Need advice on Mini-ITX build!

xkm1948 · Aug 24, 2011, 08:18 PM

I am building a MiniITX for my GF. Here is what I am thinking right now

Case: LianLi PC-Q08A
CPU: i5-2500K
HeatSink: Scythe Shuriken Rev. B
Mobo: Asrock Z68M-ITX
Mem: Kingston HyperX 2x4gb ddr3-1600
PSU: Cosair CX500V2
HDD: WD Black 1TB
Optical: Lite-on DVD/RW

Now the question is graphic card. We need something that can be used in the MiniITX build and yet powerful enough to play dragon age(she's a rpg fan) What will guys suggest?

I have never built a MiniITX before so i am just using my previous experience. Thanks for any advice!

Oh, the budget is only up to 850.

Fourstaff · Aug 24, 2011, 08:28 PM

Anything which can get into the case should be fine. Try to fit a GTX590?

xkm1948 · Aug 24, 2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

Anything which can get into the case should be fine. Try to fit a GTX590?

GTX590? I havent been paying attention to the nvidia/ati game for a long time so I have no idea which card to choose,

Will a GTX 590 be too expensive. The total budget is only 850

PopcornMachine · Aug 24, 2011, 08:30 PM

If you want to stay under $200 on the GPU, I would suggest you look at AMD HD6850 or maybe a HD6870.

On the NVIDIA side, GTX 560 is a good option.

xkm1948 · Aug 24, 2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopcornMachine

If you want to stay under $200 on the GPU, I would suggest you look at AMD HD6850 or maybe a HD6870.

On the NVIDIA side, GTX 560 is a good option.

How much differences are there between a 6850 and a 6870?

PopcornMachine · Aug 24, 2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xkm1948

How much differences are there between a 6850 and a 6870?

I would get the 6870 if you can afford it. If not, look at the 560 first.

Check out which has good temps. Might be important in a small case.

Read some reviews to get a better feel of them. This site has a good review database.

JrRacinFan · Aug 24, 2011, 08:34 PM

I agreeHD6850 or Gtx 560 Ti, if needing to be cheap with this take a look around for a 2nd hand hd5770. Maybe another alternative could be HD 6790.

Fourstaff · Aug 24, 2011, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xkm1948

How much differences are there between a 6850 and a 6870?

6870 is about 15% faster I think. 6870 is a good choice, but GTX560Ti is also good. GTX560Ti>6870>GTX560>6850 in terms of strength.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/Mars_II/27.html

ERazer · Aug 24, 2011, 08:39 PM

with that case definitely pick a card that exhaust air in the back, i tried my asus 580gtx direct CU II and it gets really hot

xkm1948 · Aug 24, 2011, 08:41 PM

Hmm, 560ti is pretty expensive. Guess I will take the cheap route and get a 6850.

Found a 6850 with XFX brand that only goes for 129 after MIR. Good buy or not?

Also. Do you guys think the Scythe heatsink can be fit into the LianLi Case? I will do a little OC so that's why I am getting a aftermarket heatsink.

It seems quite impossible to find a z68 mini itx. Should I go with 2500K+Z68 or just 2500+H67? I dont think my GF needs to overclock, but its nice to know it can OC.

PopcornMachine · Aug 24, 2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xkm1948

Hmm, 560ti is pretty expensive. Guess I will take the cheap route and get a 6850.

Found a 6850 with XFX brand that only goes for 129 after MIR. Good buy or not?

I was referring to the GTX 560. (without ti)

Probably more in your range and still a good buy.

If not, 6850 will get the job done.

Edit: Also, what resolution will you be using?

xkm1948 · Aug 24, 2011, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopcornMachine

I was referring to the GTX 560. (without ti)

Probably more in your range and still a good buy.

If not, 6850 will get the job done.

Edit: Also, what resolution will you be using?

1680x1050

PopcornMachine · Aug 24, 2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xkm1948

1680x1050

Then 6850 is probably good enough.

Fitseries3 · Aug 24, 2011, 09:00 PM

any card except dual gpu cards will fit. i have the same case for my machine and i've had up to a 6970 in it without any problems.

xkm1948 · Aug 24, 2011, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitseries3

any card except dual gpu cards will fit. i have the same case for my machine and i've had up to a 6970 in it without any problems.

Good to know!

What do you think of the quality of that case? What type of heatsink are you using?

I am also concerned about the DVD drive. Since it is really hard to find a DVD drive with a silver bezel now. Do you have a pic of your case?

