$1700 (or so) small-form-factor gaming PC: First build

[TheQuestian]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Aug 09 - Oct 09
BUDGET RANGE: $1700 (or so)
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Adobe Creative Suite, Crysis, Blu-ray, minimal MIDI recording, web surfing, school work

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Speakers, subwoofer
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, ncix.com, amazon.com

PARTS PREFERENCES:
Lian Li V350B MicroATX Case Here
Intel Core i7 920 Processor Here
EVGA Intel X58 MicroATX SLI Motherboard Here
6GB OCZ DDR 1600mhz RAM Here
Sapphire Radeon HD4890 Vapor-X 1GB Here
Silverstone ST70F 700W Modular PSU Here
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 7200 RPM Drive Here
Case Fans?
LG Black 8X BD-ROM Internal Drive Here
CPU Heatsink?
Samsung 2333SW 23" Widescreen LCD Monitor Here
Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders (OEM) Here

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe, but probably not.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe, but probably not yet.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: (1) I would prefer a quieter PC, but I am not overly concerned about it. (2) It will need to fit in a 14" x 14" cubby, open in the front and back. (3) Aesthetics are a concern. (4) My main gaming objective is Crysis; 1650x1080; Enthusiast; 30 FPS.

Any suggestions or concerns? Please grace me with your infinite wisdom.

 

[TheQuestian]

Hmm. Does silence mean it sucks so bad no one knows where to begin, or that it's fine as-is and there's nothing else to say about it?

 

[A5]

I pretty much just built that same system, but I don't have Crysis so I can't tell you how it is. From the benches I've seen, you should be able to play it at 1080p pretty well - especially with AA off.

 

[TheQuestian]

Hey, thanks A5! Crysis aside, any other issues I should think about? Are you happy with the build?

 

[M0RPH]

Where are you planning on putting those case fans? From the pics I don't really see any place for fans.

Your build looks good, I just hate cube cases. Seems like it would be less trouble just to find a different place to put a normal case.

 

[TheQuestian]

Thanks, MORPH. The case actually comes with 3 built-in 80mm fan mounts. If you look at some of the interior photos at Newegg, you should see them. Re: the shape, I didn't like it at first, but I have really warmed to it. I originally wanted a slim case, but I prefer this, now. Re: a normal case, I have always had a standard tower/mid-tower case as long as I can remember. I actually have never liked them much, but I didn't know there were other alternatives. I suppose I am just looking for a change, eh?

 

[alyarb]

make sure they're all silent fans.

 

[TheQuestian]

Originally posted by: alyarb
make sure they're all silent fans.

From a Newegg reviewer on the ENERMAX 80mm Fans:
Quiet. Not just "quiet" like a lot of "silent" case fans, but absurdly quiet. After initial installation, I hooked them up to a fan controller, since I don't need them at max RPM all the time. With my ear right next to them, I'm pretty sure I can sort of hear them.

Yes, THAT quiet.

I know reviews are very subjective, but that is quite a rave, IMO.

Re: noise, though, I really don't know what is considered loud or quiet when it comes to a gaming machine. Would a custom gaming rig typically be louder or quieter than a stock HP or Gateway desktop? Does a loud rig sound like a vacuum cleaner, or more like an running A/C unit? It could be that I have no problem with a loud machine, but I really have no frame of reference.

 

[elconejito]

I consider it quiet if it is less noise than someone whispering. If it is as loud as someone talking normally, that is too loud for me.

Almost as important (some may say moreso) is the "tone" of noise. Meaning a high-pitch is more annoying than a low-buzz even if they are the same volume.

Build looks solid. Under normal use you can probably keep the fans turned down if not overclocking (or overclocking just a little), and you might have to turn up while gaming since CPU and GPU will produce more heat under load. But at that point your gaming and who cares, right? You just don't want a vacuum cleaner on while you're trying to sleep or study.

 

[TheQuestian]

Originally posted by: elconejito
I consider it quiet if it is less noise than someone whispering. If it is as loud as someone talking normally, that is too loud for me.

Almost as important (some may say moreso) is the "tone" of noise. Meaning a high-pitch is more annoying than a low-buzz even if they are the same volume.

Build looks solid. Under normal use you can probably keep the fans turned down if not overclocking (or overclocking just a little), and you might have to turn up while gaming since CPU and GPU will produce more heat under load. But at that point your gaming and who cares, right? You just don't want a vacuum cleaner on while you're trying to sleep or study.

