I want to build a SFF gaming machine I can bring around for LAN parties, mostly playing high-end games like Supreme Commander.
Looking for recommendations outside the The Console on Steroids - mostly because I want to tailor it to a Intel Core i5 platform. The i5-750 seems ripe for performance/price as well as overclocking, given the latest TR reviews.
The second half would be as another machine for Folding@home. Having a quad core already for some SMP Folding, pretty sure I'm going to go with an Nvidia card for more PPD (despite the better performance/price with the ATI cards) - the GTX 260 seems well in supply.
So, cooling is my main concern - not so much noise or cost. Up to $1000 USD or so seems reasonable. I don't need any of the recommended wireless accessories, Blu-ray player, monitor, OS etc.
I don't know if the Silverstone Sugo SG02-BF recommended really cuts it here with one 80mm side fan.
Tempted to go with the Antec Mini P180 esp if it can fit a tower CPU cooler for good overclocking.
But the 20 lbs of weight is a little discouraging, as I want to be able to move it around.
Something like the Thermaltake LANBOXseems like an option, given its front and back fans.
Don't know if the SeaSonic SS-350ET will cut it for full load of the Core i5 + GTX 260
Not planning on doing any case modding, really just has to screw in easily.
Newegg is an option (I'm in the US) as well as Fry's (I have one locally and will try to get a case in-stock there if possible).
So suggestions on:
- CPU / mATX motherboard
- SFF case
- Power supply (modular maybe, given the tight space)
- CPU cooler... need a low-profile perhaps?
Thanks!
P.S. any suggestions on a KVM? Esp if it supports DVI and USB, since all my accessories are such. Would like to just swap between this desktop and the LAN party box easily
P.P.S Is the Caviar Black 640GB still worth the small premium as a system disk?