Portable ITX build

Shhuks · July 6, 2016

I will be building a portable mini itx system for my little brother. Budget is $500 US. It will be primarily used for gaming. Either finding a case with a carrying handle or I can mod one on. Just looking for best bang for the buck kinda thing. Thanks for the help guys.

GauntletV2 · July 6, 2016

This includes a monitor too, and allows for a much better cpu down the line if you choose to upgrade

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/8CgD8K

paddy-stone · July 6, 2016

Why do you need a handle on a mitx system, they are generally pretty small anyway?

Zyndo · July 6, 2016

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/qLYyf8

Could make a MUCH better system if i had$ 600 or even $550, but there you go. that system leaves you 175 to play around with for GPU. whichever GPU you use cannot have more than 1 6 pin or 1 8 pin connector, as the PSU doesn't have more connectors than that, but it should do you just fine. If you do not use the full 175 for the GPU, spend some money on an improved CPU. that one should do well for games that are not CPU intensive, but can be limiting in CPU bound games, and in SOME cases with very new games, i've heard 2 cores wont even start the game (such as the release of far cry 4). As far as GPU's go, my recommendation? buy a used GPU. you could get a pretty good used GPU for 175. Or wait for the RX 470 to come out, that will probably be in the 175 area (maybe lower). Not sure how good it will be or when it will come out, but theres that. or throw a few more bucks at it and go RX 480

Also, you didn't really specify exactly how much performance you expected out of this rig. You could get a pretty decent machine if you use the IGPU inside of skylake processors, the HD530 graphics. You're not going to be turning up things to high on the most recent AAA games, but its pretty good. I've personally used the HD530 before. I was able to get 60 fps in every game I have (albeit on low settings). So if you played around with the settings a bit, I bet you could get medium graphics on even an intense game at smooth framerates. I was able to get max graphics in low load games like LoL with no issues. Then you can tell your little brother to go get a job mowing lawns or delivering papers or something like that, and he can save up to buy himself JUST a gpu (like an RX 480). and you end up with a pretty powerful gaming rig when all is said and done. I also spent more on the motherboard and CPU than is necessary, you could easily shave 100 bucks off this build if you went with I3 6100 and a cheap motherboard (I spent more since I could and this one came with more features). I would personally get this build if it was for your little brother. Its functionally very good, and with 150-200 bucks extra spend on a GPU at some point in the future you end up with a really solid gaming system, rivaling any decent mid tower. It would be a good way to teach work ethic to your little brother =) (assuming hes not 6yrs old) The only thing it doesn't give you is the eye candy in high end games. and if your little brother wants eye candy, he should get his own money and fix that! =)

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/FvkCyf

As you can see I used the 380T in both of these builds. I think its awesome, and it fits the criteria of what you wanted out of your system. although its a bit on the expensive side for a budget system. Its also at a high price right now and I'm not sure why. its less expensive to buy in Canada atm, and nothing is ever less expensive when using our Canadian Dubloons. The price could likely come down in a week or two.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.