Build advice - FT03B MicroATX

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1

Hi Boys and Girls,

I am looking to build a PC. I need it to be in a small form factor for travel reasons. Having said that I also want it to be overkill as I have a beast laptop now, so I have to be able to spank it to make it worth while. Hence the SLI config in the proposed build. I had previously thought SLI in the case was impossible without taking out the bottom internal fan. However after seeing this video build it looks like a possibility although very tight if it can in fact fit at all.
I have also gone with a LGA2011 MB for upgradability down the road, should I get restless (you know how it isbiggrin.gif)

Case Silverstone FT03B MicroATX Mini Tower

CPU Intel Core i7-4820K 3.7GHz Quad-Core

CPU Cooler Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid

Motherboard Asus Rampage IV Gene Micro ATX LGA2011

Memory Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133

2 x Video Card SLI EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB





I'd love to hear you're feedback on this build and any suggestions you might have.
My main concern is if the bottom internal fan needs to come out I am really stuck with terrible airflow. So I guess my main questions are...


1) do you think both cards will fit keeping this bottom internal fan

if not..

2) if it needed to be taken out, best cooling solution.

 

Thanks in advance :D

2

I think you should consider another case with a bit better airflow and room, maybe one of the bitfenix M cases. I have no idea if it would work with your current build, though I am pretty sure that it's going to be very hot.

3

Thanks for you're reply. Yeh I've looked at the Bitfenix cases. Not sold on them though.

Thanks

4

So this is basically what you're going for...

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/37mb6

For cases, I'd also look at the Fractal Define Mini, but the Nanoxia was $20 cheaper, and very similar... (not that you seem to be concerned with price...

FYI, I have no Earthly idea if those cards will fit in the case... I know they will length wise... but the classified in particular is a really fat card... I can't find measurements anywhere and I'm at work so I can't measure mine at home... regardless... I'd buy a couple 120MM case fans as well... 

This looks like a gaming build, if you're not doing a significant amount of productivity... video editing, virtualization, rendering, etc... then I'd back off the i7 and socket 2011 as games don't use hyper-threading and the i5 does just as well...

Otherwise, you're looking at a $2,400 price tag... not that 780 Classifieds in SLI will be cheap anyways, but still... at some point you're just throwing money into a bucket for bragging rights. I'm 100% certain, no matter how beastly your laptop is, one 780 and an i5 will spank it in gaming... it might also be worth visiting the 780ti (though I don't have dimensions on that either)

Something beastly, but not just ridiculous, might look like this...

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/37naz

That'll smoke your laptop in gaming, I don't care what you have... does have room for SLI when you might need it in 5 years... and weighs in at like $800 cheaper...

Basic points:

- Revisit the case situation if you want SLI in a micro ATX case...

- What are you using it for? If its a gaming rig, you don't need to go anywhere near socket 2011, or and games don't use hyper-threading...

5

i have this case (probably do a build log on this case sometime this week) and I'm planning to move my rig from a Bitfenix Prodigy M to this cause i hate the way airflow is on that case. once you go crossfire or sli on the Bitfenix Prodigy M airflow gets restricted. also the fact that the case prefers SSDS more than standard Hard drives. now for the record that corner air fan on the bottom of the case on the FT03 can be removed and you can install 2 80 mm fans for more directional airflow. that way you can install your two gpus without any trouble and you can have intake fans there as well. However i believe most people who have this case constantly recommend blower style GPU's. which is the sacrifice. but i'm curious how much the temps will rise with a non-blower style.

6

Thanks for your replys.

@ DrunkenPanda - what you have said makes alot of sense however moving to SLI mATX is something that I'd need to do. As of now I have a SLI 780m in my laptop resulting in impressive benches of 16000p + in 3D mark 11. Which would in fact out strip a 780 and perhaps a stock TI. So moving to something with the same amount of power is pointless. Am I doing it for bragging rights...'no', for 1440p @ 60 FPS in modded games because I'm a dirty feind.. 'yes'.

I honestly appreciate your suggestions, but I'm more so concerned about whether or not I can fit and cool these cards.

@ Kat

Yes the 780 would definitely need to be blower. I would be trying to leave that bottom internal fan inside if possible so it still blows air onto the CPU (which would be water cooled).

Do you think you could have a look when you're home if you have time and see if another 780 would fit along side your existing 780 ?

Also curious, what are you GPU temps under load ?

 

Thanks again fellas

 

 

 

 

7

I don't have a 780. Right now my Rig is still currently in the Bitfenix Prodigy M. and my GPU right now is a ASUS R9-270x Direct CU II. (Probably upgrade to a 770 this week as well still debating if i should) however before i do change the GPUs i am going to check how the temps on my R9-270x act on the FT03 to see how hot the Card will get since airflow from the GPU is going stay in one place. i haven't had time to move the case to the FT03 cause school has been taking up my time. however like i mentioned the two gpus should Definitely fit if you remove that bottom 120mm intake fan and replace them for two 80mm fans.