Jetster · Aug 24, 2011, 09:07 PM

HD6850 will be fine....The AMD cards run cooler anyway and use less power. Say then the 560ti

xkm1948 · Aug 24, 2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetster

HD6850 will be fine....The AMD cards run cooler anyway and use less power. Say then the 560ti

Thanks for the advice! 6850 is the final

Fitseries3 · Aug 24, 2011, 09:08 PM

im using the corsair h60.

xkm1948 · Aug 24, 2011, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitseries3

im using the corsair h60.

http://img.techpowerup.org/110824/Capture130.jpg

Do you have frontal pic?

Fitseries3 · Aug 24, 2011, 09:14 PM

xkm1948 · Aug 24, 2011, 09:19 PM

So you can use the DVD bezel functional with your DVD drive? I cant find a silver DVD drive. It is good to know it will be color matched, Thanks!

EarthDog · Aug 24, 2011, 09:20 PM

Hey xkm, sent you a PM.

Fitseries3 · Aug 24, 2011, 09:21 PM

works great yeah.

thats a 6850 in my pic. i've had several different cards in there though. 6990 doesnt work i know.

xkm1948 · Aug 24, 2011, 09:24 PM

Do u overclock your miniitx rig? If so any heat related problems? Any useful tips during installation?

Thanks a lot for your help Fitseries3.

Fitseries3 · Aug 24, 2011, 09:26 PM

im just using a 2400 chip but i have OCed it 350mhz without any issues. it runs extremely cool and for the most part, extremely silent. i dont imagine having any problems even with a 2600k running 5ghz.

Aug 24, 2011, 08:18 PM	#1
xkm1948 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: eugene Posts: 316 (0.17/day) Thanks: 15 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts System Specs	Need advice on Mini-ITX build! I am building a MiniITX for my GF. Here is what I am thinking right now Case: LianLi PC-Q08A CPU: i5-2500K HeatSink: Scythe Shuriken Rev. B Mobo: Asrock Z68M-ITX Mem: Kingston HyperX 2x4gb ddr3-1600 PSU: Cosair CX500V2 HDD: WD Black 1TB Optical: Lite-on DVD/RW Now the question is graphic card. We need something that can be used in the MiniITX build and yet powerful enough to play dragon age(she's a rpg fan) What will guys suggest? I have never built a MiniITX before so i am just using my previous experience. Thanks for any advice! Oh, the budget is only up to 850.

Processor:	QX9650@4GHz(333x12)
Motherboard:	ASUS Maxmium Formula
Cooling:	Noctua NH-C14
Memory:	GSKill 8GB DDR2-1000
Video Card:	Sappire 5870@900 core/5GHz mem
Hard Disk:	Seagate 7200.11 500GB; WD Black 1.5TB
Optical Drive:	Pioneer 20X
CRT/LCD Model:	SAMSUNG 226BW
Case:	TT Armor
PSU:	Antec TP3-550
Benchmarks:	3DMark Vantage Performance: 18638 3DMark 11 Performance: 4683

System Name:	Asus K50-X5DAB
Processor:	Athlon QL-65 2.2Ghz
Memory:	1x1GB + 1X2GB
Video Card:	Mobility Radeon HD4570 512mb
Hard Disk:	Samsung 840 250Gb
CRT/LCD Model:	15.6" 1366x768

Processor:	QX9650@4GHz(333x12)
Motherboard:	ASUS Maxmium Formula
Cooling:	Noctua NH-C14
Memory:	GSKill 8GB DDR2-1000
Video Card:	Sappire 5870@900 core/5GHz mem
Hard Disk:	Seagate 7200.11 500GB; WD Black 1.5TB
Optical Drive:	Pioneer 20X
CRT/LCD Model:	SAMSUNG 226BW
Case:	TT Armor
PSU:	Antec TP3-550
Benchmarks:	3DMark Vantage Performance: 18638 3DMark 11 Performance: 4683

System Name:	Green-Blooded Vulcan
Processor:	I5 2500K @ 4.6 GHz
Motherboard:	Asus Maximus Gene-Z
Cooling:	XSPC Rasa 750 RS240 Kit & EK 6970 Water Block
Memory:	G.Skill 8GB DDR3 1600
Video Card:	Sapphire HD 6950 (900/1400)
Hard Disk:	Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Case:	NZXT Vulcan
Sound Card:	On Board
PSU:	CORSAIR 650HX
Software:	Win 7 64-bit

Aug 24, 2011, 08:28 PM	#2
Fourstaff TPU Janitor Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Science Museum, Londinium Posts: 5,979 (4.70/day) Thanks: 261 Thanked 1,464 Times in 1,211 Posts System Specs	Anything which can get into the case should be fine. Try to fit a GTX590?

Aug 24, 2011, 08:30 PM	#4
PopcornMachine Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Los Angeles/Orange County CA Posts: 1,125 (0.82/day) Thanks: 1,991 Thanked 372 Times in 302 Posts System Specs	If you want to stay under $200 on the GPU, I would suggest you look at AMD HD6850 or maybe a HD6870. On the NVIDIA side, GTX 560 is a good option.

