Have decided to build a photo/video editing PC in a Cougar QBX (mITX) case - i think I've got half the parts decided, but they need a sanity check and some recommendations to fill gaps. Aiming for max £1200 / $1500.
Basically I was originally hoping for something smaller but it seems that Node 202 and the like, were going to be a pretty tight fit and need some pretty active temperature management and construction handiwork which is a it beyond me. Interested in NCase M1 and Dan A4, but cost and lead time off-putting.
Really grateful for build suggestions on the following:
Motherboard: The one selected is one that was put forward in another thread. I'm not really clear what makes that particular motherboard a good or bad choice. It is described as 'gaming' but gaming won't be a primary feature of the machine - but if it means decent sound and graphics card support great.
Case: Couldn't find the QBX case on PC Part Picker - but I'm going for this: https://www.amazon.com/Cougar-gaming-QBX-Case/dp/B00ZV5YKY6
CPU cooler: Not sure what will fit given the case being small-ish, have noted down Pallas 140mm Low Profile CPU Cooler and Noctua NH-D15 in my research but what would you recommend?
RAM: I want 16GB, but how much does the brand (or speed?) matter?
GPU: I think I want a Geforce 1060 with 6GB memory, but which variant. This seems quite important for the machine, some of the other threads on Reddit talk about having a 'blower' model in the QBX case - likewise heard they can be noisy. Thoughts appreciated, but if the case can include any alternative cooling I might consider it. Don't care about aesthetics, do care about noise/heat. Storage: Will the SSD selected happily work with the motherboard slot?
Power supply: Again, going off another recommendation in a QBX thread in that the SFX PSU with adapter fits well and gives more space inside. Happy for other suggestions though.
Monitor: Lots of photographers have recommended the Dell monitor listed. Again, will consider others but would like something that is a well supported recommendation for my price point.
Keyboard/Mouse: Want wireless variants, but don't need anything super special.
Items Priced So far:
CPU Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor £293.00 @ Amazon UK
Motherboard Asus - STRIX B250I GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard £110.35 @ BT Shop
Storage Western Digital - Blue 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive £83.38 @ BT Shop
Storage Western Digital - Red 4TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive £123.99 @ Aria PC
Power Supply Corsair - SF 600W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply -
Operating System Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit -
Monitor Dell - U2717D 27.0" 2560x1440 60Hz Monitor £399.98 @ Aria PC
Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
Total £1010.70
Basically I was originally hoping for something smaller but it seems that Node 202 and the like, were going to be a pretty tight fit and need some pretty active temperature management and construction handiwork which is a it beyond me. Interested in NCase M1 and Dan A4, but cost and lead time off-putting.
Really grateful for build suggestions on the following:
Motherboard: The one selected is one that was put forward in another thread. I'm not really clear what makes that particular motherboard a good or bad choice. It is described as 'gaming' but gaming won't be a primary feature of the machine - but if it means decent sound and graphics card support great.
Case: Couldn't find the QBX case on PC Part Picker - but I'm going for this: https://www.amazon.com/Cougar-gaming-QBX-Case/dp/B00ZV5YKY6
CPU cooler: Not sure what will fit given the case being small-ish, have noted down Pallas 140mm Low Profile CPU Cooler and Noctua NH-D15 in my research but what would you recommend?
RAM: I want 16GB, but how much does the brand (or speed?) matter?
GPU: I think I want a Geforce 1060 with 6GB memory, but which variant. This seems quite important for the machine, some of the other threads on Reddit talk about having a 'blower' model in the QBX case - likewise heard they can be noisy. Thoughts appreciated, but if the case can include any alternative cooling I might consider it. Don't care about aesthetics, do care about noise/heat. Storage: Will the SSD selected happily work with the motherboard slot?
Power supply: Again, going off another recommendation in a QBX thread in that the SFX PSU with adapter fits well and gives more space inside. Happy for other suggestions though.
Monitor: Lots of photographers have recommended the Dell monitor listed. Again, will consider others but would like something that is a well supported recommendation for my price point.
Keyboard/Mouse: Want wireless variants, but don't need anything super special.
Items Priced So far:
CPU Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor £293.00 @ Amazon UK
Motherboard Asus - STRIX B250I GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard £110.35 @ BT Shop
Storage Western Digital - Blue 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive £83.38 @ BT Shop
Storage Western Digital - Red 4TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive £123.99 @ Aria PC
Power Supply Corsair - SF 600W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply -
Operating System Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit -
Monitor Dell - U2717D 27.0" 2560x1440 60Hz Monitor £399.98 @ Aria PC
Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
Total £1010.70