considering Mini ITX

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28 Aug 2014
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so im considering getting a mini ITX system.

reasons;
1, the case will fit a lot more neatly into my computer space. going for the evolv itx.
2, my current system is getting old.
3, the urge is killing me.
4, feel i need something i can OC more freely.

atm i have;
inWin Fanqua BLACK GAMING CASE.
Processor - Intel® Core™i7-2600 Quad Core (3.40GHz, 8MB Cache) + HD Graphics. gave this the best OC i can.
Motherboard - ASUS® P8Z68-V LX.
Memory - 8GB KINGSTON.
Graphics Card - EVGA SC GTX 970.
Hard Disk - 1TB SEAGATE Barracuda.
Samsung Evo 840 SSD 250GB
Power Supply - CORSAIR 650W ENTHUSIAST SERIES™ TX650 V2-80 PLUS® BRONZE.
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit.

i am wanting to get something better than this. main use is gaming really. i will be using the gpu from my current build for this new one.

i am unsure as to my budget atm, trying to keep it close to £800 absolute max would be £1k.

this is what i have come up with so far;
YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI Z97I Gaming ACK - Devil's Canyon i5 4690K CPU & Mini ITX Motherboard Bundle **£12 Saving** £297.98
1 x Kingston HyperX 16GB (2x8GB) PC3-14900C10 1866MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black/Red (HX18C10BRK2/16-OC) £109.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H110 280mm High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (CW-9060014-WW) £99.95
1 x Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-Bit DVD - OEM (WN7-00614) £79.99
1 x EVGA Supernova GS 650W '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply £69.95
1 x Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX Mini-ITX Chassis with Window £54.95
Total : £722.41 (includes shipping : £8.00 Ex.VAT).



will the above spec out perform my current spec?

also i want a fan for exhaust, would prefer a phanteks one to match the front (obviously size inst going to be the same) but i cant pick one. i cannot see anything that suggests which one should be used for exhaust, i know it shouldnt be an SP (static pressure) one.

my biggest concern is the motherboard, i was stuck between the one i link and a gigabyte one. any opinions?

also what about an M.2 SSD? one that takes advantage of the 10gbps from the mobo?
 
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i7 sandy to I5 haswell isn't a great idea, you probably wouldn't see any improvement.

There's atlerast one mITX X99 board or you could wait for skylake.

I also wouldn't pay for windows 8.1 as windows 10 will be a free upgrade for those with windows 7.
 
i will probably be waiting for something newer and better now. everyone seems to think this isnt a great idea, the problem is i wont be getting the most expensive stuff there is so i may have to wait even longer.

i thought the windows upgrade was the other way around thats why i picked it lol.

i can only see micro ATX in the x99 section :(
 
if i wait everything will change lol.

i really like the case and it would fit a lot more snugg than the beast i have next to me now. :S

yea i did a google and found it.
 
Could look at second hand Z77 mini-ITX motherboard and transfer existing system if PSU fits. Or even Z68 chipset.
 
Could look at second hand Z77 mini-ITX motherboard and transfer existing system if PSU fits. Or even Z68 chipset.
This would be what I choose to do as well if I was in OP's position.

The money saved would be better spend on getting a better monitor, and it is the primary device interface which you'd interact with games and spend hours starring at.


As for mini-itx x99, the only manufacturer I recall announced it was Asrock.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/X99E-ITXac/

But motherboard power phase for mini-itx are inferior to mid-range Micro-ATX or ATX in general, due to the PCB space restriction.
 
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