First SFF build

[verynewpcbuilder]

Budget (including currency): 800 USD (not including reused parts)

Country: USA

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Mainly just programming, light gaming, watching YouTube, and accomplishing menial tasks

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): here's my parts list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/hpFjqm I currently have the processor, RAM, graphics card, and storage minus one of the M.2s (and I also have budget peripherals), so I am looking to get the case, mobo, and PSU. I am trying to incrementally upgrade stuff so those three things will be necessary to POST (I think) in the smaller case, which my heart is set on. I have a couple of beginner questions:

 

1. PCPartsPicker didn't seem to show a dual-fan AIO, is that because the case is small? I thought I had seen other builds with two fans. The fan that comes with the processor is insufficient, I presume.

2. Does the website take into account clearances of different parts? I've done basic measurements but that's all

3. Is any part of this not future-proof? Again, I'm trying to do things incrementally, so the next thing I'd probably upgrade is the memory since that seems easiest. Then, processor, then graphics card.

 

Really appreciate any help! Thanks!

 

[An0maly_76]

PCPP does not, in fact, account for physical measurements. You're on your own there. What PCPP is good with is connector and component incompatibility. BIOS updates and mismatched connectors and such.

 

I know Lian Li products are generally designed for liquid cooling, but with a Ryzen 1600 in a SFF, I have to ask... Why AIO? A 1600 hardly needs it.

 

Also, a dual-fan AIO on a 1600? Probably not shown because it won't fit this case, but major overkill for a 1600 at any rate, and I think you can spend the money far more wisely. That said, if you insist on a dual-fan AIO, I would step up to a 3600X or even a 5600X. I don't mean to tell you how to build your machine, but think of this as some friendly advice on how to get better bang for the buck. Mini-ITX is cool, but it's hardly a good budget build. Boards are much more expensive, and the other parts are more specialized, ergo more expensive. I've drawn up several hypotheticals for others with similar budgets with better performance. However, you have your reasons, and it is, after all, your money.

 

Not throwing shade at all, I just think a bit more can be done with that budget than you think if you're willing to compromise a bit.

[GuiltySpark_]

2 hours ago, verynewpcbuilder said:

1. PCPartsPicker didn't seem to show a dual-fan AIO, is that because the case is small? I thought I had seen other builds with two fans. The fan that comes with the processor is insufficient, I presume.

https://lian-li.com/product/q58/?cn-reloaded=1#:~:text=Q58 Manual-,SPECIFICATIONS,-PRODUCT NAME

 

240 and 280 AIO's only fit with an SFX PSU and you have an ATX PSU selected. Since that GPU you have has a 120mm AIO already, in ATX PSU mode which you'd be using, it'll fit in the top or bottom assuming tubing routing isn't an issue. This setup would not allow for a 240mm AIO for the CPU, of course. 

 

2 hours ago, verynewpcbuilder said:

2. Does the website take into account clearances of different parts? I've done basic measurements but that's all

No, and even if it did, ignore it. Building SFF especially with a somewhat boutique case like the Q58, all your information should come from existing users and SFF specific resources like www.reddit.com/r/sffpc  or https://smallformfactor.net/forum/ + the specific parts dimensions listings like the case link above.

2 hours ago, verynewpcbuilder said:

3. Is any part of this not future-proof? Again, I'm trying to do things incrementally, so the next thing I'd probably upgrade is the memory since that seems easiest. Then, processor, then graphics card.

 

Really appreciate any help! Thanks!

 

The case is fine, a very nice option even. If you're not settled on that one, some others to look into

• Meshlicious (or the new Meshroom) My personal case, fits a water cooled 5800x and 3090 nicely.
• Dancase A4H2O
• CoolerMaster NR200 (very basic but very SFF beginner friendly. Huge following and quite popular)
• Hyte Revolt 3 (if you like the taller tower style)
• FormD T1 (advanced, research needed as this is not a beginner build) 

 

Additionally, if you want to go SFF absolutely do it. Its a level above just normal PC building that's done mostly for fun of the challenge of packing as much power as possible into as small a space as possible. If you're the type to mix max budget its not for you but there are standard ATX boxes for those people. 

 

This is not my system but it looks more or less the same with the similar parts. 

