Sandy Bridge & PSU's

[Abz Hussain]

So im looking to build myself a system based around a sandy bridge 'k' cpu - most probably the i5.
I would use it with the onboard HD3000 graphics as it will not be used for gaming.
I plan to add 1 SSD and 1 slim slot type blu ray optical drive. I would also use onboard lan and sound.

What would be a sensible PSU for the above?
If i overclock, then what PSU would be suitable?

I plan on doing a mini itx build but the two problems i think i face in this form factor are the psu and heat dissapation for said form factor.

Pico psu's - would the be suitable and what spec would i need?

Heat - how much heat does an overclocked i5 generate?

(btw, i dont plan on using this pc to run strenuous applications, it will be an everyday use pc but the requirement is that it be the fastest and smallest possible pc that we can build - im open to other specs too)

Thanks

 

[Marine-RX179]

As for overclocked, the i5 2500K should be able to clock to around 4.0GHz without needing voltage increase and stock cooler should be fine up to that point. However if you are looking at higher overclock with increasing voltage, you'd best look into buying a 3rd part CPU cooler (but for a mini-itx build I wouldn't bother and I'd just stick with overclocking on stock voltage using the stock cooler). If the mini-itx case is a good one with reasonable airflow and has fans for venting out the heat it should be fine.

PSU option would be limited for mini-itx case...even a stock speed i5 K series along with the rest of the drives etc, I'd say you best at least look for a reliable mini-itx PSU with at least 150W, but with overclocking, you'd probably best look for a reliable mini-itx PSU at 200W:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/03/intel-sandy-bridge-review/11
http://www.legionhardware.com/artic..._2500k_and_core_i7_2600k_sandy_bridge,14.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833-21.html
http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-2500k-and-core-i7-2600k-review/7

With all that say, I don't really recall seeing a 1155 z68 chipset mini-itx motherboard yet...

Edit: This is the only one I can find at the moment:
http://www.eteknix.com/news/zotac-releases-z68-mini-itx-boards-1197/

 

[Abz Hussain]

As for overclocked, the i5 2500K should be able to clock to around 4.0GHz without needing voltage increase and stock cooler should be fine up to that point. However if you are looking at higher overclock with increasing voltage, you'd best look into buying a 3rd part CPU cooler (but for a mini-itx build I wouldn't bother and I'd just stick with overclocking on stock voltage using the stock cooler). If the mini-itx case is a good one with reasonable airflow and has fans for venting out the heat it should be fine.

PSU option would be limited for mini-itx case...even a stock speed i5 K series along with the rest of the drives etc, I'd say you best at least look for a reliable mini-itx PSU with at least 150W, but with overclocking, you'd probably best look for a reliable mini-itx PSU at 200W:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/03/intel-sandy-bridge-review/11
http://www.legionhardware.com/artic..._2500k_and_core_i7_2600k_sandy_bridge,14.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833-21.html
http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-2500k-and-core-i7-2600k-review/7

With all that say, I don't really recall seeing a 1155 z68 chipset mini-itx motherboard yet...

Edit: This is the only one I can find at the moment:
http://www.eteknix.com/news/zotac-releases-z68-mini-itx-boards-1197/

Thanks for this, will read the articles you have provided and see what i can come up with. I have been patient waiting for Z68 mini itx boards, apart from zotac i do hope some others will be making their way to market soon.