ITX Build - Help/Suggestions

[alecbond]

Apologies for the URLs, minimum of 5 posts required to post URLs/hyperlinks.

Hello all.

I've been wanting to do an ITX build for a while now so I've spec'd something up and wanted to know what you guys think.
Part list: uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/alecbond/saved/41Xp
I will strip several components from my current PC and some I just have laying around.
Current PC: uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/alecbond/saved/41XQ

Notes:

• Currently have H100i listed. Part of me would prefer an air cooler, with the two akasa fans in the side of the case, but I'm unable to find a definitive answer to the max cooler size for the 250D. I've emailed Corsair but am waiting to hear. Part picker give this list of CPU coolers for the 250D (1150 socket & non-water).
  uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/cpu-cooler/?compatible_with=corsair-case-cc9011047ww#w=0&c=24&sort=d3
• RAM is low profile so no cooler issues there.
• I am aware that newer Asus DirectCUII cooled graphics cards conflict with the case, but the 7850 doesn't.
• PSU okay? My next choice would be Corsair RM550.
  List chosen from: uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/power-supply/#e=5,4&p=1&W=500,700&sort=a8
• I may not actually fit the bluray/dvd drive.
• Triple monitors not in constant use.
• I believe 200mm front fan doesn't clash with H100i...

[herulach]

Part LIst:
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/alecbond/saved/41Xp
Current PC:
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/alecbond/saved/41XQ

H100 should be fine, the anandtech review here states you get about 14cm of clearance. http://www.anandtech.com/show/7710/c...-case-review/3

Looking at the way it way its configured I'd have the h100 as an intake and turn the front round to be an exhaust. You'll probably want a filter on the back doing it that way, but it should give you notably better temps. Other than that it looks like a decent build. Just factor in that a 250D isn't that small a case. If you're spending the money on going ITX I'd be tempted to look at something like an SG08. depending on the use you should still be good for cooling, but its considerably smaller.

[Lil-Diabo]

I have this case and I was about to go for the RM550 myself.
I wouldn't got with the EVGA, it's quite a long PSU at 180mm
The RM550 has 160mm Depth and is modular so it will be MUCH better when it comes to cable management

I actually landed up getting a SFX PSU for a little bit extra space

EDIT:
PS. I Noticed that you added the "Silverstone SST-PP05-E Short Cable Set for SilverStone PSU Strider Series"

That's not going to work.
Again thats something I looked at when I was about to purchase the PSU, If you look at the pictures, you'll notice that Corsair actually split the 24 Pin cable near the middle.
The Silverstone cables don't have that gap

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Why don't you get a Shuttle SZ86R6:

http://www.ebuyer.com/623385-shuttle...FWfLtAod1AsAIg

[alecbond]

Thanks for your reply, and for the hyperlinks.

I had planned having both the 200mm and the H100i as intakes and allowing air to flow out the back due to pressure, although this causes lower air flow through the fans if the air isn't leaving fast enough? Do you think your way would be better? I'm not fond of 80mm fans as they either push no air or push some and make a racket doing it.
250D isn't that small a case I agree (28.2ltrs). I did look at the Node 304 and as well (19.6ltrs), and I could still be converted. The SG08 (14.8ltrs) however lists a max GPU width of 4.38" where my 7850 is 4.5". Another option I looked at was the Elite 130 (20.2ltrs). The lack of cooling puts me off the smaller ITX cases.

[alecbond]

I've switched the PSU on your advice thanks. The EVGA is also full modular but I hadn't realised the depth, so thanks.
And thanks for the heads up on the cable kit. Are you aware of another kit which is compatible?

[Lil-Diabo]

Nothing Cheap/reasonable that I could find.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/corsa...-(gen-2)-white
That's just for the 24 Pin. If you want the rest, you'd need to buy another kit for the rest of the cables
I would guess that the other cables from their older kits remain the same so you could potentially buy any of the corsair cable kits and they'd work.

Then again you're already spending £70 odd on a PSU, possibly another £30+ on cables?
You need to ask yourself if it's really worth it.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

You do realise,your SFF system is not that small?

