior would look better for some contrast rather than the red interior. Also, not sure if I like that Phanteks cooler in the video vs the Cryorig H7. The Phanteks cooler has more heat pipes but the heatsinks are are thin. The Cryorig has a thicker heatsink even though it has less pipes and 120mm fan.

 

Anyways this video will serve as a general guide using this case.

 

 

 

I can only vouch for the ASUS MOBO since I have one. I like it. As for aesthetics, it's all up to you.