Need advice on Mini-ITX build!

[xkm1948]

Hmm. It seems the graphic card prices these barely move. Guess I will take care of the 6850 then.

 

[Fourstaff]

Hmm. It seems the graphic card prices these barely move. Guess I will take care of the 6850 then.

They usually move heavily only when there is new tech, and that comes only once a year or so. Other than that its a few weeks for maybe 5% drop.

 

[xkm1948]

Is this one a good buy?

XFX HD-685X-ZNFR Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 ...

The review is not very good.

 

[CJCerny]

So what was the goal of this miniITX build? It doesn't seem like it turned out to be any smaller or cheaper than a microATX build would have been. In fact, it must have been more expensive. You could have easily stuffed a $60 H61 mobo in a $30 mATX case and ended up with something very similar size, noise, and performance wise. Not as classy, no, but identical performance. You never stated why you went miniITX in this build and I just thought I would ask.

 

[xkm1948]

OK. So I am gonna get either a 6870 or a 6850. The cheaper the better, any suggestions guys?

 

[xkm1948]

So what was the goal of this miniITX build? It doesn't seem like it turned out to be any smaller or cheaper than a microATX build would have been. In fact, it must have been more expensive. You could have easily stuffed a $60 H61 mobo in a $30 mATX case and ended up with something very similar size, noise, and performance wise. Not as classy, no, but identical performance. You never stated why you went miniITX in this build and I just thought I would ask.

Well, the PC is for my GF. And she loves that damn case! lol

So the case is fixed as a mini itx, I just have to choose the inside components then.

 

[Fourstaff]

6870 probably, its more bang for buck than the 6850 with the rebates, about the same without.

 

[xkm1948]

6870 probably, its more bang for buck than the 6850 with the rebates, about the same without.

Do u have a specific brand in mind? Any newegg link please. Thanks!

 

[Fourstaff]

Do u have a specific brand in mind? Any newegg link please. Thanks!

Go to Newegg, search, pick the cheapest one, done

Cheapest: SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR...
Also good: PowerColor AX6870 1GBD5-2DH Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256...

 

[xkm1948]

The sapphire one is not reference design I assume? Do the Reference Design ones have better quality?

 

[Fourstaff]

The sapphire one is not reference design I assume? Do the Reference Design ones have better quality?

Not necessarily, but probably generally. Only if you are planning to change the heatsink then it becomes a major problem. Other problems include lack of voltage control, limiting overclocking. I am no good in this area, you will have to wait for someone better to chime in.

 

[xkm1948]

Too bad the powercolor one isnt free shipping. Hmm.... Guess I need to search around a little more

 

[AlphaStormX]

Unless if you really want to use an AMD with an Intel processor for some special reason , I'd recommend an AMD processor, while Nvidia cards own more with Intel. The benchmarks prove it.

GTX 560 or 460 would be a good move for you. 560 Ti if its within your budget.

 

[xkm1948]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I just got a HIS 6870 reference design. Now the build is complete.

FYI. I have always been using ati with intel. I have never encountered any problems so far and hopefully this build will be problem free as well.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Unless if you really want to use an AMD with an Intel processor for some special reason , I'd recommend an AMD processor, while Nvidia cards own more with Intel. The benchmarks prove it.

GTX 560 or 460 would be a good move for you. 560 Ti if its within your budget.

I agree with the GTX460 and HD68xx suggestion from the above but I've not seen or heard of such a thing Please post links proving your theory. Congrats on the new card purchase xkm, they are nice.