What you need to know before building a Mini ITX PC?
When it comes to building your gaming PC there are many options available to you ranging from what GPU to use, what RAM and Motherboard and also what Processor to go for. However, the first thing that you need to ask yourself is “What size computer am I going to build?”. Do you build a full-sized gaming PC or a mini gaming PC?
One of the most popular trends at the moment when it comes to building a computer is using a mini ITX case to build a mini ITX PC. This is a small form factor computer that has a small footprint and is compact enough to sit on your desk and be easily transported around with you.
Today we are going to take a look at what exactly is a mini ITX PC and discuss some of the key things that you should know when building one.
What are the benefits of a mini ITX build?
There are a number of benefits that you receive when building a mini ITX computer. The first benefit is that mini ITX builds are much smaller than your standard full-tower and mid-tower builds. This is important if you have limited space in your room or on your desk as it takes up much less space than a traditional computer.
Ideally, you want to keep your gaming PC on top of your desk and not on the floor as this helps with airflow by limiting the amount of dust that gets pulled through the case.
Next, there is the benefit of the weight of the computer. A mini ITX build is often much lighter than a full-tower or mid-tower gaming PC. This makes moving the case around much easier and allows for easier transport of your computer.
Finally, there is the cost of an ITX build. Due to the fact that the hardware inside of a mini ITX computer is often smaller than that of a full-sized computer, prices tend to be a bit cheaper. Obviously, this is subjective as you can spend the same amount depending on the hardware you choose, but it does give you the opportunity to get the best bang for your buck and save a few dollars in the process.
Is a mini ITX PC good for gaming?
This is a question that always gets asked. Is a mini ITX build good for PC gaming? Often, people think that bigger is always better and that if you want a powerful rig you can’t get it in a small package.
Well, we are happy to say that not only is a mini ITX PC good for gaming but in some use cases it can actually give you a better gaming experience.
Computer hardware has come a long way in recent years and now anything that you need for a solid performing gaming PC is available in a small form factor. Powerful graphics cards like the Gigabyte RTX 2070 Mini ITX allow you to get top tier performance into a small mini ITX case.
Aside from giving you the raw gaming power of a traditional gaming PC, the other benefit that a mini ITX gaming rig has for PC gamers is its portability. If you are someone that likes to participate in eSport events or attend LAN events with your friends then a mini ITX build is perfect for you.
Due to its small size and reduces weight, a mini ITX build makes it incredibly easy to pack up your gaming PC and take it anywhere with you. No more having to transport and carry large, heavy gaming PC’s in order to attend the latest LAN event.
What do I need to look for when choosing a mini ITX case?
As with any gaming PC build, one of the most important aspects is the computer case. The case not only needs to look good but it needs to be functional as well.
You will want to have a think about how big or small you want the case to be. Although you are building a mini ITX build, cases do still come in various sizes. It is recommended to purchase a case that gives you a bit of wiggle room so that there is enough space inside to allow for air to easily flow through the case over your hardware components.
Make sure that you choose a case that had good cooling support. If you want to use an AIO cooler for your CPU then you need to make sure that the case you are wanting to use had adequate radiator support to fit the cooler.
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Double-check the fan support of the computer case to make sure that it provides you with the airflow that you need. One of the biggest causes of a poor performing gaming PC is bad airflow.
Choose a case that has enough room inside so that is makes building the computer easier. You want enough room that you can easily fit your hands in the case and so that installing the hardware isn’t too difficult. A case with no room inside it can make building a gaming PC a nightmare, not to mention painful on the hands.
Lastly, pick a case that looks great. If you want to show off the hardware inside then choose a case that has a nice tempered glass side panel. If you are someone that wants something that is whisper quiet then choose a case that has great acoustics. Remember, the case is what everyone including yourself is going to see, to make sure that it’s something that you like the look of.
When it comes to hardware for a mini ITX PC, what should I know?
So, you have chosen the perfect mini ITX case and you can’t wait to get building, what important things are there to know when selecting the right hardware?
You are going to be building a computer that is small and compact so the first thing to make sure is that you choose hardware that fits inside the case. You will want to choose a mini ITX motherboard, such as the Z490 Mini-ITX AORUS Motherboard. Ensure that the motherboard has all of the connections and features that you are looking for.
Next, you want to choose the best RAM for the job. It is recommended that you choose some RAM that gives you good clearance between the top of the RAM and the bottom of the CPU cooler. There are lots of low-profile RAM options out there that should give you plenty or clearance.
Choose a graphics card that is small enough to fit in your new case but also make sure that it provides you with the power that you are looking for. This is going to be a gaming PC after all. Just because the GPU needs to be smaller doesn’t mean that you have to get a lower-performing card.
When it comes to CPU coolers, you won’t have as many options available to you as you would if you were building a larger computer. A lot of the commonly used air coolers will be too tall to fit in the case but there are some great low-profile air coolers available if you want to go the air route. The most popular choice it to opt for an AIO cooler due to the lower noise and smaller sizing. A decent AIO water cooler will do a great job at keeping temps low.
Lastly, there is the power supply unit. Aside from ensuring that the PSU physically fits in the case, we also suggest that you get a fully modular power supply. By building a mini ITX gaming PC you will be limited on the amount of space that you have, so by using only the power cables that you need to use will help make the best use of the space that is available.
Pick whatever you like, pick GIGABYTE.
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