i7 mATX -> i3 ITX system? Downsizing choices?

[c.ruel]

Why not go for SG06 then ... it looks way nicer than the SG05 ... it has an aliminium front and a steel side. It is also basically the same dimensions as the SG05.

Or you could keep the amazing system you currently have!?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Ulti had a decent Phenom II X4 system before it was replaced with the current Core i7 system

I am still soldering on a with 4 year SD37P2 and a Q6600.

[Ulti]

Why not go for SG06 then ... it looks way nicer than the SG05 ... it has an aliminium front and a steel side. It is also basically the same dimensions as the SG05.

Or you could keep the amazing system you currently have!?

It's either the SG05 or the Q11, I'm not too font of the bent aluminium look.

I don't know how many times I've switched systems in the last year or two. Back before I became interested in building pcs I was using my Dell C521 where it had an Athlon X2 3800+ with an X1300. I then added in an 8600GT. I then switched over to an Intel E5200 system with the 8600GT but it was not fast enough so I got a 4770. I then ventured into the world of overclocking and got a P45 motherboard when the i5 series were released I think for cheap. I then switched over to the AMD platform and got a Phenom II 955. I then either got a 5850 or an i7 system. After those 2 the 6850 was released and I switched over to that as well as switching my ATX motherboard and case for an mATX one. Now I'm planning to switch from an mATX platform to an mini ITX platform... Wow! Even I didn't realise how many changes I've gone through :S This will definitely be the last though unless Sandybridge convinces me enough.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Maybe you could get one of these Shuttle SFF PCs:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/shutt...-sata-500w-psu

It measures 215 x 204 x 333 MM whereas the SG05 measures 222 x 176 x 276 MM.

My SD37P2 is around the same size.

[Ulti]

Maybe you could get one of these Shuttle SFF PCs:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/shutt...-sata-500w-psu

It measures 215 x 204 x 333 MM whereas the SG05 measures 222 x 176 x 276 MM.

My SD37P2 is around the same size.

That's pretty decent if I saw that before building into my Lian Li V350, I probably then wouldn't have to go through downsizing to a mini ITX build too!

The Corsair HX620W cost me £60, Lian Li V350 cost £50, eVGA Micro SLI X58 £100, just over £200. I guess it would mean I'm paying about £150 extra.. But then again I would probably not buy my CoolIT Eco ALC which would bring it down closer to £100, not bad! If I wanted to keep the power of an i7 I'd probably get that, amazing to have an i7 in such little space!

However, I've finally decided what the build will be now and I've sent the orders in for the parts. The parts will be as follows;
CPU: i3 540
Mobo: Gigabyte H55N-USB3
Case: Lian Li PC-Q11
PSU: Seasonic S12II-330
RAM: Kingston 4GB 1333Mhz CL9 (£30 from play!)
Graphics, HDD and SSD will be kept as I said before.
As soon as I get the build running I'll be selling my i7 parts on eBay straight away, hopefully I can do this before xmas as I can't post during xmas and after xmas Sandybridge comes out.

I'll be using the Arctic Cooling Freezer 11 LP hopefully if Scan stocks it as I just want something quiet enough without wanting to worry too much about it not fitting. Unfortunately I see no stockists atm so I'll have to wait for now though.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

My last two primary desktops have been Shuttle SFF PCs.

The SD37P2 I currently have is around 4 years and hopefully I can get another year out of it.

I even have the Shuttle bag for it:

http://au.shuttle.com/product_detail.jsp?PI=432

I do have a full sized backup desktop but TBH I find it too large even though it uses an Antec NSK4000 case.

I was intend to rebuild my secondary PC into a smaller form factor but the budget has been spent on something else now!