Mini-ITX Build for Programming

[jjzzss]

Budget (including currency): Around $1,250 USD

Country: Panama, but will buy from the US online, since parts availability here is kind of bad and is more expensive than to ship from us

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Neovim, VMs for testing (QEMU with Virt-IO and Virtual Machine Manager), this will be a Linux machine running NixOS.

Other details: Current plan is to use the following parts:

• CPU: Ryzen 7 7700 (non X version on purpose)
• MOBO: GIGABYTE B650I AORUS Ultra, It has good connectivity. Can't find many options for this form factor for AM5.
• CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i.
• GPU: None, I want to use the integrated graphics.
• RAM: CORSAIR VENGEANCE DDR5 RAM 64GB (2x32GB) 5200MHz CL40.
• Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2TB. I chose this bc I do not really know which other one is reputable and good.
• PSU: Seasonic FOCUS Plus 650 Gold, I know it's overkill for the specs, but could not find a good 400~ watt PSU.

I need help choosing a case for this build that does not have space for a GPU, and still has good front IO. If there are other general suggestions for the build they are also welcome.

 

[Levent]

6 minutes ago, jjzzss said:

GPU: None, I want to use the integrated graphics.

Then pick AM4 APUs or Intel platform. AM5s iGPU is garbage (so far).

[jjzzss]

2 minutes ago, Levent said:

Then pick AM4 APUs or Intel platform. AM5s iGPU is garbage (so far).

I plan to do no gaming on this PC, just work, is that still not recommended?

I find that the 65W cap on these non x variants is great for my purposes

[Levent]

5 minutes ago, jjzzss said:

I plan to do no gaming on this PC, just work, is that still not recommended?

I find that the 65W cap on these non x variants is great for my purposes

Have you decided what kind of display you plan on using with it? Anything high resolution may not be a great experience, GPU is kind of too weak and might be troublesome if you plan on running high resolution display with GPU accelerated workloads (like browsers). If you are not going to give yourself a path to put a GPU in the thing, you might want to consider that before buying it.

[jjzzss]

2 minutes ago, Levent said:

Have you decided what kind of display you plan on using with it? Anything high resolution may not be a great experience, GPU is kind of too weak and might be troublesome if you plan on running high resolution display with GPU accelerated workloads (like browsers). If you are not going to give yourself a path to put a GPU in the thing, you might want to consider that before buying it.

Ok, I might explore the Intel path, what MOBO + CPU combo would you suggest?
Is the i7 13700 a good pick for the job? I don't want to overclock the CPU since stability is king for work.

[jjzzss]

OK, made a slight change, CPU is now i7 13700, MOBO is the ASUS ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi, CPU cooler changed to the intel version: final cost with no case is 1050~ USD

[Levent]

2 hours ago, jjzzss said:

OK, made a slight change, CPU is now i7 13700, MOBO is the ASUS ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi, CPU cooler changed to the intel version: final cost with no case is 1050~ USD

That setup is better imo. You dont need to get that expensive motherboard either.

[jjzzss]

1 hour ago, Levent said:

That setup is better imo. You dont need to get that expensive motherboard either.

Which motherboard would you choose instead? I really do not know much about intel boards, and still cannot decide on a case.

[brob]

This is over budget but could easily be brought under budget. Simply replace the 2x48GB memory kit with a 2x32GB kit.

 

The pcpartpicker build has two errors which I believe can be safely ignored. The G.Skill 2x48GB memory kit includes the motherboard on its QVL. The Terra supports CPU coolers up to 77mm when no GPU is installed. The Shadow Rock LP is 75.4 mm tall.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-13700 2.1 GHz 16-Core Processor  ($379.00 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Shadow Rock LP 51.4 CFM CPU Cooler  ($49.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI MPG B760I EDGE WIFI Mini ITX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($219.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 96 GB (2 x 48 GB) DDR5-5600 CL40 Memory  ($259.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($119.00 @ Amazon) 
Case: Fractal Design Terra Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($179.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 550 GM 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply  ($112.92 @ Walmart) 
Total: $1320.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-08-14 18:29 EDT-0400