i'll do ya one better http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Hh3BFT too expensive? drop the GPU (this is a perfectly fine LAN gaming rig, btw) still too expensive? drop to 4gb of ram still too expensive? replace ssd with hdd example, $333 http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RCdfVn you'll be doing work so you want to maximize your money on nice peripherals, a decent monitor, a comfy chair, etc. the computer will run fine.
That PCpartspicker is fantastic. Why did I not know of this any sooner! *facepalm -edit OK I've been making stupid slow progress about getting this done. With my gaming desktop expressing a seriously frustrating stutter that I still haven't successfully troubleshot I've been sort of side lining the process of getting this business mini ITX together. I seriously need to move forward. I have found my old RAM as well as a PSU. I don't think I'll keep the PSU (Antec PS450) because I originally replaced it due to it being whiny/noisy. The RAM is what I'm trying to figure out as of now. I also have some concerns/question regarding the picoPSU. Space is an issue at the office and I need to keep the PC small. There are some beautiful mITX cases out there but for the most part they are too big. Yesterday I found this site: http://www.mini-box.com/Enclosures The products are interesting but I know absolutely nothing of these nor the picoPSU that would be required to power the system. Looking for advice. I don't care if I can't recoup my previous ATI GPU into the system; I'm confident the onboard graphics will suffice. If somebody has a better idea for a small case even if it can accommodate a GPU (I also have my older GTS250 which may be smaller than the ATI Radeon HD 6780)... As for the RAM, this is what I found in my stockpile of used parts: two kits of low profile Kingston ValueRAM (2x4GB) KVR1333D3N9K2/8G (total of 16GB) http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139075 Now I have my eyes set on the ASUS H87I-PLUS and I am cross-examining its QVL (http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/H87I-PLUS/H87I-PLUS_DRAM_QVL.pdf) and I don't see my RAM on there. I see plenty of KVR1333D3N9... but none that end with K2/8G so it's making me feel unsure. The RAM is 240-PIN 1333MHz low profile so I don't see why it wouldn't be compatible. I think it should be safe and obviously I'd be stuck only using one of the kits since mITX boards only have two RAM slots.
Most mini-ITX cases either don't take a GPU, are weird form factor or are as you said too big (the bitfenix prodigy is bigger than most micro-ATX cases, although they now have a micro-ATX version). My favourite is the EVGA hadron which will take upto a 10" GPU (maybe with some working around you'll fit an 11, but the actual gap in the sidepanel isnt quite 11") while being absolutely tiny. But has a moulded area for supporting the CPU cooler in EVGAs location rather than having a cutout which makes it slightly more difficult to mount anything other than an EVGA motherboard (mini ITX boards dont standardise the CPU socket location) and it really isn't cheap.
you're being really generic and picky which makes it hard to recommend stuff that would work for you. do you have a picture of your work desk or something? you have absolutely fucking zero space? create a build around a mini-itx media-center oriented case. take a look at the LIAN LI PC-Q05B. or look at some of the silverstone 'slim' cases here http://www.silverstonetek.com/product_case.php?tno=0&case=c_slim&area=en you want to put a decent gpu in it? shut up and pick the lian li tu200b or cooler master elite 120/130. they are tiny. cut up some cardboard into the dimensions of these cases and see if they fit. i'm sure you could put multiple in your refrigerator if you wanted to. stop thinking so much about it. obviously make sure your components will work together, but you're just being paranoid if you're worried because your ram isn't on a qualified vendor list (which is just marketing bullshit anyway).
Most of those vendors are just rebranding OEM ram as it is, and most of those OEM manufacturers in turn are simply soldering modules purchased from the same IC manufacturers onto a circuit board. If the motherboard and CPU are DDR3 compliant and the RAM is DDR3 compliant. It will work. Doesnt matter who its from.
If you're still looking, refurbished is a great way to get a lot more bang for your buck. This is Newegg's refurbished laptops between $750 and $1000 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...017489 4016 4022&IsNodeId=1&name=$750 - $1000
