Mini itx build

Cisco001

whvkza wrote: »

If you're going for ram higher than 2133MHz you have to get a board with the Z170 chipset right? On a budget build I'm not sure about paying over £100 for a motherboard. Until cheaper B150 itx boards come I would prefer to go with Haswell & 1600MHz CL9 ram on low cost itx builds.

That's true, the Seasonic you mentioned in your build is probably the best fit. I didn't choose it because it only comes with a single pcie connector.

That Z170 mini itx motherboard include wifi. So if you minus £15 for usb wifi adapter. The motherboard is arguably £90.

i only manage to find Asrock mitx B150 motherboard at Scan for £70 and it is pre-order, no wifi. So say it is £85 if wifi needed.

Then the next one is H170 itx mobo with wifi. It is £90.

If you ask me if it worth paying extra £15 - 20 for a more future proof overclockable motheboard which support faster RAM, i would say yes.

However, if OP don't intend to upgrade CPU in future, it is best to go i5 with itx H81 now.

Regarding the PSU, i don't see the need of 2 x PCI-e for 450W PSU. GTX 970 would probably need 500W PSU?

whvkza

Cisco001 wrote: »

That Z170 mini itx motherboard include wifi. So if you minus £15 for usb wifi adapter. The motherboard is arguably £90.

i only manage to find Asrock mitx B150 motherboard at Scan for £70 and it is pre-order, no wifi. So say it is £85 if wifi needed.

Then the next one is H170 itx mobo with wifi. It is £90.

If you ask me if it worth paying extra £15 - 20 for a more future proof overclockable motheboard which support faster RAM, i would say yes.

However, if OP don't intend to upgrade CPU in future, it is best to go i5 with itx H81 now.

Regarding the PSU, i don't see the need of 2 x PCI-e for 450W PSU. GTX 970 would probably need 500W PSU?

If you have a psu from a good OEM such as Seasonic or Super Flower you could run a 4460 & a non overclocked R9 390 on a 450W psu so a 970 will definitely run on one.

dai1983

Here's the review of the i3 6100 that I read:

*can't post with links yet! PC gamer review of the i6100

I'm still undecided weather to go i3 or i5. As skylake is pretty new I'm finding it difficult to find reviews of the z170 motherboards. Reviews of the as rock above don't seem too good and others have more features than I need. they are also more expensive.

Ive decided to got sata on the ssd as I can fit it in the case. I've found different versions of the gtx950 including the sc version of the gigabyte card andthe evga model

The more I look into it the more confused I get!!!

dai1983

Ive been looking into this a bit further and currently have similar builds which are priced below (prices minus vat as I'm at a non Euro BFPO)

ITX
I5 6500 £430 (frustratingly the £155 6600 is not in stock with Amazon)
I3 6100 £400 (has a Z MB and the faster ram. 6500 build is on a B mb with slower ram)
I5 4460 £377
I3 4270 £338

That leave me with the following choices:
-i3 skylake on a z170 and go for an i5k if I need it later
-bite the bullet and go i5 6500
- realise a 4460 is enough, is 4 core but older tech.
-go 4170 for the lower budget build

The build is to get me interested in computing/programming/gaming again after a time off. For this reason I worry that I may loose interest so I'm cautious about spending over £400. I also want the most bang for my £.

forgotmyname

Most bang for your £ AMD 6300 (6 core) or 8350? (8 core)

For gaming is mostly the video card. If you check some of the gamers
recommendations £400 wont buy you a budget video card.

You need to find what the recommended spec is for your software or
games and see how you can push the specs within your budget.