Mini ITX BitFenix Prodigy build - Gaming/Media under £500

David_VI

David_VI

David_VI

Associate
Joined
8 Feb 2011
Posts
1,767
Location
Colchester
I built my PC about two years ago, my first build from scratch thanks to OCUK. I now shall move onto the other half's PC.

This PC is a Compaq bought from the purple shop probably 6 years old that i've upgraded with my leftover bits whenever i've upgraded my main PC.

My other half really likes the Bitfenix Prodigy cases so we decided to build a new long overdue new PC.

The current PC is in our lounge and hooked upto the TV via VGA for Steam Big Picture and watching films and other media.

I often use the other half's PC for playing games in the lounge and the other half plays Borderlands 2 (She enjoyed it on my PC all maxed out while I was at work ;))

So for gaming and general media stuffs. Under £500 but saving money where possible!
Already have Windows, SATA HDD and a 560TI

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x MSI Z77MA-G45 Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Micro-ATX Motherboard £83.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case - Magma Orange £69.95
1 x LG CH10LS28 BD-ROM 10x BluRay ROM / DVDRW SATA-II Optical Drive - Black (Retail) £63.98
1 x Corsair Vengeance RED 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17100C11 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMZ8GX3M2A2133C11R) £59.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020058-UK) £39.98
Total : £497.88 (includes shipping : FREE).



I just made this on the fly, I choose the i5 2500k because I have one, I guess to save money an i3 would be alright for the purpose?
How about the memory? I'm sure most of the options have better value alternatives. Also picked the BD player as it might be useful with the TV but can give or take as VGA isn't really that great. Using HDMI on our TV isn't full HD and I swear it causes a delay when gaming which isn't great.. (Just realised BD drive isn't BluRay, amateur moment.. fixed it :))

Thanks for your help :)
 
Last edited:
That MSI board is m-atx not its so it won't fit unfortunately. Also I'd personally aim for at least a 500w PSU, especially if your over clocking.
 
 
Ah cheers I knew I overlooked something, Its because I rushed it.. doh'!

honosuseri thats cool, could I go down to an i5 2500k or i3 and still max Borderlands 2? I kinda don't want my woman having a more powerful processor than I do.. mainly because i'll end up using her PC more than mine ;)

I've read about some PSU's not fitting in the case.. Any ideas on this and how to be sure?
 
The max size of a PSU that'll fit in a prodigy is 160mm. Aim below that and you should be OK aslong as the PSU is modular.

Failing that I'm pretty sure you can buy an extended PSU bracket for it. The power supply might poke out the back of the case around an inch though.
 
David_VI said:
Ah cheers I knew I overlooked something, Its because I rushed it.. doh'!

honosuseri thats cool, could I go down to an i5 2500k or i3 and still max Borderlands 2? I kinda don't want my woman having a more powerful processor than I do.. mainly because i'll end up using her PC more than mine ;)

I've read about some PSU's not fitting in the case.. Any ideas on this and how to be sure?
Click to expand...

If you want to be crafty, update the BIOS of your mobo so it can definitely take the 3570K and put your old i5K in the Prodigy build. The i3 is a faux quadcore, if you can afford an i5K I would really suggest you get it. You will also find it's better suited should you want to re-encode your bluray collection to MKVs on the HDD for more convenient playback.

The max recommend size for the PSU is 160mm. The XFX is a good unit and will fit just fine (review HERE)
 
Thanks. I'll probably go for the i5k with the 3570k as an option, just seems hassle!

Looks like a good build to start with and see if it can be improved. I thank you! :)
Will look at the individual components to get an idea :)
 
Last edited:
David_VI said:
Thanks. I'll probably go for the i5k with the 3570k as an option, just seems hassle!

Looks like a good build to start with and see if it can be improved. I thank you! :)
Will look at the individual components to get an idea :)
Click to expand...

The i5 2500K is only £10 cheaper. The 3570K has lower power consumption has a bit more ooompf and a better IGP. The IGP is used by quick sync and providing your software supports it that can really help with encoding videos.

Intel has a new socket (1150) Haswell being released next month. Perhaps you'd like to wait and see what's what when it's lands?
 
honosuseri said:
You need a mini-itx mobo in the Prodigy

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £189.95
1 x Gigabyte Z77N-WIFI Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £103.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy 'Yin' Mini-ITX Cube Case - White/Black £69.95
1 x XFX Pro 550W Core Edition '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £54.98
1 x Pioneer BDC-207DBK 8x BluRay ROM / DVDRW SATA-II Optical Drive - Black (OEM) £49.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £43.99
Total : £512.86 (includes shipping : FREE).

Click to expand...

honosuseri said:
The i5 2500K is only £10 cheaper. The 3570K has lower power consumption has a bit more ooompf and a better IGP. The IGP is used by quick sync and providing your software supports it that can really help with encoding videos.

