micro ATX build

[Deleted]

Hey

Decided I want to build a new pc using some old components from my old dating rig, currently:

CPU: I7 920
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 Evo Tower Cooler for CPU
MOBO: ASUS P6T SE
GPU: Gigabyte NVIDIA GTX660 2GB DDR5 PCI-E Graphics Card
RAM: HyperX Genesis 12 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 CL9 DIMM Memory Kit (3 x 4 GB) - XMP Ready


Wanting to build a mATX, thinking following:

Case: BitFenix BFC-PHM-300-KKXKK-RP - Phenom MATX Cube Case - Midnight Black £80
CPU: Intel i5 4590 Quad Core CPU £145
MOBO: ASRock B85M Pro4 Motherboard £55
Storage: Crucial CT240M500SSD1 240GB M500 SATA 6Gb/s 2.5 Inch Internal Solid State Drive £70
WD - 2TB Desktop SATA Hard Drive - OEM - Green £60

Total upgrade cost ~£400 reusing keeping my existing PSU, GPU and RAM.

Gaming wise - 1080p resolution mix of wow, skyrim, D3.

Any thoughts / comments on build would be greatly appreciated.

[Fuzzykins]

mATX builds are cool, but do you actually need one? Regardless, that's something that you have to decide. You're probably spending a little more than needed on an mATX case.

The RAM isn't really reusable, it's triple channel and the motherboard you have right now (and all 1150 motherboards) are dual channel.

You may want to consider just saving for a couple months more and getting like an i5 4690k and a Z97 motherboard. By buying that motherboard and CPU, you're pretty much guaranteeing that you can't really make meaningful upgrades in the future without replacing the pair.

[Deleted]

mATX builds are cool, but do you actually need one? Regardless, that's something that you have to decide. You're probably spending a little more than needed on an mATX case.

The RAM isn't really reusable, it's triple channel and the motherboard you have right now (and all 1150 motherboards) are dual channel.

You may want to consider just saving for a couple months more and getting like an i5 4690k and a Z97 motherboard. By buying that motherboard and CPU, you're pretty much guaranteeing that you can't really make meaningful upgrades in the future without replacing the pair.

cant I just use 2 of the 3 sticks for 8GB memory - that'd work, no?

and no I don't really need a micro build just like the look of them

[TaintedOne]

I second saving up for a couple months and getting 4690k/Z97.
Warlords wont be out until Nov. that give you time to save.
Also it will be the Christmas shopping season then might be able to find some good sales.

Just some things to consider before buying now.

[Deleted]

Note that I don't plan on overclocking - would that make any difference?

regarding the RAM issue - can I not just buy another 4gb of http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3312623039...84.m1423.l2649 to go in the rig so I don't waste the extra stick that id have from my old system?

[lockblock]

cant I just use 2 of the 3 sticks for 8GB memory - that'd work, no?

Actually the triple channel isn't the problem. You could just use 2 of the 3 sticks.
Most modern platforms run with 1.5v or lower ram where as yours is 1.65v. You could potentially damage the integrated memory controller on the new cpu by running at that voltage. If you decide to under volt the memory that could possibly have its own side effects.

[pacegod]

Your memory should be fine, triple channel just means they are match in triplicate not pairs, like dual channel memory. Just use 2 sticks not 3. Whether your going to overclock or not save an extra £15 and get a 4690k, you never know down the line you may want to Overclock.

And 1.65v will be fine with Haswell.

[Deleted]

hmmmm

ok think I will go down the i5 4690k route to keep my future-proofing options open
in which case any suggestions for a mATX MOBO to go with?

Asrock Z97M ANNIVERSARY MATX Motherboard Socket 1150 ??

Thanks for the comments

[Deleted]

ok so after a bit of research im a bit confused. I'm planning on getting:

Intel Core i5 i5-4690K CPU

putting it into a:

Asrock Z97M ANNIVERSARY MATX Motherboard Socket 1150

and reusing 2 of the 3 RAM sticks from my old rig:

HyperX Genesis 12 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 CL9 DIMM Memory Kit (3 x 4 GB) - XMP Ready

what's the issue with memory stick voltages? The RAM sticks I have say they need 1.65volts but i hear that the motherboard wants them to be 1.5v....will this still work or will it blow up and set fire to my house? would it just be better to buy new RAM as well?

Edit: is anyone able to advise?

- - - Updated - - -

selfish bump