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The original was posted on /r/sffpc by /u/Marsh7579 on 2024-01-22 22:27:25+00:00.
Link to parts list (warning: used and bargain bin components galore)
Headline: This $560 PC is smaller than a piece of paper and delivers 80 FPS average in 1440p games! Some expenses were definitely spared.
The idea behind this build was to deliver the absolute best performance per dollar possible in the confines an ultra-compact case. You could also think of this as an attempt at a console killer, delivering similar price, size, and performance, while also being, you know, a PC.
I would not reccomend this build to anyone who is not willing to go through the ebay return process, potentially more than once, as several components are used or cheaped out on.
Part justification: CPU: Ryzen 5 5500 (used) Best price to performance of any current CPU according to cpubenchmark.net. Used is better still.
GPU: ASUS GeForce RTX 3060 Phoenix V2 Graphics Card (used) Best price to performance of any current CPU according to cpubenchmark.net. Used is better still. Single fan allows for ultra-compact form factor
Case: Mini-ITX PC Case Chassis Tower Small Form Factor Black Gaming With Riser Cable This 6.1 L case has support for a single fan graphics card, SFX power supply, and mini ITX motherboard, is cheap at $61 including the riser cable, and is smaller than an XBox series X or PS5 Motherboard: HP Motherboard AM4 Elitedesk 705 G3 (open box)
Motherboard: HP Motherboard AM4 Elitedesk 705 G3 (open box) This is definitely not a pretty or feature rich motherboard but it supports our CPU, is mini ITX, theoretically has never been used, and is a fraction of the price of other MITX boards at $39.
RAM: 16 gb (2 x 8 gb) samsung laptop ddr4 (open box) 16Gb of open box laptop ram. Not pretty but works, and is just $23
Power supply: Apevia SFX-AP500W Mini ITX Solution Cheap small form factor 500w power supply. Hopefully shouldn't explode.
Cooling: Stock coolers for CPU and GPU (the case should fit them fine). Don't know how fan support will be in this case but let's cross that bridge once we see the thermals.
Total cost: $560
Conclusion: It is definitely possible to build an ultra-cheap ultra-small PC. Whether it is to be reccomended depends on the thermals and noise, and how these cheap and used components hold up. Try at your own risk. This build is about as scrappy as you can get with a midrange graphics card like the 3060, and this build certainly does not cost a premium for its small form factor.