Summary
I am looking to build a very small form-factor rig on the LGA1366 (more preferred) or LGA1156 platform. I am lost when it comes to the terminology (mini-ATX? micro-ITX?), so I need you guys to educate me and point me in the right direction. I move (fly) across the country a lot many times a year, so I'd love it if I am able to just throw this rig in my checked luggage, or ship it a few days before moving.
Budget
$600 - $700 excl. monitor (apologies in advance if I am being unrealistic; do explain why you think that way though)
Purpose
Edit: Hopefully the components would be of high quality so that I don't need to go for an external soundcard due to internal electrical noise/hum.
I am looking to build a very small form-factor rig on the LGA1366 (more preferred) or LGA1156 platform. I am lost when it comes to the terminology (mini-ATX? micro-ITX?), so I need you guys to educate me and point me in the right direction. I move (fly) across the country a lot many times a year, so I'd love it if I am able to just throw this rig in my checked luggage, or ship it a few days before moving.
Budget
$600 - $700 excl. monitor (apologies in advance if I am being unrealistic; do explain why you think that way though)
Purpose
- Audio Production Workstation (DAW)
- Gaming (mostly TF2)
- I'll need PCI slot(s) for soundcard(s) (I already have a EMU 0404 lying around), and 3-4 USB ports. Will need FireWire too!
- An optical drive is not necessary; I'll go the external route if/when needed.
- I'd also like to learn GPU Programming, so maybe a CUDA-packing NVDA GPU? Or maybe something from ATi so that I can get started with OpenCL instead? What do you guys think?

Edit: Hopefully the components would be of high quality so that I don't need to go for an external soundcard due to internal electrical noise/hum.