Work/Gamming mini-itx PC

[Macaco Loco]

Hello everyone!

 

This is my first post here in LTT forums and I need help with a mini-itx work/gamming PC I am building.

 

First, I need it to be mini-itx because it need to be "portable" enough to be transported easily, so this is a must for me and I acknowledge this will limit my options for MB and expansion.

 

1. Budget & Location

I'm currently living in Brazil but I will buy all the parts listed here in the USA. My budget is around US$1100,00 for the parts listed here.

This budget dont include storage and the case for the system, this items I already have:

1x Sandisk Plus 240GB SSD

2x WD Black 1TB

Corsair Obsdian 250d

 

2. Aim

The main use of this system is going to be CFD simulations for my master degrees in mechanical science. This workload benefits a lot from multi-threaded CPUs, so I think there are no better option here than i7-6700k.

 

Some simulations can use a lot of RAM, so I am thinking on going with 2x16GB. Another option is going with 1x16GB and then buy another 16GB stick in the next months, but I think we can fit the 32GB RAM in this budget. Also, I dont know any Z170 mini-tix MB with more than 2 ram slots, so 4x8GB is not an option.

 

I pretend to game in this machine too. I dont play AAA games very often, most of the time I play old/indie games. I think the most GPU demanding game I play is Borderlands 2 (I want to max out this @ 60FPS). So, for the GPU, I am thinking about a GTX1060 6GB. It can be a little overkill at moment, but I think it will pay itself in the next years and I can use its power for speed some specific CFD simulations (need to stick with nVidia for this to work, the software dont have support for AMD).

 

For last, this machine cant be loud, it will stay in the same room I sleep running simulations at night around the clock. Because of this, i thought about a Corsair H100i and a GPU with a good cooling solution.

 

PSU dont need to modular, I will remake all the cables to custom lengths and remove the ones I dont need.

 

I already have the Windows license, so no need to include this in the budget.

 

3. Monitors

I plan on using only 1 Dell P2314H 1080p 60Hz monitor that I already have.

 

4. Peripherals

I already have the peripherals:

Logitech G502

CM QuickFire TK with Cherry Brown

 

5. Why are you upgrading?

I am upgrading because the I7-4700HQ and the crappy 960m I already own on my Dell laptop arent the best options to run this kind of workload.

 

For last, here are the parts I picked:

 

[Paytend01]

In my opinion, get a better PSU possibly an EVGA Gs or G2. Then i would go for a 6600k and a 1070

 

Edit - You sure the AIO is going to fit in a mini itx case?

[GDRRiley]

Just now, Paytend01 said:

In my opinion, get a better PSU possibly an EVGA Gs or G2. Then i would go for a 6600k and a 1070

it is a workstation build 

[Paytend01]

Just now, GDRRiley said:

it is a workstation build 

Sorry, I saw gaming and assumed he wanted to do both... IMO it would be better for gaming at least

[LukeS]

You might want to consider a duel screen set up.

[Starelementpoke]

5 minutes ago, Macaco Loco said:

Hello everyone!

 

This is my first post here in LTT forums and I need help with a mini-itx work/gamming PC I am building.

 

First, I need it to be mini-itx because it need to be "portable" enough to be transported easily, so this is a must for me and I acknowledge this will limit my options for MB and expansion.

 

1. Budget & Location

I'm currently living in Brazil but I will buy all the parts listed here in the USA. My budget is around US$1100,00 for the parts listed here.

This budget dont include storage and the case for the system, this items I already have:

1x Sandisk Plus 240GB SSD

2x WD Black 1TB

Corsair Obsdian 250d

 

2. Aim

The main use of this system is going to be CFD simulations for my master degrees in mechanical science. This workload benefits a lot from multi-threaded CPUs, so I think there are no better option here than i7-6700k.

 

Some simulations can use a lot of RAM, so I am thinking on going with 2x16GB. Another option is going with 1x16GB and then buy another 16GB stick in the next months, but I think we can fit the 32GB RAM in this budget. Also, I dont know any Z170 mini-tix MB with more than 2 ram slots, so 4x8GB is not an option.

 

I pretend to game in this machine too. I dont play AAA games very often, most of the time I play old/indie games. I think the most GPU demanding game I play is Borderlands 2 (I want to max out this @ 60FPS). So, for the GPU, I am thinking about a GTX1060 6GB. It can be a little overkill at moment, but I think it will pay itself in the next years and I can use its power for speed some specific CFD simulations (need to stick with nVidia for this to work, the software dont have support for AMD).

