mini itx spec

Bengaz · 30 Jan 2015 at 23:37

Hi,
This is my first mini ITX build.
I have a list of what I would like it buy and would like a little help in assuring if the spec needs altering at all? (I`m open to any changes).
(sorry, dont know how to get the "show basket" link thing up) So: -

I would like the case to be water cooled. Not sure if the fan Ive specced could eventually link to my GPU at all?

Most importantly I want a Quiet PC...

Intel 4820K 3.70GHz (Ivybridge-E) Socket LGA2011 Processor - Retail
MSI Z97I AC Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard
G.Skill TridentX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit
EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SC ACX 2.0 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Corsair Hydro H100i High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
Silverstone Strider Gold Series - 550 Watt
Crucial MX100 256GB SATA 2.5” 7mm SSD + 9.5mm Adapter
Corsair Obsidian Series 250D Mini ITX Compact Gaming Case - Black

(I already have a 3.5" drive and an optical drive that I want to fit in the case)

LePhuronn · 31 Jan 2015 at 00:12

For a start you have the wrong processor for the motherboard - you want a Haswell CPU for socket 1150, not Ivybridge-E on socket 2011

Mainly, what's the point in going Mini ITX if you're going to use such a massive case? There are Micro ATX cases that are the same size as the 250D, and certainly going Micro ATX means you can use the Ivybridge-E processor (socket 2011 does not exist on Mini ITX).

Personally, for the size of that case I'd jump up to Micro ATX and get a Bitfenix Pandora case instead.

If you want to watercool everything, the Corsair H100i wont work - it's a closed system design only for the CPU. So you'd really be looking at a custom loop. Doing a custom loop in a Mini ITX system would in turn need something like the Bitfenix Prodigy, but getting a custom loop into a small case like that will take patience and skill.

Bengaz · 31 Jan 2015 at 08:50

Ok, swapped the cpu.

Intel Core i7-4790K 4.00GHz (Devil's Canyon) Socket LGA1150 Processor - OEM
MSI Z97I AC Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard
G.Skill TridentX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit
EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SC ACX 2.0 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Corsair Hydro H100i High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
Silverstone Strider Gold Series - 550 Watt
Crucial MX100 256GB SATA 2.5” 7mm SSD + 9.5mm Adapter
Corsair Obsidian Series 250D Mini ITX Compact Gaming Case - Black

I'm restricted on height a little, that's why I went with the shorter corsair.
I also need an optical drive bay...

Telecaster · 31 Jan 2015 at 17:18

I'd only choose a blower style GPU cooler in a small(ish) case, so maybe look at the OCUK reference 970 instead.

Edward78 · 31 Jan 2015 at 18:31

Mainly, what's the point in going Mini ITX if you're going to use such a massive case?

Oh god yes, it is crazy all these "mITX" cases with 2 slots are really about mATX size... Maybe it is just me & you cause you said that, anyway a mITX case should be around Element Q size... If they made it a little higher & with 2 slots I would have this GPU in a mITX board in that case...

Bengaz · 31 Jan 2015 at 18:50

Thanks for that, valued idea.

OcUK GeForce GTX 970 "NVIDIA 970 Cooler Edition" 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card

Intel Core i7-4790K 4.00GHz (Devil's Canyon) Socket LGA1150 Processor - OEM

MSI Z97I Gaming ACK Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard

G.Skill TridentX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit

Corsair Hydro H100i High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler

Silverstone Strider Gold Series - 550 Watt

Crucial MX100 256GB SATA 2.5” 7mm SSD + 9.5mm Adapter

Corsair Obsidian Series 250D Mini ITX Compact Gaming Case - Black

Bengaz · 31 Jan 2015 at 18:55

Edward78 said:
Oh god yes, it is crazy all these "mITX" cases with 2 slots are really about mATX size... Maybe it is just me & you cause you said that, anyway a mITX case should be around Element Q size... If they made it a little higher & with 2 slots I would have this GPU in a mITX board in that case...

I would like a little smaller case (because Ive got really limited room), but I was thinking the dual 120mm radiator fan was a must for the space you get in a mini ITX case. Would a single 120mm water cooled fan suffice this set up?

I also must have an internal optical drive (5.25" as I have already BR R/W drive to fit) optical drive.

skaif · 31 Jan 2015 at 20:11

Check the elite 130? Great case and supports AIO water cooling. I have one with a 4790k and h80i and it works great!

Bengaz · 1 Feb 2015 at 14:44

skaif said:
Check the elite 130? Great case and supports AIO water cooling. I have one with a 4790k and h80i and it works great!

Hi, would the h100i fit? (I already have one)

skaif · 1 Feb 2015 at 16:56

You would be hard pushed to find a small compact itx case that allows full fat 240mm coolers.
That being said I have thought about taking a dremel to mine and modding the right hand side panel to take a full size rad.... (no it won't fit a h100i without heavy modification)