Small and powerfull desktop solution

[krumme]

Hey,
Wondering if one can skip the atx form factor? (i am from the AT age , and use laptops today)

Need to play bf3/bf4 on an IPS 27 display at high settings high fps.
Extremely low noise during normal office usage is an requirement.
No dvd/bluray, 3,5HD needed.
Just 2,5ssd and gfx.

What cabinett and powersupply would you recommend? - high quality wanted, but i dont want an powersupply to fat, just enough.

If you have a total recommandation for system that would be nice. I intend to overclock, so i guess type K intel and amd7950 or what? (nv670..)

Any recommandation for excellent keyboard, mouse, pad etc. is very welcome also.

Thanx.

 

[razor2025]

Your requirement is a bit contradictory. The smallest case size that sit you would be mAtx. You can use the closed loop water cooling for overclocking need, like the Corsair H60 or Antec Koehler.

 

[HaX]

Rock a mini itx motherboard with a full size graphics card. Thats what i do.

 

[EliteRetard]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EkhTN2wVc8

Problem with cases this small is the heat. In order to deal with the issue they need to add lots of ventilation, but that doesn't do good things for noise. This case can give you the size you want, as well as the performance, but it most likely wont be quiet.

Depending on your budget, there's one company I know (AVADirect) that builds custom gaming PCs with this case...perhaps you could talk to them to specially tailor it for silence. Mod the components/fans or custom a CPU/GPU water cooling system in there (where the CD/DVD would normally go maybe?). Just a regular build with the parts you want would probably run $1400 though, probably more with other customization.

 

[philipma1957]

Your requirement is a bit contradictory. The smallest case size that sit you would be mAtx. You can use the closed loop water cooling for overclocking need, like the Corsair H60 or Antec Koehler.

delete. decided your are correct

 

[Zap]

So, smaller than ATX, quiet, high end gaming, overclocking. No problem!

MICRO ATX
Core i5-3570K CPU (quad+overclocking, nothing more needed)
any big heatsink with bunch of heatpipes and 120mm fan that fits in case
Z77 chipset micro ATX motherboard
1.5v or lower DDR3
your choice Asus or Gigabyte dual fan graphics card (those seem to be quietest in reviews, SPCR says Asus most quiet, but they haven't tested the new Gigabyte Windforce 2 yet)
Fractal Design Define Mini (yes it will have a bunch of empty drive bays, but that can't be helped)
any "quiet" and decent PSU
any decent SSD

MINI ITX
Core i5-3570K CPU (quad+overclocking, nothing more needed)
AIW liquid cooler with slim radiator such as Corsair H40 or H60
slim 120mm fan to use with radiator (Scythe makes a few that are 12mm thick)
ASRock Z77ITX motherboard (Asus also makes one, but IMO the VRM module interferes with airflow)
1.5v or lower DDR3
your choice Asus or Gigabyte dual fan graphics card (those seem to be quietest in reviews, SPCR says Asus most quiet, but they haven't tested the new Gigabyte Windforce 2 yet)
Lian Li PC-Q08 or PC-Q25 mini ITX case (again, lots of extra drive bays but can't be helped)
any "quiet" and decent PSU that is shorter in length (for instance non-modular Seasonic branded or Antec branded Seasonic units are shorter)
any decent SSD
mount the AIW liquid cooler on the top fan spot of the case

As for keyboard/mouse/pad, that's more of an individual decision as those devices have a "feel" to them. It's like how some people prefer Coca Cola and some prefer Pepsi. Doesn't make one better than the other, just mere personal preference.

My personal preference is a mechanical keyboard with "normal" layout and no extra "gaming" or "multimedia" keys (currently use a Rosewill with Cherry MX Red) and a decent but basic USB mouse that has forward/back buttons but not a zillion extra buttons and not cordless (currently a Logitech MX518).

 

[T_Yamamoto]

So, smaller than ATX, quiet, high end gaming, overclocking. No problem!