Intel has a new socket (1150) Haswell being released next month. Perhaps you'd like to wait and see what's what when it's lands?
Click to expand...

I dunno, will it be much more expensive?
Is it possible to shave off some £ from that build without going i5 2500k? Don't really want to go over £500 even though it's only a touch over. The closer £400 the better.. £450 possibly.. I know its a hassle :p

Thanks
 
if u wanna save some $$$, you could always buy second hand innards, since you have MM access anyway, that'll save ~20% off new prices
 
 
David_VI said:
I dunno, will it be much more expensive?
Is it possible to shave off some £ from that build without going i5 2500k? Don't really want to go over £500 even though it's only a touch over. The closer £400 the better.. £450 possibly.. I know its a hassle :p

Thanks
Click to expand...

We are hoping it will be priced close to Ivy. Might be a little while before Mini-itx mobos are seen though. I really can't say for sure buddy.

I would rather give you the heads up as if you buy into the 1155 socket, then the Mrs sees adverts for the new CPUs on TV you might cop some flak (I got your back son) ;)
 
honosuseri said:
We are hoping it will be priced close to Ivy. Might be a little while before Mini-itx mobos are seen though. I really can't say for sure buddy.

I would rather give you the heads up as if you buy into the 1155 socket, then the Mrs sees adverts for the new CPUs on TV you might cop some flak (I got your back son) ;)
Click to expand...


Haha cheers. I don't think she'l mind. Shes more interested in looks ;) (the orange case) then the actual insides, aslong as it runs games well enough and we can watch videos via TV on it it's perfect. This is why the 2500k is tempting, we never really encode stuff. Now there's a basis its all about budget squeeeezing!

After all this isn't a main gaming PC, want to save some money for my eventual upgrade.. who would want their missuses PC being more powerful than theirs?
 
David_VI said:
Haha cheers. I don't think she'l mind. Shes more interested in looks ;) (the orange case) then the actual insides, aslong as it runs games well enough and we can watch videos via TV on it it's perfect. This is why the 2500k is tempting, we never really encode stuff. Now there's a basis its all about budget squeeeezing!

After all this isn't a main gaming PC, want to save some money for my eventual upgrade.. who would want their missuses PC being more powerful than theirs?
Click to expand...

In that case RJCs suggestion isn't too bad at all :)

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3330 3.00GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £149.99
1 x Asus P8H77-I Intel H77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 MiniITX Motherboard £83.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case - Magma Orange £69.95
1 x Pioneer BDC-207DBK 8x BluRay ROM / DVDRW SATA-II Optical Drive - Black (OEM) £49.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £43.99
1 x XFX Pro 450W Core Edition '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £39.95
Total : £437.86 (includes shipping : FREE).



Yes I'd probably want the 550W but you wanted to see ways to cut costs. I take it you really want the Bluray drive too?
 
RJC, wasn't really thinking of OC'ing. Was considering just the 2500 to shave some pounds but OCUK don't seem to have it anymore? Just aiming for a rather simple system.

As someone with a Prodigy, how did you find the PSU? Is there more room than it looks? I worry about having a ton of leftover PSU cables stashed in the gaps in the case and it being quite fiddly.


honosuseri said:
In that case RJCs suggestion isn't too bad at all :)

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3330 3.00GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £149.99
1 x Asus P8H77-I Intel H77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 MiniITX Motherboard £83.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case - Magma Orange £69.95
1 x Pioneer BDC-207DBK 8x BluRay ROM / DVDRW SATA-II Optical Drive - Black (OEM) £49.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £43.99
1 x XFX Pro 450W Core Edition '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £39.95
Total : £437.86 (includes shipping : FREE).



Yes I'd probably want the 550W but you wanted to see ways to cut costs. I take it you really want the Bluray drive too?
Click to expand...

Yeah looking good. It's nice to know there are options making it cheaper. The BluRay drive is mainly because it's a nice novelty, we only have two Bluray disks we've never been able to watch haha. Most of the stuff we watch is online/downloaded. It's something we could swap out for a normal drive or use our old drive if we really wanted to save cash.
 
Might order some of it shortly, however we have come across a problem.. The case is too wide to fit in our corner desk.. We need a new desk anyhow. IKEA to the rescue!.. sometime.
 
The gigabyte board is voltage locked.
You can still OC on it, but you can't up the voltage which limits the speed you can go up too. Also has some issues with some CPU cooler backplates due to a chip being very near the holes on the back.
It's still a very good board, but the asus deluxe is just better.
 
Last edited:
honosuseri said:
Might be a little while before Mini-ITX mobos are seen though.
Click to expand...
Both Asus and Gigabyte will be releasing Haswell-compatible mITX motherboards next month, so not long to wait at all. Google Z87-ITX and Z87N-WiFi for more info.

YjhCiAm.jpg.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom