ITX HTPC Build

manoy385 · April 16, 2016

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/mPk4XL

Looking to build my first ITX HTPC. Looking to keep it under $1000 CAD. I don't need any hard drives or peripherals since I have spares lying around. This will go in the TV desk so I would prefer a flat console like case. The cases I have looked at are the Fractal Node 202, Silverstone RVZ02 and ML08. I like the look of the ML08 better than the RVZ02 and it can accommodate a slightly taller cpu cooler compared to the Node 202 so I went with it. The specs list a max cooler height of 58mm. The Deepcool Gabriel is around 60mm but I have read on other forums of guys fitting 60mm coolers in this case. Does anyone have any experience building in an RVZ02/ML08 and fit taller than 58mm coolers?

I have already pulled the trigger on the parts on the link above except for the motherboard. I have spent about $550 currently which leaves me with $450 for a motherboard and gpu.The reason I haven't pulled the trigger on the motherboard is I have read so many negative reviews on the Gigabyte Z170N-WIFI about throttling K cpus when under load to 800mhz. The likely reason for this is overheating VRMs since they don't have a heatsink or the 4-pin cpu connector not providing enough power. Does anyone have with any experience with this board? Would adding a heatsink on the VRMs fix this?

I'm looking at maybe adding something like this on the VRMs:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/10PCS-Aluminum-Cooling-9-x-9-x-12MM-Heat-sink-Chipset-RAM-Radiator-Heatsink-Cooler/32375754204.html?spm=2114.13010208.99999999.261.KhHhBm

Also, what would be the best gpu I can add to this build without over stressing the psu. I only have 450W so maybe a 960 or should I wait for Pascal/Polaris?

Thanks.

19_blackie_73 · April 16, 2016

I guess you are not able to oc much anyway because AwesomeSauceNetwork had big troubles with his 6700k temps in the node 202 with the noctua cooler.

So i guess there will be no problem with thermal throtteling on the vrms. but these little heatsinks may help a fair bit i guess as long as you have airflow around them and you find a good mounting solution.

regarding gpu, I guess a 380 will be a good bet (on a 450W this should be fine) or you get a cheaper mobo and take even a 970 which would a nice boost in performance. I don't think that a 390 will be a good idea on the long term because of power draw, but it should also work out with 450 W without ocing anything

manoy385 · April 16, 2016

Hmm, is the cooling on the Node/RVZ02 really that bad? Isn't there a big vent on top of the cpu on both cases? I'm thinking it's the cooler since the Noctua L9i isn't really that much better than the stock cooler. The Deepcool Gabriel is only 6C worse than the Noctua U9B with low noise adapter.

http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Cases-and-Cooling/DEEPCOOL-GAMER-STORM-GABRIEL-Low-Profile-CPU-Cooler-Review/Installation-Pe

Someone even used it on a 3570K at 5ghz on 1.35V and it managed to keep it in the low 80s while running prime95.

19_blackie_73 · April 16, 2016

to solve your problem with the mobo, take a look at that video here and skip to around 8:20 min

manoy385 · April 16, 2016

Thanks for that video. Looks like I'm gonna pull the trigger on the gigabyte mobo and buy some vrm heatsinks. I won't be overclocking that much anyway. I would be satisfied with 4.3 - 4.5ghz overclock. That leaves me with $270 for the gpu. I think I'll wait for pascal/polaris and use the integrated gpu until then.