LG1156 (P55) mini ITX build - Suggestions please

YesSirICanBogey

YesSirICanBogey

YesSirICanBogey

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20 Aug 2010
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Hello,

I am looking to build a P55 mini ITX system. This will be a multi purpose system with some longevity. I will play games but I am not too fuzzed with being able to have the highest settings in Crysis. I will play mainly RTS (eg. StarCraft II).

Case:
I have looked at a variety of cases but the ones I have singled out are: Silverstone SG07 and SG05, Lian Li PC-Q7, PC-08, PC-Q11 (when it arrives). What are the pros and cons of these given my purpose and choices of other components?

Mobo:
The Zotac P55 WiFi or maybe Gigabyte GA-H55N-USB3? Any other good alternatives and pros and cons?

CPU:
Is i5 750 overkill here, would it suffice with i3? I would like some longevity and I am thinking it might be worthwhile going quad core? I am not looking to overclock, at least not in this mini ITX system.

GPU:
Since I will play games and probably more graphically advanced games going forward than at present, I will need to have a pretty decent dedicated GPU. I know that this limits my choice of case somewhat. I am looking at something in the region of ATI 5830, 5770 or GTX 460. I guess DX11 is prefered for the longevity and also, the similar DX10 cards like GTX 260 are running too hot for a mini ITX.

Cooling:
Any advice here would be good.

Memory:
DDR3 4GB maybe expandable to 8GB.

PSU:
Whatever would be needed for the system and I guess it would have to be modular due to the size of the case.

HD:
I'd prefer to use a standard SATA II. Is the case strong enough to get a SSD. What about SSD boot drive and a SATA II for storage to go with it?

Any advice would be very useful!

Thank you in advance.

Cheers,
R
 
YesSirICanBogey said:
Hello
Click to expand...

Hello, Mr Weird Name of the Year 2010. :)

I am looking to build a P55 mini ITX system. This will be a multi purpose system with some longevity. I will play games but I am not too fuzzed with being able to have the highest settings in Crysis. I will play mainly RTS (eg. StarCraft II).
Click to expand...

That's fine, you can get a lot of power into a small case.

Case:
I have looked at a variety of cases but the ones I have singled out are: Silverstone SG07 and SG05, Lian Li PC-Q7, PC-08, PC-Q11 (when it arrives). What are the pros and cons of these given my purpose and choices of other components?
Click to expand...

SG05 I believe is the smallest of the cases but comes with restrictions. You get 78mm of CPU cooler space and nothing bigger than an HD5850 at absolute maximum (and even then it takes some skill to fit). SG07 is bigger and can take an HD5970 but there's an increase in volume with it. Same applies to the Lian Li cases, i'm not sure what the restrictions are in the Q07/08 but I don't think you're fitting an HD5970 in there.

Also, the SG05 uses a smaller PSU. You can make a full ATX one fit with some hacking, or there's a 450W upgrade that screws in place of the stock one - and it's highly recommended if you're building a gaming box. The Lian Lis all take full ATX TMK and the SG07 comes with a full ATX 600W PSU fitted.

Mobo:
The Zotac P55 WiFi or maybe Gigabyte GA-H55N-USB3? Any other good alternatives and pros and cons?
Click to expand...

DFI Lanparty P55 miniITX board, although mine died on me it's got the best CPU support. I'm currently running the Intel DH57JG which, whilst being a good board, overclocks less and doesn't claim to support any of the i7 or i5-750 CPUs. So make sure you check the features before you order.

CPU:
Is i5 750 overkill here, would it suffice with i3? I would like some longevity and I am thinking it might be worthwhile going quad core? I am not looking to overclock, at least not in this mini ITX system.
Click to expand...

It's not overkill, just make sure the motherboard will support it. The DFI board will, but the others will need checking first. I run an i5-650 in mine, it's only dual core but has hyperthreading and runs very cool on a 32nm process.

GPU:
Since I will play games and probably more graphically advanced games going forward than at present, I will need to have a pretty decent dedicated GPU. I know that this limits my choice of case somewhat. I am looking at something in the region of ATI 5830, 5770 or GTX 460. I guess DX11 is prefered for the longevity and also, the similar DX10 cards like GTX 260 are running too hot for a mini ITX.
Click to expand...

For the SG05 you're looking at:

ATI HD5850, HD5830, HD5770
nVidia GTX470, GTX465, GTX460

The GTX470 will run hot and noisy in the SG05, but is arguably the fastest card out of those above.

With the SG07, the skys the limit, so it depends on budget. It's quite a well ventilated case.

Cooling:
Any advice here would be good.
Click to expand...

The SG05 will fit a Corsair H5O or even a custom watercooling kit with some work. The SG07 will do so as well. Or you can just get an air cooler and save the hassle - especially with a 32nm chip, you won't have much heat to dissipate, so the stock cooler would be fine. Works for me! :)

Memory:
DDR3 4GB maybe expandable to 8GB.
Click to expand...

Seems good to me, with most boards you're looking at 2xDDR3 slots so 4GB is the highest you'll be able to go without spending loads.

PSU:
Whatever would be needed for the system and I guess it would have to be modular due to the size of the case.
Click to expand...

