Intel 1366 Small Form Factor Build...a Pipe Dream?

jrodga2k5

jrodga2k5

jrodga2k5

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So the 'upgrade' bug has hit me however I am looking to downsize my PC into a smaller form factor with a budget between £500-600. Ideally I would be able to save a bit of cash on some the components I have however I am fully aware I may have to make some changes...

So what I have at the moment:

Intel Core i7 930 2.80GHz (Bloomfield) (Socket LGA1366)
Corsair XMS3 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Triple Channel
Samsung SH-B083L/RSBP 8x BluRay ROM / 16x DVD±RW Drive
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache
Crucial RealSSD C300 64GB
Gigabyte GTX 480 SOC

Problem I've found first off is I don't know where to start with the LGA 1366 as there isn't a mini atx to be found (Not something I assume they did), micro however I can find online but again not sure what's best to pick up. Which I understand I would have to go dual channel also.

So I suspect micro is the route I'll have to go so of course case suggestions first off.

IF I was to keep a hold of the GTX 480 SOC I would require 300mm clearance for the length but not adverse to pick up something which is quieter and cooler and of course better performing.

I have an additional 250GB drive I'm using for STEAM so would potentially like to add a second SSD into the mix to replace that, 128GB probably enough.

PSU will also need to be replaced, something modular and also a low profile cooler.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
 
@Idleman Thanks for the suggestion however to be honest I would be looking for an improvement in terms of any replacement graphics card, the 7850 would be a step down to be fair.

I am of course going to have to offload some of my components after the build if I need to shed them.

@james_2k I've had a look at the Rampage GENE as suggested can pick up one around the £160-170 mark so that would mean I could obviously keep a hold of both my CPU and RAM.

What I'm finding more difficult is trying to get a case that's going to fit my 480GTX @ 30cm length, airflow is important also however Lian Li seem to offer the best solutions, albeit not ideal.
 
You had a look at any shuttle barebones? Or maybe locating a shuttle motherboard. Don't know if its possible or not, worth a try.

Case wise, im not sure on itx but for matx, the TJ08-E offers what you need.
 
Doomedspeed said:
You had a look at any shuttle barebones? Or maybe locating a shuttle motherboard. Don't know if its possible or not, worth a try.
Click to expand...

Had a look at them, main problem being the airflow, as I am convinced I can keep my 480GTX SOC...:rolleyes:

Having a look at the Lian Li PC-V355 which seems to tick the boxes in terms of spacing and is pretty short in height which I'm looking for.

Looking at the price I'd need to fork out for a motherboard however I must admit is putting me off doing it to be fair.
 
If you're going M-atx matey, the Silverstone TJ08B-E is hard to beat.
Fantastic cooling potential, for air or water.
Unrivaled cable management out of any M-atx case.
It's also one of the most compact mini tower style M-atx cases.
 
You have the fundamentals of a solidly quick PC there so personally i'd look to stick rather than twist unless you're desperate to go mini ITX (it sounds to me like micro ATX would suit you fine).

For the motherboard, as mentioned, the Rampage GENE is about as good as it gets for micro ATX LGA1366.

As for cases, consider any of the Silverstone Sugo mATX cases (SG01, 02, 03, 04, 09) or the Silverstone TJ08-E as mentioned above. There are other microATX SFF cases but a lot of them aren't really very small (>30L).

Note as well that the SG09 will need a slimline optical drive, whereas the others can hold your current drive. CPU cooler clearance may also be an issue on the SG01/02/03/04.
 
Tute said:
You have the fundamentals of a solidly quick PC there so personally i'd look to stick rather than twist unless you're desperate to go mini ITX (it sounds to me like micro ATX would suit you fine).

For the motherboard, as mentioned, the Rampage GENE is about as good as it gets for micro ATX LGA1366.

As for cases, consider any of the Silverstone Sugo mATX cases (SG01, 02, 03, 04, 09) or the Silverstone TJ08-E as mentioned above. There are other microATX SFF cases but a lot of them aren't really very small (>30L).

Note as well that the SG09 will need a slimline optical drive, whereas the others can hold your current drive. CPU cooler clearance may also be an issue on the SG01/02/03/04.
Click to expand...

Had a look at the Silverstone cases that you suggested Tute and decided on the SG01, has a nice small form and unlike the 02 isn't crazy shiny!

Going SFF has meant I've decided to drop my GTX 480 SOC, noise being the main issue with that card anyways. So below is what I've bought to make the transfer over...

So what I've equipped myself with...:D

SilverStone SG01B-F USB 3.0 (Black)
ASUS RAMPAGEII GENE uATX X58
12GB (3x4GB) Corsair Vengeance Jet Black, DDR3 PC3-12800
NVidia GTX 670
PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III Series 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular Power Supply
OCZ Vertex 2E 120GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive
Silverstone SST-NT06-E CPU-Cooler

Obviously keeping the CPU, BluRay Drive, 1TB HDD and my 60GB SSD.

Will look at offloading my Corsair TX 650W PSU, RAM and my GTX 480 SOC no doubt and more than likely donate my Corsair 600T case to my brother (He's sporting an ancient Alienware case right now).
 
My only concern is that if the CPU cooler will cool enough with the airflow from the PSU can to keep an i7-920 happy. I mean what are the TDP on those things? 120W?

That's asking a lot of that cooler personally.
 
Tute said:
My only concern is that if the CPU cooler will cool enough with the airflow from the PSU can to keep an i7-920 happy. I mean what are the TDP on those things? 120W?

That's asking a lot of that cooler personally.
Click to expand...

Something I've considered myself tute, seen a few setups sporting that cooler with an i7 but if it is found to be insufficient for the job then I will look at another low profile option...felt like giving it a go at least in all honesty.

I can quite easily monitor is and decide from then, of course I'll post up some pics, results later today when I've got the thing together.
 
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