Will It Fit?

[Hamza]

Hi everyone -- this is only my second post, so go easy.

This is the second system I will be building. It's basically a total overhaul of my old system! I want to fit everything inside a MicroATX desktop case because I'd like to get my whole system off the floor. So... will you help me determine if A) everything will fit into my new case; B) all the components are compatible; C) what kind of heatsink I should use with the processor (and if it will fit); and D) anything else I should be aware of?

If I'm wrong, explain to me how I'm wrong -- it'll help me learn how to better build systems! And thanks for all your help! Lets begin:

Here's the case:

Antec New Solution NSK2480 Black/Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811129034

Here's what I want to stuff inside it:

Intel BOXDQ45CB LGA 775 Intel Q45 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813121357

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115018

SONY White 20X DVD+R 12X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827131050

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145184

Alternatively, I have 2 x 1GB of the same brand and pinset/DDRset of RAM in my current machine. Can I mix-n'-match my old 2x1GB and a new 1x2GB or new 2x1GB or new 2x2GB in the previously mentioned Intel mainboard?

And here's the components from my old system I want to transfer over!

EVGA 512-P2-N637-AR GeForce 7950GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130066

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16829102178

2x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822144701

Will it all come together? And again, what heatsink should I use with the CPU? And is there anything else I'll need? Assistance is needed!

 

[saltynay]

It should definitely fit in. Cpu cooler wise you will need to check out the dimensions thoroughly, I have a case of the same height and can just fit a zalman 9500 in. It is a very tight fit though, look up some proper reviews and find out what heat sinks they use with the case a quick google will be sufficient.

one issue is that the case frontage is silver but your getting a white optical drive......

VERY IMPORTANT you haven purchased a psu it is the main component like the foundations of a house it holds everything up. If the psu is cheap and short circuits it can fry every other part. Antec is however a very good company as psu manufacturers so the one supplied should be ok with a moderate system. You are however making a high end system I would purchase a 600W modular psu if I was you.

If you are like me and just prefer the look of htpc cases then go ahead but if you can accommodate a tower it will give you better cooling and all round easier installation. To give you an idea at the more extreme end mine is a gaming machine with sli'd graphics and 3 hard drives and a sound card it just about fits but doesn't look as pretty with the case off lol. The tower is someone elses on here who has a clean and neat tower case which is the more traditional case for a computer

Tower http://duotrio.org/wire.jpg
Htpc http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/Saltynay/02102008498.jpg

 

[aspire]

You are however making a high end system I would purchase a 600W modular psu if I was you.

Do you seriously believe what your saying?

He's running a 7950gt and a q6600...

That low-mid range...

A solid 400W psu will do you fine. Take a look at the offerings by PC Power and Cooling, Antec, and Seasonic.

 

[ricanflow]

380w earthwatts ftw.

 

[SHaTTaFaKKaP]

380w earthwatts ftw.

The US is pretty much only country that splurges on extra power cause everything so cheap here. like $10 AR 500 watt PSU's that are actually decent

 

[saltynay]

Do you seriously believe what your saying?

He's running a 7950gt and a q6600...

That low-mid range...

A solid 400W psu will do you fine. Take a look at the offerings by PC Power and Cooling, Antec, and Seasonic.

Lol sure the 7950gt has had its day but it still is a power hungry card and yes it will run on 400W psu but even an antec bundled psu I wouldn't trust when pushed to its upper echelons. Modular psu would also do him a few favours with that case. Imo its mid-high

 

[ricanflow]

The US is pretty much only country that splurges on extra power cause everything so cheap here. like $10 AR 500 watt PSU's that are actually decent

huh????

Lol sure the 7950gt has had its day but it still is a power hungry card and yes it will run on 400W psu but even an antec bundled psu I wouldn't trust when pushed to its upper echelons. Modular psu would also do him a few favours with that case.

Umm, im running two 8800GT'S and a full system on a 380w earthwatts...thats more power than everything you listed.

Antec psu's are by no means weak.

 

[Hamza]

Ribald debate! Now that's more like it! So far, two other people have told me the bundled power-unit will be fine. I'm interested in why there's some disagreement -- is it really necessary for me to buy another power unit? I was also under the impression that Antec was solid.

Also -- good eye on the silver case with the white DVD/R drive! I was so annoyed... I can't find a silver DVD/R drive, so white was the best I could do. ARE there silver DVD/R drives?

Also, I --may-- have misposted. I realize now that a machine with a nVidia 7950 is not high-end. But it was 4 years ago when I build my old tower. But I love this card! It runs everything I throw at it (except Crysis!) without a hiccup. I expect to run only this card until it melts.

And I want to get away from a tower -- as far as possible -- so yeah, that's why I want the smaller case.

What are your thoughts? Thanks for all the help!

 

[aspire]

What are your thoughts?

 

[saltynay]

I have three silver drives 2 are the same model one is different but all made by sony..... you can also spray paint the bezel if needed. Antec is fairly solid I ran a 430W truepower with a similar setup (one 8800gts) I only really changed to sli and needed the extra 6/8pin clip. I would however strongly recommend a modular psu given the compact nature of the case and if buying a psu its always best to go high as you will be able to transfer it to your next pc or when your power requirements become more demanding.