See above.

HD:
I'd prefer to use a standard SATA II. Is the case strong enough to get a SSD. What about SSD boot drive and a SATA II for storage to go with it?
Click to expand...

Given the size, I expect the case to be on a table rather than under it, and at the end of the day, sound is paramount in that case.

I run an SSD in mine, but again it's down to budget. Just don't get something like a Velociraptor, the clicking will send you bonkers.
 
Personally im upgrading my mini ITX system as followed:

SG05
E2180
Zotac 9300-Ge
ATI 4850
Velocitiraptor (Having noticed any clicking as stated above) but Tute knows what he is on about ;)
1tb Samsung

upgrading to..

DFI Lanparty P55
i7
2x4gb Corsair
450w (especially for the SG05)
and by next month might get either a 5770 or 5850.

~Lemons_Mufc
 
Depends. When doing a lot of IO activity, can you not hear the heads on the drive seeking?

Just that I had a 300GB VR in my old box on the desk and it was like a bag of spanners. Fast drive, but clicked like a frenzy. :p
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys (also for my name lol)!

One question here is of course budget. While I do not have a specific budget in mind, it is kind of unnecessary to over do it.

I am kind of leaning towards the SG05 but I am not sure the 300w would suffice for the build I have in mind and if I were to upgrade this to the 450w one I might as well go for the SG07 (price would be the same and performance wise, SG07 seems a lot stronger).

Would the 300w PSU in the SG05 be enough to cover any/both of the below builds?

1.
Mobo: Zotac H55 WiFi
CPU: i5 760
GPU: HD 5850 or Geforce 460
RAM: 4gb ddr3
HD: 60GB SSD + 1GB SATA II

2.
Mobo: Zotac H55 WiFi
CPU: i3 530
GPU: HD 5830 or 5770
RAM: 4gb ddr3
HD: 60GB SSD + 1GB SATA II

Thanks again for your help!
 
Guardsmon said:
The Q-07 can only fit HD 4670 max. Q-08 can fit HD 5970.
Click to expand...

I have an ATI 5750 in my PC-Q07. I am now contemplating putting a palit GTX 460 in there as they are only 190mm long. The hardest part is keeping the rig cool, (it was fine with an i3 at 3.6ghz and ati 5750 at 800/1350) but I now have an i5 750 and that is getting hot! I am currently adding a top and side fan to improve airflow
 
ninja2000 said:
I have an ATI 5750 in my PC-Q07. I am now contemplating putting a palit GTX 460 in there as they are only 190mm long. The hardest part is keeping the rig cool, (it was fine with an i3 at 3.6ghz and ati 5750 at 800/1350) but I now have an i5 750 and that is getting hot! I am currently adding a top and side fan to improve airflow
Click to expand...

Interesting!

Would this build work?

Case: Lian Li PC-Q07
Power supply: Standard 400w modular
Mobo: Zotac H55 WiFi
CPU: i3 530
GPU: GTX 460
RAM: 4GB DDR3
HD: 60GB SSD + 1GB SATA II

PC-Q07 looks the smallest out of the bunch and I really benefit from the fact that it is not very wide.

Would the above get uber-hot? Would I be able to fit any kind of CPU cooler in there?

Cheers!
 
The problem is the Q07,it's not designed to cope with all the heat from high powered cpu's and gfx cards.
I'm not for a second saying it cant be done but to do it right with some peace of mind will involve some extensive modding.

When it comes to modding it,it's tough choices also.
Basically all you have to work with is the top and front of the case.

If you decide to install a 120mm+ fan/H50 in the front you'll spoil the clean look which is half the reason people buy them.
If that doesnt phase you,it's a good starting point.

Other than that you have the top which will involve removing the 5.25" tray for a 120mm+ fan/H50 and either doing away with an optical drive and using an external or more modding and installing a slimline optical elsewhere in the case.

The case has volume for a fair amount of kit but the way it's laid out in it's stock form and it's tiny footprint seriously inhibits what you can do with it without extensive modding.

For a Clarkdale with a gpu up to around 5670 it's fine,if you want more power than that and you absolutely must have this case then it's time to get the tools out.
 
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Legion - isnt half the fun modding it though ;)

I wanted the most powerful kit in the smallest form factor and I also saw it as a challeng.
When I had the i3 @ 3.6ghz and ati 5770 @ 800/1350 there was no heat problems with stock cooling. Its only now I have put a i5 750 its getting hot hence me putting a side 80mm fan below the psu and I am installing a top 80mm.

I use the 5.25" for HDD's so I can fit a 3.5" HDD and an 80mm fan up there. I will probaably make life easier though and get a 2.5" ssd soon though
 
YesSirICanBogey said:
What about this?

http://img837.imageshack.us/i/buildy.jpg/

Will it run too hot? Will the big shuriken fit? Will both the SSD and SATA II fit?
Click to expand...

That will all run but...

you will need to remove the bottom HDD mount and snip a second gfx card slot. You will then need to locate the HDD at the top but there still should be room for the SSd at the base.

Not sure about the shuriken big, I only got the standard version and it was a tight fit but my gigbyte board has poor cpu placement.
 
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