ITX Build Plan Feedback

[twaelbroeck]

I'm planning an ITX build in a Silverstone case which I like and I've seen others use successfully.

I'm a software developer and my wife is a photographer, so this build will primarily service those requirements, but it will also handle some gaming (secondary).

I'll be looking to run at least one virtual machine and do some very heavy multi-tasking, while my wife will be using PhotoShop and possible doing some light video editing.

That being said, do these parts look like they will fulfill our requirements and be compatible with a Hackintosh build?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
EVGA Z170 Stinger Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard
Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory
EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card
Sandisk SSD PLUS 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Corsair SF 600W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply
Silverstone FT03B-MINI (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case

 

[kiiroaka]

ITX boards usually only have two RAM slots.

Find out what ITX mobo actually can allow 32GB of RAM to be installed since a lot of them say that they can go as high as 32GB but can really only install 16GB because no one makes the 2x16GB sticks for it. Then compare available speeds (most ITX boards may not allow XPM RAM profiles to be loaded and the memory "over clocked", but if one board allows 2x16GB at 2133 and another at 2400 and the 2400 speed is cheaper than the 2133 then you will probably want the one that will have memory that costs less even though it will be down throttled to 2133 speeds.

Looking at the EVGA Stringer MQL the only RAM that comes in 32GB is the G.Skill F4-2400C15Q-64GRK and the "64" says that it is a 4x16GB kit.
http://www.evga.com/support/motherboard/

Crucial has one DDR4 2400 entry: BLS8G4D24DFSA.16FAR and it is a 2x8GB kit.

So, basically, you have a Skylake that can accept 64GB of RAM but which is being crippled by being able to only use 16GB. 16GB may be enough today but it may not be enough once you start using Photoshop, video editors, VMs, etc.

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en?cm_re=top-nav-_-flyout-store-_-us-store
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/EVGA/evga-z77-stinger-(111-ib-e692-kr)

Crucial does not show any 2x16GB RAM for that mobo.

Are you willing to settle for 16GB total?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

That case may be too small for water cooling. Don't expect it to be silent as it only has a single 140mm fan that spins at 1500 RPM.
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4825/silverstone_fortress_sst_ft03b_mini_chassis_review/index.html

My suggestion, and it isn't worth much, is to switch over to a micro-ATX board (which I would never do, mind you) that has 4 RAM slots, fill it up with 64GB of DDR2133, 2400 or 3200, has an Intel NIC and that the case can allow water cooling and/or can handle at least 5 fans. It's too bad that no one has made a midi or microATX case specifically made for SSD drives and no 5" external drive bays.

 

[kiiroaka]

Using G.Skill's memory configurator and doing a reverse look-up (selecting DDR4 RAM and 2x16GB and looking at their QVL for all the supported mobos) one ITX board that could work is the ASUS MAXIMUS VIII IMPACT. Newegg price, $240. The memory that would work with that board is Trident Z F4-3200C15D-32GTZSK. Newegg price, $195.

Another ITX board that would work is the Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1 as it is also listed. Newegg price, $165. That may be the better bet (read the negative ASUS reviews on Newegg.) You will want to replace the WiFi board though, with something that works with OSX.

The G.Skill Trident Z is the best RAM available, imo. And while expensive it is the seemingly only game in town. [Edit: Well maybe not. Keep reading...] You could try installing some un-matched RAM, say two sticks of DDR4 3200, and if you're lucky... I'd run 24 hours of MemTest86 at 2133 and then bump it up to the rated speed one tick of speed at a time and re-run the test. But if you're unlucky don't be surprised if you get kernel panics, especially if it's 3200 speeds.

IMO, $195 isn't bad for 32GB. I paid $240 for 4x16GB DDR3 2400. If you had a 4 mem slot ATX or micro ATX board it would probably cost half that, or about $120. But that's what you give up when you can't install 64GB of RAM. [Keep reading...]

http://www.gskill.com/en/finder?cat...&prop_2=0&prop_6=0&prop_3=0&prop_4=0&prop_1=0

And now for the good news....

Selecting lowest price for ddr4 at Newegg it listed the G.Skill 2x16GB kit Aegis 2400 at $120 and doing a reverse lookup for the Aegis stick on G.Skill the EVGA Z170 Stinger is listed. [Hooray] http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f4-2400c15d-32gis Paper stick instead of heat spreaders, though.

Did the same for DDR4, Ripjaws V. F4-2400-C15D-32GVR is $129 at Newegg. That's what I would go for for 'best bang for the buck'. But, with an i7 I would go with the Trident Z at 3200. The G.Skill F4-3200C16D-32GVR is $165 at Newegg.

Your choices seem to be $120 or $129 for DDR4 2400 or $165 or $195 for DDR4 3200. Play with the G.Skill Memory Configurator and compare prices at Newegg. For instance the F4-32400C14D-32GVK for $189 is 14-14-14-34, which is faster than the Trident Z. Big difference between the DDR4 2400 and the DDR4 3200 is that the former is 1.2V and the latter is 1.35V. Higher voltage may mean higher case temps. idkfs. Anything beyond 2666 speed will be 1.35V. The DDR4 3400 16-16-16-36 F4-3400C16D-32GVK is $210 on Newegg.

[Addendum]
Your case only allows a max CPU cooler of 78mm. Choose wisely...

And yes, I would replace the stock fan with a Noctua.

 

[twaelbroeck]

Hi Kiiroaka

Thanks for the in-depth reply and information.

I've looked into the mini-ITX details that you pointed out and options I had at hand, but something didn't feel right.

I did more research and I've decided to change my plan and start from scratch.

I'm going to build a custom desk with an open, off the floor, PC stand and I'm going to go ATX with a dual boot (Mac/Win10).

I posted a new thread with my new plan. Thanks again for the many things you pointed out for me.