this post was submitted on
55 points (85% like it)
66 up votes 11 down votes
all 68 comments

[–]hcry4 27 points28 points ago

Nice. We need more mini-itx builds.

[–]carmaugh 14 points15 points ago

[–]epsiblivion 4 points5 points ago

did you build it in the packaging it came in?

[–]ZergBiased 5 points6 points ago

That's ghetto as fuck. I like it!

[–]FAPSLOCK 9 points10 points ago

More like "AssCube"

[–]ExceptionRaised 0 points1 point ago

I agree, with components getting cooler and requiring less power I hope ITX gaming will be on the rise.

[–]bananafeller 0 points1 point ago

It is really my only regret from my current build.

[–]foragerr -1 points0 points ago

Why?

[–]elucubra 14 points15 points ago

Because we can! Silly!

[–]chrisonline1991 11 points12 points ago

I'd also be interested in the price. and more pics if you have them? Awesome build.

[–]rusty735 3 points4 points ago

Awesome. Thanks for posting this.

[–]dinglebopper 5 points6 points ago

Awesome. Can you do me a favor and weigh your rig? I'm wondering how portable one can get with this setup.

[–]razer_i7 9 points10 points ago

GTX 570 on a 450w PSU? wat

[–]dsteele713 11 points12 points ago

Components don't consume nearly as much power as PSU makers would like you to believe. A high-quality 450W PSU is perfectly adequate for a single-GPU build. An 850W PSU would power virtually everything. There is almost no need for these 1KW+ PSUs.

[–]Comp_Help 1 point2 points ago

I have a 570 and pull about 200-250 watts at any given time.

[–]razer_i7 0 points1 point ago

You could run 2 570s easily on an 850w. I know this. It's just more power = better.

[–]dsteele713 0 points1 point ago

As I understand it, power supplies operate most efficiently around 50% of max load. In that case, it would make sense to go with a big power supply.

[–]zowki[S] 2 points3 points ago

Works completely fine for me even when stress testing with furmark.

[–]happyevil 1 point2 points ago

Also, the 450w PSU in this case is specifically tuned with high GPUs in mind. Because there are far fewer leads (and far less space) for things like mass fans and tons of hard drives the PSU can dedicate a lot more power to just the GPU and CPU.

[–]rillo561 2 points3 points ago

looks really good, but I have a noob question. I see that mobo has HDMI out so do I need a video card? I'm not looking to game just mainly as a HTPC, thanks.

[–]Gotenks0906 5 points6 points ago

The Intel Core i5-2500k has internal graphics capabilities, so as long as you get a mobo that utilizes it, then a video card isn't necessary.

[–]g8trtim 2 points3 points ago

Isn't necessary unless a high graphics card is necessary. Titled gaming rig meaning higher quality graphics card is necessary.

[–]reallynotnick 2 points3 points ago

You're right, just wanted to point out that an i5-2500k is pretty overkill for a HTPC, you would be fine with an i3-21xx heck could probably get away with a dual core sandy bridge Pentium depending on what you are planing to do with the machine.

[–]elucubra 3 points4 points ago

For an HTPC the sweet spot is probably a Fusion mobo; This zotac is quite pimped-up.

This Gigabyte is pretty cheap.

These are pretty much "add case, HDD, optical, and RAM, and off you go"

[–]Psygnosis911 0 points1 point ago

This is the correct recommendation. People get parts that are way more powerful than they need and spend way too much money on HTPCs. Although that zotac has a lot of features I wouldn't use making overpriced for me.

[–]podank99 0 points1 point ago

i am doubting that this guy is using this for a home theater, rather than a gaming machine plugged into his home theater...

[–]rillo561 1 point2 points ago

Thanks, really appreciate it.

[–]podank99 0 points1 point ago

How good are the internal graphics compared to a real video card? this would certainly save money if it actually works.

[–]Gotenks0906 0 points1 point ago

The 2500k has an integrated "Intel HD Graphics 3000". Im no expert on intel graphics, but I'v never heard anything good about them. They would do for the average web surfer, but a dedicated graphics card is what you want, if you game a lot.

[–]bmdc 0 points1 point ago

A better video card other than integrated is ALWAYS necessary. Especially when its a gaming rig.

[–]Gotenks0906 1 point2 points ago

Read the original question, the guy said he isn't looking to game.

[–]bmdc 1 point2 points ago

I read the title, which clearly states "Gaming PC". Kind of contradicting...

