my current build is an atx based system with an i3-2120 with stock cooling, a gtx 550ti, 8gb 1600hz ram, 550w psu and a xigmatek full atx case with only one fan. I am looking to get a mini-itx system when moving to college so it would be easier to move around. build I've come up with so far: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VXhpYJ.
I just want opinions on if the motherboard would be suitable for the build or if I should possibly spend a bit more money investing in a better one. I won't be buying all the parts at the same time and I might wait till early next year to buy the graphics card as getting a new graphics card isn't essential as I can still use the old one for the meantime and I feel my dual core cpu is really holding me back in most new games anyway.
Another idea would be to get a new graphics card and cpu cooler now and then buy the cpu, motherboard and case in two months time. I'm not experienced with itx builds so if an amd cpu and motherboard would be better in the build then let me know as well.
I also suggest getting a blower GPU, like this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/pny-video-card-vcggtx9602xpb The Prodigy's side panel (like many m-itx cases) comes up right next to the GPU, and a normal open air cooler will either get choked or will recycle hot air a lot. While there is venting on the side panel, it's not 100% adequate sometimes.
As for building it, get the parts all at once, unless something goes on an insane sale. Small builds are a pain in the ass to build, so you want to have all the parts in front of you as you plan it out and build it. There are lots of small things like how the run the cables, where to put things, and the general size of all the parts that has to be considered. Removing heat shields from the RAM, squeezing a cable into a tiny crack and getting annoyed with it a month later and redoing it is perfectly normal.
If gaming is the primary use case then drop the cpu down a few notches (4460 etc), mid range board then up the ante on the gpu. eg. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qVmMYJ Buy parts all at once or within a very short timeframe. Otherwise shit could be DOA and you dont know, prices change, tech changes, & you eat into warranty periods.