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! :thumb:
This build fits most of your requirements...
mobo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157494)
memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226027)
ssd (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147248&ignorebbr=1)
psu (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151117)
case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353029)
it is cheap, and built based on silence rather than powerful... though it should still have enough power to do typical browsing, multimedia, office tasks and light gaming on medium setting.
how about the NUCs? They're even smaller than iTX builds.
Intel, Gigabyte, Zotac and few others make them.
The additional hardware you need to add is just RAM, HDD/SSD, and/or a WIFI card.
Here's an example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164011
-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.
My alim is a "Be Quiet!": it's very quiet indeed.
So I'd suggest something like what blackbox suggested but I'd replace the Core i5 4690K / max 88 W TDP with a Core i5 4690s / max 65 W TDP... Then you'll probably not even need to underclock it nor use fancy cooling.
I would go for a Noctua cooler. Be Quiet is also great, but Noctua fans are just so much better. Although, I don't know how a Dark Rock with Noctua fans would perform if you want to go that extra mile.
It is crazy how the itx market has expanded since I last built a PC. So many options rather than just 2 boards and like 3 cases a few years ago.
I am so torn between building a little powerhouse rig like blackbox made (minus the case as I can't stand windowed cases) or a truly minimalist one like Ivan posted (so inexpensive and still fun to build).
Water cooling is too noisy for me. Been down that road with many setups, from custom loops to AIOs.
Have you considered using fan splitter cable? I use a 2 way pwm splitter so I can run both my rad fans off the cpu fan header so they are both controlled the same. I also use one in my itx server build as it also only has 2 fan headers one for cpu and one for case for both the case fans on my PCQ08. As long as you mind the wattage being pulled they work great.
Have you considered using fan splitter cable? I use a 2 way pwm splitter so I can run both my rad fans off the cpu fan header so they are both controlled the same. I also use one in my itx server build as it also only has 2 fan headers one for cpu and one for case for both the case fans on my PCQ08. As long as you mind the wattage being pulled they work great.
I actually have 2 itx servers. My main one is a Zotac H67 with Pentium G620 and 8GB memory. The board has 6x sata ports all of which are populated with 3x 2TB and 3x 4TB with each of those groups in a parity refs pool. Then I have a pci-e msata card with a mushkin atlas for the OS drive all in a Lian Li PCQ08 with an Antec basic 500w PSU. Then I have the other one, which is a partial back up server currently as I only have single 2TB disk in there for storage along with ancient intel 80gb SSD for the OS... which is a prebuilt thing, an Iocell netdisk 400t, that I got new dead stock for like $20 off ebay. It's case is really nice with a solid aluminum 1 piece rectangle and 4 hotswap bays and integrated 150w PSU board. It's very small, but it only has a Core2 E4500 with 4GB DDR2. Though really it's fine for it's purposes. The biggest con is the motherboard has a bios bug which makes it hang on post if you have any disks in gpt which ruins it's ability to use storage spaces which I find somewhat annoying. I've been considering replacing the board for one of the newer Atom 8core ITX server boards.
Some context before I post this: I'm 28 years old and like some of the other nerds on here, I've been building my own computers, as well as part of my business, for over 15 years. I've gone through the super budget overclockers, gigantic cases with a ton of drives and fans, servers, etc...
In my most recent build, I decided to go for something relatively small, cheap, quiet and capable; no fuss. While I don't keep up with all the latest games as I used to, I still wanted something to could do the job if I wanted to, as well as take care of all my Photoshop, media center and other tasks with ease. As I read this thread, it's actually quite similar to trynds.
Note these prices are in Canadian as of when I bought them (February...not sure what they are now).
BitFenix Prodigy - $90
MSI H81I - $80
i5-4670 - $240
G.SKILL Ripjaws 8GB 1600 - $86
Samsung 840 EV0 240GB - $200
EVGA 760 FTW 4GB - $284
Silverstone SS-ST45SF 450W - $80
Total with tax = $1197
Now you never mentioned your actual budget, so you can easily save money with a cheaper motherboard, an 120GB SSD, and a lower graphics card; and since you talk about undervolting, you'd be moving to the 4670k if interested in that tier of performance.
This thing is basically silent. The only time you can sort of hear something (assuming you're not using headphones or don't have sound a decent level through speakers), is when you're pushing it with a certain game and the graphics card fan is going hard. I also had two hard drives that I migrated into this system as well. Full build and pic
It acts as my regular computer with two monitors and a TV hooked up to it (https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10457730_10152419075573463_3308824723306255138_o.jpg), as well as a media center for XBMC on my Nexus 7 and other computers on the network.
