Budget mini itx pc for college dorm

[MontyAthenas]

Budget (including currency): 20,000 MXN 

Country: Mexico

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Solidworks, Unity, Blender, Coding, and i will be playing games like Fortnite, LoL, Valorant, Minecraft with shaders and some emulated games

 

Hello, I have out together this mini itx pc to use it in my college dorms, but I’m not sure if it is the best option, so I wanted to ask for advice or recommendations on how to improve it, also, if possible, I want to squeeze into that budget that I listed a 1080p 144hz monitor and a mechanical keyboard, thank you very much

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/kLhLbL

[SImoHayha]

you can squeeze more out of this build by going cheaper on certain things. MOBO, PSU to some extent, Storage cheaper etc. Here is a revision build to save you more money

also you're gonna need more than 16GB of RAM when doing modeling stuff, 32GB bare minimum.

Saved you 100$ + got you more storage 2TB of NVME,  and more ram 32GB

 

As for a monitor just the cheapest 1080p + 100mhz or more refresh rate and low response time within 1-5 MS.

 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rZgyL9

CPU: Intel Core i3-12100F 3.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($98.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B660M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP Elite 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL22 Memory  ($51.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: PNY CS1030 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($94.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: PowerColor Fighter Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Video Card  ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX650M (2021) 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $695.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-01-04 04:19 EST-0500


 

[venomtail]

Realistically your budget is just a tad bit too low for a worthwhile mini ITX build. Sure it's "possible" but you'll be giving up on o much, such as cases so cheap and big they're basically micro ATX. Good mechanical keyboards also cost around $100, which is nearly 10% of your budget, not worth it at all when the same $100 could mean the difference between an i3 or an i5.

Like that Core V1 is pretty big and atrocious airflow. Not in the spirit of what mini ITX is. Then again my own mini ITX case is huge but I've learnt my lesson.

 

Are you willing to go small mATX and hold off the mechanical keyboard a bit later?

[TatamiMatt]

54 minutes ago, MontyAthenas said:

Budget (including currency): 20,000 MXN 

Country: Mexico

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Solidworks, Unity, Blender, Coding, and i will be playing games like Fortnite, LoL, Valorant, Minecraft with shaders and some emulated games

 

Hello, I have out together this mini itx pc to use it in my college dorms, but I’m not sure if it is the best option, so I wanted to ask for advice or recommendations on how to improve it, also, if possible, I want to squeeze into that budget that I listed a 1080p 144hz monitor and a mechanical keyboard, thank you very much

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/kLhLbL

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/MyDVL9

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor  ($193.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Silver Soul 135 82 CFM CPU Cooler  ($30.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock H670M-ITX/ax Mini ITX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($164.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  ($54.97 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Crucial P5 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($101.49 @ MemoryC) 
Video Card: PowerColor Fighter Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Video Card  ($199.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair RM750 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($129.99 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: MSI G244F 23.8" 1920 x 1080 170 Hz Monitor  ($168.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1095.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-01-04 04:23 EST-0500

 

Converting MXN to USD i got about $1176 so i went off that

 

I upped the processor to a higher core count and GHz to help with rendering and 3D modelling and added a good cooler to boot. RAM upped also for editing and rendering as 16GB is a little low. Added a pretty great albeit still budget monitor and should still have a spare 1300MXN for a keyboard

 

If needed can drop to a 12400F for a little less cost and still gain 2 cores and some clock speed over the 12100

 

Edit:

As @venomtail stated below, could also go for a budget keyboard for now and take this, barely over budget by just under 200MXN but same as above with GPU upgrade both in terms of speed and VRAM (not as fast as the 4060 recommended below but higher VRAM, though if you want speed over VRAM opt for venoms GPU suggestion)

 

Also upped SSD to 2TB

 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/DyctN6

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor  ($193.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Silver Soul 135 82 CFM CPU Cooler  ($30.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock H670M-ITX/ax Mini ITX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($164.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  ($54.97 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($104.97 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12G GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 12 GB Video Card  ($289.39 @ Newegg) 
Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair RM750 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($129.99 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: MSI G244F 23.8" 1920 x 1080 170 Hz Monitor  ($168.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1188.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-01-04 04:57 EST-0500

[venomtail]

On paper this goes over budget just a tiny bit if conversion rate is correct. Small and portable.

