An ITX build. Just looking for opinions or advice if you have it.

[Earthmonger]

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.

 

[llee]

You could probably drop down to a corsair HX450 or HX520 for the power supply depending on if you overclock. A nice compact water cooling solution is the corsair H50.

 

[Zap]

I think the best overclocking socket 1156 ITX board is the DFI, but it only has three SATA ports which is a shame since that case has so many slots. I'd say forget about overclocking and allow Turbo mode to kick in.

Don't bother watercooling the chipset. Normal chipsets have a really hot Northbridge and a cooler running Southbridge. Well, a socket 1156 "chipset" is basically a Southbridge. Seriously! The PCIe lanes and memory controller are both in the CPU, as well as the IGP (for chips that have it, the Core i7 860 does not so your onboard video output will not function).

 

[Earthmonger]

Thanks for the replies.

You could probably drop down to a corsair HX450 or HX520 for the power supply depending on if you overclock. A nice compact water cooling solution is the corsair H50.

I did a calculation on power consumption and arrived at 440 watts. So I'm looking for a 500 or 550 watt PSU. I've looked at the HX520, but it doesn't come with a 6+2 pin PCI-E connector, just two 6-pins. I could adapt it of course, but I'd rather use a unit that's designed for it. Also, that unit is ancient. What's your opinion of the Antec TruePower New TP-550? It was just recommended to me elsewhere, but I want more opinions.

As for the H50... thanks, but no thanks. I really prefer real water cooling over the tourist systems.

I think the best overclocking socket 1156 ITX board is the DFI, but it only has three SATA ports which is a shame since that case has so many slots. I'd say forget about overclocking and allow Turbo mode to kick in.

Don't bother watercooling the chipset. Normal chipsets have a really hot Northbridge and a cooler running Southbridge. Well, a socket 1156 "chipset" is basically a Southbridge. Seriously! The PCIe lanes and memory controller are both in the CPU, as well as the IGP (for chips that have it, the Core i7 860 does not so your onboard video output will not function).

If I go to the DFI board, I lose a lot of USB ports as well. I've been kind of hoping someone would release a new gem of an ITX board, but now it's looking doubtful in my time frame. But, these little ITX boards are dirt cheap so I can always swap it later I suppose and not regret the cost.

As for not water cooling the chipset; you're right of course. I've gotten so used to buying motherboard blocks that I didn't really think about it.