Gaming ITX Build

Praetorian · 7 Mar 2013 at 17:33

Hey all,

Wanted to throw this one out in the open cause I think I'm on the right track but wanted a double check

Building this for a friend, and am considering one myself, as he's an avid gamer. Wants something with punch but also in a tiny package so ITX is the perfect way forward for him

Budget really isn't an issue at the moment but he's fixed on either i5 or preferably i7 even though it'll be a power killer!

The following spec is where I'm coming from:

Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced Mini-ITX Case
PSU: 675W PSU, ThermalTake TPX-675MPCUK (Already have this!)
Cooling Fan: Thermalright AXP-140 (Already have this!)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77N-WIFI, Intel Z77, S 1155
CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K or i7 3770K, 1155, Ivy Bridge
Memory: Corsair Memory Desktop 8GB 2 x 4GB DDR3 1600 MHz
GFX: 2GB Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 Overclocked

The PSU and cooler can be reused especially since the AXP-140 is low profile so would just need a suitable fan for him. The part I'm most concerned about is heat especially since the Elite doesn't get "fantastic" reviews for thermal management. I did consider the SG05's but then you'd have to downgrade the GFX card or start modifying the case which isn't something I want to do either.

Any input, changes, suggestions etc. definitely welcome cause I haven't dealt with putting something this small together before

Ta

Incrauze · 7 Mar 2013 at 17:39

Intel i5 3570K will be enough for gaming and Corsair SP120 fan for the heatsink

LePhuronn · 7 Mar 2013 at 21:38

You don't have to downgrade the GPU or hack the case with a SG05-450. THe PSU in that will run a GTX 680, so you'd have no issue running the 7850 you listed.

Also check the length of the card, you have just under 10 inches of room in the Sugo (9 if your PCI-E connectors poke out the back) so you should be fine.

Tute · 7 Mar 2013 at 21:50

I can vouch that the ST45SF will handle an overclocked GTX680 and a 3570K just fine. I actually suspect it would run 7850 Crossfire if you were in that way inclined.

Doc Holliday · 17 Mar 2013 at 14:22

@ OP How did the build go and what were the final choices of bits?

Just interested as I'm about to start on an CM Elite 120 Advanced build myself.

Praetorian · 21 Mar 2013 at 18:06

I haven't built it for him yet as the requirements keep changing. Am now seriously looking at putting a 3770K into the system and running it with a Kuhler 620 all packed into an SG05!

Based on the PUS calculator figures, the 450w PSU in an SG05 should easily handle that system even with small OC

Have to admit that I keep coming back to the Elite 120 but the only thing that puts me off is the thermal management that it has issues with

Considering its going to be a powerhouse of a system, I really don't want the CPU/GPU to start suffering heat exhaustion cause of inadequate cooling

He should be committing to the build by the end of the month so I still have a week or so to play around with the configuration of it.

Abz Hussain · 21 Mar 2013 at 23:35

LePhuronn said:
You don't have to downgrade the GPU or hack the case with a SG05-450. THe PSU in that will run a GTX 680, so you'd have no issue running the 7850 you listed.

Also check the length of the card, you have just under 10 inches of room in the Sugo (9 if your PCI-E connectors poke out the back) so you should be fine.

Would a 500w psu be able to handle an OC'd 7950 and Oc'd 2700k?
Im putting together a list (mental for now) for a high end non prodigy watercooled mini itx gaming rig.
Current PSU is the beheamoth that is Seasonic platinum 1000w. Need to sell it to downgrade for mini itx.