Some context before I post this: I'm 28 years old and like some of the other nerds on here, I've been building my own computers, as well as part of my business, for over 15 years. I've gone through the super budget overclockers, gigantic cases with a ton of drives and fans, servers, etc...
In my most recent build, I decided to go for something relatively small, cheap, quiet and capable; no fuss. While I don't keep up with all the latest games as I used to, I still wanted something to could do the job if I wanted to, as well as take care of all my Photoshop, media center and other tasks with ease. As I read this thread, it's actually quite similar to trynds.
Note these prices are in Canadian as of when I bought them (February...not sure what they are now).
BitFenix Prodigy - $90
MSI H81I - $80
i5-4670 - $240
G.SKILL Ripjaws 8GB 1600 - $86
Samsung 840 EV0 240GB - $200
EVGA 760 FTW 4GB - $284
Silverstone SS-ST45SF 450W - $80
Total with tax = $1197
Now you never mentioned your actual budget, so you can easily save money with a cheaper motherboard, an 120GB SSD, and a lower graphics card; and since you talk about undervolting, you'd be moving to the 4670k if interested in that tier of performance.
This thing is basically silent. The only time you can sort of hear something (assuming you're not using headphones or don't have sound a decent level through speakers), is when you're pushing it with a certain game and the graphics card fan is going hard. I also had two hard drives that I migrated into this system as well. Full build and pic
It acts as my regular computer with two monitors and a TV hooked up to it (https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10457730_10152419075573463_3308824723306255138_o.jpg), as well as a media center for XBMC on my Nexus 7 and other computers on the network.
Looks like a a nice build, which cpu cooler do you use? I had very good experience with noctuas.
This is ridiculous...
for $1200..
no 4670k, no z87 / z97 ?
those 2 parts nearly double CPU performance.. and relative to the whole build, only increases the cost by 10% at most..
the 240 evos are $100 in the usa.. so if we look at that alone, you can price in the 4670k and z97
$80 PSU, they often sell 600watt seasonic builds for $50..
$85 gskills 1600, just last week i got $75 2400mhz kingston
And I actually like that Silverstone case linked above. I'd just be concerned about how loud the sfx PSU gets.
http://www.coolermaster.com/case/mini-itx-elite-series/elite110/
http://www.anandtech.com/show/8193/silverstone-nightjar-nj520-power-supply-review - if you're good with cable management
gtx 750 or 760 if you need more power
alternatively, wait from the ASUS STRIX lineup to come out
SSD - w/e you want, not relevant to compactness or silence
ram - w/e you want, not relevant to compactness or silence
CPU cooler - any 120/140mm AIO
fans - f12 (kinda loud still, but it's a pretty good balance)
NOTE:
that SS PSU could be used for wind tunnel sound effects and completely fails to meet any non-compromise standard on SPCR.
source: I have it
that said, if you DON'T need to be SPCR quiet, then it's okay, but there are noticably quieter options out there.
you're still getting airflow from the radiator fan.
it doesn't need cold air, it needs air movement. it can take care of itself, but it will do nothing to help other components. eg, it will NOT generate any airflow that a fanless GPU would need.
especially consider this case, this is an air vent RIGHT above the PSU.
If fanless is a dream, a gpu/psu that has a fan that only turns on when its needed is an good option IMO.
If fanless is a dream, a gpu/psu that has a fan that only turns on when its needed is an good option IMO.
then it's not really fanless..
If I need fans AT ALL.. I might as well stick with low rpm..
If fanless is a dream, a gpu/psu that has a fan that only turns on when its needed is an good option IMO.
then it's not really fanless..
If I need fans AT ALL.. I might as well stick with low rpm..
I see, the point i was trying to make was that the fans would not spin under regular load and therefore be as silent as a fanless. But low rpm works too ofc. :)
If fanless is a dream, a gpu/psu that has a fan that only turns on when its needed is an good option IMO.
then it's not really fanless..
If I need fans AT ALL.. I might as well stick with low rpm..
I see, the point i was trying to make was that the fans would not spin under regular load and therefore be as silent as a fanless. But low rpm works too ofc. :)
And then all of a sudden, it sounds like as if it was tp4 who was looking for itx.
As mentioned Noctua has some low profile coolers that works on new sockets like the NH-L(XX) 9a/91/12.
As mentioned Noctua has some low profile coolers that works on new sockets like the NH-L(XX) 9a/91/12.
Low profile cpu coolers are bad for the same reason why Graphics card coolers generally suck.
because they have the fan blowing hot air ONTO the board itself..
The board then insulates and absorbs heat.. making the whole thing hot..
This is the reason tower coolers came into popularity because it pulls heat AWAY from the system..
