[SOLVED] First PC Build - Micro/Mini ATX Build Advice!

Oct 16, 2020
3
0
10
Hello all!
I am new to PC gaming, and new to Tom's Hardware forums!
I am looking to build a mini build, and I don't know much about computers just yet, but thanks to the help of some friends, I do have some specifics down for what I want.
My priority with my build is honestly aesthetic (I know, I know lol) I just want all the RGB possible and a sleek/clean look.
The general aesthetic I want to achieve is RGB/WHITE (or pink, but I know thats hard to find) internals, with a white case (which i will probably spray paint a blushed pink)
I have more details below about specifics I've looked up!
Thank you in advance to anyone kind enough to help me piece my first PC together- I'm very excited!

Approximate Purchase Date: 2020-2021

Budget Range: $1600+ (honestly flexible as this wont be an immediate build)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: VR Gaming / Other Gaming/ Some Art and Editing usage

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, microcenter, amazon - open to any though!

Location: Houston, Tx, USA

Parts Preferences:
Cases: I'm open to other small to medium cases btw!
1. Lian Li - Although its not out just yet, I'm reaaallyy interested in the O11D Mini in white!
2. NZXT - H210 Tempered Glass Mini-ITX Case in white
a. This is the case I would spray paint a blush pink! For reference, check out @veloula on Instagram - she has a "my pc" story that essentially is like a PC I would like!

CPU:
1. INTEL i7 8700 K 3.7 GHz 6-Core; i am open to other CPU's though!

MOTHERBOARD: NO IDEA!! I need the biggest help on this; I'm not sure how to look to see what works with the cases I'd like.

CPU COOLER: I know I want an AIO, these are the few I've seen, but by all means please recommend me anything! Most important feature is RGB, RGB , RGB!!! And preferable WHITE bodies/wires.
1. Lian Li - GALLAD 360 in WHITE
2. Corsair - H100i RGB PLATINUM SE
3. Deep Cool Castle 360EX - WHITE **Does anyone know if I can buy separate fans to use and separate cables? Not a fan of the fans or cables it comes with..

MEMORY:
1. Honestly probably just the Corsair Vengeance RGB 16 GB in White... unless yall know of something prettier

STORAGE:
1. NO IDEA! I know I want an SSD? Or maybe an M.2!!! What do y'all think?

VIDEO CARD: I apologize for not doing more research before, but a GPU that is able to handle VR is my main consideration when it comes to GPU .
1. GeForce RTX 3070 in GAMER PINK! (https://www.galax.com/en/graphics-card/30-series/3070-series/geforce-rtx-3070-exg-p.html )
2. GeForce RTX 3070 in WHITE (https://www.galax.com/en/graphics-card/30-series/3070-series/geforce-rtx-3070-exg-w.html )

POWER SUPPLY: NO IDEA!! Same aesthetic rules apply here too - pink or white ( i know pink anything is harder to find). I know the LIAN LI O11D MINI case is SFX only, but I don't know what that means. I'd like to know if its compatible with the kind of build I'm looking to have. Any advice gladly welcomed.


Overclocking: No

Additional Comments: I've also looked at the white RGB extension cords from Lian Li, and her daisy chain fans in white as well. I don't know if I can make them work in the build size I'm looking at. IF i have to go bigger in case, I guess I can, but I'd really like to keep a small form factor. Also wanted to note that other than VR, I really don't think I'll be doing anything too extensive. I don't do any competitive gaming (yet), just mostly messing around with friends. I do make digital art but not consistently at all, and I don't do any kind of heavy rendering.

