Silverstone Fortress Case Build challenge : )

[teamvaal]

Ok not a challenge but need help, that was just tricky advertising!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163176

I love this case. I cant afford to have it built by http://www.maingear.com/boutique/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1250

Im know I can assemble provided I get the right parts, but this is a tricky case to work with.

Im especially concerned with the Mobo, CPU fan, Blue Ray burner and power supply. I can figure out hard drives, RAM etc.

Id love to here from someone who has built with this case, or is really good at assembling the right parts for a PC.

Thanks!

PC I need a good enough video card to run Guild Wars 2, Diablo etc on 1900x1200 45 inch flat screen fairly close to max settings. With HDMI video and sound out on same cable (currently doing this with a laptop http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&docname=c01896913&product=4041797) Nvidia GeForce GT 230M.

Should be very easy to blow this laptop away spec wise : )

[teamvaal]

So Im working on identifying parts on maingears website.

Went with the following mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131840

And configuring on maingear site shows following cpu options... Ive read conflicting reports on buying I7s vs I5s due to multithreading and few games and apps using that today... So is it worth it? What do you all suggest?

Intel? Core? i7 3770K 3.5GHz/3.9GHz Turbo 8MB L3 Cache HD 4000

Intel? Core? i7 3770 3.4GHz/3.8GHz Turbo 8MB L3 Cache HD 4000

Intel? Core? i5 3570K 3.4GHz/3.8GHz Turbo 6MB L3 Cache HD 4000

Intel? Core? i5 3550 3.3GHz/3.7GHz Turbo 6MB L3 Cache HD 2500

Intel? Core? i5 3450 3.1GHz/3.5GHz Turbo 6MB L3 Cache HD 2500

Also maingear sells there own liquid CPU cooler, but not direct to consumer so this looks to be an obstacle. Finding a good CPU cooler that will fit the case!

[Brandon H Supervisor]

a good tip i was told recently is put everything on the motherboard (cpu+fan and ram etc) before you put it in the case

the psu shouldn't be too much of a problem on that case as it looks like it has it's own little area, but i don't see any spot for a cd drive on that case

btw i'm getting ready to build a small system myself with this silverstone case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163174

[Astra.Xtreme]

I guess the first thing we have to ask is what your budget is.

And then, are you set on getting that case? Same with that motherboard?

The reason I ask is because you've picked out pretty expensive choices which are pretty unnecessary. You'd be much better off getting cheaper alternatives and then investing in a SSD and better graphics card, which will give you serious performance advantages.

If you are set on getting a small Mini ITX case, here's an alternative:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119261

I used that case for a build, and it's actually really nice. Very very small, so it will fit just about anywhere. A big CPU cooler will probably be an issue, but unless you want to do overclocking, you'd be fine with the stock cooler. If you don't need something that's super tiny, I'd recommend just getting a case that will fit a normal ATX motherboard. Building it and cooling it will be much easier.

For the motherboard, you should save some money and get this:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131841

The one you choose really only has the benefits of wifi built in. And who knows if that wifi chip is even any good.

If you do need wifi, I'd recommend one of these:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16833124467

That's the one I use and it gets very good range and speed.

For the CPU, I'd suggest just getting an i5. The i7 has hyperthreading, but it's really not worth the extra cost. You won't see any difference in normal tasks and gaming. Also, if you have no intention of overclocking, then don't bother with the "K" version processors. You'll save $20.

Let us know what your budget is, and then we can throw some ideas around for you.

[teamvaal]

It does have a spot for optical but its got to be slot loaded... I might skip that for now. Nice. I like the look of these silverstone cases. Unique. Ive built my own before but this case looks to be a bit of a challenge.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256063 thats the power supply listed on maingears site. Seems a bit underpowered...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127696 this is the graphics card I added to wish list. Not buying anything yet. Gonna wait a few days for some expert advice : )

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504 and heres the processor Im thinking off. Its an I5..

[teamvaal]

Ive been using the wrong maingear PC as my benchmark. Used the Potenza which is much smaller instead of http://www.maingear.com/custom/desktops/f131/index.php the F131. Gonna start over : ) sorry bout the wrong hardware posted but Im betting its still fairly similar, just a bit more room to play with.

[teamvaal]

Astra thanks for the advice. Yes I really want that case it looks so nice and this PC sits right next to my Flat screen and stereo. I roll out an office chair and TV tray when I feel like gamming. And forget my last post. I like your advice on boards. Im looking at them now. Yes I definitely want wifi thats why I stuck with the board listed on the site.

Budget Id say under 2000$. At the moment I added http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233222 the following SSD drive. with 8gbs of corsair ram and no slim line slot loading Blue ray Im at about 1500 (starting to cringe : ) so im nearing my limit). Still need to look at the wifi board you showed me. And hope to find a better power supply.

Im as much into asthetics at this point as performance. Otherwise id stick with my crappy laptop. The case look is what started this. I want to keep cables and things that will stick outside the case to a minimum (if only wireless 120v ac... : ) ). I know Im going to sacrifice a bit here and there either in paying a bit more, or loosing a bit in optimal performance. But this setup should still kill my laptop, and look a hell of a lot better than the jimmy rigged setup I have sitting in my living room at this time.

Again power supply is thing Im most worried about at this time. 450w seems so low. Been awhile since I built my own PC so maybe bigger isnt better anymore?

And CPU fan I could use some help. It looks like I have some room to play with.

[Fish]

Bit-tech did a review of the Fortress - http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2012/09/28/silverstone-ft03-mini-review/1

It's an unusual design (I actually quite like it too), but it's not without it's drawbacks.

Last year I built a small PC for my daughter using a Sugo SG02F. It's an excellent case if space is a premium, but still has room for most graphics cards, and an ATX power supply.

[+PeterUK MVC]

I like the look of these silverstone cases. Unique. Ive built my own before but this case looks to be a bit of a challenge.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817256063 thats the power supply listed on maingears site. Seems a bit underpowered...

If your getting the SilverStone Fortress Series FT03B it will take a ATX size PSU thats 180mm deep the SST-FT03B-MINI is the one that can't take ATX PSU.