[SOLVED] Mini-ITX high-end gaming build

Mar 28, 2021
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I'm trying to build a mini-ITX high end gaming pc and I nees some help from someone with more experience than me :)
I travel a lot but I really don't like gaming laptops.

I need suggestions for a complete build.
Is a high end 1080p build viable for 1000/1200€ ?
I already have SO/monitor/peripherals. I can work around the budget saving some more cash if needed.

Getting to the important stuff:
-Scope: only gaming
-Resolution: 1080p
-Overclocking: not needed
-I will buy a bag for the case, so there is no need to go excessively small with it.
-Considering the small format, water cooling for CPU and GPU would be very nice.
-Budget: 1000/1200? I can save some more if needed. I'd like a high end build with which to play also future titles.

Some informations about me:
- I live in Europe (Italy).

Thanks!
 
Solution
Gaming what titles?
Watercooling for 1200euros?
Imposible with the given budget.
Considering the current GPU situation, this is probably the best you can get:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i3-10100F 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor (€99.99 @ Amazon Italia)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition 42 CFM CPU Cooler (€39.50 @ Amazon Italia)
Motherboard: Asus PRIME B460I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1200 Motherboard (€109.99 @ Amazon Italia)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory (€114.99 @ Corsair)
Storage: Samsung 870 Evo 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive (€109.51 @ Amazon Italia)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1650...
Gaming what titles?
Watercooling for 1200euros?
Imposible with the given budget.
Considering the current GPU situation, this is probably the best you can get:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i3-10100F 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor (€99.99 @ Amazon Italia)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition 42 CFM CPU Cooler (€39.50 @ Amazon Italia)
Motherboard: Asus PRIME B460I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1200 Motherboard (€109.99 @ Amazon Italia)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory (€114.99 @ Corsair)
Storage: Samsung 870 Evo 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive (€109.51 @ Amazon Italia)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER 4 GB VENTUS XS OC Video Card (€549.99 @ Amazon Italia)
Case: NZXT H210 Mini ITX Tower Case (€97.90 @ Amazon Italia)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€86.40 @ Amazon Italia)
Total: €1208.27
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-03-28 23:42 CEST+0200


If you add about 100 euros more, you can get something like this:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-10400F 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor (€136.40 @ Amazon Italia)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition 42 CFM CPU Cooler (€39.50 @ Amazon Italia)
Motherboard: Asus PRIME B460I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1200 Motherboard (€109.99 @ Amazon Italia)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory (€114.99 @ Corsair)
Storage: Samsung 870 Evo 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive (€109.51 @ Amazon Italia)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER 6 GB GAMING X Video Card (€626.15 @ Amazon Italia)
Case: NZXT H210 Mini ITX Tower Case (€97.90 @ Amazon Italia)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€86.40 @ Amazon Italia)
Total: €1320.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-03-28 23:43 CEST+0200
 
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Solution
The first build should be able to play Cyberpunk 2077 at medium/high settings 1080p, at 30-40 fps, according to this video.
The second build will deliver better performance, around 60fps on high settings, according to this video, which is impresive for this kind of hardware tbh.
If you want a better explanation of the hardware choice just say so, but this is just the long story short version.
 
The first build should be able to play Cyberpunk 2077 at medium/high settings 1080p, at 30-40 fps, according to this video.
The second build will deliver better performance, around 60fps on high settings, according to this video, which is impresive for this kind of hardware tbh.
If you want a better explanation of the hardware choice just say so, but this is just the long story short version.
A few money savers for that second build. I can't find a B560 nor H510 ITX board in Italy. How is this possible when they are an EU country?

https://www.amazon.it/SuperFlower-Leadex-III-Alimentatore-Efficiency/dp/B07TJYNGB8/
SuperFlower Leadex III 550w 80 Plus Gold Modular 85,90 €

https://www.amazon.it/Antec-A40-PRO-Processore-Refrigeratore/dp/B01HLAB80C/
Antec A40 Pro CPU Cooler

https://www.amazon.it/Crucial-Ballistix-BL2K8G26C16U4B-Memoria-Computer/dp/B083TRRT16/
Crucial Ballistix DDR4 3200 MHz, 16GB (8GB x2), CL16 89,05 €

