Compact ~£1400 (~$2300) mostly gaming Rig

Hardware Hub Build a PC
1

Hi guys!

Today I have a list of parts for an upcoming rig I plan on making! I posted about my current rig about this time last year, but my parents have since separated so my plan is to have a Desktop in both locations. So here we go! Any suggestions/Y U NO PICK THIS PART would be much appreciated!

Sorry about the long post btw, I just want it to be set out nicely for you guys, even if it is huge.

Budget. How much are you willing to spend?

My current part list (at bottom of post) costs almost exactly £1400, or around $2300


Where do you live (what country),  and what currency do you use?

United Kingdom, and £/GBP/Stirling

 

-Is there a retailer you prefer?

 I have amazon Prime and amazon is by far the best if something goes wrong with anything (returns are super easy) so preferably there, but also overclockers.co.uk is good for me, had some very good experiences with them. Please do not suggest using dabs.co.uk, bought a couple of things from them that have broken and their customer service is the worst I have ever encountered.


Do you need or already have peripherals? (this can add to costs)

 Because it is a second rig I will be using my current peripherals for it, until I can afford a replacement set for my second home. Same with Monitors.


What will you be using your future computer for? Gaming? Rendering? Mix of both? Or is this a home media PC?

 Mostly gaming, with a touch of video editing, but nothing significant to be worth caring about.


Do you overclock or want to get into overclocking?

 I overclock on my current rig, but with this one I will probably by waiting till I see my temps before I overclock, but would like that possibility which is why I'm going for a K CPU.


Do you plan on going for custom watercooling now, or in the future?

In this case, no way. 


OS. Do you need a new one?

Yup, my primary OS is Ubuntu, but I unfortunately I have to use Windows much to my dismay due to weak game support for Linux at the moment.


What kind of settings do you like or what FPS do you want to play at?

 With a 780 there won't exactly be many games where fps on max settings should be too much of a problem.


What resolution will you be playing at? //or would like to play at.

1920x1080


What kind of games do you like to play?

The main game I play is Dota 2, but I also play any well reviewed more intensive game that I like the look of, for example Farcry 3, Borderlands 2 or Assassin's Creed IV.


What specific game will you be playing (if applicable)

Dota 2 mostly

I'm not using PCpartpicker, as when I tried to use it both my case and PSU were not listed, so instead have just composed an organised list of my parts, including prices in gpb and usd, and where I plan on purchasing each part.

Also, the few posts I've had on my LinusTechTips forum post have included people just copy+pasting complete builds that are in no way related to what I want, but I know these forums are far better so that won't happen here. ;-)

 

And the proposed part list! 


Case: Silverstone FT03-Mini - £97 ($158) @amazon.co.uk

CPU: Intel 4670K - £173 ($282) @amazon.co.uk

Motherboard: Asus Z87I-Pro - £132 ($215) @amazon.co.uk

Power Supply: Silverstone ST45SF-G - £90 ($147) @overclockers.co.uk

CPU Cooler: Corsair H75 - £65 ($106) @amazon.co.uk

GPU: EVGA GTX 780 - £420 ($685) @amazon.co.uk

RAM: Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 16GB (2x8GB) - £125 ($204) @amazon.co.uk - RAM is so expensive now. :<

SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 256GB - £120 ($196) @amazon.co.uk

HDD: Western Digital Black 1TB - £65 ($106) @amazon.co.uk

Replacement Fan: Noctua NF-A14 PWM - £20 ($33) @overclockers.co.uk

Optical Drive: LiteOn DL-8ATSH Slim - £20 ($33) @overclockers.co.uk

Operating System: Windows 8 - £72 ($118) @amazon.co.uk (yes, I like Windows 8 over Windows 7. Get over it) 


Total: almost exactly £1400 ($2282)

So I decided to go for a Mini-ITX, as though it is currently not an issue, in the near future I think that compactness would be something very useful to me. Also, I like the idea of having a small uniquely shaped rig, with my currently Desktop being a monster under the desk. Again, any suggestions would be very much welcomed, I look to be purchasing it tomorrow night. (around 24 hours from now)

 

Cheers!

