Move to itx or matx?

[LuluTheMonk]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Editing Photo's
General Computing (browsing the web, word, excel, etc)
Games: Hawken, Path of Exile, Hearthstone, FPS's
Editing Movies
Planning on getting the HD Oculus Rift when it comes out.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$700ish

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
None

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
2600k w/CM 212+
MSI P67a-GD65
2x8GB low profile ram
Seasonic X650
256GB 840 Pro SSD
64GB Vertex 2 SSD
1 TB Samsung F3
Antec P182

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
CPU will be overclocked. Vid card depends.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
2560x1440

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
When a decent aftermarket R9 290 comes out

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
None

So I ended up selling 2 7950's for a monster profit from this bitcoin mining craze, but now have no video out. Some time ago I was looking into getting into a mitx water cooled case, but have scrapped that idea as I don't want to spend 500+ on cooling, but already sold my 4x4GB for some 2x8GB sticks of RAM.

Options:
1. Do nothing and wait for a good R9 290 to come out and just use my work laptop to tide me over.

2. Buy a itx or matx z77 chipset now and at least have access to the IGP. Case and Vid card can wait.

3. Buy mobo + case now.

Other factors:
Our entertainment center that houses the TV is ~15" deep. Has adjustable shelves so height could be fairly variable. Bonus if I could cram a case into it. Also willing to spend money on a new HSF that will fit in new case.

Thanks!

 

[mfenn]

Your options are pretty wildly different, so I guess I'm wondering what's more important to you? Getting back up and running with the most GPU power or getting into a smaller form factor?

 

[Blue_Max]

Don't bother with ITX unless you have some pressing need like hiding it in the smallest possible space or some portability to LAN parties, etc.

Worse, a tiny ITX case will have trouble cooling the big video card you're thinking of (let alone fitting it in there!)

I'd stick to mATX or a Shuttle XPC.

 

[Torn Mind]

mATX. Can't crossfire/SLI on an ITX board if you need the extra power for 1440p for some reason.

 

[infoiltrator]

from 3Btech
http://3btech.net/msiz6bso11wi.html

http://3btech.net/asp8proso11m.html

http://3btech.net/motherboards-1155.html

Have had good luck with them, would get you going with HD3000
Really need a video card though.

 

[Torn Mind]

Aerocool MicroATX cases are interesting if you want to install it near a TV. A Silverstone Sugo MicroATX case is also an option.