So firstly, this will be a gift, and so I would like a nice aesthetically pleasing system. Note I have never actually built a mini-itx system before, I am confident in putting it together, just not the exact parts to use.
So I wish to make a reasonably powerful mini-itx system (with wifi). I have chosen the x570i board because the B450i is always perma sold out, can't pre-order where I live and ones that aren't sold out are price hiked to the 570 price anyway (and to top it off, it does look nicer), but if you have suggestions I'm open to them.
PCPartPicker Part List
Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor | $139.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard | $219.99 @ Amazon
Memory | G.Skill Trident Z RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory | $89.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Silicon Power A80 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $59.99 @ Amazon
Storage | GEEEK A1 Mini-ITX Case | $29.90 @ GEEEK
| Total | $539.76
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-09-18 10:39 EDT-0400 |
But as you can likely tell I am short a cooling solution and a power supply.
PSU
I am considering the HDPLEX Direct Plug 200w Direct plug PicoPSU. It would be more than suitable for the power draw of the system (around maximum efficiency draw levels) and it suits the aesthetics of the rest of the build quite nicely (especially the silver cable version) alongside 8pin cpu connector (many other picoPSU seem to only have 4 pin, and is modular so no spare wires everywhere). On the negative sides though, it has quite a high price point compared to other PicoPSUs and the heatsink may or may not interfere with ram clearance and I would also need to find an AC adapter to plug in.
So I ask, are there any better options (performance, price and aesthetics considered)? And what would be the idea adapter for your recommended Pico unit?
CPU Cooling Solution
Next is cooling, I know the noctua units are fantastic, but they are a little hard on the eyes in a build with the aesthetic I am aiming for. The Cryorig C7 would be a good contender if it didn't have the motherboards issue (out of stock everywhere, and those that aren't are super inflated, $350 wtf?) The Cryorig C7G is double the price of of both the noctua and normal C7 models, however is harder to tarnish and would provide a very nice aesthetic, but again very large price point.
For the CPU Cooler what would you recommend? Keeping in mind it is a very small case and aesthetics matter.
CPU Cooling Solution (keep airflow moving)
Bear with me on this one, I have never purchased case fans before, so I'm not actually 100% sure on the best brand or type or anything. So I don't have any base picks to compare against for this one.
The case supports 4 50x10mm fans, but the mobo only has 1 fan header, that means ideally a 4 way splitter with 4 efficient fans (roughly .2A each (1A max per header).
Finally, any improvements or suggestions on existing components is welcome. There is no GPU, consider total budget $800usd/$1200aud/£650 (roughly equivalent, just idea for different currencies/countries to make things easier).
TDLR: Best PicoPSU (8pin cpu + 24pin mobo), CPU cooler, 4 50x10mm fans able to run off 1 fan header. All suiting a black and white(silver) aesthetic. Budget of roughly $800usd/$1200aud/£650
So I wish to make a reasonably powerful mini-itx system (with wifi). I have chosen the x570i board because the B450i is always perma sold out, can't pre-order where I live and ones that aren't sold out are price hiked to the 570 price anyway (and to top it off, it does look nicer), but if you have suggestions I'm open to them.
PCPartPicker Part List
Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor | $139.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard | $219.99 @ Amazon
Memory | G.Skill Trident Z RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory | $89.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Silicon Power A80 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $59.99 @ Amazon
Storage | GEEEK A1 Mini-ITX Case | $29.90 @ GEEEK
| Total | $539.76
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-09-18 10:39 EDT-0400 |
But as you can likely tell I am short a cooling solution and a power supply.
PSU
I am considering the HDPLEX Direct Plug 200w Direct plug PicoPSU. It would be more than suitable for the power draw of the system (around maximum efficiency draw levels) and it suits the aesthetics of the rest of the build quite nicely (especially the silver cable version) alongside 8pin cpu connector (many other picoPSU seem to only have 4 pin, and is modular so no spare wires everywhere). On the negative sides though, it has quite a high price point compared to other PicoPSUs and the heatsink may or may not interfere with ram clearance and I would also need to find an AC adapter to plug in.
So I ask, are there any better options (performance, price and aesthetics considered)? And what would be the idea adapter for your recommended Pico unit?
CPU Cooling Solution
Next is cooling, I know the noctua units are fantastic, but they are a little hard on the eyes in a build with the aesthetic I am aiming for. The Cryorig C7 would be a good contender if it didn't have the motherboards issue (out of stock everywhere, and those that aren't are super inflated, $350 wtf?) The Cryorig C7G is double the price of of both the noctua and normal C7 models, however is harder to tarnish and would provide a very nice aesthetic, but again very large price point.
For the CPU Cooler what would you recommend? Keeping in mind it is a very small case and aesthetics matter.
CPU Cooling Solution (keep airflow moving)
Bear with me on this one, I have never purchased case fans before, so I'm not actually 100% sure on the best brand or type or anything. So I don't have any base picks to compare against for this one.
The case supports 4 50x10mm fans, but the mobo only has 1 fan header, that means ideally a 4 way splitter with 4 efficient fans (roughly .2A each (1A max per header).
Finally, any improvements or suggestions on existing components is welcome. There is no GPU, consider total budget $800usd/$1200aud/£650 (roughly equivalent, just idea for different currencies/countries to make things easier).
TDLR: Best PicoPSU (8pin cpu + 24pin mobo), CPU cooler, 4 50x10mm fans able to run off 1 fan header. All suiting a black and white(silver) aesthetic. Budget of roughly $800usd/$1200aud/£650
Last edited: