Mini ITX Productivity Build Help

kaij on 27/10/2022 - 14:42

Hi All,

Looking to upgrade my base model 2015 MBP and move towards a PC. Never had a PC before, as I’ve always required portability so I have no idea where I should start for building a PC.

Was thinking of building in the Iquinix ZX-1 or other similar SFF styles.

Will mostly be used for WFH/productivity uses (big spreadsheets, zoom, web browsing etc), light coding, and very light gaming (not a big gamer at all).

Budget ~$1500? Not too sure at this point because I don’t know where to start. Will not need monitor/keyboard/mouse.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, or give some advice, that’d be helpful!

Computing

Comments

  • Bid Sniper on 27/10/2022 - 14:59
    +1

    Did a cheap ITX build for same purpose but really love it. 5600G APU and Winwin B1 case, comes with 200w PSU but hard to dremel and hack for cooling.

    Doing Similar 5600G for workplace with this case, seems a good price given 750w PSU, water-cooling loop and case for all for $400
    https://www.mwave.com.au/product/nzxt-h1-v2-aio-liquid-coole…

    • kaij on 27/10/2022 - 17:15

      That looks like a fairly good deal actually. But I’m not even sure where I want to start.

      Looking for something a little better than the 5600G I think?

  • nedski on 27/10/2022 - 15:28
    +3

    If you want something even tinier and you arent a gamer, look into a NUC system.

    https://www.mwave.com.au/product/intel-bxnuc9i7qnx-nuc-9-ext…

    • kaij on 27/10/2022 - 17:17

      Oh I didn’t even think about these, I’ll definitely do some research on NUC, thank you :)

      Especially since I wanted a Mac Mini, but trying to get away from the ecosystem

  • LanceVance on 27/10/2022 - 17:44

    Or a Dell Optiplex micro form factor.

    https://www.dell.com/en-au/work/shop/desktops-workstations-a…

    Can be found cheaper on the Dell outlet site and they still come with 3 yr warranty.

    https://www.dell.com/en-au/outlet/work/shop/desktop-workstat…

    • FireRunner on 27/10/2022 - 18:23

      These are pretty expensive for the specs. All have iGPU so only the most basic games would be playable

      • kaij on 27/10/2022 - 19:00
        +1

        Thanks for the heads up :)

      • LanceVance on 27/10/2022 - 21:15
        +1

        Good point

  • FireRunner on 27/10/2022 - 18:29

    If you’ve after a small form factor prebuilt, you could get something like an MSI Trident
    There’s also the Infinite S and Nightblade series but they’re a bit older so probably can’t get new anymore
    Although these are more gamer focused machines

  • garetz on 27/10/2022 - 19:06
    +1

    checkout this channel https://www.youtube.com/c/OptimumTech

    he makes alot of mini itx builds, itx motherboards atm are pretty expensive. for that budget you will probably need to go 5600x with a asrock motherboard and ddr4 ram
    get a 30xx video card that fits within the budget with the rest of the parts you need.

  • RowanLucas on 27/10/2022 - 20:47

    Go for the ASUS AP201 case and pair it with a 12th gen i5/i7 with one of the cheap matx boards. Also get a cheap secondhand gpu.

  • Sleeqb7 on 28/10/2022 - 10:14

    If you got a slightly large Mini ITX case you could put some proper power in a desktop with a quite small footprint.
    I had a 3rd Gen Ryzen 7 and a GTX1080 in a Fractal Design Nano. Noise dampening panels, didn't have to compromise on performance.

    It helps to chuck a couple of 140mm BeQuiet fans in the front too.

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