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In the world of gaming and high-performance computing, bigger isn’t always better. Small form factor (SFF) gaming PCs are revolutionizing how we think about compact, yet powerful, systems. These builds offer the perfect blend of performance and portability without compromising on aesthetics or power. For IT professionals, enthusiasts, and gamers alike, understanding how to create a capable SFF build can unlock a world of possibilities—from minimizing workspace clutter to deploying high-performance systems in limited spaces.
In this post, we’ll walk through the core components, design considerations, and best practices for building a high-performance SFF gaming PC. Whether you’re crafting a sleek LAN-party-ready rig or developing compact yet powerful client builds, this guide will equip you with everything you need to know.
Shopping list
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-Core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor
- CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 240 A-RGB
- Motherboard: Gigabyte B850M GAMING X WIFI6E Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard
- Memory: (No functional difference between options, choose what’s in stock)
- RAM (Option 1): CORSAIR Vengeance DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 6000MHz CL30 AMD Expo Intel XMP iCUE Compatible Computer Memory – Gray (CMK32GX5M2B6000Z30)
- RAM (Option 2 – Although not specifically for AMD, Intel RAM works fine in AMD systems): CORSAIR Vengeance DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MHz CL30-36-36-76 1.40V Intel XMP Desktop Computer Memory – Black (CMK32GX5M2B6000C30)
- Storage: Samsung 990 Pro PCIe Gen4 – 2TB
- Video Card – Good luck finding stock at MSRP (thanks scalpers), but here are the cards I recommend from least expensive to most for 4k gaming:
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super – MSRP $800
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX – MSRP $1000
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super – MSRP $1000
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 – MSRP $1000
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 – MSRP $1600
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 – MSRP $2000
- Case: JONSBO/JONSPLUS Z20 Black Micro-ATX Mini Tower Case
- Power Supply: ASUS Loki SFX-L 1000W PSU
- Case Fans:
- Monitor: Alienware AW3423DWF Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
- Cheaper Monitor: ASUS TUF 34
- Cheapest Monitor: Dell S3422DWG
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