Please review failry unique build. To order next week - mini ITX super efficient

[HumanBlur]

Thanks for all your help guys. Going to order this stuff on monday.

Since i can't get the ASUS motherboard with USB3 on front as it's out of stock EVERYWHERE. I have gone with the Gigabyte A75N-USB3 which doesn't have case usb ports. The kicker is the cheapest Silverstone SUGO SG05 is from scan and it comes with USB 3 on the front of the case.

Is this perfectly compatible. Next is that the Gigabyte A75N-USB3 comes with a extra fast charge for USB devices, will this still be ok for the front case USB ports?


Seriously thanks a lot. I might need to put this on the motherboard and case section to get proper replies though.

[Samwood]

This might have already been suggested but for power efficiency:
Antec Earthwatts (80+ Platinum):
http://www.misco.co.uk/productinfo/p...AID=1257798054

Thats about as efficient as you can get.

Also if you want to go more power efficient, the AMD 3870k uses 100w power where as the i5 3450s (which also has a built in GPU) uses 65w.

These options will cost more, but with regular use you'll recoup this reasonably quickly. Plus the 3450s completely outclasses the 3870k.

Oh if you can find an i5 3470T for a reasonable price that only uses 35w.

[HumanBlur]

Thanks samwood. The i5 is more powerful for CPU processing but i want a more balanced system for example graphics and media. It also costs more. But with help from the great people here (exp Scaryjim) i will be undervolting and underclocking so the TDP i would hope would be less than 65w.

I also think, that since i'm getting the K version, that these are inherently better bin products so undervolting etc should be much better.

Lastly, and i5 would make me over my budget. I'm currently under £550.

[Pob255]

Also if you want to go more power efficient, the AMD 3870k uses 100w power where as the i5 3450s (which also has a built in GPU) uses 65w.

These options will cost more, but with regular use you'll recoup this reasonably quickly. Plus the 3450s completely outclasses the 3870k.

Oh if you can find an i5 3470T for a reasonable price that only uses 35w.

Sorry but they don't, they have TDP of those wattage numbers, that's not how much power they use, it's heat generation and dissipation, it is an indication of how much is use but that's all.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_design_power
intel and AMD also use different methords to calculate their TDP

You also have to remember that the built in gpu of the A8 3870k outclasses that of any intel offering although that's a big part of why it has such a high TDP, the graphics side of it kicks out a lot more heat which pushes the TDP up.

[scaryjim]

Just to add to what Pob said, not only are the graphics on Intel's processors somewhat inferior (particularly the S and T versions which have HD2500, rather than the improved HD4000), but they are also heavily TDP restricted, so if you get the lower power Core i5s the GPU will spend a lot more of its time at a lower clock speed, utterly killing performance (it's fairly widely accepted that this is what killed graphics performance in the first gen ultrabooks). AMD's iGPU doesn't suffer from that problem.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Had a thought.

Is it possible to get, say an i3 as it's more power efficient. But have switchable graphics to a decent HTPC graphics card? Like the nvidia optimus for laptops. I'm a little out of date as to whether this is possible on desktop. So if i'm watching or doing something that needs extra oomph, it auto swtiches on the fly.
Anyone know?

Also,another thing is that Llano has similar low load and idle power consumption to a Core i3 2100. You will find the CPU usually is at the lower load states most of time for your uses.

I have a Core i3 2100 myself with a Gigabyte H67N mini-ITX motherboard,and if I was stuck with the Intel IGP,I would rather prefer one of the Llano CPUs such as the A8 TBH!! IMHO,I do think they are a more balanced solution.

[scaryjim]

... I would rather prefer one of the Llano A8 CPUs TBH!! ...

Is an A6 not good enough for you now?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Is an A6 not good enough for you now?

I like the editing function!!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The OP might need to be careful with their cooler and RAM choice.

Here is an example with a Scythe Kozuti:

http://www.itxgamer.com/cooling/tips-scythe-kozuti/

A Scythe Shuriken or Scythe Big Shuriken are worth looking at,although your PCI-E slot will be blocked.

The Scythe Kozuti will not and since the OP is undervolting and underclocking the CPU,probably will be fine.

[wasabi]

I built a HTPC rig round an intel G620T a while back. 35W TDP - even the default intel HSF was pretty quiet. Does DXVA decoding of large files with ease and graphics 'feel' snappy even with the much deride Intel onaboard graphics. With only that and a SSD it is easily powered by a PicoPSU too.

[HumanBlur]

Well, no planning to use the PCI-E slot so that should be fine. Was then a little worried about fitting in the RAM, but that looks to be fine too.

Got the £40 low voltage Kingston 8GB RAM from ebuyer. Looks really good. And yes, i have started buying, will put final and complete build in a new thread.