I stopped reading/participating in PC forums a couple of years ago, and I have no energy to get back into it. I figured many of you are knowledgeable and could throw together a list of parts for me.
I need:
-itx form factor
-smallest case possible that is not flashy
-speedy yet ability to undervolt (I enjoy getting highest clocks while undervolting as much as possible)
-QUIET!!!!!! It needs to be pretty much silent as I have problems with white noise. I currently use a seasonic PSU that the fan never runs unless I'm doing something intensive.
-very light gaming ability (TF2, Torchlight, etc)
-cheap
Thanks in advance for all advice, help, builds!
Here is my SFF gaming rig, optimized for silence in normal operation. (Components updated to Newegg prices as of 29-Jun-2014.)
SilverStone Sugo Series SG05BB-450-USB3.0 Case
$119.99
ASRock H61MV-ITX LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Mini ITX Intel Motherboard
49.99
Intel Core i5-3470 Ivy Bridge Quad-Core 3.2GHz (3.6GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W CPU
189.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 RAM
82.99
Noctua NH-L9i 95mm SSO2 CPU Cooler
47.99
Noctua NF-P12-1300 120mm Case Fan
25.99
Crucial MX100 CT256MX100SSD1 2.5" 256GB SATA III SSD
114.99
Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive
84.99
Total: $716.92
Configure 60GB of the SSD as Intel SRT disk cache OR just use the SSD for mass storage. The result is a tiny case you can have on your desk without any noise, and play
some games with the IGPU. Optional add-ons include a slim optical drive and if you want to really game, pretty much any GPU with a reasonable length.
Currently I have an MSI 7870 GHz Edition GPU, so that isn't quiet when gaming, but sitting here right now it is very quiet. The Noctuas are naturally silent.
Oh, I chose the Noctua NF-P12 to push through the tight passages of an ITX build. I have tried many fans in this case, and the Noctua was the quietest.
Also, since this isn't an overclocked build AND I have that AMD GPU, I did not personally bother with the Noctua CPU cooler. Mine has a stock i7 CPU cooler, which is fine for a stock-clock i5 gaming CPU. Especially since I never use a stock Intel CPU cooler on an i7, I keep them around when I have to cool a lesser Intel CPU.
In my experience, a Haswell processor won't help your gaming, and will increase heat and therefore noise. An Ivy Bridge
is needed to get XMP memory speeds. Also, the PSU that comes with the Silverstone case has short cables, which are huge helps in any ITX build.
Enjoy your options!
- Ron | samwisekoi
p.s. I also have a Logitech F710 wireless gamepad, currently $44.99 and a Roccat Savu mouse, currently $69.98.