Something like a Shuttle,SG03,SG07,are what you would call small.

Many of these new mini-ITX cases are verging on mATX size and are not that portable. The fact you want a H100 just means you need a big case.

Have you not considered just dropping the need for overclocking a huge amount,or better still buy something like a Xeon E3 quad core with HT??

[alecbond]

I might see what I can do with just plain old cable routing, see if it isn't too much of a mess. Thanks again lil-diabo.

As I said in my previous post, yes the 250D isn't that small at 28ltrs, however this does allow for superior cooling options. Having a 200mm fan pushes a lot of air at low rpm/noise. Also, the case is pretty much designed for the H100i. Again, I have looked at the Node 304 which is 19.6ltrs.
The SG07 and SG08 (both 14.8ltrs) can't accomodate my Asus 7850 graphics card.
The SG03 (22.5ltrs) is an mATX case and the 7850 might just fit.

Something like the E3-1230v3 I did look at but I am trying to keep costs down. It is something I will keep in mind however.
Thanks for your help.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The thing is with a Xeon E3 1230 V3,since it cannot be overclocked you can go with a much cheaper motherboard and cooling.

[Pob255]

The SG07 and SG08 (both 14.8ltrs) can't accomodate my Asus 7850 graphics card.

Yes they can
They can both take cards which are double slot and up to 310mm (12.2")
So any double slot card on the market, the only real issue is 3 slot cards, but I don't know of any itx case that can take triple slot cards without modding.

The main thing they cannot take is the H100
You could do a combo of a 180mm rad http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-17387.html and one of the swiftetch water block pump combo's http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-16305.html + http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-13437.html
Not exactly cheap but small

I think the big first question is why do you want to go itx?
if it's "just because" and you've got the money for it, then go for it, if you're just looking for something a bit smaller/different not super small & portable then consider the mATX route instead.
A system based around the new Aerocool DS Cube would be good, and comes in different colours http://www.scan.co.uk/shop/computer-...ses/cube-cases
Or the BitFenix Micro Colossus http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/cust...pid-23063.html
Or how about the Parvum Systems S1.0 http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/cust...pid-17595.html they are fairly rare and different, although rather pricey.

[alecbond]

CAT:
The E31230v3 is certainly an option, and particularly if I go with a smaller case I'll be more likely to use it. Motherboard wise, with 1150 socket and _87 chipset to make use of various Intel technologies, it doesn't get that much cheaper. Probably a stupid question but is Q87 chipset required for HT? As it's the only vPro chipset and HT falls under vPro? Correct me if I'm wrong and have got that into my head somehow.

[alecbond]

Pob:

The SG08 (14.8ltrs) however lists a max GPU width of 4.38" where my 7850 is 4.5".

The same is true of the SG07 unfortunately.
That's an extra £100 for just CPU cooling. If money was no object then that'd certainly be an option though.
Why ITX? Partly the 'just because', but I would like something more portable and something that takes up less desk space. In terms of portability, yes there are smaller options but so long as I can comfortably carry it.
The Aerocool is something I looked at actually but is barely a downsize at 41.5ltrs.
I looked at the Colossus Mini at 30.9ltrs, Bitfenix really don't do small though.
Might do up a quick comparison of cases size wise when I get the chance.

[Pob255]

Ahh I see where the confusion comes from now, that's not normally called width, that's height.
Width is normally referred to in slots, same as a half height card has a shorter pci slot plate on the back.

That card is probably going to be a problem in any small itx case.
the swifttech bits and 180 rad is only £69 more than the h100i, although also need tubes, fluid and fittings
However it's one of the few system that should fit into the sg07 or sg08 with no modding.

[alecbond]

Sorry for late reply, had a busy few days.
Yeah, I too would normally refer to it as height, I was just copying what the Silverstone website had written. Apologies!
The card fits the Node 304 and Elite 130 which are fairly small cases.
I made this quick comparison as it's much easier to compare sizes.
Swiftech bits come to £181.35 inc. postage. H100i is £83.88 on amazon currently. And as you say, tubes, fluid and fittings bring the cost up again.