That was maybe the best explanation I've ever gotten. Thanks!

You mentioned turning the fans up and down. Will I need more hardware to do that, or does the motherboard already have that capability? I think I might have read that you can control that in the BIOS? I'm definitely not very familiar with all of that, though.

 

[elconejito]

I'm not familiar with that board in particular, but most will throttle fans up and down depending on temps. Depending on the motherbaord, you might have a simple option like ON/OFF or they might give you more control. They all vary at how "good" they are at it.

If after you've plugged everything in and got it running you find that you need more control you can get fan controllers. They go from a really simple like the FanMate controller by Zalman which controls one fan by a knob (rheostats I think they're called) to multiple fan controllers, to digital electrically controlled ones. The fanmate you use double-sided tape to stick in inside or outside of the case, there are versions that go in an empty PCI slot, and some that will go in a 3.5" or 5.25" bay.

 

[TheQuestian]

Originally posted by: elconejito
I'm not familiar with that board in particular, but most will throttle fans up and down depending on temps. Depending on the motherbaord, you might have a simple option like ON/OFF or they might give you more control. They all vary at how "good" they are at it.

If after you've plugged everything in and got it running you find that you need more control you can get fan controllers. They go from a really simple like the FanMate controller by Zalman which controls one fan by a knob (rheostats I think they're called) to multiple fan controllers, to digital electrically controlled ones. The fanmate you use double-sided tape to stick in inside or outside of the case, there are versions that go in an empty PCI slot, and some that will go in a 3.5" or 5.25" bay.

Thanks! Very helpful.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

I'd just stick with the stock Intel fan.

 

[TheQuestian]

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
I'd just stick with the stock Intel fan.

Thanks, WFN. You are definitely the first person to tell me that! I have been searching feverishly for a better cooling solution, actually. By all accounts, the i7 is a very hot processor, and the SG02 a very warm case. Do you know something about air flow that others don't?

(And I certainly hope you do!)

 

[Denithor]

Just a single comment - you're putting a 4890 onto an SLI board. I couldn't see from the description at newegg whether or not the board supports Xfire also or not. Confirm this before you buy if you plan (or even think you might) to set up a multiGPU in the future.

 

[TheQuestian]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Just a single comment - you're putting a 4890 onto an SLI board. I couldn't see from the description at newegg whether or not the board supports Xfire also or not. Confirm this before you buy if you plan (or even think you might) to set up a multiGPU in the future.

According to the Newegg product page, it is compatible with both SLI and CF.

 

[elconejito]

Originally posted by: TheQuestian

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
I'd just stick with the stock Intel fan.

Thanks, WFN. You are definitely the first person to tell me that! I have been searching feverishly for a better cooling solution, actually. By all accounts, the i7 is a very hot processor, and the SG02 a very warm case. Do you know something about air flow that others don't?

(And I certainly hope you do!)

If you're not overclocking (or just OC'ing a *little*) the stock HSF is fine. Intel has been pretty decent with this over the last few HSF generations... It only gets loud when it winds up (i.e. under load), but odds are you'd be gaming or working if it cranks up.

Personally, I almost always put an aftermarket HSF on. A good HSF will get you some combination of quieter, cooler, or both across a broader range of temps and CPU usage. Depending on what you get you can spend anywhere from $30-100 bucks. Because of the size of the case you'll have to be careful with which ones you pick (if you choose to get one).

 

[TheQuestian]

Originally posted by: elconejito
If you're not overclocking (or just OC'ing a *little*) the stock HSF is fine. Intel has been pretty decent with this over the last few HSF generations... It only gets loud when it winds up (i.e. under load), but odds are you'd be gaming or working if it cranks up.

Personally, I almost always put an aftermarket HSF on. A good HSF will get you some combination of quieter, cooler, or both across a broader range of temps and CPU usage. Depending on what you get you can spend anywhere from $30-100 bucks. Because of the size of the case you'll have to be careful with which ones you pick (if you choose to get one).

Okay, well that's good news about the stock cooler. That said, I've made a few changes to the build, and I think I'll be able to manage a slightly better CPU heatsink (I've got about 130mm of headroom now). Also, with the two 120mm fans, I wonder if I could mount a Corsair H50 now . . .

