M-ATX or M-ITX? Intel or AMD?

plonka2000

plonka2000

plonka2000

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Den Haag, Netherlands
Hi all,

I've been more and more getting closer to upgrading my system, but have been reluctant to do so for a while because its run everything I've thrown at it, and still does. My specification is in signature, is accurate to this post.

I think I'm looking to upgrade only 3 parts right now (CPU, Mobo & RAM), but I'm pretty confused as to what is the current best choices, and recommendations. I'm not looking to scrimp on components, especially the motherboard.

So my main dilemma, is I know I want a small system, as the case I currently have is large and beautiful but mostly unused from a space perspective. So its going to be M-ATX or M-ITX for me, something I can sit on top of my desk. But as it is, I think I'll use my current case and PSU for now. Any new M-ATX or M-ITX case would need to accomodate my current R290 of course, as a consideration.

As a benchmark, I was looking at this setup for a potential AMD system last year, but I guess I should probably revise my choices? Also is there a recommended Intel setup?

AMD Eight Core FX-8 9370 Black Edition 4.40GHz
Gigabyte 990FXA-UD5 AMD 990FX
Kingston HyperX Genesis 16GB

Any advice?
 
Thanks, this is something of a start but I'm also trying to find out some information about the current usability of an M-ITX system.

I guess my main questions boil down to:

1. M-ITX or M-ATX, is there a real advantage? My understanding is that M-ATX still has more boards and cases but is just a bit bigger. I want small, something that can live on top of my desk.
2. Intel or AMD? Is AMD viable in the M-ITX or M-ATX space? Is the AMD A88X chipset worth it? I'm hoping to find out whats out there. I actually want to know what best spec I could get for both AMD and Intel, not just Intel.
3. I'm budget conscious, this isnt a runaway project, but I'm not looking to do it on the cheap. What would upto £500 get me?
 
The only small things AMD has are the APUs and those A88X chipsets etc.

What parts did you need for the money? as if it was just the cpu/board and ram then the best and most performance choice is Intel.
 
So mATX can accommodate nicely small desktop cases, that will accommodate my R9 290?

Budget is for the 3 core parts that I'm looking at right now:
-CPU
-Motherboard
-RAM
-Case would come later at some point, but is a platform/space consideration right now.

For AMD should I focus on FM2+ or AM3+? Whats the difference? Its hard to tell.
For Intel, LGA1150 is the current platform?
 
AMD AM3+ is there top end stuff, multi core CPUs without any onboard GFX, the APUs are CPU with a half decent GFX core roughly equal to the R6 250X in some cases, but you don not need these as you have an APU.

Intel Always have something better than the FX range and socket 1150 is the newest for the mainstream, the X99 2011-3 is the newest release but high end.

i5 4690K vs FX 9590 (the best they have) - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1261?vs=1289

You can get small cases that will take you GFX card,

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte Z97MX Gaming 5 - Devil's Canyon i5 4690K CPU & Micro ATX Motherboard Bundle **£10 Saving** £296.94
1 x BitFenix Colossus M Micro ATX - Black £59.99
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan RED 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLRED38G2400HC11CDC01) £49.99
Total : £420.42 (includes shipping : £11.25).

 
Thanks, that's very useful and enlightening.

Looks likely I'll be going Intel for another PC generation by the current landscape, makes sense to for what I want to achieve.

That's a pretty cool case, any others you'd recommend?

Also, Z97 is the current best Intel gaming 1150 chipset?
 
Z97 is the most current and good/best for gaming.

There are lots of small funky cases.

I like this one,

YOUR BASKET
1 x Corsair Carbide Series Air 240 High Airflow PC Case - Black (CC-9011070-WW) £75.95
Total : £85.55 (includes shipping : £8.00).



But you need to pick an air cooler carefully due to the height and some gfx cards can be too wide for it.


YOUR BASKET
1 x Phanteks Enthoo Evolv Micro ATX Case - Black £89.99
Total : £99.59 (includes shipping : £8.00).



This one is decent and lots of room for stuff inside.
 
Hi guys,

I'm resurrecting this thread as I have a few more questions.

I've realised that there is another important requirement for this setup that I missed out, that is Thunderbolt.

I have looked into Thunderbolt capabilities on the 'Gigabyte Z97MX-Gaming 5' but there appears to be no Thunderbolt capability on this board.

Are there any other mATX Z97 boards that have Thunderbolt?
 
i dont think i have seen thunderbolt on a board since Z77 days, seems to have been a passing fancy, you can possibly add a card into the board to provide this
 
You can buy a Thunderbolt PCI-E card. It's inclusion on a motherboard is irrelevant as so little buyers have a use for it, hence the lack of motherboards speccing it, a lot of money for a feature a small percentage use.

Another great case if you are after small with dust filters is the Silverstone TJ08B-E.

But really, even though Haswell 1150 and Intel are better than what you have, how much better are you going to experience at your desktop? I can bet it will be less noticable than it is on those benchmark graphs!

And smaller cases usually do not mean quieter, the fans usually end up spinning faster. My Phanteks Mini XL is rather large for a MicroATX case, but it sits where my TJ08B-E used to sit and all I lose is a few inches of desktop depth. But it is as quiet, if not quieter than most of the smaller builds I have, because there is simply more air to circulate, and the fans do not need to push as fast.

I think your AMD system looks fine, and personally think Haswell would be a sideways upgrade, I love small PC's, but they are not as convenient, quiet or cool running as a well set up ATX system.

You could simply upgrade what you have, or look for a more suitable aesthetic case.

Or keep what you have a little longer until new stuff is out. I am currently building another 1150 ATX system in a small NZXT S340 case, only because an old LGA775 motherboard is dead, but I would have used that 775 system until Broadwell or Skylake were released.
 
Last edited:
plonka2000 said:
Hi all,

I've been more and more getting closer to upgrading my system, but have been reluctant to do so for a while because its run everything I've thrown at it, and still does. My specification is in signature, is accurate to this post.

I think I'm looking to upgrade only 3 parts right now (CPU, Mobo & RAM), but I'm pretty confused as to what is the current best choices, and recommendations. I'm not looking to scrimp on components, especially the motherboard.

So my main dilemma, is I know I want a small system, as the case I currently have is large and beautiful but mostly unused from a space perspective. So its going to be M-ATX or M-ITX for me, something I can sit on top of my desk. But as it is, I think I'll use my current case and PSU for now. Any new M-ATX or M-ITX case would need to accomodate my current R290 of course, as a consideration.



Any advice?
Click to expand...

Seems I was not looking at your post initially.

Can you list everything you currently use.

Can you also state exactly where the system sits, it's floor space etc?

If your current PC runs fine, is this just for the aesthetics?
 
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