ITX PC Build

[zapnorok]

Hi there,

I'm looking to build a small form factor pc with high specs and I'd love some opinions on what's possible.

Personally, I really love ITX/Mini PCs because of the size, but I know there are some sacrifices needed for this to make it work. However, I recently came across some YouTuber who went all out to make a liquid-cooled 4090 from the Founder's Edition, and squeezed everything into this:



It looks amazing but I want to check with you guys what's the actual possibility in Singapore, if it's even recommended, and if there's any small form factor company/builder out there who can work on together on this.

Parts I'm really keen on:
Intel i9 13900K
Corsair vengeance ddr5 64gb ram 6000mhz
RTX 4090

Thanks!

 

[y2c_whtdouwant]

Got budget anything's possible.

 

[chiu2000]

Ncase M1 user here

2 words to describe using SFF cases are compromise and measurement.

For example i am currently using a 7900XTX, but only the AMD reference model will fit, which is slightly more expensive than other AIB, and I need to sacrifice the bottom 2 fan in take at bottom due to the thickness of the card.

The cable routing is also a PITA

But it's satisfying when the build is complete

 

[zapnorok]

Ncase M1 user here

2 words to describe using SFF cases are compromise and measurement.

For example i am currently using a 7900XTX, but only the AMD reference model will fit, which is slightly more expensive than other AIB, and I need to sacrifice the bottom 2 fan in take at bottom due to the thickness of the card.

The cable routing is also a PITA

But it's satisfying when the build is complete

How's the temperatures for your machine? Do you put it under heavy stress? Wondering if the heat is retained or if you manage to get it lower.

Also, did you have liquid cooling for your build?

 

[matique]

Hi there,

I'm looking to build a small form factor pc with high specs and I'd love some opinions on what's possible.

Personally, I really love ITX/Mini PCs because of the size, but I know there are some sacrifices needed for this to make it work. However, I recently came across some YouTuber who went all out to make a liquid-cooled 4090 from the Founder's Edition, and squeezed everything into this:



It looks amazing but I want to check with you guys what's the actual possibility in Singapore, if it's even recommended, and if there's any small form factor company/builder out there who can work on together on this.

Parts I'm really keen on:
Intel i9 13900K
Corsair vengeance ddr5 64gb ram 6000mhz
RTX 4090

Thanks!

Maybe wait for the upcoming dan c4 sfx. seems to have good clearance. If not you can never go wrong with a nr200 lol, fitment should be easy as well.

 

[zapnorok]

Maybe wait for the upcoming dan c4 sfx. seems to have good clearance. If not you can never go wrong with a nr200 lol, fitment should be easy as well.

Dude! The Dan C4 SFX looks amazing. I'll try checking on this. I'm not savvy on computer building so I'm definitely just learning and looking out for builders who can build an ITX with this. Do you happen to know any?

 

[jkohlc2]

the new Fractal Terra keyima?

 

[chiu2000]

How's the temperatures for your machine? Do you put it under heavy stress? Wondering if the heat is retained or if you manage to get it lower.

Also, did you have liquid cooling for your build?

I went for the all mesh design of Ncase, always hated RGB, so that's max airflow available. And never a fan of water cooling as well.

The main heat issue is really the 7900XTX, i suspect that it maybe sucking in some of it's own hot air, since the case is placed on an IKEA Uppspel drawer unit, which has a low "fence" on the 4 sides, but still manageable. I can just add a USB fan to blow fresh air to the bottom of the case, but obviously I need to find a new location for the case in the long run.

For CPU I have 5800X3D paired with a Noctua NH-L12S, but I swapped the Noctua A12x15 fan that came with the heatsink with an Arctic Cooling P12 instead, and with another two P12 mounted on the side of the case blowing onto the heatsink and PSU. The CPU stays pretty cool even when gaming.

 

[y2c_whtdouwant]

TS asked for companies that do this sort of stuff, the only options I can give ish either arftershock or dreamcore.

These 2 companies offer itx prebuilts on their sites. For other custom options, should just discuss with the company of choice directly.

 

[Charles_Chi4]

Most sff cases have thermal issue. U can try checking "C4 SFX" on the same youtuber channel. I think it's the best sff case for now. No pcie riser needed.

 

[noinimod]

For first time AND high end (aka high power and hot) builds, I would run far away from ITX.

If you game in air con environment with 20 - 25 degree ambient temperatures all the time, it may work. Otherwise, you will be wrestling with high load temps, under volting, coolers, fans and everything else but the root issue.

SFF usually has too little internal case clearance for heat to dissipate properly - relative to a larger sized case - even with the best fan and liquid cooler setups. I know there'll be people reading this going, "But I have a SFF case and it works great". But the truth is, it would work even better in a larger case where air flow is not so restrictive.

Temperature charts for different case sizes prove this point over and over again. SFF cases are almost always worse than a medium sized tower in the same performance bracket. The best air flow cases are always medium sized.

For non-high power stuff, sure, go with ITX or mATX or ATX, does not matter all that much. Once you go high powered builds, those differences start to matter a lot especially for SG's climate

I had a NR200 build in the past with 5900x + 3080. Temperatures were horrible. Even with Exhaust/Intake configuration, fan RPM tweaks, remounting GPU cooler with better thermal paste, list goes on. Once i changed to a larger case, temperatures dramatically improved. I've since moved on to open case chassis and temperatures are god-tier... but that's another topic

 

[Racking2322]

For first time AND high end (aka high power and hot) builds, I would run far away from ITX.

If you game in air con environment with 20 - 25 degree ambient temperatures all the time, it may work. Otherwise, you will be wrestling with high load temps, under volting, coolers, fans and everything else but the root issue.