Aug 24, 2011, 08:34 PM	#7
JrRacinFan Served 5k and counting ... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 16,121 (7.13/day) Thanks: 4,149 Thanked 4,552 Times in 4,027 Posts System Specs	I agreeHD6850 or Gtx 560 Ti, if needing to be cheap with this take a look around for a 2nd hand hd5770. Maybe another alternative could be HD 6790. __________________ Graphics Artists United™ Request Thread Low Cache CPU Club Solaris Utility DVD 3.0 DanishDevil's Logitech Soundroom TPU Video Gallery Sciencemark Revisited

System Name:	Mine; Hers; Our HTPC; NAS Box
Processor:	i7 2600k : i3 2120 : Celeron G440 : P4 2.6Ghz Nwood
Motherboard:	Asrock Z68 Extreme4 : Asus P8P67 Pro : Asrock H61M/U3S3 : Dell
Cooling:	CM 212+ w/ scythe jyuni : Stock : Stock :Stock
Memory:	2x4GB Ripjawx 1866 cl9 : 2x2GB Corsair 1600 cl9 : 2x2GB Ridgebacks 1066 cl5 : 768MB PC3200
Video Card:	Palit GTX560Ti 2Gb : XFX HD5770 : Integrated : Integrated
Hard Disk:	2x 750GB Raid 0 + Maxtor 500GB : WD Black 1TB+Corsair Nova 2 64GB : Toshiba 750GB : Leftover ATA133
Optical Drive:	Lite-On DVD-RW : Samsung DVD-RW : None : None
CRT/LCD Model:	AOC 21" : AOC 20" : Philips 42" HDTV : Headless
Case:	Rocketfish : CM HAF 912 : Bgears Cube Style case : Dell
Sound Card:	X-Fi Xtremegamer : Onboard : Onboard : Onboard
PSU:	Tt 750W Modular : Antec 500W Earthwatts : Corsair CX430 : Dell's OEM

Aug 24, 2011, 08:39 PM	#9
ERazer Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 1,421 (1.07/day) Thanks: 334 Thanked 500 Times in 337 Posts System Specs	with that case definitely pick a card that exhaust air in the back, i tried my asus 580gtx direct CU II and it gets really hot __________________ Gaming Rig: i7 2600k \| ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z Intel Z68 \| 8gb Corsair Dominator GT \| ASUS ENGTX580 DCII \| Intel 510 series 120gb \| Corsair 650d Daily Rig: i7 860 \| GA-P55A-UD6 \| 8gb Corsair Dominator III \| HD5770 \| x2 250gb WD RE4 Raid0 \| Haf932 Modded *Server: i3 540 \| GA-H55N-USB3 \| 4gb Corsair XMS DDR3 \| x4 500gb WD Blue \| lian li pc-q08b \| My HeatWare \| My For Sale \| SteamID \|

System Name:	Resurrection
Processor:	i7 2600k 4.6ghz
Motherboard:	ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z Intel Z68
Cooling:	EK Supreme HF, EK Bay Spin Reservoir, Bitspower Compression Fittings, MCP 350, Fesser Tubing
Memory:	8 gig Corsair Dominator GT III 1866 (CAS 9)
Video Card:	asus 580 direct cu II
Hard Disk:	Intel 510 series 120gb
Optical Drive:	Steam FTW!!! who needs Cd's
CRT/LCD Model:	ViewSonic 24 LCD HD VX2439wm
Case:	650D
Sound Card:	on board X-Fi
PSU:	Corsair Memory AX850
Software:	Window 7 x64 Pro
Benchmarks:	X Armor u9bl Mechanical Keyboard "Cherry MX Brown" and SteelSeries Ikari Gaming Mouse

Aug 24, 2011, 08:41 PM	#10
xkm1948 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: eugene Posts: 316 (0.17/day) Thanks: 15 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts System Specs	Hmm, 560ti is pretty expensive. Guess I will take the cheap route and get a 6850. Found a 6850 with XFX brand that only goes for 129 after MIR. Good buy or not? Also. Do you guys think the Scythe heatsink can be fit into the LianLi Case? I will do a little OC so that's why I am getting a aftermarket heatsink. It seems quite impossible to find a z68 mini itx. Should I go with 2500K+Z68 or just 2500+H67? I dont think my GF needs to overclock, but its nice to know it can OC.

Aug 24, 2011, 09:00 PM	#14
Fitseries3 Eleet Hardware Junkie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 14,993 (7.29/day) Thanks: 4,318 Thanked 3,285 Times in 2,186 Posts System Specs	any card except dual gpu cards will fit. i have the same case for my machine and i've had up to a 6970 in it without any problems.