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Originally posted by: TheQuestian

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
I'd just stick with the stock Intel fan.

Thanks, WFN. You are definitely the first person to tell me that! I have been searching feverishly for a better cooling solution, actually. By all accounts, the i7 is a very hot processor, and the SG02 a very warm case. Do you know something about air flow that others don't?

(And I certainly hope you do!)

I'm in the minority that doesn't overclock.

 

[TheQuestian]

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem

Originally posted by: TheQuestian

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
I'd just stick with the stock Intel fan.

Thanks, WFN. You are definitely the first person to tell me that! I have been searching feverishly for a better cooling solution, actually. By all accounts, the i7 is a very hot processor, and the SG02 a very warm case. Do you know something about air flow that others don't?

(And I certainly hope you do!)

I'm in the minority that doesn't overclock.

I doubt I will be overclocking, either. Good to know this info!

 

[Luminair]

you don't know this so someone should be telling you this

for the first time in a long time, this xmas there will be brand new intel chips, brand new p55 motherboards (including brand new shuttle barebones), brand new nvidia and ati graphics cards, brand new 2tb drive prices, and brand new ssd prices. and all of it is mainstream and affordable, unlike x58 i7 which was a bootstrap for new xeons.

I wouldn't buy from the caboose of the train like you're proposing. otherwise sure, what you picked works

 

[Luminair]

"Obviously, we cannot discuss performance yet, but the i5 is going to surprise a lot people, especially those buying into the lower end i7 market."

guess who said that

 

[TheQuestian]

I've been looking for some possible replacement case fans and a heatsink for this build, as the i7 920 is apparently going to try to give my poor Lian Li rig a heart condition. Performance (cfm/load temperatures) is first and foremost. This will be a design/gaming rig, so it will not be sitting next to a vase of lilacs in the formal dining room or anything. That said, let's try not to get TOO ridiculous.

RE: the heatsink, according to the best info I could find, I will have roughly 128mm of clearance between the PSU and the MB. Looking into these at the moment:

ThermalRight AXP-140 Here
CoolJag Falcon II Here
Zalman CNPS-9500 Here
Enzotech Extreme-X Here
Noctua NH-C12P Here
Scythe Ninja Mini Here

The case (Lian Li V350) comes equipped with 2x120mm intake fans up front, and 1x80mm exhaust fan in the rear, near the top. I've been looking at these:

120mm:
Scythe S-Flex SFF21-G Here
Yate Loon D12SM-12 Here
Silverstone FM-121 Here
Noctua NFP-12 Here
Scythe Ultra Kaze 2000 Here
Nanoxia FX-12 Here

80mm:
Vantec Tornado Here
Thermaltake A1214 Smart Case Fan Here

As always, thanks for your input!

 

[TheQuestian]

Originally posted by: Luminair
you don't know this so someone should be telling you this

for the first time in a long time, this xmas there will be brand new intel chips, brand new p55 motherboards (including brand new shuttle barebones), brand new nvidia and ati graphics cards, brand new 2tb drive prices, and brand new ssd prices. and all of it is mainstream and affordable, unlike x58 i7 which was a bootstrap for new xeons.

I wouldn't buy from the caboose of the train like you're proposing. otherwise sure, what you picked works

Well, thank you! I do appreciate the info. I actually had read a bit about the impending i5 processors and DX11. I might have my forums crossed, but it might even be mentioned somewhere in here. But I haven't paid it much attention. And here's why.

There are two factors at work here, for me. Firstly (is that a word?), I am not usually one for buyer's remorse. What's done is done, and I'm okay with that. So when the new batch of stuff comes out and it's awesome and cheap, I will be happy for those new buyers, but still not a sad panda (so long as I can get my build running!).

Secondly, I am not really a true "gamer" per se, and I'm definitely not a perennial builder, by any stretch. I am delving into all of this for the first time (and it's fun!), but I can't keep this up. In fact, I probably won't touch my system (besides maintenance) for 5+ years, when my wife says I can do this again.

Will games outrun my system? Sure. Will people get better prices on superior hardware? Probably. But I'm okay with that. In 5+ years, I will come back and revisit this world. Until then, my philosophy is to build in the moment.

 

[epidemis]

You need a 80GB X-25M mate Only 235$ after the drop. Quissentiel in such a huge budget.