Looking to down size my desktop...

[djkav]

Looking for ideas to help me down size my desktop system. I may upgrade some bits if required. Trying to keep costs low as possible.

Existing:

• Case: CM 690 II Advanced B/W
• CPU: i5 2500k Stock
• RAM: 16gb HyperX Grey
• Board: Z77x D3H
• Cooler: Noctua DH-14
• GFX: Gigabyte 580 SoC
• Audio: Xonar DG
• PSU: OCZ ZX 850w
• Storage: 3x SSDs, 1x Samsung 4tb, BluRay RW

Upgrading:

• Case - Down size to smaller than what I got now.
• GFX card - not sure whether to keep nVidia 3D, I rarely use it. I may get a retail Oculus Rift.
• Motherboard - down size to micro ATX (for smaller case too)
• Soundcard - Its a Asus DG PCI. So may not be compatible with new board
• CPU - maybe, if there is a sufficient processing increase
• Cooler - May move from the DH14 to an AIO water, depending on new case space
• PSU - To a more reliable 650w modular

 

[BinnsY]

This would be my suggestion when it comes to parts you would actually need. The case will be much smaller than your current one, but is laid out in such a way that it will still fit your 4 hard drives, optical drive, and you will be able to retain your CPU cooler as the board sits horizontally meaning there is tons of vertical space for the CPU cooler. You can use your existing RAM and graphics card and in all honesty could stick with your existing power supply as well.

I dont think there are any MATX boards that still have PCI so you would need a new soundcard, but to save space / cost I've just picked a board that has exceptionally good on board sound instead.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x Gigabyte G1.Sniper M5 Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £143.99
1 x Xigmatek Aquila Micro-ATX Case - Black £69.95
Total : £403.52 (includes shipping : £8.00).

 

[cmndr_andi]

Another option would be the Bitfenix prodigy MATX, its a well thought out micro-ATX case that can really allow you to pack a lot into a small volume and still keep it all cool.

I would suggest re-using the i5 2500K, as its a nice chip that runs cool and Z77 micro-ATX boards work fine with it. I would personally opt for the Gigabyte Z77MX-D3H, though other options are available.

Looking here, the Noctua cooler does fit fine, as does the GTX 580 SOC.

You would need a new smaller PSU, but you mentioned you already were looking for a new one anyway. I would suggest something like the Seasonic G series 650W.

As BinnsY mentions, most modern MATX boards don't seem to feature usable PCI ports. So you may need to consider switching to a PCIe sound card or go USB.