Hi guys,
I've not had a desktop for the longest time, and have been using my macbook air for about 7 years now. Recently, I've got into a bit of gaming with my friends, and I bought a Sabrent Rocket 512GB NVME SSD to replace the old 128GB SSD that came with my macbook air, so that I could install Bootcamp and play some of the games that are only available for PC. Unfortunately, Bootcamp couldn't install. Apparently it is a known issue that it only works on apple original SSDs. I know some people have got it to work on their new nvme SSD's, but I couldn't even after repeated tries.
So anyway, I've been tempted to build a SFF PC, good enough for basic gaming - games like CSgo. I also intend to use it as a console with wired/wireless controllers (hence the need for it to be SFF, so I can carry it from my room to the living room easily) - for games like Forza, NFS, etc.
As I won't be gaming everyday, I'm trying to restrict it to as tight a budget as possible.
I've selected the following parts so far. Please do let me know if these are good, and if possible, can I go for something cheaper without affecting performance too much. I'm good with 1080p gaming, on high/ultra settings, with 60fps or so.
Thanks.
CPU - AMD Ryzen 3300X (will use stock Wraith Stealth cooler)
Motherboard - ASRock B450 Gaming ITX (CPU + MB from SLS = $366)
RAM - Crucial Ballistix DDR4 3200mhz (8gbX2) ($105 from Amazon) OR KLEVV Bolt 3200Mhz (8gbX2) ($109 from SLS)
Graphics Card - ZOTAC GTX 1650 Super ($238 Lazada) [Qn: Should I upgrade to the Super OC version by ZOTAC or MSI for $15 more?)
HDD - Will reuse my Sabrent Rocket NVME SSD
PSU - EVGA BV 500W 80+ Bronze PSU ($69 from SLS) OR FSP SFX 450W 80+ Bronze ($95 from SLS) [Depending on casing selected]
Casing - Cougar QBX ($80 from Shopee) OR NZXT H210 ($129 for Lazada) OR Fractal Design Define Nano S ($129 on Lazada)
Casing Fans - TBD
I can't decide between getting the Cougar QBX (this is my favourite case so far for its small size) or the NZXT H210/Fractal Nano S. If I get the QBX, I will probably need to get an SFX PSU. But because the case is cheaper, it works out to about the same anyway. My question is then which is recommended from a thermal perspective? The Cougar QBX allows for 1 X Front, 1 X Back (included), 2 X Bottom, 2 x Top and 1 X Side fans. I would probably get the front fan for intake, 2 X bottom slim 15mm fans for intake, 1 or 2 X Top for exhaust. Would like to hear your thoughts about the casing.
The other casing I would consider is the INWIN 301 ($110 from Lazada). The INWIN 301 is slightly taller than the NZXT H210/Fractal, but supports a micro-atx motherboard (any recommendations?). But from what I read, the INWIN 301 can get quite hot.
I've not had a desktop for the longest time, and have been using my macbook air for about 7 years now. Recently, I've got into a bit of gaming with my friends, and I bought a Sabrent Rocket 512GB NVME SSD to replace the old 128GB SSD that came with my macbook air, so that I could install Bootcamp and play some of the games that are only available for PC. Unfortunately, Bootcamp couldn't install. Apparently it is a known issue that it only works on apple original SSDs. I know some people have got it to work on their new nvme SSD's, but I couldn't even after repeated tries.
So anyway, I've been tempted to build a SFF PC, good enough for basic gaming - games like CSgo. I also intend to use it as a console with wired/wireless controllers (hence the need for it to be SFF, so I can carry it from my room to the living room easily) - for games like Forza, NFS, etc.
As I won't be gaming everyday, I'm trying to restrict it to as tight a budget as possible.
I've selected the following parts so far. Please do let me know if these are good, and if possible, can I go for something cheaper without affecting performance too much. I'm good with 1080p gaming, on high/ultra settings, with 60fps or so.
Thanks.
CPU - AMD Ryzen 3300X (will use stock Wraith Stealth cooler)
Motherboard - ASRock B450 Gaming ITX (CPU + MB from SLS = $366)
RAM - Crucial Ballistix DDR4 3200mhz (8gbX2) ($105 from Amazon) OR KLEVV Bolt 3200Mhz (8gbX2) ($109 from SLS)
Graphics Card - ZOTAC GTX 1650 Super ($238 Lazada) [Qn: Should I upgrade to the Super OC version by ZOTAC or MSI for $15 more?)
HDD - Will reuse my Sabrent Rocket NVME SSD
PSU - EVGA BV 500W 80+ Bronze PSU ($69 from SLS) OR FSP SFX 450W 80+ Bronze ($95 from SLS) [Depending on casing selected]
Casing - Cougar QBX ($80 from Shopee) OR NZXT H210 ($129 for Lazada) OR Fractal Design Define Nano S ($129 on Lazada)
Casing Fans - TBD
I can't decide between getting the Cougar QBX (this is my favourite case so far for its small size) or the NZXT H210/Fractal Nano S. If I get the QBX, I will probably need to get an SFX PSU. But because the case is cheaper, it works out to about the same anyway. My question is then which is recommended from a thermal perspective? The Cougar QBX allows for 1 X Front, 1 X Back (included), 2 X Bottom, 2 x Top and 1 X Side fans. I would probably get the front fan for intake, 2 X bottom slim 15mm fans for intake, 1 or 2 X Top for exhaust. Would like to hear your thoughts about the casing.
The other casing I would consider is the INWIN 301 ($110 from Lazada). The INWIN 301 is slightly taller than the NZXT H210/Fractal, but supports a micro-atx motherboard (any recommendations?). But from what I read, the INWIN 301 can get quite hot.
