Gaming PC

[Ashey]

Hi,

Just wondering what you guys think of this for a gaming upgrade. Below is the spec of the build I just made on PCSpecialist:

Case
InWIN MANA-136 BLACK GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Quad Core Processor i5-4670K (3.4GHz) 6MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® Z87-A: ATX, USB2.0, USB3.0, SATA6GB/S, SLi, XFIRE
Memory (RAM)
2GB KINGSTON DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz (1 x 2GB)
Graphics Card
INTEGRATED GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR (GPU)
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
1TB 3.5" SATA-III 6GB/s HDD 7200RPM 32MB CACHE
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W ENTHUSIAST SERIES™ MODULAR TXM-650 V2-80 PLUS®
Processor Cooling
Corsair H60 Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Extra Case Fans
2 x 12CM Black Case Fan (configured to extract from rear/roof)
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Power Cable
1 x 2 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
DVD Recovery Media
NO DVD RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 11 working days
Quantity
1

No dedicated GPU, sound card or SSD has been chosen because I will be using my GTX 660Ti, Xonar D2X and SSD that I already have in my current build. I also selected the lowest available option for RAM because I already have 16GB to put in myself. I will mainly be using the PC for gaming and probably a bit of game streaming on Twitch as well.

I have opted for water cooling, extra case fans and I'm hoping PCS will sort the cable management out nicely so as to provide the best possible cooling experience and tidiness.

 

[keynes]

Do you have a budget? Are you planning to overclock your CPU? Rather than adding more chassis fans I would go with a better case.

 

[Ashey]

Do you have a budget? Are you planning to overclock your CPU? Rather than adding more chassis fans I would go with a better case.

I do plan on overclocking a bit yeah. I currently have the Coolermaster Elite 430 case which is 190mm in width and fits just perfectly in the slot on my desk. The InWIN MANA-136 is spec'd at exactly the same width and supports everything I selected for the build so I assumed it would be fine. Most of the other cases are too wide and I am really limited for space... this particular slot on my desk is really the only place I can put it. Will it be a problem?

 

[kruppsy]

I do plan on overclocking a bit yeah. I currently have the Coolermaster Elite 430 case which is 190mm in width and fits just perfectly in the slot on my desk. The InWIN MANA-136 is spec'd at exactly the same width and supports everything Id for the build I assumed it would be fine. Most of the other cases are too wide and I am really limited for space... this particular slot on my desk is really the only place I can put it. Will it be a problem?

Is it fully enclosed within the slot, ie. something tight up against sides, top, back even? It's just you really want as much space around the case as possible so that hot air can dissipate easily. It'll also limit your fan configuration, no point having extract fans if there's something tight up against them. This will hinder your overclocking ability. You would probably also see higher than normal temps day to day.

 

[Ashey]

Is it fully enclosed within the slot, ie. something tight up against sides, top, back even? It's just you really want as much space around the case as possible so that hot air can dissipate easily. It'll also limit your fan configuration, no point having extract fans if there's something tight up against them. This will hinder your overclocking ability. You would probably also see higher than normal temps day to day.

I've attached some photos to this post.

Failing this position the only other place I could physically fit a computer would be directly to the left of my desk on the carpet floor...

 

[keynes]

I've attached some photos to this post.

What spec do you have at the moment? have you monitored your temps?

 

[Ashey]

What spec do you have at the moment? have you monitored your temps?

At the moment I have the following:

Coolermaster Elite 430 All Black Case With Elite 500W PSU
i7-860 @ 2.80 GHz
Corsair A70 Heatsink
ASUS GTX 660Ti DirectCU II OC
16GB (2x 8GB) Kingston HyperX Black 1600MHz

Here is a screenshot of my temps right now.



Let me know if you want me to test it/push it in some way.

 

[kruppsy]

I've attached some photos to this post.

Thats not too bad, seen far worse. At least there is some space above and to the upper side of the case. The Elite 430 only has one fan as standard so the MANA 136 improves this with 2, which i think is the minimum for a gaming rig really. I can't really tell from the photo but if there isn't a great deal of room between the back of the case and the wall, it might be worth pulling it forward slightly if you notice your temps being on the high side.

If you do end up moving it to the side of your desk you can buy a PC stand/tray thing (i forget the proper name) to elevate if off your carpet. I use one for my desktop.

 

[keynes]

What are your temps when gaming? As Kruppsy mentioned it is not ideal to have the tower enclosed as you showed in the pictures.

 

[Ashey]

Thats not too bad, seen far worse. At least there is some space above and to the upper side of the case. The Elite 430 only has one fan as standard so the MANA 136 improves this with 2, which i think is the minimum for a gaming rig really. I can't really tell from the photo but if there isn't a great deal of room between the back of the case and the wall, it might be worth pulling it forward slightly if you notice your temps being on the high side.

