[SOLVED] Smollest gaming PC 2020

[Gintama69]

Thinking of making tiny Z490 gaming build for a friend, which would you recommend out of these 3? Dan A4-SFX(7.2lt) or Ghost S1(8.2lt) or Sliger SM550(9.7lt)
Or maybe wait for upcoming CoolerMaster NC100(7.5lt, hopefully quite)?
Can you recommend any other small case other than SilverStone SG13/RVZ03? Velka 3(3.9lt) is also out cos you can't use standard SFX PSU.

I'm gonna use Noctua NH-L9i, which CPU would you recommend? i5 10500(6c/12t, 3.1/4.5GHz, 65W) or 10600K(6c/12t, 4.1/4.8GHz, 95W)?
OptimumTech recommended 9400F(6c/6t, 2.9/4.1GHz, 65W) with NH-L9i for Velka 3 build, but 10600K comes with new improved thicker IHS and can also be underclocked easily so 10600K might be better?

 

[logainofhades]

The 10600k is a great gaming CPU, that should be overclocked. The 9400f is not a very good CPU. Personally, I would choose a 65w R5 3600, for a SFF build, though, over an underclocked 10600k.

 

[Gintama69]

The 10600k is a great gaming CPU, that should be overclocked. The 9400f is not a very good CPU. Personally, I would choose a 65w R5 3600, for a SFF build, though, over an underclocked 10600k.

Well if you had to use Intel, then would you pick i5 10500 over 10600K?

 

[logainofhades]

You wouldn't be able to adjust the clocks, on the 10500, so the 10600k would still be your only decent option, for Intel. I would try running it stock, first, though. Games still love that clock speed. Another company, that has SFF cases, that you may want to look at. https://www.geeekstore.com/

This cooler may be worth looking into, as well.
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/i...pu-cooler-cools-amd-and-intel-cpus-up-to-130w

 

[Gintama69]

I think NH-L9i should be fine for i5 10500(65W) cos OptimumTech recommend 9400F(65W) + NH-L9i for Velka 3 build.
But I'm not sure NH-L9i can also handle 10600K(95W)..

I've used NH-L9i on tiny Lian Li PC-Q20(7.2lt) with i7 5775C(65W) ages ago. It was fine for browsing net and watching movies, but CPU overheated very quickly when playing games like Diablo 3(guess due to Iris Pro 6200 IGP) and NH-L9i couldn't handle the heat.

 

[logainofhades]

The 10600k is a 125w chip. There is a 65w, non K, version. Another cooler for you to consider. Not sure what your max height can be, for the cases you are looking at.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00Q8RZPHW?tag=pcpapi-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

 

[ocer9999]

You can adjust, some H470 boards can overclock non K CPUs.
https://www.techpowerup.com/266489/...rds-for-10th-generation-non-k-comet-lake-cpus

 

[Gintama69]

Thanks for other cooler recommandation but now I'm bit scared of using non-Noctua air coolers.. cos I tried using bequite Dark Rock TF on Sliger Cerberus X recently and totally shocked by how terrible the fake-German bequite cooler actually was.. (https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...equite-dark-rock-tf-cooler-thank-you.3611189/ )
I'll never use another bequite product, but ended up cancelling the whole Cerberus X build and already sold the case. 🙁
So most likely I'll just stick with Noctua NH-L9i over ID-Cooling low profile coolers.

I totally forgot about 10600(non K) model tho.. guess it should also be fine for NH-L9i.
But what is the limit for NH-L9i? lol
9400F(6c/6t, 2.9/4.1GHz, 65W) - should be fine with NH-L9i, even recommended by OptimumTech
10500(6c/12t, 3.1/4.5GHz, 65W) - should be fine cos specs are very similar to 9400F, just slightly faster MHz and hyperthreading enabled
10600(6c/12t, 3.3/4.8GHz, 65W) - should also be fine cos it's only little bit faster than 10500.
10600K(6c/12t, 4.1/4.8GHz, 95W) - not sure.. cos 1GHz faster base clock speed over 10500(therefore rated 30W higher). but it has new improved thicker IHS which should temp with temp.