I also have a tower cooler mounted on a 7870myst downstairs.. it is by far the coolest running card in the house relative to power use. and it can handle up to 70% load @ 600rpm, which is whisper silent.
Honestly, my GPU never made much sound. I'm using x2 24' monitor, and a 27' main monitor. 1 of the 24' monitor always has a movie/drama on, and the other one has browsers and skype/chats/spotify. the 27' always has dota 2 on, and then i play bf4/other games while dota 2 is on. Never had any lag or loud noise from the GPU.
A few months ago, I built this: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/mtnbkyer/saved/PD4NnQ (http://pcpartpicker.com/user/mtnbkyer/saved/PD4NnQ)
Here are some pics:Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/p42BU4u.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/rt2jQXh.jpg)
My favourite computer to date. It packs a punch with an I5 and gtx 770 and I love this case. The evga Hadron Air is small, but it fits everything i need and looks amazing. Sorry for the bad quality photos.. Let me know if you have any questions about building itx or anything.
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! :thumb:
A few months ago, I built this: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/mtnbkyer/saved/PD4NnQ (http://pcpartpicker.com/user/mtnbkyer/saved/PD4NnQ)
Here are some pics:Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/p42BU4u.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/rt2jQXh.jpg)
My favourite computer to date. It packs a punch with an I5 and gtx 770 and I love this case. The evga Hadron Air is small, but it fits everything i need and looks amazing. Sorry for the bad quality photos.. Let me know if you have any questions about building itx or anything.
I really like the slim profile psu..
whussup with people n0 get OverclockShow Image(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/hehe-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862507)
40% increase in cpu ipc performance is pretty seriously up there
delidding is free
and the haswell and ivy chips can do 4.8 on 212+ 212evo which cost between free to $20 on sale.
As someone who builds computers for clients as a hobby, some of the things in this thread just make me shudder.
Anyways, some builds.
My current build:
i7-4770 (new)
Gigabyte H81 (new)
Gigabyte Windforce R9 280x (used)
16gb Ballistix Tactical Low Profile (1.35v, 1600MHz 9cas) (used)
256gb Samsung 840 Evo SSD (new)
650W EVGA Gold modular PSU (new)
Total cost: $700 about a month ago
No OC because it really doesn't increase actual speeds that much. I could've gotten a 290x for $125 more, but I wouldn't have used its power. 8gb ram is enough for 95% of the gaming population, but I multibox eve and do lots of programming VMs etc so I actually use it.
I'm about to mount this on the wall above my desk as soon as the riser cables come in, special 10 inch one with an extender. Used to be in a Corsair 300R. The stock cooler performs fine but I'm considering shelling out a bit for a nicer top down like the Noctua NH-L12.
My current staple build for clients:
i5-4670 (4770 for $100 more)
Gigabyte H81
Reference R9 290x (like-new, not mined)
8gb standard 1.5v 1600MHz 9 cas ram (+8gb for $70 more)
120gb SSD
1tb harddrive
650-750W bronze modular PSU
Case of choice
Total cost to client: $1000
Light gaming build
Pentium G3258
Gigabyte H81
AMD 7850 (7870 or 7950 sometimes put in for a bit more)
4gb standard ram
60gb SSD
500gb harddrive
450W bronze PSU
Random case (I usually let them provide one and give a discount)
Total cost to client: $500
You should graph your ram usage history. There are very few cases where you'll ever break 3gb usage unless you're super lazy about closing unneeded programs. It's certainly not a bottleneck while gaming. And really, it's a $400 build + $100 labor, another 4gb ram is 10% of build cost.
You should graph your ram usage history. There are very few cases where you'll ever break 3gb usage unless you're super lazy about closing unneeded programs. It's certainly not a bottleneck while gaming. And really, it's a $400 build + $100 labor, another 4gb ram is 10% of build cost.
arma3,dayz, wolfenstein.
If you’re already rocking an 8 series board, there isn’t a major impetus for you to make the jump to the new chipsets. We’ll be doing testing in the future to see if Z97 offers superior overclocking potential, but unless you have your heart set on M.2 or SATA Express, or you’re planning on investing in Devil’s Canyon or Broadwell, you’ll probably be fine sticking with Z87.
There's something else going on there. SLI can be quite stupid with how it does things, and it does very different things in different games. And when you break 120fps, even 60fps you really have just random stuff going on - things will artificially bottleneck themselves when they're putting out more frames than you can ever use.