 

If there is a cutback, it'll be the case but anything cheaper is big, thus defeats the point of ITX, thus might as well go small mATX and save money:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-13500 2.5 GHz 14-Core Processor  ($244.85 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Rock LP CPU Cooler  ($49.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock Z690M-ITX/ax Mini ITX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($134.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: TEAMGROUP Vulcan Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory  ($36.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: TEAMGROUP T-Force Cardea Z44L 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 
Video Card: MSI VENTUS 2X BLACK OC GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB Video Card  ($299.99 @ B&H) 
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox NR200 Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($82.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: be quiet! SFX Power 3 450 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply  ($107.69 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: KOORUI 24E3 24.0" 1920 x 1080 165 Hz Monitor  ($117.89 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1125.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-01-04 04:36 EST-0500

[MontyAthenas]

6 hours ago, Ramamataz said:

you can squeeze more out of this build by going cheaper on certain things. MOBO, PSU to some extent, Storage cheaper etc. Here is a revision build to save you more money

also you're gonna need more than 16GB of RAM when doing modeling stuff, 32GB bare minimum.

Saved you 100$ + got you more storage 2TB of NVME,  and more ram 32GB

 

As for a monitor just the cheapest 1080p + 100mhz or more refresh rate and low response time within 1-5 MS.

 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rZgyL9

CPU: Intel Core i3-12100F 3.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($98.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B660M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP Elite 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL22 Memory  ($51.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: PNY CS1030 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($94.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: PowerColor Fighter Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Video Card  ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX650M (2021) 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $695.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-01-04 04:19 EST-0500


 

I just have some doubts, I did have some problems with storage in the past and I wanted a reliable brand, do you consider that option that you recommended me trustworthy?

[MontyAthenas]

6 hours ago, venomtail said:

Realistically your budget is just a tad bit too low for a worthwhile mini ITX build. Sure it's "possible" but you'll be giving up on o much, such as cases so cheap and big they're basically micro ATX. Good mechanical keyboards also cost around $100, which is nearly 10% of your budget, not worth it at all when the same $100 could mean the difference between an i3 or an i5.

Like that Core V1 is pretty big and atrocious airflow. Not in the spirit of what mini ITX is. Then again my own mini ITX case is huge but I've learnt my lesson.

 

Are you willing to go small mATX and hold off the mechanical keyboard a bit later?

Yeah, I liked the v1 because of its shape and I thought that it had decent airflow since it had a 200mm fan, but if it is as you said then for sure I am willing to go for small matx as long as it fits into my desk and doesn’t take a lot of space, my desk is about 50cm deep and about 120cm long, I don’t feel comfortable leaving it in the floor 

[MontyAthenas]

6 hours ago, TatamiMatt said:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/MyDVL9

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor  ($193.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Silver Soul 135 82 CFM CPU Cooler  ($30.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock H670M-ITX/ax Mini ITX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($164.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  ($54.97 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Crucial P5 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($101.49 @ MemoryC) 
Video Card: PowerColor Fighter Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Video Card  ($199.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair RM750 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($129.99 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: MSI G244F 23.8" 1920 x 1080 170 Hz Monitor  ($168.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1095.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-01-04 04:23 EST-0500

 

Converting MXN to USD i got about $1176 so i went off that

 

I upped the processor to a higher core count and GHz to help with rendering and 3D modelling and added a good cooler to boot. RAM upped also for editing and rendering as 16GB is a little low. Added a pretty great albeit still budget monitor and should still have a spare 1300MXN for a keyboard

 

If needed can drop to a 12400F for a little less cost and still gain 2 cores and some clock speed over the 12100

 

Edit:

As @venomtail stated below, could also go for a budget keyboard for now and take this, barely over budget by just under 200MXN but same as above with GPU upgrade both in terms of speed and VRAM (not as fast as the 4060 recommended below but higher VRAM, though if you want speed over VRAM opt for venoms GPU suggestion)

 

Also upped SSD to 2TB

 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/DyctN6

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor  ($193.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Silver Soul 135 82 CFM CPU Cooler  ($30.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock H670M-ITX/ax Mini ITX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($164.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  ($54.97 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($104.97 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12G GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 12 GB Video Card  ($289.39 @ Newegg) 
Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair RM750 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($129.99 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: MSI G244F 23.8" 1920 x 1080 170 Hz Monitor  ($168.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1188.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-01-04 04:57 EST-0500

Thank you so much for your recommendation!, as I stated in my response before I had some problems with storage in the past, and I wanna know if the one that you recommended is a reliable brand, other than that everything looks really good!

