Should I bother

Alternateline · 22 Oct 2014 at 14:21

Hi everyone, not posted in a while...

I have the following PC -

Coolermaster CM690 II
2500k at stock
8gb ram
GTX 560ti
SSD
Windows 7

I was thinking about trying to convert this into a smaller and quieter living room PC to work under my TV. Excluding the cost of a kb + m, what would I be looking at in terms of case and so on?

Would I be able to get one of the smaller form factor mobos that would fit in smaller case AND keep my CPU? Or would it require a new mobo, CPU and case?

If I can't keep the CPU I don't think I'll bother!

Sorry for the rambling, isn't the easiest of questions to phrase!

snips86x · 22 Oct 2014 at 14:25

Yes, you can get a smaller case/motherboard but it depends on how much you're willing to spend.

Alternateline · 22 Oct 2014 at 14:32

snips86x said:
Yes, you can get a smaller case/motherboard but it depends on how much you're willing to spend.

Ha ha, yeah that's the problem! I'd happily spend £250 or so to get a decent case and mobo - but I'm not elite enough to find an appropriate smaller size pair!

So - £250.

snips86x · 22 Oct 2014 at 14:33

Any particular design of size of case? Micro ATX? ITX?

Alternateline · 22 Oct 2014 at 14:36

Yeah, I'd prefer ITX because it is a different look and idea to Micro ATX - which is essentially just a reduction of what I have at the moment - I think?

Problem is I know less than nothing about ITX - been out of the hardware game since I did this last build in 2012.

Does ITX require different sized RAM sticks - or am I losing my mind?

snips86x · 22 Oct 2014 at 14:39

RAM will be the same - the only difference is the form factor.

As it happens, overclockers don't have any ITX boards for the 1155 chipset. They have a micro ATX but its out of stock.

Either:
1-Get a board from a popular auction site
2-Go micro
3-Put another £100 in and upgrade to devils canyon/haswell.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £175.99
1 x Gigabyte Z97N-WIFI Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £93.95
1 x Corsair Obsidian Series 250D Mini ITX Compact Gaming Case - Black (CC-9011047-WW) £71.99
Total : £354.83 (includes shipping : £10.75).

Alternateline · 22 Oct 2014 at 14:42

So am I right in thinking if I get a small form factor mobo to match the 2500k and a case I can keep my GTX 560 ti? That would be cool.

Just wondering if anyone can spec me a case, mobo and cooler for around the 250 - £300 mark then?

snips86x · 22 Oct 2014 at 14:43

Alternateline said:
So am I right in thinking if I get a small form factor mobo to match the 2500k and a case I can keep my GTX 560 ti? That would be cool.

Just wondering if anyone can spec me a case, mobo and cooler for around the 250 - £300 mark then?

Yes but as above with these being older parts, they're hard to find.

Alternateline · 22 Oct 2014 at 14:45

snips86x said:
Yes but as above with these being older parts, they're hard to find.

Sorry, didn't see the post above! I'll look right into them.

Best and fastest forum for this type of stuff!