Crucial P2 CT1000P2SSD8 SSD Interno, 1TB, NVMe 83,70 €
 
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A few money savers for that second build. I can't find a B560 nor H510 ITX board in Italy. How is this possible when they are an EU country?

https://www.amazon.it/SuperFlower-Leadex-III-Alimentatore-Efficiency/dp/B07TJYNGB8/
SuperFlower Leadex III 550w 80 Plus Gold Modular 85,90 €

https://www.amazon.it/Antec-A40-PRO-Processore-Refrigeratore/dp/B01HLAB80C/
Antec A40 Pro CPU Cooler

https://www.amazon.it/Crucial-Ballistix-BL2K8G26C16U4B-Memoria-Computer/dp/B083TRRT16/
Crucial Ballistix DDR4 3200 MHz, 16GB (8GB x2), CL16 89,05 €

Crucial P2 CT1000P2SSD8 SSD Interno, 1TB, NVMe 83,70 €
I dont have b560/h510/z590 in my country yet and i live in EU too.
 
The first build should be able to play Cyberpunk 2077 at medium/high settings 1080p, at 30-40 fps, according to this video.
The second build will deliver better performance, around 60fps on high settings, according to this video, which is impresive for this kind of hardware tbh.
If you want a better explanation of the hardware choice just say so, but this is just the long story short version.

Thank you.
Reading your and --SID-- answers, it seems that High end is over my budget for now.
I can wait and save some more money before building it.

What would you upgrade in the build you suggested?
What can be achievable in terms of performance with 1600€?

Or, turning the question around, how much should I be expected to spend to reach 60fps in medium/high setting in most modern games?
One game I have on my wish list (which I'm unable to play with my current laptop) is Red Dead 2.
 
Thank you.
Reading your and --SID-- answers, it seems that High end is over my budget for now.
I can wait and save some more money before building it.

What would you upgrade in the build you suggested?
What can be achievable in terms of performance with 1600€?

Or, turning the question around, how much should I be expected to spend to reach 60fps in medium/high setting in most modern games?
One game I have on my wish list (which I'm unable to play with my current laptop) is Red Dead 2.
We will find you a B560, H570 or H510 board and post a decent build for you for under 1400 euros although it might end up being a micro ATX build which will still fit in that case Doja posted
 
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Thank you.
Reading your and --SID-- answers, it seems that High end is over my budget for now.
I can wait and save some more money before building it.

What would you upgrade in the build you suggested?
What can be achievable in terms of performance with 1600€?

Or, turning the question around, how much should I be expected to spend to reach 60fps in medium/high setting in most modern games?
One game I have on my wish list (which I'm unable to play with my current laptop) is Red Dead 2.
For 1600 euros?
Something like this:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-10700F 2.9 GHz 8-Core Processor (€259.89 @ Amazon Italia)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition 57.3 CFM CPU Cooler (€44.99 @ Amazon Italia)
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX B460-I GAMING Mini ITX LGA1200 Motherboard (€168.69 @ Amazon Italia)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory (€159.90 @ Amazon Italia)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive (€170.00 @ Amazon Italia)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER 6 GB GAMING X Video Card (€626.15 @ Amazon Italia)
Case: NZXT H210 Mini ITX Tower Case (€97.90 @ Amazon Italia)
Power Supply: Corsair RM (2019) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€104.90 @ Amazon Italia)
Total: €1632.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-03-29 20:44 CEST+0200


A better CPU, with 2 more cores and 4 more threads, will perform a bit better in gaming than the 10400F.
The same cooler, but with RGB.
A bit of a better motherboard, with more/better features, and a nicer design.
2x16gb 3200mhz RGB ram, wont do much for FPS over the 2x8gb one, but will for sure expand your posibilities of multitasking. (Many Google Tabs open while gaming, etc...)
M.2 1TB SSD, instead of the SATA one. Wont be a significant performance difference, but it is a bit faster.
Sadly, the GPU stayed the same. The cheapest RTX 3060 will cost you almost 1000 Euros...
Same case.
A PSU with more wattage so you can put a 3060Ti/3070 (or something else) in there after this GPU settles down.
Overall what i did here is expand (or enhance) the productivity posibilities by adding 2 more cores, 4 more threads, faster storage drive. Also RGB, if that is your thing.
As much as im aware, the case comes with 1 rear and 1 top fan, so that should be enough. The front is useless since its a closed panel.
 
