Tiny Powerful Computer

[Vanzagar]

Looking for some help and recommendations

I'd like to build a really small but fairly powerful computer. Will use it for taking over to peoples houses to play games, watch ripped movies, online content (i.e. NFL Rewind, watch any NFL game after 24 hours aired) ...etc. Basically I'l like to get the best bang for my dollar. I don't want a laptop that I have to pay 3x the $$ and get crap performance + heating issues like my last 2 laptops.

I'd also like to mix and match existing components from one of my older computers, older components I'd like to use:
CPU = Q9550
GPU = GTX 260
Memory = 8GB G.SKILL SDRAM DDR2 1000


Here's what I have so far:


Mobo= $45.99 (to fit my existing q9550)
MSI G41M-P26 LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130556

Case = $80.99
Thermaltake Black SECC Japanese steel LANBOX Lite VF6000BWS Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133044
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/produc...c=1320&id=1431

PSU = $104.99
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139021

CPU fan = Not sure what will fit in this case, want something very quiet, any recommendations? I dunno, maybe:
$56.99
ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118020

HD1 = $109
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227550

HD2 = $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Total = $460 for a decent quality portable PC/media center... not too shabby?


Thoughts?

I'm not sure if this is going to fit I can't tell by the case pics and I don't have experience with such a small case, I wish it had a handle for carrying...

I think I'm paying a little extra for the PSU but I figure a good PSU can always be used on any computer plus I could plug a 590 GTX in it one day I think, if it'll fix?

Will my GTX260 fit in the case above? Will the CPU fan?

Can you find any issues?

Thanks

Vanz

[jeffmd]

Theres a number of issues... and things that you havn't thought about yet.

For one, are you SERIOUSLY considering lugging this beast around with you to your friends house multiple times a week? how about "on a whim" ? Another thing to keep in mind, you have a beast of a cpu on it, this cpu is gonna need a big ass heavy heatsink. Big ass heavy heatsinks become the destroyer of CPU's when a computer is in transit.

Then there is the heat and noise this beast will be outputting. Also you want to use it as a game machine, with a great cpu and a high performance SDD drive, but you want to stuff an ancient 260 GTX in it? seriously? At minimum I would look at a 550 gtx. 560 for more performance, but no higher unless you want to worry about heat issues. Lastly is the lack of a display. No matter what you do, you will need to lug this someplace that you know has an HD TV, preferably a giant 1080p one. That dosn't make it quite so portable.

On the flip side I think your worries about using a laptop are unwarranted. If you research with reviews and are smart with the hardware load out, you will have no heat issues. Youll need to spend around $600 for one with a 17 inch screen and gpu capable of current gen gaming, but cpu and gpu speeds should be low enough that heat isn't an issue, and ontop of it all you don't NEED an external display and it is way more portable.