Edit: i see what you mean. Separate from OP. My bad.

[–]BiPolah 2 points3 points ago

Is the 450W PSU really enough? The 570 consumes can consume up to 250W and the i5-2500K can use up to 150W or so.

[–]zowki[S] 1 point2 points ago

Works completely fine for me even when stress testing with furmark.

[–]g8trtim 1 point2 points ago

Awesome, I really like that case and the new SG08. That video card is definitely snug lol

Mind me asking how much this totaled out without the video card? I'm considering building a dev/storage/hackintosh box in the small form factor but will likely use the i3/i5 graphics.

[–]Sup_son 2 points3 points ago

total price?

[–]hcry4 7 points8 points ago

Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant

Type Item Price
CPU Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor $179.99 @ Microcenter
CPU Cooler Scythe SCSK-1100 11.8 CFM CPU Cooler $28.49 @ SuperBiiz
Motherboard ASRock Z68M-ITX/HT Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard $126.97 @ Newegg
Memory Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory $69.99 @ Newegg
Hard Drive Intel 320 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk $180.99 @ Mwave
Video Card EVGA GeForce GTX 570 1.25GB Video Card $359.99 @ Amazon
Case Silverstone SG05BB-450 Mini ITX Desktop Case w/450W Power Supply $119.99 @ Amazon
Total
Prices include shipping and discounts when available. $1066.41
Generated 2012-01-20 13:30 EST-0500

I tried reproducing his parts list.

[–]Sup_son 0 points1 point ago

wow youre awesome

[–]Companda311 2 points3 points ago

This is a pretty slick build. I've always built full towers because I liked working with them. Now that I'm a little older I don't want a monster tower sitting in my living room or work desk. Just ordered my first micro tower http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16859107052 and I'm going to put VM ESX 5 on it for the time being. I want to see how it handles about 3 x 2k8 machines and a freeNAS install. If it's speedy enough I'm going to order another one and install a standalone FreeNAS so I can share to all my devices and run iSCSI to the ESX box.

For 300$ I couldn't not pick one up and see what it can do. I ordered 2x4GB of Kingston ECC RAM from work to bring it up to the max. It's also got PCIe x16 and x1 so I can put in a better raid card and another NIC.

[–]Cixelsid 1 point2 points ago

Looks like there's hardly any airflow around that video card.

[–]zowki[S] 1 point2 points ago

There is plenty of airflow due to the vents at the side. The graphic card stays cool when on heavy load.

[–]BreadSmasher 0 points1 point ago

Always wanted to do a mini-itx build. But could never find a small enough case I liked.

[–]blind__man 0 points1 point ago

Where did you hide the SSD?

[–]zowki[S] 0 points1 point ago

The PSU, hard drive and optical drive tray was taken out for the internal pictures so I could show the motherboard.

[–]blind__man 0 points1 point ago

Ahhh okay, I hope you weren't under the impression I was challenging you on buying an ssd. It just looks so beautiful, great wiring as well!

[–]veils1de 0 points1 point ago

How's the cooling working out? Makes me uneasy to see all those things in a small enclosed space

[–]zowki[S] 0 points1 point ago

Cooling is great. In my original post I stated CPU and graphics card idles between 30-40 degrees celcius and 70-80 degrees celcius when gaming.

[–]Kofetek 0 points1 point ago

As a Scythe fanboy, I approve of this build.

[–]ACDCGAMER 0 points1 point ago

Wow. Very impressive, getting all that horsepower in such a small form factor. :)

[–]SpankingViolet 0 points1 point ago

I have a similar set up, only with a 300 watt PSU with a Core i3-2100 and a GTX 550 ti. I move a lot so when my main rig is being shipped I travel with my Sugo. I've been thinking about upgrading with more powerful hardware, nice to know I can if I want to.

[–]juanito89 0 points1 point ago

I realize I'm responding to a month-old comment, but I noticed you ship your main rig a lot.

This interests me quite a bit, as the main reason I haven't built the desktop pc I want is that I don't have a lot of stability currently, so I know I will be moving, just don't know how often or where :(

How's the process of shipping your main rig? (I'm assuming it's a mid/full tower) What precautions do you take? (What, if anything, do you take out of the case before shipping, for example)

I imagine it being pretty expensive, and not completely free of risk to your components. This is keeping me from building and frustrates me quite a bit.

