Need advice on MicroATX gaming build

[MD1]

Hello everyone,

I need some advice on a micro atx build for gaming. I'm not looking for anything too hardcore ( doesn't have to be a crysis killer or a LAN monster LOL ) but good enough to play current games/mmo's and games coming down the pipeline in a year or so. This build will only be used for gaming and internet.

Here's some details:

$1,500 to $2,000 budget to spend
No time frame for purchase ( can wait for i7 )
Don't need a moniter as I will be using a 720p 37" HDTV
Don't need a high rez overclocked monster GPU or SLI/crossfire ( see above )
Onboard sound/WI-FI is acceptable...onboard graphics is not
Intel CPU only ( E8400 or better )
Moderate CPU/motherboard overclocking desired
Space saving case design and excellent cooling a must ( non-HTPC/media design only )


My main concerns is which case/motherboard/PSU to pick and which graphics card/CPU cooler will fit in the small space.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[WhiteLotus]

Quite a big budget to use for just the tower. I assume keyboard/ mouse not needed?

Also do you plan to upgrade further, ie a board that support quads?

 

[Fitseries3]

get a DFI lan party JR p45 board. you can run crossfire on it and it OCs really well too.
e84/e85/e86 in the E0 stepping would be best choice for a CPU
2x1gb or 2x2gb of gskill memory
make sure to get a good psu like a pc power and cooling 610
i'd go with dual 4850/4870 cards depending on your liking.

 

[MD1]

Quite a big budget to use for just the tower. I assume keyboard/ mouse not needed?

Also do you plan to upgrade further, ie a board that support quads?

Haven't really thought bout mouse/keyboard....any suggestions? BTW im not much into online FPS so I dont really need a uber dpi mouse but a keyboard for mmo's might not be too bad.

As far as quads...well im afraid of getting to much heat under the hood of a small micro case but im open to suggestions.

Yeah its a big budget, just wanted to make sure ive got enough dough to cover the addiction. LOL Of course im open to cheaper builds.

 

[NastyHabits]

I agree with Fit-3, the DFI lan Party JR is the most powerful mATX board I know of. However, I would not do cross-fire on a P-45 motherboard (unless you do two 4650's). You're better off spending your money on a 4870x2 or 4850x2 when they come out.

As for a case, a mATX board will leave you more room, so a mid-tower should give ample space for good air-flow. A good quality 600 watt P/S should be just fine.

 

[MD1]

I wonder, can you fit a 4870x2 in a NZXT rogue mATX case? I've been eyeballing one of those for a build. Looks like great airflow with all those fan mounts.

Of course SLI/crossefire wont do me much good with that 720p hdtv. ( 1366x768 rez )

 

[theonetruewill]

I know this is a bit out of date but maybe it might help.

 

[Fitseries3]

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1032960474&postcount=12

 

[PaulieG]

Another agreement with fit. From what I've seen, the p45 LP Jr may be about the best microATX board ever. I may be a little biased though, since I really like DFI boards.

 

[sneekypeet]

get a DFI lan party JR p45 board. you can run crossfire on it and it OCs really well too.
e84/e85/e86 in the E0 stepping would be best choice for a CPU
2x1gb or 2x2gb of gskill memory
make sure to get a good psu like a pc power and cooling 610
i'd go with dual 4850/4870 cards depending on your liking.

Another agreement with fit. From what I've seen, the p45 LP Jr may be about the best microATX board ever. I may be a little biased though, since I really like DFI boards.

Careful on that recommendation unless he is planning to OC with water fellas..... http://csd.dficlub.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8004

 

[Fitseries3]

nah... its all good.... http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=200605

 

[sneekypeet]

I saw the link ...no offense but who wants a 90mm cooler on a 45nm chip to OC it? The whole arrangement causes major mounting issues!

 

[MD1]

OK, thanks for the advice on the DFI....im sold LOL.

So, by the looks of it im gunna have to be careful bout the cpu cooler I choose for it.

 

[theonetruewill]

So, by the looks of it im gunna have to be careful bout the cpu cooler I choose for it.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article761-page1.html

 

[MD1]

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1032960474&postcount=12

Man!, I can't believe the amount of hardware packed in that case. Which case is that?

 

[panchoman]

for coolers, you want to get a horizontal cooler, like the blue orb or something like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233004

 

[MD1]

for coolers, you want to get a horizontal cooler, like the blue orb or something like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233004

K, thx for the advice.

 

[Fitseries3]

Man!, I can't believe the amount of hardware packed in that case. Which case is that?

Qmirca

i now own both of those 4870x2s.

 

[MD1]

Just one more question for you guys. If I get the DFI jr and go crossfire will the e8400 be enough to handle it ( perhaps overclocked? ) or will I need a quad. Also does the DFI jr handle quads?

Once again, thanks for all the help.

 

[PaulieG]

Just one more question for you guys. If I get the DFI jr and go crossfire will the e8400 be enough to handle it ( perhaps overclocked? ) or will I need a quad. Also does the DFI jr handle quads?

Once again, thanks for all the help.

A overclocked e8400 will pair nicely with this board and crossfire. Especially if it is overclocked. The board will handle a quad just fine. The p45 chipset has a reputation of getting a rather high fsb out of quads.

 

[Binge]

e8400s can hit 4 ghz but they do it uncomfortably. At least that's how it went down with my setup when I had an 8400. 8600 hits 4 ghz no problem.

 

[Fitseries3]

did you want the DFI JR?

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1353899&highlight=dfi

if you dont get it..... i will.

 

[sneekypeet]

did you want the DFI JR?

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1353899&highlight=dfi

if you dont get it..... i will.

how is that a deal they are 149 on newegg! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136055

Only difference is $9 shipping and the ability to send it to newegg for the first 30days vs a RMA if needed....oh yeah right and a valid reciept!

 

[Fitseries3]

make him an offer... you can save the shipping too.

 

[fishnchips]

why mirco atx? they dont let enough airflow in and around parts, and just tend to trap dust everywhere you can think of..