Small Form Factor Gaming Rig-Request Input

[cjb4]

This will be my 3rd build build but haven't kept up with the latest. I was inspired with the latest article in Max PC and duplicated many of the components of the different rigs. Would appreciate suggestions on all, but particularly the graphics card. This is what I selected at just under 2k.
Intel Core i7-2600K
ASUS P8P67-M PRO
ASUS Black Blu-ray Burner
ASUS GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) ENGTX580
SILVERSTONE Sugo SG01-BF Black Aluminum / Steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case
SILVERSTONE Strider Gold ST1000-G 1000W ATX 12V v2.3 Modular
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB x 2 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Seagate Barracuda XT 2TB 7200 RPM
Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2CCA 2.5" MLC SSD
Thanks in advance.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by cjb4 This will be my 3rd build build but haven't kept up with the latest. I was inspired with the latest article in Max PC and duplicated many of the components of the different rigs. Would appreciate suggestions on all, but particularly the graphics card. This is what I selected at just under 2k. Intel Core i7-2600K ASUS P8P67-M PRO ASUS Black Blu-ray Burner ASUS GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) ENGTX580 SILVERSTONE Sugo SG01-BF Black Aluminum / Steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case SILVERSTONE Strider Gold ST1000-G 1000W ATX 12V v2.3 Modular G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB x 2 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Seagate Barracuda XT 2TB 7200 RPM Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2CCA 2.5" MLC SSD Thanks in advance.

I would go with a MSI Z68MA-ED55 board. Z68 Chipset will rock that SSD

Replace the RipJaws with Corsair Vengeance 1.5V and I would bump up to 8GB. Be very careful when handling them, the heatsinks tend to fall apart but they are great memory.

Replace the Seagate with Western Digital Black 6Gbs

Replace the SSD with either a Intel 510 or OCZ Vertex 3. I prefer the Intel because I have had zero issues. OCZ Vertex 3 has impressive stats but I have yet to try.

Nice video card but will be a tight fit in that case, take your time and pay attention to cable management

Power supply is overkill, I would go with a SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold

[glc]

I would be very concerned about adequate cooling in that case with a GTX580. A modular PSU is mandatory in my opinion.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by glc I would be very concerned about adequate cooling in that case with a GTX580. A modular PSU is mandatory in my opinion.

yeah that is a tough call. The design is nice (open venting all around, 2- 80 mm fans) and there is a open spot for an additional 80mm fan that would sit right above the graphics card. I would definitely add the additional fan (if it fits) to displace hot air off of graphics card. I would be curious to know the temps if he uses that case because there is not a lot of small form factor gaming options. Actually, that maybe the only option for a card that size.

[birddog_61]

1x80mm 2x120mm
Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-V351A Silver Aluminum MicroATX Desktop Computer Case

Or

1x120 included plus room for 3x80mm 1x60mm
Aerocool Qx-2000 Compact Series Gaming Cube - Micro ATX - Black - FrozenCPU.com

I personally like the Lian Li the best.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by birddog_61 1x80mm 2x120mm Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-V351A Silver Aluminum MicroATX Desktop Computer Case Or 1x120 included plus room for 3x80mm 1x60mm Aerocool Qx-2000 Compact Series Gaming Cube - Micro ATX - Black - FrozenCPU.com I personally like the Lian Li the best.

I have used the Lian Li and I didn't think it would fit that card but it appears it will work. I prefer the Lian li as well.

[glc]

The card is 11.5 inches long.

[cjb4]

Thanks Jdeb,
A couple of questions.
What makes the MSI Z68MA-ED55 a better board?
Will the SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold handle this setup?
Also is the Intel 510 $150 better? TheOCZ Vertex 3 about $100 more with a few less GB
The other recommendations are obvious.
Thanks for you input.
The Lian case is a little bigger but not by much.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by cjb4 Thanks Jdeb, A couple of questions. What makes the MSI Z68MA-ED55 a better board? Will the SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold handle this setup? Also is the Intel 510 $150 better? TheOCZ Vertex 3 about $100 more with a few less GB The other recommendations are obvious. Thanks for you input. The Lian case is a little bigger but not by much.

The Z58 is the most current chipset for the Sandy Bridge. It offers better performance with SSD, and spin drive combo, plus advanced overclocking features if needed.

The Seasonic X650 is a high quality power supply and is more than capable of applying power to your configuration.

The Intel 510 matches the Z68 chipset's advanced Intel Smart Response Technology for I/O caching

[cjb4]

Ok, after all the advice here and some more research this is what I have settled on:

Intel Core i7-2600K 3.4GHz LGA 1155
GIGABYTE GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
ASUS Black Blu-ray Burner SATA BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS
ASUS GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) ENGTX580
SILVERSTONE Sugo SG01-BF Black Computer Case
SeaSonic X Series X-850 (SS-850KM Active PFC F3) 850W Power Supply
2 X CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Memory
Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" SATA 6.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive
Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2CCA 2.5" MLC Internal SSD
After rebates it is still under $2000.
Some questions.
Is this the right motherboard?
Any issues with the Crucial M4 SSD?
What about the GPU? Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

[jdeb]

I think that looks good. I ca not really comment on the Crucial SSD M4 because I stick with what I know works. I am a big fan of the Intel 510 but to each his own. The X650 will be fine for your rig if you want to trim a little money. GPU is a monster. Let us know your temps after you get it all together, that would be a big help to the board. I think you will be o.k. if you put an extra fan in the open space for one in the top.

[Preston]

Originally Posted by glc I would be very concerned about adequate cooling in that case with a GTX580. A modular PSU is mandatory in my opinion.

I too am interested how the cooling goes on that case. It certainly looks like Silverstone designed in some pretty good cooling for a SFF case. And it also looks like they put emphasis on the video card area.

Thread drift: This is the case that I plan on going with for a small form factor home server build, mainly because the cooling looked pretty good for a case of this size.

Post back with you results and opinions on this case if you don't mind.

[glc]

Buy the ram as a dual channel pair, not 2 single modules.