MICRO ATX
Core i5-3570K CPU (quad+overclocking, nothing more needed)
any big heatsink with bunch of heatpipes and 120mm fan that fits in case
Z77 chipset micro ATX motherboard
1.5v or lower DDR3
your choice Asus or Gigabyte dual fan graphics card (those seem to be quietest in reviews, SPCR says Asus most quiet, but they haven't tested the new Gigabyte Windforce 2 yet)
Fractal Design Define Mini (yes it will have a bunch of empty drive bays, but that can't be helped)
any "quiet" and decent PSU
any decent SSD

MINI ITX
Core i5-3570K CPU (quad+overclocking, nothing more needed)
AIW liquid cooler with slim radiator such as Corsair H40 or H60
slim 120mm fan to use with radiator (Scythe makes a few that are 12mm thick)
ASRock Z77ITX motherboard (Asus also makes one, but IMO the VRM module interferes with airflow)
1.5v or lower DDR3
your choice Asus or Gigabyte dual fan graphics card (those seem to be quietest in reviews, SPCR says Asus most quiet, but they haven't tested the new Gigabyte Windforce 2 yet)
Lian Li PC-Q08 or PC-Q25 mini ITX case (again, lots of extra drive bays but can't be helped)
any "quiet" and decent PSU that is shorter in length (for instance non-modular Seasonic branded or Antec branded Seasonic units are shorter)
any decent SSD
mount the AIW liquid cooler on the top fan spot of the case

As for keyboard/mouse/pad, that's more of an individual decision as those devices have a "feel" to them. It's like how some people prefer Coca Cola and some prefer Pepsi. Doesn't make one better than the other, just mere personal preference.

My personal preference is a mechanical keyboard with "normal" layout and no extra "gaming" or "multimedia" keys (currently use a Rosewill with Cherry MX Red) and a decent but basic USB mouse that has forward/back buttons but not a zillion extra buttons and not cordless (currently a Logitech MX518).

Zap is a SFF god

 

[krumme]

So, smaller than ATX, quiet, high end gaming, overclocking. No problem!

MICRO ATX
Core i5-3570K CPU (quad+overclocking, nothing more needed)
any big heatsink with bunch of heatpipes and 120mm fan that fits in case
Z77 chipset micro ATX motherboard
1.5v or lower DDR3
your choice Asus or Gigabyte dual fan graphics card (those seem to be quietest in reviews, SPCR says Asus most quiet, but they haven't tested the new Gigabyte Windforce 2 yet)
Fractal Design Define Mini (yes it will have a bunch of empty drive bays, but that can't be helped)
any "quiet" and decent PSU
any decent SSD

MINI ITX
Core i5-3570K CPU (quad+overclocking, nothing more needed)
AIW liquid cooler with slim radiator such as Corsair H40 or H60
slim 120mm fan to use with radiator (Scythe makes a few that are 12mm thick)
ASRock Z77ITX motherboard (Asus also makes one, but IMO the VRM module interferes with airflow)
1.5v or lower DDR3
your choice Asus or Gigabyte dual fan graphics card (those seem to be quietest in reviews, SPCR says Asus most quiet, but they haven't tested the new Gigabyte Windforce 2 yet)
Lian Li PC-Q08 or PC-Q25 mini ITX case (again, lots of extra drive bays but can't be helped)
any "quiet" and decent PSU that is shorter in length (for instance non-modular Seasonic branded or Antec branded Seasonic units are shorter)
any decent SSD
mount the AIW liquid cooler on the top fan spot of the case

As for keyboard/mouse/pad, that's more of an individual decision as those devices have a "feel" to them. It's like how some people prefer Coca Cola and some prefer Pepsi. Doesn't make one better than the other, just mere personal preference.

My personal preference is a mechanical keyboard with "normal" layout and no extra "gaming" or "multimedia" keys (currently use a Rosewill with Cherry MX Red) and a decent but basic USB mouse that has forward/back buttons but not a zillion extra buttons and not cordless (currently a Logitech MX518).

Hey great. Thanx. Loads of good info.

The pc-q25 looks attractive, perhaps with antec earthwatt 650 platinum?, or what ps would you recommend? (seasonic x 560)?

What do you think about a sg08 mounted with a phanteks ph-tc14cs cpu cooler, using the sg08 top fan directly on the cooler?