 

For last, this machine cant be loud, it will stay in the same room I sleep running simulations at night around the clock. Because of this, i thought about a Corsair H100i and a GPU with a good cooling solution.

 

PSU dont need to modular, I will remake all the cables to custom lengths and remove the ones I dont need.

 

I already have the Windows license, so no need to include this in the budget.

 

3. Monitors

I plan on using only 1 Dell P2314H 1080p 60Hz monitor that I already have.

 

4. Peripherals

I already have the peripherals:

Logitech G502

CM QuickFire TK with Cherry Brown

 

5. Why are you upgrading?

I am upgrading because the I7-4700HQ and the crappy 960m I already own on my Dell laptop arent the best options to run this kind of workload.

 

For last, here are the parts I picked:

 

Get a better PSU. Old CX series is very poor.

[Oswin]

GPU: great choice 

psu: might go with the cx550m i don't recommend the cx series

others are great from my standpoint 

[Mr.Meerkat]

2 minutes ago, Paytend01 said:

In my opinion, get a better PSU possibly an EVGA Gs or G2. Then i would go for a 6600k and a 1070

 

Edit - You sure the AIO is going to fit in a mini itx case?

Workstation so keep i7 and yeah, agreed with the PSU bit  

 

Get anything seasonic/XFX (but their shitty XT line), EVGA G2,GS,P2,T2,PS,GQ, Corsair HXi, RMx, RMi, CXM (with the grey and white labels),Vengeance etc.  

[Starelementpoke]

7 minutes ago, Macaco Loco said:

Hello everyone!

 

This is my first post here in LTT forums and I need help with a mini-itx work/gamming PC I am building.

 

First, I need it to be mini-itx because it need to be "portable" enough to be transported easily, so this is a must for me and I acknowledge this will limit my options for MB and expansion.

 

1. Budget & Location

I'm currently living in Brazil but I will buy all the parts listed here in the USA. My budget is around US$1100,00 for the parts listed here.

This budget dont include storage and the case for the system, this items I already have:

1x Sandisk Plus 240GB SSD

2x WD Black 1TB

Corsair Obsdian 250d

 

2. Aim

The main use of this system is going to be CFD simulations for my master degrees in mechanical science. This workload benefits a lot from multi-threaded CPUs, so I think there are no better option here than i7-6700k.

 

Some simulations can use a lot of RAM, so I am thinking on going with 2x16GB. Another option is going with 1x16GB and then buy another 16GB stick in the next months, but I think we can fit the 32GB RAM in this budget. Also, I dont know any Z170 mini-tix MB with more than 2 ram slots, so 4x8GB is not an option.

 

I pretend to game in this machine too. I dont play AAA games very often, most of the time I play old/indie games. I think the most GPU demanding game I play is Borderlands 2 (I want to max out this @ 60FPS). So, for the GPU, I am thinking about a GTX1060 6GB. It can be a little overkill at moment, but I think it will pay itself in the next years and I can use its power for speed some specific CFD simulations (need to stick with nVidia for this to work, the software dont have support for AMD).

 

For last, this machine cant be loud, it will stay in the same room I sleep running simulations at night around the clock. Because of this, i thought about a Corsair H100i and a GPU with a good cooling solution.

 

PSU dont need to modular, I will remake all the cables to custom lengths and remove the ones I dont need.

 

I already have the Windows license, so no need to include this in the budget.

 

3. Monitors

I plan on using only 1 Dell P2314H 1080p 60Hz monitor that I already have.

 

4. Peripherals

I already have the peripherals:

Logitech G502

CM QuickFire TK with Cherry Brown

 

5. Why are you upgrading?

I am upgrading because the I7-4700HQ and the crappy 960m I already own on my Dell laptop arent the best options to run this kind of workload.

 

For last, here are the parts I picked:

 

 

Maybe go X99.

[Mr.Meerkat]

Just now, Starelementpoke said:

Maybe go X99.

But there is only 1 (or is it 2) mini ITX X99 motherboards...

[Starelementpoke]

Just now, Mr.Meerkat said:

But there is only 1 (or is it 2) mini ITX X99 motherboards...

Yeah, just saw. Nevermind.