SFF usually has too little internal case clearance for heat to dissipate properly - relative to a larger sized case - even with the best fan and liquid cooler setups. I know there'll be people reading this going, "But I have a SFF case and it works great". But the truth is, it would work even better in a larger case where air flow is not so restrictive.

Temperature charts for different case sizes prove this point over and over again. SFF cases are almost always worse than a medium sized tower in the same performance bracket. The best air flow cases are always medium sized.

For non-high power stuff, sure, go with ITX or mATX or ATX, does not matter all that much. Once you go high powered builds, those differences start to matter a lot especially for SG's climate

I had a NR200 build in the past with 5900x + 3080. Temperatures were horrible. Even with Exhaust/Intake configuration, fan RPM tweaks, remounting GPU cooler with better thermal paste, list goes on. Once i changed to a larger case, temperatures dramatically improved. I've since moved on to open case chassis and temperatures are god-tier... but that's another topic

For nr200, can try remove the dust filter. Yours was tempered glass? Yes bigger cases are better but itx temps can be managed if done properly.

 

[noinimod]

For nr200, can try remove the dust filter. Yours was tempered glass? Yes bigger cases are better but itx temps can be managed if done properly.

No, mesh. Dust filter removed, GPU deshroud mod, you name it, I tried it. All kinds of mods. After a while, gave up fighting the case and so much happier

 

[86technie]

For first time AND high end (aka high power and hot) builds, I would run far away from ITX.

If you game in air con environment with 20 - 25 degree ambient temperatures all the time, it may work. Otherwise, you will be wrestling with high load temps, under volting, coolers, fans and everything else but the root issue.

SFF usually has too little internal case clearance for heat to dissipate properly - relative to a larger sized case - even with the best fan and liquid cooler setups. I know there'll be people reading this going, "But I have a SFF case and it works great". But the truth is, it would work even better in a larger case where air flow is not so restrictive.

Temperature charts for different case sizes prove this point over and over again. SFF cases are almost always worse than a medium sized tower in the same performance bracket. The best air flow cases are always medium sized.

For non-high power stuff, sure, go with ITX or mATX or ATX, does not matter all that much. Once you go high powered builds, those differences start to matter a lot especially for SG's climate

I had a NR200 build in the past with 5900x + 3080. Temperatures were horrible. Even with Exhaust/Intake configuration, fan RPM tweaks, remounting GPU cooler with better thermal paste, list goes on. Once i changed to a larger case, temperatures dramatically improved. I've since moved on to open case chassis and temperatures are god-tier... but that's another topic

True ITX case don't have good airflow so to accomdate high end parts is no difference from a oven.
If want small than at least go for traditional MATX build at least there's both front and exhaust fan.
ITX case usually doesn't have front intake so it really relies on internal air circulation.

So only the top two fans are the key airflow points.
The bottom will be block by graphic card and other components.
So air inside ITX case like this is very restrictive compare with a regular case.

But if you want to build such rig go for mid-range parts like mid-range graphic
than it won't be oven.

 

[Ian]

the new Fractal Terra keyima?

Fractal Lazada Official Flagship Store

https://bit.ly/3X81ZEL

 

[Daty41]

Most important is get that FE that dont exhast back into the case...

 

[zapnorok]

the new Fractal Terra keyima?

I actually love this, but it seems a lot of folks have been recommending against an ITX with these specs. I'm hoping to go to a MATX at least! Hoping to find a compromise here.

 

[zapnorok]

TS asked for companies that do this sort of stuff, the only options I can give ish either arftershock or dreamcore.

These 2 companies offer itx prebuilts on their sites. For other custom options, should just discuss with the company of choice directly.

They see my ask then I think they also think I'm siao. I've been talking to a few builders but not everyone is proficient with ITX and confident to pull it off well.

 

[_DeS__]

Small, fast, reliable. Choose 2.

 

[omelet]

I have built in a Ncase M1 v6.1, Formd T1, Silverstone SG16, CM NR200, LianLi x Dancase A4H2O and Fractal Design Torrent Nano. I am currently eyeing the Dancase C4 SFX/Ncase M1Evo.

For your desired spec, especially that 13900K you might have to lower the power limit or undervolt which will work fine but you might as well buy a lower end CPU like a 13600K.

You also need to make sure all components can fit, which means checking the measurement and searching online to see if anyone had any issue fitting it.

One recommendation is to order custom PSU cables, which are shorter and more flexible to save space and work around some tricky areas internally.
PSU choices are also quite limited, the well known ones are Corsair SF750. There are higher wattage ones such as Asus ROG Loki 1000W but it is an SFX-L and I heard noise performance is not as good as the SF750.

For air build:
ITX: Dancase C4 SFX + Noctua NH-D12L <- Best combo
MATX: Ncase M1 Evo + Thermalright Silversoul 135 (Non-FE 4090 model might not fit, larger GPU might require riser which means you can't use an air cooler)

For AIO build:
ITX Sandwiched layout(Riser required): Lian Li x Dancase A4H2O (GPU limited to 3 slots)
ITX No riser: Dancase C4 SFX
MATX: Ncase M1 Evo (Riser may be required for bigger GPU)

IMO,
Fractal Terra is not a good option for high end build. It can't support a 240MM AIO. A4H2O is the better case.
Formd T1 looks and feels nice. But I find the overall structure to be not solid as I liked, and too many large holes at the back. If you use an 240MM AIO, you will need purchase additional slim fan and screws to fit it in. A4H2O in comparison felt like a tank.
NR200 is nice to built in, but it is on a larger side.
Torrent Nano is the best case for air cooler, but has issue fitting most 4090 GPU. It is also the largest...so.

For ITX builts...try not to put high power parts in it, go for power efficient. Because even if your ITX case can handle it, it will radiate heat and make you feel really uncomfortable, especially if it is sitting next to you.