 

[Zap]

The pc-q25 looks attractive, perhaps with antec earthwatt 650 platinum?, or what ps would you recommend? (seasonic x 560)?

What graphics card will you be getting? For the most part unless you are going crazy high end or super overclocking, very likely even a good quality 450W PSU will work for a reasonably overclocked Ivy Bridge quad and a decent single GPU graphics card. For instance even with a GTX 670 or Radeon 7950, I would run it on an EarthWatts 450 Platinum. Or maybe try out one of the cheaper SPI Platinum units. IIRC while very efficient, the EarthWatts Platinum aren't that high up there in output quality (which may sound strange because if the PSU came out 5 years ago all the enthusiasts would have spontaneous orgasms over the "quality"). EarthWatts has always been marketed as being "green" or Earth friendly, and are not intended to be the high end Antec PSUs. AFAIK there are no reviews of the SPI units, but they shouldn't be any worse than the EarthWatts.

Sheesh, I sound like a PSU snob. Really though, I wouldn't have any problem running any of those PSUs in my own rig. I would choose the EarthWatts or the SPI because they are short and should be decent.

One more thing about wattage is that we are talking about non-modular PSUs. Higher wattage have more cables, meaning more cable clutter. Going with the minimum wattage possible will eliminate much of the clutter.

What do you think about a sg08 mounted with a phanteks ph-tc14cs cpu cooler, using the sg08 top fan directly on the cooler?

For less than the price of the Phanteks, you can get an AIW liquid cooler that fits the space as well. But, either should work assuming there is enough space for it.

 

[krumme]

What graphics card will you be getting? For the most part unless you are going crazy high end or super overclocking, very likely even a good quality 450W PSU will work for a reasonably overclocked Ivy Bridge quad and a decent single GPU graphics card. For instance even with a GTX 670 or Radeon 7950, I would run it on an EarthWatts 450 Platinum. Or maybe try out one of the cheaper SPI Platinum units. IIRC while very efficient, the EarthWatts Platinum aren't that high up there in output quality (which may sound strange because if the PSU came out 5 years ago all the enthusiasts would have spontaneous orgasms over the "quality"). EarthWatts has always been marketed as being "green" or Earth friendly, and are not intended to be the high end Antec PSUs. AFAIK there are no reviews of the SPI units, but they shouldn't be any worse than the EarthWatts.

Sheesh, I sound like a PSU snob. Really though, I wouldn't have any problem running any of those PSUs in my own rig. I would choose the EarthWatts or the SPI because they are short and should be decent.

One more thing about wattage is that we are talking about non-modular PSUs. Higher wattage have more cables, meaning more cable clutter. Going with the minimum wattage possible will eliminate much of the clutter.



For less than the price of the Phanteks, you can get an AIW liquid cooler that fits the space as well. But, either should work assuming there is enough space for it.

Thanx again. By the prices now i will get a 7950, and oc it to near the limit fx. hopefully 1.1-1,2Ghz. The IB quad, the one you proposed, will get oc to with a moderate voltage hike.

Are we still within 450W range then?

I am a little nervous about the output quality of the antech earthwats, what is the impact on oc performance?

I can get an seasonic x 560 for more or less the same as an antec ea550, and both real world efficiency and quality seems better (despite the rating)? I cant find the spi platinum?

Regarding the AIW cooler, like the corsair h60, this is perpaps a stupid question, but it is mounted on the lian PC-Q25 case on top with outtake or intake?

Regarding choosing between asrock and asus mb, is the digital vrm regulator on the asus better than asrock, or is it just bs? I mean what mb shows the best oc potential?

 

[Zap]

I think a good 450W is still enough.

SPI is available on Newegg. The Seasonic is modular and will be a deeper PSU.

The best results for pure CPU cooling would be intake, but the best for case ventilation would be exhaust. I would go exhaust, because IMO you won't be limited by temps.

You may have to pick up one of those Scythe 120x12mm fans for the H60.

Whether or not it is better, that VRM daughterboard on the Asus will block some of the airflow to the top fan of the PC-Q25.