[MontyAthenas]

6 hours ago, venomtail said:

On paper this goes over budget just a tiny bit if conversion rate is correct. Small and portable.

 

If there is a cutback, it'll be the case but anything cheaper is big, thus defeats the point of ITX, thus might as well go small mATX and save money:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-13500 2.5 GHz 14-Core Processor  ($244.85 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Rock LP CPU Cooler  ($49.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock Z690M-ITX/ax Mini ITX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($134.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: TEAMGROUP Vulcan Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory  ($36.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: TEAMGROUP T-Force Cardea Z44L 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 
Video Card: MSI VENTUS 2X BLACK OC GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB Video Card  ($299.99 @ B&H) 
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox NR200 Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($82.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: be quiet! SFX Power 3 450 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply  ($107.69 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: KOORUI 24E3 24.0" 1920 x 1080 165 Hz Monitor  ($117.89 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1125.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-01-04 04:36 EST-0500

I have two questions about that case, is the pcie raiser necessary to build the pc? And second in Amazon.com.mx it is the same price to go for a tempered glass side panel or a perforated mesh one, which one should I go for?

[venomtail]

14 minutes ago, MontyAthenas said:

I have two questions about that case, is the pcie raiser necessary to build the pc?

Depends on case. Sometimes it's an option, sometimes a must. There's only one way to plug in a GPU. With a riser, it gives you the ability to install the GPU at different angles.

Normal no riser:

VS

Riser:

 

Quote

And second in Amazon.com.mx it is the same price to go for a tempered glass side panel or a perforated mesh one, which one should I go for?

1. Prefer which one you like the look of most. Glass if far more fragile
2. Glass tends to not let air through. If you get the glass case your PC parts will run significantly hotter, thus louder.

[MontyAthenas]

3 minutes ago, venomtail said:

Yes. There's only one way to plug in a GPU. With a riser, it gives you the ability to install the GPU at different angles.

Normal no riser:

VS

Riser:

 

1. Prefer which one you like the look of most. Glass if far more fragile
2. Glass tends to not let air through. If you get the glass case your PC parts will run significantly hotter, thus louder.

I see, then for sure I will go for the mesh one, also, from what I did see, the case doesn’t come with fans, should I buy one?

[TatamiMatt]

30 minutes ago, MontyAthenas said:

Thank you so much for your recommendation!, as I stated in my response before I had some problems with storage in the past, and I wanna know if the one that you recommended is a reliable brand, other than that everything looks really good!

I mean, id say they are very reputable, theyre not as reputable as like, crucial and that but not by any major margin, like 98/99% as reliable as crucial, id be willing to give them a recommendation. I bought one as a gift to someone for christmas

 

As with a lot of big brands, youre paying for both brand name and a large amount more for that extra 0.1% they offer, putting them in the realm of good performance but bad value for money. Whereas some mid and high tier brands offer just as much but at a fraction of the cost. If you get into cheaply made garbage though, you start having issues, i dont think id pay under £50 for an NVMe unless it was from a brand i trust. For example i got a great deal on a SN570 500GB for £25 that i put in my GFs computer as a boot drive, i wouldnt have bought a drive like that at that price if i didnt know and had experience with WD before

[MontyAthenas]

10 minutes ago, TatamiMatt said:

I mean, id say they are very reputable, theyre not as reputable as like, crucial and that but not by any major margin, like 98/99% as reliable as crucial, id be willing to give them a recommendation. I bought one as a gift to someone for christmas

 

As with a lot of big brands, youre paying for both brand name and a large amount more for that extra 0.1% they offer, putting them in the realm of good performance but bad value for money. Whereas some mid and high tier brands offer just as much but at a fraction of the cost. If you get into cheaply made garbage though, you start having issues, i dont think id pay under £50 for an NVMe unless it was from a brand i trust. For example i got a great deal on a SN570 500GB for £25 that i put in my GFs computer as a boot drive, i wouldnt have bought a drive like that at that price if i didnt know and had experience with WD before

I see, thank you very much, i will definitely consider that in this builds and in any other future build that i make