I'm planning to build a small form factor PC using a Cooler Master NR200 SFF case, and I'm aiming for a semi-budget setup, around $1,000 or maybe a bit more if needed. I'm okay with using some second-hand parts if they fit the build. I have a few specifications in mind:
- I want to use an AMD Ryzen chipset.
- It should have at least 32GB of RAM.
- I'm looking for a total storage capacity of about 3 to 4TB.
So far, here's what I've got:
- **Case:** Cooler Master NR200 SFF
- **Motherboard:** ASRock A520M-ITX/AC (I noticed it claims support for 5000 series processers which is a plus)
- **CPU:** AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- **RAM:** Timetec Premium 32GB DDR4 Kit
- **Main Storage:** Crucial P310 1TB M.2 SSD
- **Backup Storage:** Crucial BX500 2TB SSD
Any additional suggestions or improvements on this build would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
What’s the main purpose for your PC? Are you looking to game or just for general use? I noticed you’re going with an ITX case; any specific reason for that over a microATX? It might help to clarify your requirements a bit more for everyone to give better suggestions!
It looks like you've got a solid start! One thing to note is that your current SSD choices (P310 and BX500) use QLC flash, which isn't the most durable and can slow down over time. I recommend switching them to something with TLC flash like the Western Digital WD Blue SN5000 for better performance. As for your GPU, depending on what you want to do, you'll need to factor in that cost. Here’s a rough build outline:
- **CPU:** Ryzen 9 5900X for $269
- **Motherboard:** ASRock A520M-ITX/AC for around $100
- **Memory:** Timetec 32GB kit
- **Main Storage:** Consider a better SSD like the WD SN5000
- **Backup Storage:** Something like the TEAMGROUP Vulcan Z 2TB SSD
That totals about $762, plus the GPU which you might have to allocate a bit more for depending on what you choose!
I like the second build better! How much more do you think I’d need to budget for a decent graphics card?
I'm thinking light gaming along with general tasks. My old laptop is fading after six years, so I need something more powerful but compact since I’ve been wanting a small form factor PC for a while.