Upgrading to MicroATX - thoughts on build?

[jim]

I need to try and get a smaller and lighter PC next year for uni, and my PC as-is feels like it's starting to fall apart, so I'm thinking about starting again and putting all of my current components to other uses.

After a bit of searching, the most future-proof design I can come up with is the following:

https://secure.scan.co.uk/aspnet/Sho...ccb3faf833f514

Any thoughts? I'm guessing I should probably be waiting until LGA2011/Bulldozer?

Ideally I would get a more powerful card to avoid having to upgrade it later on, but it's just too expensive. Getting the 2600K over the 2500K seems a good idea based on benchmarks, the AX650 was only a few quid more than the HX650, and I'm hoping the cooler can make it near-silent. No idea about the motherboard really, but there were only three matx options and I've always liked Gigabyte boards.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would wait until Bulldozer is released TBH!

Also,I would look at this CPU:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/intel...tio-80w-retail

It is bascially a 3.2GHZ Core i7 2600 with the GPU disabled and has a semi-unlocked multiplier like the other non-K Core i7 CPUs. Since the GPU is disabled the TDP is 80W.

[Ryanp]

The Asus rog iv gene-z should be out soon for an alternative motherboard that may be slightly better for if you plan to over clock. If you don't plan on ever over clocking get the non k edition to save a bit.... Also possible get a larger brand 6970 as I'm not sure how good the scan ones are...