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What can be achievable in terms of performance with 1600€?
For a gaming specific rig, I would go with this at current prices for best performance...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i5-10400 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor | €162.94 @ Amazon Italia
CPU Cooler | Noctua NH-L9i 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler | €39.90 @ Amazon Italia
Motherboard | ASRock H570M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1200 Motherboard | €139.08 @ Amazon Italia
Memory | Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory | €80.48 @ Amazon Italia
Storage | Crucial P2 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | €83.70 @ Amazon Italia
Video Card | Zotac GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB GAMING Twin Edge OC Video Card | €949.00 @ Amazon Italia
Case | Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case | €62.01 @ Amazon Italia
Power Supply | SeaSonic FOCUS 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | €86.40 @ Amazon Italia
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | €1603.51
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-03-29 21:45 CEST+0200 |
 
Last edited:
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For 1600 euros?
Something like this:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-10700F 2.9 GHz 8-Core Processor (€259.89 @ Amazon Italia)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition 57.3 CFM CPU Cooler (€44.99 @ Amazon Italia)
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX B460-I GAMING Mini ITX LGA1200 Motherboard (€168.69 @ Amazon Italia)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory (€159.90 @ Amazon Italia)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive (€170.00 @ Amazon Italia)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER 6 GB GAMING X Video Card (€626.15 @ Amazon Italia)
Case: NZXT H210 Mini ITX Tower Case (€97.90 @ Amazon Italia)
Power Supply: Corsair RM (2019) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€104.90 @ Amazon Italia)
Total: €1632.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-03-29 20:44 CEST+0200


A better CPU, with 2 more cores and 4 more threads, will perform a bit better in gaming than the 10400F.
The same cooler, but with RGB.
A bit of a better motherboard, with more/better features, and a nicer design.
2x16gb 3200mhz RGB ram, wont do much for FPS over the 2x8gb one, but will for sure expand your posibilities of multitasking. (Many Google Tabs open while gaming, etc...)
M.2 1TB SSD, instead of the SATA one. Wont be a significant performance difference, but it is a bit faster.
Sadly, the GPU stayed the same. The cheapest RTX 3060 will cost you almost 1000 Euros...
Same case.
A PSU with more wattage so you can put a 3060Ti/3070 (or something else) in there after this GPU settles down.
Overall what i did here is expand (or enhance) the productivity posibilities by adding 2 more cores, 4 more threads, faster storage drive. Also RGB, if that is your thing.
As much as im aware, the case comes with 1 rear and 1 top fan, so that should be enough. The front is useless since its a closed panel.
For a gaming specific rig, I would go with this at current prices for best performance...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i5-10400 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor | €162.94 @ Amazon Italia
CPU Cooler | Noctua NH-L9i 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler | €39.90 @ Amazon Italia
Motherboard | ASRock H570M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1200 Motherboard | €139.08 @ Amazon Italia
Memory | Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory | €80.48 @ Amazon Italia
Storage | Crucial P2 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | €83.70 @ Amazon Italia
Video Card | Zotac GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB GAMING Twin Edge OC Video Card | €949.00 @ Amazon Italia
Case | Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case | €62.01 @ Amazon Italia
Power Supply | SeaSonic FOCUS 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | €86.40 @ Amazon Italia
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | €1603.51
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-03-29 21:45 CEST+0200 |

Thank you both!
I see that the VGA takes a really big chunk of the price. I think I'll save up some more money and wait for the price to drop a little.
I'll come up with a configuration using both of your suggestions and post it in the future, to check if I come up with something good or an underperforming chimera.
 
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