[–]SpankingViolet 0 points1 point ago

I'm in the military so yes, I do move a lot and when I move it tends to be to other countries. I also do a lot of local moves from one house to another or to other dormatories.

I guess it depends on what type of moving your doing. If your going from country to country or even from one side of the US to the other I would break down the components and place them in their original packaging. I learned that lesson on my recent move from England to South Korea. I shipped my computer in the case box with all components still inside. On the way over to South Korea my shipping container was outside in freezing temperatures for weeks on end. With everything bolted down inside I don't think there was enough room for contraction of the components and it caused internal damage. I'm just guessing though because when I powered it up I had all kinds of hardware problems and with no obvious physical damage that's the only thing I could think of.

If you're just moving locally I would just place your tower with all hardware installed in the box your case came with. I've never had a problem doing that for my local moves. If your using a moving company or having friends store items I would remove your hard drives or SSD and keep them with you. On my first move from the states to Portugal my whole computer got stolen from my shipping crate. I lost all my pictures and music, so I keep everything with me to make sure that doesn't happen again. Computer components are resilient even if you move a lot. I wouldn't let moving keep you from building a computer.

[–]juanito89 0 points1 point ago

Thanks a lot for the write-up!

Your answer is encouraging, although I did a double take at one point, because Portugal is where I am right now, and you having your whole computer being stolen here is beyond awful :(

In terms of the moving I'll be doing, it's certainly gonna be overseas. Even if I end up staying in Portugal, I go to college in the "mainland" but live in the Madeira Island. I haven't looked into shipping costs yet, but seeing as some cases alone can weight close to 15kg, I fear for my wallet, lol.

[–]opethfan 0 points1 point ago

Does the video card get enough cooling in there?

[–]zowki[S] 0 points1 point ago

Yes it gets plenty of cooling, I feel lots of air being moved when I put my hands near the vents and at the back of the case. It idles around 35 degrees celcius and around 75 degrees celcius on load. Fairly quiet too.

[–]kreb 1 point2 points ago

I have the same case with a core i3-2100 and an HD6850. I thought the HD6850 was the best card I could use as the PSU only has one power connector. Does the 570 require one or two? Thanks, great build.

[–]zowki[S] 0 points1 point ago

The EVGA GTX 570 requires two power connectors. The Silverstone SFX 450W PSU has two power connectors.

[–]kreb 0 points1 point ago

Oh right.. Forgot, my SG05 came with a 300W PSU.. =)

[–]runningbeagle 0 points1 point ago

Is it loud? Seems like under load it might stress the fans to suck air through those vents. Also, in the last picture it looks like the top vent is dented. What's going on there?

[–]zowki[S] 0 points1 point ago

The case came with the top vent like that, no idea why. The noise level is no different from typical gaming builds, not that noisy on load and almost silent when idling. Performance, thermals and noise level are great for a PC of this size.

[–]dk_nz 0 points1 point ago

Good work on the build, that must be the best 9" card around. The cool thing with those cases is that you can fit a Corsair H60 or a Kuhler 620, and I think you can even squeeze a push/pull config in. You've made something I've always wanted to.

[–]podank99 0 points1 point ago

is that nvidia fan blowing out a vent in the case or is it just hitting a wall once the case is on?

[–]zowki[S] 0 points1 point ago

There is a vent at the side allowing the fan to draw air.

[–]podank99 0 points1 point ago

I love this, but i was hoping to spent more like $500 bucks. what corners could i cut here that would have me a good PC for my living room to hide in my entertainment center?

i am thinking i'll want to cut a hole in the center's back, too, and plug in a USB fan that is only on when the PC is on, to drain the cavity of heat since it'll be rather enclosed.

[–]zowki[S] 0 points1 point ago

For a home entertainment PC you won't need dedicated graphics, just use a Intel i3-2100 and H67 motherboard.

[–]erockdye 0 points1 point ago

noob question, what is meant by ITX?

[–]ToxxicFoxx 2 points3 points ago

It's a very small motherboard form factor, designed to fit into smaller cases for portability or limited space.

[–]BigRelic 1 point2 points ago

The most common main desktop motherboard sizes go (in order from biggest to smallest): XL ATX, Extended ATX, ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX. There are way more, such as SSI CEB, SSI EEB, and SSI MEB for servers as well as random, less-used ones like HPTX, BTX, WTX, etc.

Mini-ITX is pretty small and nice for HTPCs or small computers. The motherboard itself is 170mm x 170mm (6.7" x 6.7").