If you do end up moving it to the side of your desk you can buy a PC stand/tray thing (i forget the proper name) to elevate if off your carpet. I use one for my desktop.

Yeah I haven't got any additional fans installed in this current one, just the 1 standard. I have also added the '2 extra fans' option in my spec above so it should have 5.

What are your temps when gaming? As Kruppsy mentioned it is not ideal to have the tower enclosed as you showed in the pictures.

I'm not really sure. What should I use to monitor them whilst gaming?

 

[kruppsy]

Here is a screenshot of my temps right now.

I can't open that? its taking ages, can you upload it as a JPEG?

Do you use HWMonitor? its a good one to see you min/max temps. If yours is primarily a gaming rig, open HWMonitor, leave it running minimised and play one of your most intensive games for an hour or so, then exit the game and take a screenie of that as well. It'll give you more of an idea of what's happening.

I bet its fine, but always worth checking.

 

[Ashey]

I can't open that? its taking ages, can you upload it as a JPEG?

Do you use HWMonitor? its a good one to see you min/max temps. If yours is primarily a gaming rig, open HWMonitor, leave it running minimised and play one of your most intensive games for an hour or so, then exit the game and take a screenie of that as well. It'll give you more of an idea of what's happening.

I bet its fine, but always worth checking.

The temps screenshot: http://i.imgur.com/EZVs7E7.jpg

I also managed to squeeze this chest of drawers in next to my desk - http://i.imgur.com/JhN4gFQ.jpg - just out of the way of the door. Would my PC be better sitting on top of there? Obviously I will give the surface a good clean first!

 

[kruppsy]

The temps screenshot: http://i.imgur.com/EZVs7E7.jpg

I also managed to squeeze this chest of drawers in next to my desk - http://i.imgur.com/JhN4gFQ.jpg - just out of the way of the door. Would my PC be better sitting on top of there? Obviously I will give the surface a good clean first!

Im not a real expert on temps, intel especially but I'd say they were a bit high, not alarmingly or anywhere near dangerous, its just that it looks like you are idling at around 35C on a CPU running at 2.8GHz. Im playing with my FX 6300 and at the moment I have it overclocked to 4.7GHz and it idles at 30C. I probably have better cooling but it makes me think yours could easily come down some.

Try it on those drawers and look at the temps again. Also try what I suggested with HWMonitor both as it is now and on the drawers, and see what happens...if theres improvements. Remember your new case will be better, whatever happens, because of the extra fan exhausting to the rear.

You'll also get to see your components better thro the side window if its up higher

 

[steaky360]

To be honest, if thats the temps after some gaming/intensive use then I'd say you've nothing to worry about. The idle temp maybe could be a bit lower, but I don't think the 30s are anything to worry about and your max temps are fine.

Taking it out of the enclosed environment should have a substantial impact on your PC's cooling performance however, follow the advice above if you can and you won't go wrong.

 

[Ashey]

To be honest, if thats the temps after some gaming/intensive use then I'd say you've nothing to worry about. The idle temp maybe could be a bit lower, but I don't think the 30s are anything to worry about and your max temps are fine.

Taking it out of the enclosed environment should have a substantial impact on your PC's cooling performance however, follow the advice above if you can and you won't go wrong.

Those were idle temps. Here is what HWMonitor reports after about 30 minutes of playing CS:GO (with my PC still in the tight space) - http://i.imgur.com/JD3JJgj.png

 

[keynes]

I would leave it on the top, it will also give you the chance of getting a different case if you wish to.

 

[Ashey]

I would leave it on the top, it will also give you the chance of getting a different case if you wish to.

Well I do like both the appearance and features of the case I chose initially. Do you think there will be any problems with that particular case?

 

[kruppsy]

Those were idle temps. Here is what HWMonitor reports after about 30 minutes of playing CS:GO (with my PC still in the tight space) - http://i.imgur.com/JD3JJgj.png

Yea, for me, they are a bit warm, perfectly within tolerances, but a bit warm. And I take it you have sessions far longer than 30mins? The temps of your 660ti are fine though.

Personally, I'd move it. It should help a lot.

 

[Ashey]

Yea, for me, they are a bit warm, perfectly within tolerances, but a bit warm. And I take it you have sessions far longer than 30mins? The temps of your 660ti are fine though.

Personally, I'd move it. It should help a lot.

I will move it soon and see if there's any difference then. Thanks for the help!

Gonna go ahead and order that build though as soon as I get a response to a couple of queries from PCS support!

 

[kruppsy]

Well I do like both the appearance and features of the case I chose initially. Do you think there will be any problems with that particular case?

The MANA 136? It'll be ok, certainly no problems. Better than you have for sure. Its like anything, the more you spend....