Building the Ultimate mATX SLI Gamer PC [Build Suggestions]

Thread in 'Hardware / Gaming Gear' started by Blagg Zear, Jan 7, 2015.

  1. Blagg Zear

    Blagg Zear Star Lord

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    Hi Guys, a friend of mine asked me if it is possible to build a Gamer PC in the Size of classic small LAN Party PCs. We played a lot in the past together in such parties, but well, since Internet Connections got so fast nowadays and most of the games need to be played online via Client-Server Connection, lan parties are not anymore popular like it was 10-20 yrs ago.. too bad, lan parties were soo much fun and you meet soo many nice people.

    But still it is a great Project to make a highly transportable Gaming Rig. Imagine you can move around with this rig and all you need are some sockets and internet-access. So my friend has discussed with me some requirements. Here they are:
    So what are your Ideas? Let's create some cool "Builds", since we are Build-Engineers for sexy hot machines anyways.

    Allright. Im gonna search for some nice components and share with you. Would be glad to look at your other Builds for comparison.

    :)
     
  2. Blagg Zear

    Blagg Zear Star Lord

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    Here is my 1st Prototype:
    • Case: AeroCool Strike-X Cube Red Edition ~$90 / 75€
    • CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K, 4x 4.00GHz ~$360 / 300€
    • MB: MSI Z87M Gaming, SLI 2x PCIe 3.0 x16 ~$130 / 110€
    • RAM: TeamGroup Elite Series DIMM Kit 16GB, DDR3-1600, CL11-11-11-28 ~$140 / 120€
    • GPUs: 2x Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 Mini, 4GB GDDR5, 2x DVI, HDMI, 3x DisplayPort ~$760 / 640€
    • Storage Drive: 2x Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250GB, SATA 6Gb/s ~$260 / 220€
    • Power Supply: be quiet! Straight Power 10 500W ATX 2.4 ~$90 / 75€
    • Optical Drive: LG Electronics Bluray Burner BH16NS40, SATA ~$75 / 65€
    • Keyboard: Tt eSPORTS Poseidon Z Illuminated Gaming Keyboard, mechanical, illuminated ~$70 / 60€
    • Mouse: Sharkoon Drakonia Black ~$35 / 30€
    • Monitor: Samsung S24D300H, 24", 2ms, VGA, HDMI ~$140 / 120€
    • Headset: Tt eSPORTS Shock One Gaming Headset, 5.1 DTS ~$60 / 50€

    Overall Price: ~$2200 / 1865€

    Pix:
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    Last edited: Jan 7, 2015
  3. Durandal

    Durandal Min-Max Maniac

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    Wouldn't 500W be a bit low for all that? I would've guessed at least 650W to be safe, though I'm no expert.
     
  4. The Verge

    The Verge Moderator Staff Member

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    I think I have a build that may put yours to shame. It's cheaper, but ready for expansions when you really want to do that extra SLI card.


    [​IMG]
    Corsair Carbide Series CC-9011070-WW
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139044

    comes with 3 case fans. Can support 2x120mm Top, Front, and Bottom. 1x 120mm on the side, and 2x 80mm in the rear. I recommend ignoring the rear fans, and using only the 120mm slots.

    [​IMG]
    CORSAIR Hydro Series H60
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181030

    [​IMG]
    Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition CO-9050002-WW 120mm Twin Pack High Airflow Case Fan
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181021

    You will need 2 packs of these, so keep that in mind.

    [​IMG]
    CORSAIR CXM series CX750M
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139051

    [​IMG]
    MSI Z97M Gaming LGA 1150
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130773

    Just using the updated motherboard in your first build, and this one should work better, due to the chipset.

    [​IMG]
    Intel Core i7-4790K Haswell
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117369

    [​IMG]
    CORSAIR Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233599

    Faster RAM is better!

    [​IMG]
    EVGA 04G-2974-KR GeForce GTX 970 Superclocked 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 ACX 2.0 PCI Express 3.0
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487076

    only one is needed for MWO. This will crush it.

    [​IMG]
    Crucial MX100 CT512MX100SSD1 2.5" 512GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148821

    only one drive needed for gaming.

    [​IMG]
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit - OEM
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416778

    mostly because your forgot an OS in your first build.

    [​IMG]
    ASUS VE247H Black 23.6" 2ms HDMI LED Backlight Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 10,000,000:1 (ASCR) W/ Speakers
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236146

    Refurbished moniters are always good from ASUS. I should know!

    [​IMG]
    Logitech G230 3.5mm Connector Circumaural Stereo Gaming Headset
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104840

    Good simple headphones are always good to have! and, you can even get them with a USB connector instead!

    [​IMG]
    Razer Naga MMO Gaming Mouse
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153125

    Razer makes good products, but it's the software that makes this mouse great! Macro's, and multiple profiles linked to their programs make this easy to max out on.

    [​IMG]
    Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth Edition Elite Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823114039

    my current keyboard, they are nigh indestructable, and software is great too. You can find them cheaper on ebay sometimes too.

    [​IMG]
    Razer Goliathus Extended SPEED Soft Gaming Mouse Mat
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826999114

    I really need to get me one of these, as they make your mouse reading consistent, and they are nice and soft on your hands, much better than a wood or glass surface!

    Total cost, with only instant savings and shipping applied as it would ship to me, but not including the 3 mail in rebates: but including the free game of course :D
    $2,017.58
     
    skidog2k3 and Blagg Zear like this.
  5. Blagg Zear

    Blagg Zear Star Lord

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    That could be right. Afaik gtx 970 sli consume around 320Watts under full stress. System without gpus should consume around 100-150 Watts. But there is nothing wrong about going safe. :)

    http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/core-i7-4790k-processor-review,11.html

    http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/geforce-gtx-970-sli-review,4.html

    @Vergere
    Beautiful Build!
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2015
    The Verge likes this.
  6. The Verge

    The Verge Moderator Staff Member

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    Thanks man!
    BTW, that's a 240 case, and it can come in black or white!