-Accudio

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Thats a great build, I wouldn't change anything. This is a great build at this price point for what you want to use it for.

I would suggest  going with the silverstone ft03 fortress micro atx case instead for better expand-ability/upgrades down the line. The case's footprint is not much larger than the fortress mini and you can fit some larger parts in there, have ability to SLI later if you want as well as the use of a standard ATX power supply.

Edit: An option http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/2NzIV

Obviously you could pick and choose whatever parts from other retailers, this was just easy for a quick item list. Also add the £22 for the slim ODD and its about £1341.59. Would give you a bit of leeway to play with. The extra £60 could go towards upgrading the CPU to a 4770K instead.

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Looks nice, i like powerful mini builds. I just would change the Ram, cause 1600mhz with CL 10 is bad . . . i mean it's just bad. ;) go with this on -> G.Skill F3-1600C9D-16GAR (CL9 (standard for 1600mhz)).

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i made this: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/2NEoW

Asus Z87i-pro is a realy nice mobo for a good price it has a nice full vreg, i choosed fot 2x8 1866mhz CL9 G.skill sniper, Case is offcourse a bit personal i selected the bitfernix Phenom White.., i personaly like it.. You can also get it in black.. i choosed for a i5-4670K and a Corsair H80i clc cooler. Corsair RM650W fully modular psu, "could also go for the 550W route if you like".. about the GPU, i choosed for a Sapphire R9-290 Tri X edition, it cost 349 pounds, and it beats a 420 pounds GTX780, in allmost every game.

i think i saved alot of cash with my build, you could even concider a i7-4770K, in it.

Let me know what you think..

Grtz Angel ☺

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Thanks for the feedback! The idea of the FT03 Fortress micro-atx case definately looks tempting, the LTT forum suggested that 450W wouldn't be enough for my build, and there seem to be very few SFX PSUs with any certification over 500W, so using an ATX power supply would be very useful!

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See, this is why I like forums like Tek Syndicate! I would have no idea about that had you not told me! Thanks! <3

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Hmmm, even though I probably won't build the whole thing in that form, I'll definately have a look at some of the parts, it's always good to have tips on what better parts I can get!!! :D

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Thanks for the advice guys, I've put together a pcpartpicker list because other forums kept hassling me for it. :P

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/2NMIj

I've gone with the RAM Zombre suggested, and also other forums have suggested an i7 4770S, and this will only be if I decide to stick with the FT03-Mini (considering the larger FT03), as the max wattage SFX PSU I can find is 450W and sticking a K series CPU in there would be pretty tight on power. Seems like a good idea to me, any opinions on the S series? (Also, because it's a bit cheaper than the K series can stretch to an i7 rather than i5, so yay!)

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i still dont understand your choice for the GTX780, the R9-290 is the  better card. and also alot cheaper. unless you want nvidia´s shadow play..

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Firstly, cash is not a huge issue for me. I'm willing to pay the extra money to get exactly what I want. Some versions of the card are also a tad longer than 10 inches, making them incompatible with the case I want.

Considering the tight space I'm working with and the lack of much airflow what I've heard about the temps of the R9-290 would not really be ideal. Certainly on the LTT forums and some youtube videos I've watched have said that the R9 290 is a great card but it runs far hotter than the 780.

Also, because of the temperatures, I've also heard that the fan is also much louder then the 780 at the same performance, even though that isn't a huge issue for me.