[verynewpcbuilder]

15 hours ago, An0maly_76 said:

PCPP does not, in fact, account for physical measurements. You're on your own there. What PCPP is good with is connector and component incompatibility. BIOS updates and mismatched connectors and such.

 

I know Lian Li products are generally designed for liquid cooling, but with a Ryzen 1600 in a SFF, I have to ask... Why AIO? A 1600 hardly needs it.

 

Also, a dual-fan AIO on a 1600? Probably not shown because it won't fit this case, but major overkill for a 1600 at any rate, and I think you can spend the money far more wisely. That said, if you insist on a dual-fan AIO, I would step up to a 3600X or even a 5600X. I don't mean to tell you how to build your machine, but think of this as some friendly advice on how to get better bang for the buck. Mini-ITX is cool, but it's hardly a good budget build. Boards are much more expensive, and the other parts are more specialized, ergo more expensive. I've drawn up several hypotheticals for others with similar budgets with better performance. However, you have your reasons, and it is, after all, your money.

 

Not throwing shade at all, I just think a bit more can be done with that budget than you think if you're willing to compromise a bit.

No, no, I don't take any offense at all; thank you for the recommendations. The reason I am moving to SFF is the fact that I can't lug this massive PC all over the place. So are you suggesting that the stock fan on the processor would suffice? The GPU seems to be liquid cooled with a singular fan. Is that enough? Performance is not an issue for the most part since I find my current mid-tower build to accomplish all my tasks.

[An0maly_76]

38 minutes ago, verynewpcbuilder said:

No, no, I don't take any offense at all; thank you for the recommendations. The reason I am moving to SFF is the fact that I can't lug this massive PC all over the place. So are you suggesting that the stock fan on the processor would suffice? The GPU seems to be liquid cooled with a singular fan. Is that enough? Performance is not an issue for the most part since I find my current mid-tower build to accomplish all my tasks.

A stock AMD Wraith cooler should be fine on any 65W Ryzen 8 cores or less up to Zen 2 (3600X). A 5600X (Zen 3) will get up to 80 quite quickly with one, so for Zen3 I would recommend something more efficient like a Scythe Mugen / Fuma series or Noctua.

 

So you need something portable... Try this on for size. Packs a nice punch, includes a case I've not seen before, but looks to include power supply and lend itself to backpacking. Should do most anything within reason for its size. I would verify GPU and cooler fitment, however, as I am not familiar with this case.

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/An0maly1976/saved/N34QdC

[verynewpcbuilder]

15 hours ago, GuiltySpark_ said:

https://lian-li.com/product/q58/?cn-reloaded=1#:~:text=Q58 Manual-,SPECIFICATIONS,-PRODUCT NAME

 

240 and 280 AIO's only fit with an SFX PSU and you have an ATX PSU selected. Since that GPU you have has a 120mm AIO already, in ATX PSU mode which you'd be using, it'll fit in the top or bottom assuming tubing routing isn't an issue. This setup would not allow for a 240mm AIO for the CPU, of course. 

 

No, and even if it did, ignore it. Building SFF especially with a somewhat boutique case like the Q58, all your information should come from existing users and SFF specific resources like www.reddit.com/r/sffpc  or https://smallformfactor.net/forum/ + the specific parts dimensions listings like the case link above.

The case is fine, a very nice option even. If you're not settled on that one, some others to look into

• Meshlicious (or the new Meshroom) My personal case, fits a water cooled 5800x and 3090 nicely.
• Dancase A4H2O
• CoolerMaster NR200 (very basic but very SFF beginner friendly. Huge following and quite popular)
• Hyte Revolt 3 (if you like the taller tower style)
• FormD T1 (advanced, research needed as this is not a beginner build) 

 

Additionally, if you want to go SFF absolutely do it. Its a level above just normal PC building that's done mostly for fun of the challenge of packing as much power as possible into as small a space as possible. If you're the type to mix max budget its not for you but there are standard ATX boxes for those people. 

 

This is not my system but it looks more or less the same with the similar parts. 

Thank you! The PSU information was the exact kind of thing I hoped an experienced builder would be able to catch easily. I think I'll keep some of my older parts for now and try to fit them into the new case and matching SFF parts. Thank you both very much!