First Build! need some help...

[sp3CRH]

So, I'm having trouble deciding between a mATX and mini ITX build under $2,500. Using it for gaming and some architecture software/rendering + the basics. I wanted it to be as compact as possible and as aesthetically pleasing as possible inside and out. I really like red, white, and black themed builds and so that's what I'll probably be going for if I add LEDs and LED fans (I realize the mini ITX mobo is blue, but really, I don't think I'd be showing off the inside as much if I went that route). Also, I'm not planning any crazy overclock on the cpu, but I don't like the look of air cooling solutions (hence the case choices and cooler).

The spec would be:

ASUS Maximus V Gene

Fractal Design Arc Mini

or

ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe

Bitfenix Prodigy (I personally like this look and size more)

w/

-i7 3770k

-EVGA GTX 680 Signature+

-Corsair AX 750w (smaller for the mini ITX)

-8GB Muskin Blackline @ 1866 (maybe more on the mATX)

-60 GB Muskin Chronos Deluxe

-1TB Western Digital Caviar Black

-ASUS Blu Ray drive

-Corsair H100

-Some mPCIE wireless card (for the gene)

-Windows 7 Ultimate OEM

-Misc. case fans and LEDs depending on which build

-Want a ME3 edition Razer BlackWidow keyboard

I was planning to just set up the SSD as a cache for the HD, is that the best solution or should I skimp out somewhere to get a larger boot/game SSD?

Obviously I wouldn't be running a sound card on the mini ITX, so how much better would the isolated SupremeFX III be in comparison?

I think the features on the ROG board are pretty neat in theory (ROG connect and such), but I'm not sure how much use I'd get out of them...

I don't really like the thought of either the internal disk drive in the front of the Arc Mini or the external one I'd have to use with the Prodigy, so I guess that's a lost cause because I want a drive.

The mini ITX build would be slightly cheaper, but does the software, performance, and space for upgrades/add ons of the ROG mobo warrant the extra $$?

Thoughts, tweaks, or better solutions are really appreciated!

[Murphyslaw]

A few things I have noticed just off skimming over what you have said.

firstly, the ASUS p8z77-i deluxe only have 1 expansion slot, a pcie-16X so i don't think the wireless card would fit

along with this, i don't think the form factor of the prodigy would fit the gtx680, it would also not fit an h100 with a optical drive.

The ASUS Maximus seems to have more space on the motherboard for the pcie and the graphic card,

The card should fit in the fractal design with the hard drive bay removed, along with the h100 and an optical drive.

So the only choice i can see of what you listed is the ASUS Maximus.

[Pr3d4t0r]

^

\

/

what he said. your not gonna fit all of that in a prodigy especially the 680, a 670 would be a better option as its rather smaller but i still doubt it.

[sp3CRH]

Thanks for responding.

The P8Z77-I Deluxe has a wireless card already. I was just saying that I could add one to the mPCIE on the maximus if I wanted.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131840

Also, if I'm not mistaken, you can remove the optical bay housing from the top of the Prodigy to clear space for the h100. Or are you just saying that's overkill/pointless/not worth having an external opt drive? Also judging by the reviews, I think you can fit fairly large graphics cards in the Prodigy once you remove the top HDD cage?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOi_v...&feature=g-u-u

[sp3CRH]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1998

My immediate question is: does it really need to be that small? You could go with a normal ATX system (not much larger), and get better cooling and expandibility.

Yeah, I'm really looking for something compact. I know it's possible, I just want to make sure I have the right idea.

[Jadarite]

I would say go for the I Deluxe in the prodigy as would make for a more interesting build, also i would suggest the gtx670, corsair AX650, 64Gb crucial m4, 1Tb WD caviar green and a H80 hopefully this sould save some money and make for a good build,

Just found this review of the I Deluxe http://youtu.be/oC5urB5NoBU

[jamesriley94]

I think the ITX would definitely make for a better build.

I would go for the H100 over the H80, against what cram said. As it will fit, and your budget isnt that lacking, you may as well. Plus, it will look a look better with a dual rad on top than a crammed in H80 in the back.

[Murphyslaw]

Originally Posted by jamesriley94

I think the ITX would definitely make for a better build.

I would go for the H100 over the H80, against what cram said. As it will fit, and your budget isnt that lacking, you may as well. Plus, it will look a look better with a dual rad on top than a crammed in H80 in the back.

problem with an h100 in the prodigy, and back to my original reply, won't fit... unless he does with out a optical drive, in which he listed as wanting.

[jamesriley94]

Originally Posted by Murphyslaw

problem with an h100 in the prodigy, and back to my original reply, won't fit... unless he does with out a optical drive, in which he listed as wanting.

Yes, but he could easily get a usb one. I take it he wont be using it every day for burning or stuff, so external should do fine

[sp3CRH]

Originally Posted by jamesriley94

Yes, but he could easily get a usb one. I take it he wont be using it every day for burning or stuff, so external should do fine

Yeah, that was the plan. I'd basically use it to watch movies or w/e on occasion.

Originally Posted by Cram

I would say go for the I Deluxe in the prodigy as would make for a more interesting build, also i would suggest the gtx670, corsair AX650, 64Gb crucial m4, 1Tb WD caviar green and a H80 hopefully this sould save some money and make for a good build,

Thanks for the suggestion. I thought it would be a more interesting build too, which is why I am so torn between the two. I was originally set on the mATX build, but then saw the review for the Prodigy and had an entirely new idea... But you're right about the psu and gpu. 670 performs too similarly to really justify the $100+ right now.