G3258_______________________________ $60
Z97 MSI pc mate openbox + 2 years warranty, $40 + $5
Kingston 2400mhz 8GB __________________ $75
Corsair CX450 __________________________$15
Zalman Optima 120mm cooler _____________$15
Antec P280 ____________________________$40
Crucial 240gb ssd _______________________$110
ATI radeon 4870 ________________________$50
2 TB Samsung Spinpoint __________________$60
$470.. 4.6ghz..@ 1.29v 4.8ghz @ 1.4
This is by far the most economical build I've ever had, The g3258 is a miracle
4 rebates,
gpu, ssd, harddrive, psu were all recycled from old pc.
Eh, I think we've both said our bit :)G3258_______________________________ $60
Z97 MSI pc mate openbox + 2 years warranty, $40 + $5
Kingston 2400mhz 8GB __________________ $75
Corsair CX450 __________________________$15
Zalman Optima 120mm cooler _____________$15
Antec P280 ____________________________$40
Crucial 240gb ssd _______________________$110
ATI radeon 4870 ________________________$50
2 TB Samsung Spinpoint __________________$60
$470.. 4.6ghz..@ 1.29v 4.8ghz @ 1.4
This is by far the most economical build I've ever had, The g3258 is a miracle
4 rebates,
gpu, ssd, harddrive, psu were all recycled from old pc.
Nice! Is that CPU + mobo the $100 microcenter bundle? That ram is sliiightly overkill I must say. You might also want to look at getting a 7870 or 7950 now, they're super cheap and can run most games at med-high 1080p.
Eh, I think we've both said our bit :)G3258_______________________________ $60
Z97 MSI pc mate openbox + 2 years warranty, $40 + $5
Kingston 2400mhz 8GB __________________ $75
Corsair CX450 __________________________$15
Zalman Optima 120mm cooler _____________$15
Antec P280 ____________________________$40
Crucial 240gb ssd _______________________$110
ATI radeon 4870 ________________________$50
2 TB Samsung Spinpoint __________________$60
$470.. 4.6ghz..@ 1.29v 4.8ghz @ 1.4
This is by far the most economical build I've ever had, The g3258 is a miracle
4 rebates,
gpu, ssd, harddrive, psu were all recycled from old pc.
Nice! Is that CPU + mobo the $100 microcenter bundle? That ram is sliiightly overkill I must say. You might also want to look at getting a 7870 or 7950 now, they're super cheap and can run most games at med-high 1080p.
The ram, I couldn't find any deals on cheaper ram.. I found a 1600mhz 4gb stick with a $40 rebate... for $20 a piece final price.. I'm like.. Fffff... Might as well get the Kingston
My dad plays Internet explorer 11, Firefox, and microsoft outlook @ 1080pShow Image(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed3-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)
Eh, I think we've both said our bit :)G3258_______________________________ $60
Z97 MSI pc mate openbox + 2 years warranty, $40 + $5
Kingston 2400mhz 8GB __________________ $75
Corsair CX450 __________________________$15
Zalman Optima 120mm cooler _____________$15
Antec P280 ____________________________$40
Crucial 240gb ssd _______________________$110
ATI radeon 4870 ________________________$50
2 TB Samsung Spinpoint __________________$60
$470.. 4.6ghz..@ 1.29v 4.8ghz @ 1.4
This is by far the most economical build I've ever had, The g3258 is a miracle
4 rebates,
gpu, ssd, harddrive, psu were all recycled from old pc.
Nice! Is that CPU + mobo the $100 microcenter bundle? That ram is sliiightly overkill I must say. You might also want to look at getting a 7870 or 7950 now, they're super cheap and can run most games at med-high 1080p.
The ram, I couldn't find any deals on cheaper ram.. I found a 1600mhz 4gb stick with a $40 rebate... for $20 a piece final price.. I'm like.. Fffff... Might as well get the Kingston
My dad plays Internet explorer 11, Firefox, and microsoft outlook @ 1080pShow Image(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed3-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)
intel graphics would suit your dad then :p
no way. if that were the case then intel would have massive recalls from all the oems selling default intel setups.
no way. if that were the case then intel would have massive recalls from all the oems selling default intel setups.
using IGP increases cpu temperature slightly.. that's always been the case.. so If I'm overclocking.. that increase the likelihood of instability..
no way. if that were the case then intel would have massive recalls from all the oems selling default intel setups.
using IGP increases cpu temperature slightly.. that's always been the case.. so If I'm overclocking.. that increase the likelihood of instability..
so is it for you or your dad? :)
IMO the best thing about using a G3258 is that since it's about the cheapest 1150 socket chip right now, when it's not powerful enough in however long of time you can just get a used 4770k or something for cheap by then.
Integrated graphics won't push your heat by much. But, if you have an old GPU like that lying around there's no reason not to use it.