System Name:	Craigslist-nickle-and-dime
Processor:	i5 655k
Motherboard:	Gigabyte H55M-UD2H
Cooling:	poop
Memory:	3x2gb OCZ Platinum 1600mhz
Video Card:	Asus 6950 2gb DCII
Hard Disk:	WD 640GB,1TB Black
Optical Drive:	Samsung 22x DL DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	Sammy 55in LED TV
Software:	WIN 7 x64

Aug 24, 2011, 09:07 PM	#16
Jetster Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,880 (2.35/day) Thanks: 941 Thanked 866 Times in 633 Posts System Specs	HD6850 will be fine....The AMD cards run cooler anyway and use less power. Say then the 560ti

System Name:	Delta // HTPC
Processor:	Intel i7 3770K // Intel i3 550 3.2Ghz
Motherboard:	ASRock Z77 Extreme6 // Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2H Socket 1156
Cooling:	Corsair H100 // SILVERSTONE NT07-1156 90mm
Memory:	Corsair Vengeance 1866 16gb //Corsair DDR3 1600 4 Gb
Video Card:	HIS 7950 3 Gb //Sapphire 6670 1 Gb
Hard Disk:	Samsung 840 250 SSD, WD Caviar Blue 500// Corsair M4 64 Gb Solid State, SAMSUNG F4 2 Tb, WD 1 Tb
Optical Drive:	LG DVDR 24X // Lite on DVDR 24X
CRT/LCD Model:	HP 23xi IPS 1080p" // 50" Samsung Plasma 720p
Case:	Corsair Obsidian Series 550D // Silverstone Granada GD05
Sound Card:	ASUS Xonar DS // HDMI Bit Stream to Yamaha RX V571
PSU:	Seagate M12II 750 // Corsair CX 430
Software:	Windows 7 64bit // Windows 7 64bit with XBMC Eden
Benchmarks:	I scored P9327 in 3DMark 11

Aug 24, 2011, 09:08 PM	#18
Fitseries3 Eleet Hardware Junkie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 14,993 (7.29/day) Thanks: 4,318 Thanked 3,285 Times in 2,186 Posts System Specs	im using the corsair h60.

Aug 24, 2011, 09:14 PM	#20
Fitseries3 Eleet Hardware Junkie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 14,993 (7.29/day) Thanks: 4,318 Thanked 3,285 Times in 2,186 Posts System Specs

Aug 24, 2011, 09:19 PM	#21
xkm1948 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: eugene Posts: 316 (0.17/day) Thanks: 15 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts System Specs	So you can use the DVD bezel functional with your DVD drive? I cant find a silver DVD drive. It is good to know it will be color matched, Thanks!

Aug 24, 2011, 09:20 PM	#22
EarthDog Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 2,052 (1.65/day) Thanks: 246 Thanked 349 Times in 303 Posts System Specs	Hey xkm, sent you a PM.

System Name:	People really name their PC? Oye...
Processor:	3570K / 3770K
Motherboard:	Giga Z77X UD5H / Asrock OC Formula
Cooling:	Tt Water 2.0 Extr/ MCW320 + PA120.2 + Apogee XT
Memory:	16GB DDR3 1600Mhz / 8GB DDR3 2666 CL11
Video Card:	ECGA GTX 690 / HIS 7970 X
Hard Disk:	256GB OCZ Vector, 640GB Caviar Black / 60GB Vertex 3
Optical Drive:	DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	Yamakasi 27" 2560x1440 / Acer 23" 1920x1080
Case:	HAF XB / Benching station
PSU:	Seasonic X560 / X1000P

Aug 24, 2011, 09:21 PM	#23
Fitseries3 Eleet Hardware Junkie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 14,993 (7.29/day) Thanks: 4,318 Thanked 3,285 Times in 2,186 Posts System Specs	works great yeah. thats a 6850 in my pic. i've had several different cards in there though. 6990 doesnt work i know.

Aug 24, 2011, 09:24 PM	#24
xkm1948 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: eugene Posts: 316 (0.17/day) Thanks: 15 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts System Specs	Do u overclock your miniitx rig? If so any heat related problems? Any useful tips during installation? Thanks a lot for your help Fitseries3.

Aug 24, 2011, 09:26 PM	#25
Fitseries3 Eleet Hardware Junkie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 14,993 (7.29/day) Thanks: 4,318 Thanked 3,285 Times in 2,186 Posts System Specs	im just using a 2400 chip but i have OCed it 350mhz without any issues. it runs extremely cool and for the most part, extremely silent. i dont imagine having any problems even with a 2600k running 5ghz.

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