New SFF build. mATX

[xanvincent]

Hello again XS. Moving from home and college and sometimes to LAN events is becoming a hassle with my ATX tower case. I'd like to move into the world of mATX. So, I've decided to sell my Q6600/motherboard/TRUE/DDR2 RAM. I'll be using the money from this once sold, to buy a new AM3/DDR3 rig. Budget as low as possible, with around a $350-$400 max.
I'll be keeping my 3870 video card for now, possibly upgrading it later.

The first dilemma is the case. I've seen some nice builds with the SG01, although some suggest the Tt LANBOX lite. I kind of like the Apevia QPack2, minus the handle. This will be sitting atop my desk so I'd like to keep noise to a minimum but still allow for overclocking and performance.

Also, I'm unfamiliar with what RAM I should use. I hear anything decent with a 1.5v-1.65v for the AMD-based system works good. I'd like at least 4GB.

With the motherboard, I'm really split between the MSI 785GM-E65 and the Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H. Both are the same price. Key differences I see is the layout of the MSI board is much nicer, specifically the 90* SATA slots. The MSI board also seems to have a better cooling solution, covering the MOSFETs while the Gigabyte does not. The Gigabyte does have 8-pin CPU power while the MSI has only a 4-pin. Yes I am only using a dual core, however would this come into play when overclocking?

So far:
Case: Open to suggestion.
Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 2.8GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688)
Motherboard: MSI 785GM-E65 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130233) / Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397)
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276)

I'd love for anyone with SFF experience to chime in really. What CPU cooler? What case? Problems? Etc.

[Peen]

I have the Athlon II X2 240 and the Gigabyte board you have listed. They are awesome little combo for $100. Have it running 2.8ghz 1.088v or 3.5ghz stock vcore.

Can't comment on the case because I am still looking too. Thinking about the Silverstone Sugo for $70

[wuttz]

i haven't researched the BIOS options for the GBYTE board, but the MSI one you're considering has the complete overclocking package in the CELL BIOS options. I have the ECS 785G and am very disappointed all I can do is a reference clock push in the BIOS (no option to set CPU-NB vcore too) and a multiplier overclock inside windows. the asus version also has this same weakness, no settings for CPU-NB vcore values. Just an fyi.

[Peen]

The Gigabyte has them all plus you can lower them all which is nice.

[xanvincent]

Wuttz, are you saying the MSI board does or doesn't have overclocking features? I've pretty much only used ASUS boards up to this point so I'm unfamiliar what BIOS MSI and Gigabyte use and what their feature sets are like. The MSI board definitely looks better, especially for a lan box. No comments on the 4-pin vs 8-pin thing?

[wuttz]

Wuttz, are you saying the MSI board does or doesn't have overclocking features? I've pretty much only used ASUS boards up to this point so I'm unfamiliar what BIOS MSI and Gigabyte use and what their feature sets are like. The MSI board definitely looks better, especially for a lan box. No comments on the 4-pin vs 8-pin thing?

MSI DOES have the overclocking features. I checked the manual, so thats as far as I'm privy with the board.

The ASUS one DOES NOT have CPU-NB Vcore settings when I checked the manual, and the DDR3 settings only go up to 800MHz. I dont know where they get the DDR3-1800(OC) setting they advertise on the box. (See NewEgg)

Re: 4-pin/8-pin, all I've seen in all the 785G's is that they use 4+1 phase PWM, no space for an 8+2 here. hehehe. so it doesnt matter if its 4 or 8 pin because afaik the 4-pin is more than enough for a 4+1 config.

[xanvincent]

Ah that's what I thought you said. Thanks for clarifying. I didn't want an ASUS board anyway.

I've read something to do with stress on the 4-pin connector when cpu wattage exceeds 125w hence the 8-pin connector to relieve that stress on quads/overclocked duals. Regardless, 4-pin should be plenty for a dual core here (what about a tri-core?) or does it really have nothing to do with power of the CPU and all to do with the PWM configuration

No suggestions on the case from anyone yet?

[wuttz]

the 8-pins are actually 4-pins put side-by-side and i'd hazard a guess that it does help with power delivery to the CPU. however, i'd still choose a very small "ripple" DC output from a PSU over higher wattage outputs(but not as "clean.") helps get overclocks stable and fewer BSOD.
four-pins should be plenty for air overclocking, even for quads. that MSI is a good choice, and it looks pretty too! ;)

[Peen]

I overheated (melted) the 4-8 Pin EPS with only the 4pin plugged in on my OC'ed Xeon i7 at like 4-4.2ghz but shouldn't be a problem on a mAtx build! Running Athlon II X2 rig in sig with only 4pin and have OC'ed it.

Only used 4pin for my Q9550@4ghz too for a year no problems! :)

So you will be fine with 4pinner :D

[xanvincent]

I overheated (melted) the 4-8 Pin EPS with only the 4pin plugged in on my OC'ed Xeon i7 at like 4-4.2ghz but shouldn't be a problem on a mAtx build! Running Athlon II X2 rig in sig with only 4pin and have OC'ed it.

Only used 4pin for my Q9550@4ghz too for a year no problems! :)

So you will be fine with 4pinner :D

Sweet. Saw that you hit 4GHz with that Athlon II, I hope I can do the same. What cooler did you use for that Peen?

[Peen]

Probably not likely thats just bench stable. Max prime stable is 3.8-3.9ghz :)

But maybe!