Mini ITX build suggestions

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1

Hey guys,

So this summer I thought it might be cool to upgrade my computer to something more powerful as I'm still on LGA 775 with a Q9650  quad core. I'll also be going to University in September so I'd like something small but still really powerful. I have my eye on the BitFenix Prodigy and I think it looks amazing! I was originally thinking of trying out AMD instead of Intel as I like the look of the AMD 8350 and its performance but I then found out there are no mini ITX AM3+ motherboards so I guess I'll be going with an Intel. 

At the moment which would be a good mini ITX motherboard to go with thats affordable but still has potential for a nice overclock? I was thinking of going with an Intel 3570K as my processor. 

Also, are Intel releasing a new cpu and different socket soon? Because If they are I'd go with that, becasue I dont want to have no upgrade options if I ever did want to upgrade in the future. I wont be building this for at least 4 or 5 months so would anything new have come out by then? 

2

The ASRock Z7E-ITX is a reasonably priced motherboard with alot of features with pretty nice overclocking potential.

3

Z77E-ITX *

4

Yeah that one looks good, Its around £120 which is perfect. 

5

So what about these new Intel cpu's and socket thats meant to be released sometime this year? By The time I get this in June or July is there chance the new generation will be out? 

6

why do you people get such a hardon for the bitfinix prodigy? its a HUGE  ASS CASE, for a small form factor which defeats the purpose of mini itx

7

I think it looks really nice though and I think I'd like a case to put on my desk rather than under it for a change. It also would be a lot more portable and lighter than my current mid tower which will come in handy come September. 

It is for the look mostly though, I'd prefer if it was able to fit Micro ATX motherboards aslo just for more expantion slots. Although on my current ATX motherboard im only using the PCI express expansion slot for my graphics card and a PCI slot for a wifi network card, which Mini ITX boards already have built in so I'd probably be grand with just the one PCI Express slot :)

8

I actually have a home for one, just can't use it till september

9

The thing with the BitFenix Prodigy is if it were any bigger it could be in the same class as a Micro ATX Mini Tower. There are many smaller cases in the same price range like the LianLi PC-Q08B and the Fractal Design Node 304. The Node 304 Is my personal favorite because you can put an NXZT Kraken X40 in the back.

10

A home for what now? A BitFenix Prodigy? Why can't you use it till September? 

11

Yeah the The Node 304 looks nice but I think I'd like to have a disk drive as well. If I do go with the BitFenix I'll probably get something like a Corsair H60 for the cpu. Currently I have a Corsair H50 cooling my Q9650 and I think they're really good.

12

actually there are a lot of smaller MATX cases than the prodigy

13

my point exactly, its just a hipster case

14

Could you give some examples? I did see a quite interesting looking Micro ATX case. The Thermaltake Armor A30, what do you think of that one? 

15

There is this though http://hardwarebbq.com/2013/02/bitfenix-working-larger-than-mini-itx-formfactor-version-prodigy-or-finally-already/

BitFenix may be planning on making a larger Prodigy that I'd say would fit micro ATX. Who knows, but by the time I get this in the summer we may know. 

16

getting grants organized and my classes start in september

 

17

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163174

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129186

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163192

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112378

are all good choices

 

although

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204039

is really unique

18

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163222&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

In comparison in size to the Prodigy..... No.... acctually this case is smaller length, width, and height wise and fits Micro ATX motherboards.

19

That last one looks really unique but I live in Ireland so I wouldnt be able to get something like that here. The Lian Li looks nice but its also quite expensive compared to the other cases. What do you think of this one? https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-132-TT&groupid=2362&catid=2278&subcat=

Also I have another question. How much do you think I could get for my current rig if I sell it? I'll be keeping the graphics card and hard drive for the next computer so these would be the parts for sale 

  • Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 @3.00Ghz
  • Asrock N7ad Sli Motherboard
  • 8Gb ddr2 Vdata ram @800mhz
  • Corsair H50 water cooler
  • Seventeam V-Force 850W Modular PSU
  • NZXT M59 case
20

probably not much, mabye $300

but that case looks decent, very well laid out, although some might not like it due to LEDs but that has no effect on performance and a lot of people do like them