    That modular PSU and the case that seperates the PSU and hard drives from the other components is really nice.
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2015
  7. skidog2k3

    skidog2k3 Dispossessed

    @Vergere Great build, love the corsair stuff, hate that mouse though never had good luck with MSI mother boards, but it's been a while since I put a system together.... That keyboard is sick... I may need to upgrade.

    @Blagg Zear LOVE THAT CASE. I did a modular for my HTPC and have had no issues. One thing I have learned over the years of building systems for myself and friends is never skimp on RAM.

    If it was me, I would take Blagg's case, mouse, load it up with Verg's corsair stuff along with the updated mother board and EVGA 970. The case is a bit flashy for me so I would probably paint it matte military green and change the LED highlights to amber so it would match my Corsair mouse and glossy black on the inside with custom amber highlights inside. Custom cabling throughout, (I hate seeing wires and they suck for airflow) but that's just me, and that sick ass Razer keyboard......
     
  8. Durandal

    Durandal Min-Max Maniac

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    I use the logitech version of the mouse, and let me tell you...it is AMAZING for MWO. Control weapon groups 4/5/6 with thumb, as well as a button for strikes/uav/cool shots, a button to key up TS3, and 3 buttons for macros? Oh hell yeah. That's not to mention that you can easily set up a button as a DPI shift, which makes switching between fine aiming and fast torso twisting a breeze.

    Logitech version:

    http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/g600-mmo-gaming-mouse
    [​IMG]
     
  9. The Verge

    The Verge Moderator Staff Member

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    you could go to Corsair to get your Keyboard and Mouse fix.

    [​IMG]
    Corsair CH-9000067-NA Vengeance K70 Mechanical Keyboard with Cherry MX Brown Switch
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823816020

    You can get this type of Keyboard with Cherry, Red, or Blue switches too, and it still has that nice red backlight.

    [​IMG]
    Corsair Vengeance M95 CH-9000025-NA Black 15 1 x Wheel Wired Laser 8200 dpi Gaming Mouse
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826816012

    they are a bit spendy, but within your budget.

    [​IMG]
    Corsair MM200 CH-9000086-WW Extended Edition Gaming Mouse Mat
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826988037

    but they do have a cheaper Extended Mouse and Keyboard mat, That isn't green!
     
  10. Blagg Zear

    Blagg Zear Star Lord

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  11. The Verge

    The Verge Moderator Staff Member

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    you really won't notice a difference with RAID vs a single SSD. They are so fast, that a RAID set up just as fast as the single drive. Plus, you will notice that you get twice as much storage from one 512gb drive, vs using 2 smaller 250gb drives in a RAID 1 set. Even if you were to do a RAID 0 set, the speed difference doesn't outweigh the loss of storage space.
     
  12. skidog2k3

    skidog2k3 Dispossessed

    Using this mouse. more than enough for my style of play,
    Weapons, zoom control with the bottom thumb button as a DPI shifter.
    [​IMG]
    and I actually use a Saitek Cyborg Evo as my left hand control for throttle steering and any aux controls
    [​IMG]
    Not happy with my keyboard at all though.

    Edit: by the way, the joystick is painted to match the mouse.
     
  13. The Verge

    The Verge Moderator Staff Member

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    what Keyboard do you have? there have been some really good suggestions in this thread, perhaps starting one to determine the "best" keyboard will help you get a good one!
     
  14. skidog2k3

    skidog2k3 Dispossessed

    This is the keyboard I have. I like the cherry black switches, but no backlighting on this model.
    [​IMG]

    Edit: Of course I painted mine the same green as the mouse and joystick... one of these days I'll gut my Tt Armour Jr. case and paint it too.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 8, 2015
    Michael likes this.
  15. Michael

    Michael Grand Poobah

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    I have the same one although with my Drakonia I don't bother with the macro keys anymore. I guess I could but they aren't really necessary.
     
    skidog2k3 likes this.
  16. skidog2k3

    skidog2k3 Dispossessed

    I nixed the key pad on mine, and the small macro pad... they just got in the way for me. have you had any issues with yours Grimm?
     
  17. Michael

    Michael Grand Poobah

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    @skidog2k3 None. I don't have the software installed right now so the volume knob light isn't lit up nor the other little lights here and there but I don't care. It still works. I have both the keybpad and the macro bad installed but don't use them.
     
    skidog2k3 likes this.
  18. Blagg Zear

    Blagg Zear Star Lord

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    Yepp i have the ASUS VS247H and i love that Monitor so much. The reasons i chose that screen were the design, the fast response time, the budget price and the connections. It has even an audio jack for console gaming / bluray via hdmi connection. Whenever i want to play Games on travel i bring my PS3 superslim, this Monitor and some headphones.

    The MX279H-P has even more Sex Appeal. Want buy!
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2015
  19. Coldreive

    Coldreive New Member

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    Recently did a micro build for my son . He chose the Bitfenix Prodigy . Awesome case , though beware the cable management .
    I find this one much more tasty though...


    I'd look at the 4670K to save money or alternately the 4770K .
    Skip the optical .
    750 min PSU .
    Gigabyte G1 or MSI gaming GTX 970 gpu .

    gotta run for now.

    On an aside it was a pleasure running into you last night Mr Grimm . Even though you destroyed my mech lol
     
  20. skidog2k3

    skidog2k3 Dispossessed

    Maybe it's the software, I've had it inadvertently cut out on me after my system sleeps. Ill uninstall and see if that's the problem.... I don't use the macro buttons anyway.
     
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