- May 2, 2009
- 11
- 0
- 0
Well, I wanted to try something different this time around. So I'm going for a small footprint build with medium to upper gaming ability and general application usage (Photoshop). No WCG on this machine.
I settled upon the 1156 platform in the ITX form factor. I was considering an i5 750, but when I found it had no hyper threading (applications) I changed the plan to an i7 860.
Anyway, the build.
Case: Lian Li PC-Q08B
Mobo: Zotac H55-ITX WiFi
CPU: i7 860
Ram: Corsair XMS 1600, 4GB (2x2) dual channel kit
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 5870
PSU: Corsair HX 650W
The unimportant:
Random DVD-RW (I haven't found a real use for BD yet)
WD 1TB
80 or 100GB SSD of undecided make
Ok then.
The Zotac board seems to be about the best available for 1156 at the moment. But I'm open to other suggestions. It does not offer much in the way of overclocking potential though, so the ram may be downgraded to 1333.
The GPU can be either the Radeon 5870 or the GTX 470. I'm not impressed with either, this round, so I really don't care one way or the other.
The PSU must be modular. 650 watts may be overkill for this little system though.
I'm completely open to opinions on almost everything in this build. The case and CPU are set in stone. The rest is not. I'm ballparking this build at up to $1500 for the primary 6 components. Thanks for any feedback or opinions.
Oh, and this will be watercooled. CPU and GPU at least. I'm not sure the chipset warrants it. LC is a road I walk often, so no advice needed there.
I settled upon the 1156 platform in the ITX form factor. I was considering an i5 750, but when I found it had no hyper threading (applications) I changed the plan to an i7 860.
Anyway, the build.
Case: Lian Li PC-Q08B
Mobo: Zotac H55-ITX WiFi
CPU: i7 860
Ram: Corsair XMS 1600, 4GB (2x2) dual channel kit
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 5870
PSU: Corsair HX 650W
The unimportant:
Random DVD-RW (I haven't found a real use for BD yet)
WD 1TB
80 or 100GB SSD of undecided make
Ok then.
The Zotac board seems to be about the best available for 1156 at the moment. But I'm open to other suggestions. It does not offer much in the way of overclocking potential though, so the ram may be downgraded to 1333.
The GPU can be either the Radeon 5870 or the GTX 470. I'm not impressed with either, this round, so I really don't care one way or the other.
The PSU must be modular. 650 watts may be overkill for this little system though.
I'm completely open to opinions on almost everything in this build. The case and CPU are set in stone. The rest is not. I'm ballparking this build at up to $1500 for the primary 6 components. Thanks for any feedback or opinions.
Oh, and this will be watercooled. CPU and GPU at least. I'm not sure the chipset warrants it. LC is a road I walk often, so no advice needed there.
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