Mini ITX build help for Niece

[Twirlywoos]

Hi

I would like to buy an build a rig for my niece within the next couple of days.

I just want a build that is the best bang for buck and there is no budget but the smaller the better. B-Grade doesn't bother me also, I just don't know what to look for.

If your recommended product is not stocked or is OOS by OCUK can you just name the product please without naming the competitor.

Requirements:

- She is currently studying in High School so I am not after a AAA Gaming build but something more for geared for school work, watching and uploading Youtube videos and browser gaming.
- Space is limited (Desk is 100cm) so I need to go SSF. She is stuck on the (BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case - Aqua Blue) case so we need to work around that.
- We're not limiting ourselves to AMD or Intel, Just best value for money.
- She doesn't need an Optical Drive.
- Needs Wifi
- Needs to boot up quickly (I'm thinking SSD for O/S)
- Needs decent storage space and access time for pictures and downloads. (What colour HDD? Green, Red etc 2TB)
- Needs Desktop speakers for watching online videos when friends come around.
- Reliable and Efficient
- Not noisy
- Needs to last her around 4 years, so warranty and product reliability is important.
- Built in iGPU needs to output at least 1080p

Build:
Case: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-123-BX&groupid=2362&catid=2279
Monitor: I have donated a monitor
Operating System: I have spare Windows 8 O/S keys.
Keyboard and Mouse: Ducky Mini and RSI Mouse (I will get these)
PSU: Shall I get the Superflower on offer (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-004-SF ) , do I even need modular with a small case?

Over to you.
Cheers

 

[Twirlywoos]

Thanks for the replies. Looking now and the prices are good.

@Almightyliham I don't mind going Z87 or B- Grade and I have no preference to AMD or Intel. There is no budget but saying that I'd like to keep it within £500. I just want to meet her Mother's set requirements and if it means blowing the budget then so be it, but I don't think that should happen being a non gaming build

 

[Twirlywoos]

any particular reason you don't just get a laptop?

you can add an ssd to 1 if you you want... for £500 you can a decent laptop will have everything you need

My niece hasn't got the best eyesight and would benefit from the extra estate that a larger screen gives. (In fact I should have mentioned 1080p minimum) Plus a PC is more flexible.

 

[Twirlywoos]

will she see any benefit from the virtual cores hyperthreading in the i3 or does the overclocking ability in the Anniversary G3258 outweigh it?

Also do I need a specific board to allow the G3258 to be overclocked?

Is the iGPU better for browser based gaming in the 13?

Oh and how do I post a fancy build log like you've done above?

Thanks

 

[Twirlywoos]

Can you prise her away from the Prodigy case? As an alternative, look into uSFF / NUC systems the Zotac ZBox systems or OCUK's Primo Nano 5.

Unfortunately not, she chose the case and functionality goes out of the Window with kids as she wanted a blue case. It was a toss between the Bitfinix and Aerocool with the Bitfinix getting the "I like the other case too but I really, really want the all blue one"

Kids lol

 

[Twirlywoos]

Thanks got the case and the i3 processor in the B Grade section. It was a seriously tough choice between that and the Anniversary K.

Also 16Gb Sammy Green is overkill in my Gaming machine so I'll take 2 sticks out and put that towards her build.

Additionally I rummaged through my boxes in the shed and found 2 Scythes AP15s, a Corsair H60, Phobya extreme thermal paste, 230mm Bitfinix Spectre pro fan, OCZ ZS Bronze 80 plus PSU and a partidge in a pear tree , so they can be put to good use towards the build.

With the money saved I may as well get a 512Gb SSD and forget about the HD.

Just need to see what other H81 boards are available.

 

[Twirlywoos]

just finished the build for my neice and I'm going to drop it of at London tomorrow as it's a bank holiday.

There is one flaw with the Prodigy and it is very common. I'm stuck now as the case's USB 3.0 bottom connector does not work.

I've tried looking for solutions:
http://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/forums/3,tech-talk/850,ghost-front-usb3-problem/

and nothing works. Is it possible that the lead that goes to the motherboards USB header is broken? The lead itself looks to be integrated with the case so to remove I will need to disconnect the power leads etc.

Now my problem is that I cannot tell a PC illiterate Sister or Neice to install this part so they have to make do with a non functioning USB port that on a mITX build is very important due to the lack of ports in the first place.



The iGPU is excellent. I'm surprised that it can play Grid Autosport at 1280x720p at Medium settings on my TV. I hope Intel continue to improve their iGPU's as from reading reviews AMD are in command in this area.

As the i3 can't be overclocked I just under volted the CPU at 1.01 and ran a custom blend stress test on IntelBurnTest. The CPU reaches 55 degrees celcius MAX and idles at 28.

Pics of the buid.