A small form factor build. These are genuinely more difficult and more expensive than a standard build, and worth it only if you actually want a small machine.
Be clear about the trade
Mini-ITX boards cost more than larger boards with the same chipset. SFX power supplies cost more than ATX. Cooling is harder, cable routing is genuinely difficult, and you get two memory slots and one expansion slot.
None of that is a reason not to build one. It is a reason to build one because you want a small machine, not because you expect to save money or match a larger build for performance per pound.
| Component | Part | Why this one |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D | Strong gaming performance at a moderate power figure, which matters more here than in a full-size case. |
| Motherboard | ASRock B650E PG-ITX WiFi | Mini-ITX with two memory slots and two M.2 slots. Wi-Fi included, which is normal at this size. |
| Memory | 32 GB DDR5-6000 (2 × 16 GB) | Two slots only, so this is both the starting and final configuration. Buy the capacity you want now. |
| Graphics card | A card within your case clearance | The binding constraint. Check the exact card length against the case, and check slot width; many cards occupy three slots and small cases often allow two. |
| Storage | 2 TB NVMe SSD | M.2 only. There is rarely room for anything else, and no cables is an advantage here. |
| Power supply | SFX, 750 W 80 PLUS Platinum | SFX format is required; an ATX unit will not fit. Fully modular matters enormously in a case with no room for spare cables. |
| Case | Cooler Master NR200P or similar | Check three figures before buying: card length, card slot width, and cooler height. All three are tighter than in a full-size case. |
| CPU cooler | Low profile air or a 240 mm liquid, depending on the case | Cooler height is usually the tightest constraint. Check the case figure and do not assume. |
Practical advice for the build itself
Plan the assembly order before you start. In a small case, fitting things in the wrong order means taking them out again. The cooler usually goes on before the board goes in, and cables often need connecting before a component blocks access.
Fully modular power supply, without exception. Spare cables have nowhere to go.
Expect higher temperatures than an equivalent full-size build, and accept somewhat higher fan speeds. There is less air volume and less surface area.
Check clearances twice. The PC Builder checks card length, cooler height and radiator fit against the case, which catches the common failures before you order.
How this build was put together
Every component here was selected to serve the stated purpose at the stated budget, and the complete list was run through our compatibility engine before publication: socket, memory generation and slot count, case clearance for the card and cooler, power connectors and supply capacity.
We have not benchmarked these parts ourselves. The reasoning is based on published specifications, standards documentation, and practical experience assembling machines. Where performance figures matter to your decision, publications that run controlled tests are the right source. Our methodology page sets out how we work in full.
Want to change something? Open this configuration in the PC Builder, substitute parts, and it will re-check compatibility and power as you go.