After waiting 12 years, I'm finally ready to build my first PC! I've recently gotten into Small Form Factor (SFF) PCs and love the look of them. I've put together a build and would appreciate any feedback to ensure compatibility and functionality. Here's what I have planned:
- **CPU:** AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- **CPU Cooler:** Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM (open to suggestions for compact yet efficient coolers)
- **Motherboard:** Gigabyte B850M EAGLE WIFI6E Micro ATX
- **RAM:** Silicon Power Value Gaming 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
- **Storage:** Western Digital WD Blue SN5000 2 TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVME
- **Graphics Card:** Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB
- **Case:** Lian Li A3-mATX Mini Tower
- **PSU:** be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750 W 80+ Gold
- **Case Fan:** Thermalright TL-C12C X3 120 mm Fans (3-Pack)
I'm aiming for a medium-high budget build that will last 10-12 years. I would love any suggestions, especially about case options that fit my style without breaking the bank or being overly complicated for a beginner.
5 Answers
The list looks solid overall! Just a heads up that the CPU cooler is a bit bulky for an SFF case, but it's within the height limits according to PCPartPicker. You should be fine unless you're really tight on space.
The Phantom Spirit has an extra heatpipe which technically makes it a better cooler. However, the difference is small, so it's up to you whether to switch!
I built something really similar to this last week! It was fun, but there was A LOT of cable management to consider. Take your time; it's worth it in the end!
That's encouraging! What kind of planning did you do? I've never dealt with space constraints before.
I'm not sure if this is technically an SFF build since it seems a bit larger than what most consider for that category. However, everything else looks great!
What defines an SFF build? Is it just size or certain components?
Switching to a Phantom Spirit 120 SE would make this build even better. But just so you know, this setup is more of a Medium Form Factor (MFF) than true SFF like the Cooler Master NR200.
What makes the Phantom Spirit preferable? They look pretty similar.
Yeah, I think you're safe with the cooler size based on what PCPartPicker says. Just make sure to check the internal layout of your case.