Basically, I'm willing to pay the extra money for the card that is more suitable for my case and setup, however, this is just what I've heard, if I'm wrong please link me to an article or video or something that can prove it to me! :D

11

well i dont talk about the R9-290 reference model, i talk about the Sapphire Tri X  the king of the ring, it only run upto 70 degrees on full load, but indeed its not a small card, you have to look to the dimensions of the cards if it fits or not, but i would not go  for the case which only supports a SF psu in the first place. Because SF psu´s are hard to find silverstone has one 450W thats all ive ever seen about SF psu´s, not realy alot of headroom even for a GTX780.

So for the case if i was you i would realy think twice about it.. There are alot of nice tiny cases that do support large gpu´s and alsp normal atx2 psu´s. Like the coolermaster Elite 110 or so.

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Oh, sorry, should have mentioned this before. I didn't notice that the card you suggested in particular isn't a blower style card, required for this case, which is why I went for the EVGA 780 in particular.

And as for space, I've been looking at cases for best of 2 weeks before even thinking of a part, and though I looked at the Phemon, the 250D etc, I'm most definately set on this case. Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm basically adapting my whole build around the FT03-mini, and that GPU just doesn't fit in.

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yeah space is realy a factor, indeed, with the case you want.  the Tri X won´t fit in.

But the EVGA reference is also 10.5 inch

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Huh, where did you find this? From my research it seemed like it was 10 inches exactly, and would fit fine.

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F***, thanks for telling me, when I looked briefly all the reviews etc said that it was 10 inches long, you really saved my neck. :P

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Seeing as I now have the joy of realising that my GPU was too long for the Mini, I may be looking at the micro atx one after all. :P

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Ok, in the end decided to give up on that case despite that amazing looking build quality... :-(

So I changed a lot, and have got a build I'm really happy with, very well rounded in my opinion, and managed to squeeze a 4770k into my budget! xD

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/2O00m

The GPU is currently a placeholder, I haven't decided yet as the R9 290x (particularly the Sapphire Tri-X) in this system seems like a really good idea, but haven't really looked into it yet so will do that tomorrow. :D

Thanks for the suggestion @MisteryAngel!!!! <3

Also, thanks a lot @Phiros, I used a lot of your pcpartpicker list to compose this new one. :-)

Tell me what you guys think but I'm liking this at the moment. :-)

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No problemo, that's what we're here for:P

I'm surprised you didn't opt for the slightly larger but similar Fortress microatx case. That being said, the Node 304 is an amazing case.

I would avoid the 290x in a small form factor case because of heat problems, even with the after market coolers. 

I'd stick the MSI 780 in there (have to check if it'll fit, will confirm in a sec) if wanting the savings) http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n780tf3gd5oc

Or if your happy to go a little over your budget of 1400 (by 30) and can actually fit it in the case (will check...) I'd stick this 780ti in there: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn78toc3gd

Edit: Both should fit. Alternatly a bit dearer but I fell better, Asus 780ti http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx780tidc2oc3gd5

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Looks good.  Just some things to know about the Node 304 (I'm an owner :D)

Depending on the motherboard and GPU, the H90 will almost always be a tight fit, and may not fit at all.  It's a gamble when using the H90 and a dGPU, as they often touch each other.  People have reported to not being able to use the H90 at all since it pushed the GPU so much that no display came out of the GPU.  I think an H80i would be a better choice.

The power supply limitations of the Node 304 is 160mm max w/ a dGPU.  If you want modularity, you need shorter or better cable plug ins.  I highly recommend the Seasonic G550.  If you don't mind doing wiring, my own case has an XFX Core Edition PRO550w PSU.

Slightly edited: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/2O7EY

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about the gpu go with the Sapphire R9-290 Tri X , realy, i dont get why people keep talking about the heat production, this card in übermode on full load run´s arround 70 degrees, because of its fantastic Tri X cooling design, This is even cooler then most GTX780 non reference models!.

the card is also cheaper then a GTX780, and it just beats the 780 in allmost every game. i talk about this sweety ☺

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1227&pid=2091&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

The only thing to mention its a huge card 305mm long. (12 inch)