[Guest]

Not sure about I7 heat production, but... You want to keep it portable. Isn't a H100 setup heavy? Wouldn't it be an option to fit some kind of air cooler, and replace those fans with quality ones?

[GSTARR]

That's a very level-headed build, just the psu as some others have said could be tweaked

[Matias_Chambers]

1 hour ago, Paytend01 said:

In my opinion, get a better PSU possibly an EVGA Gs or G2. Then i would go for a 6600k and a 1070

 

Edit - You sure the AIO is going to fit in a mini itx case?

He needs a better CPU. 

[Macaco Loco]

1 hour ago, Paytend01 said:

In my opinion, get a better PSU possibly an EVGA Gs or G2. Then i would go for a 6600k and a 1070

 

Edit - You sure the AIO is going to fit in a mini itx case?

 

The HT on the i7 makes a huge difference for my kind of workload, witch is the main purpose of this rig. Gamming on it is just a bonus.

 

The Obsidian 250d supports a 240mm radiator, so the H100i will fit without problems.

 

1 hour ago, LukeS said:

You might want to consider a duel screen set up.

 

Its on my plans to buy another 1 or 2 of the same screen. Do you think the 1060 can handle a 3x 1080p setup? I dont think so...

 

1 hour ago, Starelementpoke said:

Get a better PSU. Old CX series is very poor.

 

1 hour ago, Oswin said:

GPU: great choice 

psu: might go with the cx550m i don't recommend the cx series

others are great from my standpoint 

 

1 hour ago, Mr.Meerkat said:

Workstation so keep i7 and yeah, agreed with the PSU bit  

 

Get anything seasonic/XFX (but their shitty XT line), EVGA G2,GS,P2,T2,PS,GQ, Corsair HXi, RMx, RMi, CXM (with the grey and white labels),Vengeance etc.  

 

1 hour ago, GSTARR said:

That's a very level-headed build, just the psu as some others have said could be tweaked

 

What do you guys think about this options:

SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

Corsair CX550M 550W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139147

ENERMAX TRIATHLOR ECO ETL550AWT-M 550W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194115

 

Witch one you would chose?

 

1 hour ago, Starelementpoke said:

Maybe go X99.

Too expensive for me and I only know 1 mini-ITX MB that support it. Only the MB is listed at US$259,00 @Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157588). Almost 2x the price of the Z170 MB.

 

1 hour ago, Dutch-stoner said:

Not sure about I7 heat production, but... You want to keep it portable. Isn't a H100 setup heavy? Wouldn't it be an option to fit some kind of air cooler, and replace those fans with quality ones?

I will overclock this rig as much as it goes, so a good CPU cooler is a must. I am limited in height (95mm) by the case, so the best option I could figure out was the H100i. Also, I am more concerned about the volume this thing has than its weight.

 

 

[SLAYR]

If this is mainly a workstation, look of benchmarks comparing the nvidia gtx cards with quadros for the software you are using, for example in Solidworks a low end quadro is even better then having a titan x. 

[Mr.Meerkat]

1 hour ago, Macaco Loco said:

SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

Corsair CX550M 550W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139147

These 2 are good  

[Quaker]

I would suggest the newer CX550M rather than the older CX500, but it's not a big concern.

 

Other than that it looks fine. If you're not in a rush, it may be worthwhile to wait for Kaby Lake, if it's coming out on the desktop soon.

 

 

[Oswin]

15 hours ago, Macaco Loco said:

 

The HT on the i7 makes a huge difference for my kind of workload, witch is the main purpose of this rig. Gamming on it is just a bonus.

 

The Obsidian 250d supports a 240mm radiator, so the H100i will fit without problems.

 

 

Its on my plans to buy another 1 or 2 of the same screen. Do you think the 1060 can handle a 3x 1080p setup? I dont think so...

 

 

 

 

 

What do you guys think about this options:

SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

Corsair CX550M 550W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139147

ENERMAX TRIATHLOR ECO ETL550AWT-M 550W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194115

 

Witch one you would chose?

 

Too expensive for me and I only know 1 mini-ITX MB that support it. Only the MB is listed at US$259,00 @Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157588). Almost 2x the price of the Z170 MB.

 

I will overclock this rig as much as it goes, so a good CPU cooler is a must. I am limited in height (95mm) by the case, so the best option I could figure out was the H100i. Also, I am more concerned about the volume this thing has than its weight.

 

 

if you want the most power, get the cx550m the s12II 520 is also good but with less power(it wont make a big difference)