Thank again everyone, I'm excited to hear back from anyone and get advice- I'm very excited!!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Solution
I dont think you get any pink motherboards... or if you do they'll probably be one of those cheap Chinese ones, but i recomend you go with the Asrock b450 steel legend. it looks really good, with a black board, white components/armor/etc and RGB on the chipset. the x570 doesnt have rgb but it does have a nice whitish heat sink .
the b450 is cheaper but the x570 suports newer cpu's so if you go with the x570 you'll need Ryzen 3th gen or better.
hope this helps

No, those do not exist. I do agree about going AMD Ryzen though, a Ryzen 3600X or the upcoming 5600X would be a much better investment than an Intel 5600K would. And if you want a white color scheme throughout I would suggest something like this:

PCPartPicker Part...

Balefire

Reputable
Oct 18, 2020
96
9
4,565
i recommend you go Amd. Ryzen 5 3600 is about the same price

I've seen both those cases you put up, So you really should get an ATX Board. this will give you more room for upgrades later on. More PCI-e slots which will let you get expansion cards and more dimm slots. note that this will fit nicely inside a mid-tower case. and if you go any smaller, i think that your gpu wont fit... not certain about that though.

I dont think you get any pink motherboards... or if you do they'll probably be one of those cheap Chinese ones, but i recomend you go with the Asrock b450 steel legend. it looks really good, with a black board, white components/armor/etc and RGB on the chipset. the x570 doesnt have rgb but it does have a nice whitish heat sink .
the b450 is cheaper but the x570 suports newer cpu's so if you go with the x570 you'll need Ryzen 3th gen or better.

for gamming you really have to go SSD. Since you wanted RGB, you can get an SSD M.2 with an RGB Heat sink. they usually cost like 5 or 6 dollars extra.

For the PSU i recommend you go with a reputible brand rather than pure wattage output or looks. Fractal design, Coolermaster and Thermaltake are all excellent brands. there is also corsair which come in black mostly. i am a little hesitant to mention gamdias, since i'm not sure how good their quiality is, but i know that their kratos series comes with an internal RGB fan.

As far as cases are concerned you should get one with a PSU shroud. it doesnt really make much of a difference performance wise, but it does hide the Psu and give you a little breathing room for cable management - especially if you have extra hdds

You might also consider getting an PCI extension cable. it's around 40$ but will allow you to mount your GPU vertically, thus showing it off.


hope this helps
 
  • Like
Reactions: bexckers

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
I dont think you get any pink motherboards... or if you do they'll probably be one of those cheap Chinese ones, but i recomend you go with the Asrock b450 steel legend. it looks really good, with a black board, white components/armor/etc and RGB on the chipset. the x570 doesnt have rgb but it does have a nice whitish heat sink .
the b450 is cheaper but the x570 suports newer cpu's so if you go with the x570 you'll need Ryzen 3th gen or better.
hope this helps

No, those do not exist. I do agree about going AMD Ryzen though, a Ryzen 3600X or the upcoming 5600X would be a much better investment than an Intel 5600K would. And if you want a white color scheme throughout I would suggest something like this:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($234.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Ultimate 76 CFM CPU Cooler ($56.07 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($164.99 @ B&H)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 CL16 Memory ($65.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Intel 660p 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($124.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB Triple Dissipation Video Card ($409.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair iCUE 4000X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G3 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($114.94 @ Office Depot)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($108.78 @ Other World Computing)
Total: $1400.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-10-19 13:00 EDT-0400
 
  • Like
Reactions: bexckers
Solution
Oct 16, 2020
3
0
10
No, those do not exist. I do agree about going AMD Ryzen though, a Ryzen 3600X or the upcoming 5600X would be a much better investment than an Intel 5600K would. And if you want a white color scheme throughout I would suggest something like this:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($234.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Ultimate 76 CFM CPU Cooler ($56.07 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($164.99 @ B&H)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 CL16 Memory ($65.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Intel 660p 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($124.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB Triple Dissipation Video Card ($409.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair iCUE 4000X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G3 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($114.94 @ Office Depot)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($108.78 @ Other World Computing)
Total: $1400.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-10-19 13:00 EDT-0400
this is amazing!!! thank you so much for this!!!