What To Consider For A Small Form Factor Gaming PC - Intel

4/17/23, 4:54 PM What to Consider for a Small Form Factor Gaming PC - Intel
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How to Choose a Small Form Factor PC
Highlights
If you don’t want to build your own small form factor PC, you can shop for a pre-built one.
If you have components like the case, GPU, and/or CPU cooler in mind, you can use them to plan
the rest of your build.
Building a small form factor PC is an opportunity to get creative with airflow and cable
management.
A small form factor gaming (SFF) PC or mini gaming PC is just what it sounds
like: a computer designed to take up less space. As creative builders and
manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with this
form factor, smaller PCs continue to increase in popularity and accessibility.
The size of these mini gaming PCs offers distinct advantages, like better
portability for your next LAN party and more flexible placement in spaces that
might not work with a traditional desktop tower. For a long time, though,
experimenting with SFF meant sacrificing gaming performance or functionality
to get that smaller footprint. That’s changed over the last few years. Now, a full-
fledged PC gaming experience is accessible in a smaller package.
What Qualifies as “Small Form Factor”
What exactly qualifies a PC as having a small form factor?
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/resources/small-form-factor-gaming-pc.html 1/9
There isn’t a universally agreed-upon definition, but there are some loose
guidelines tied to case measurements. When discussing the internal layout and
size of PC cases, volume is often an important consideration, and is usually
measured in liters. A standard-size ATX desktop tower is usually around 40-45
liters. By comparison, a common measurement for SFF is around half of that —
25 liters or less.
However you define SFF, there’s a lot of information out there about building in
this unique form factor. Here’s what you should be thinking about when
planning your build.
How to Choose a Pre-Built SFF PC

Maybe you’re interested in an SFF gaming PC but don’t want to build your own.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options when it comes to pre-built SFF PCs, with
a variety of shapes, sizes, and specialties from which to choose.
Look into the Intel® NUC line
. Due to a proprietary motherboard
configuration, these tiny PCs are smaller than even the smallest Mini-ITX
system and come in a variety of models. If you want to configure your own
Intel® NUC, you can buy kits
that allow you to install your own storage

and memory to take advantage of the flexibility of its ultraportable form
factor.
Don’t underestimate pre-built SFFs. If you’re looking for a powerful
desktop gaming experience in a smaller body, there’s a wide selection of
pre-built SFF PCs built with top-of-the-line gaming hardware, like 10th gen
Intel® Core™ processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs.
Consider shopping by brand. Some of the biggest brands in PC gaming
offer pre-built SFF gaming PCs, so if you’re interested in picking up a small
gaming PC that’s ready to go, simply search your favorite brand’s offerings
and take your pick.
How to Build Your Own SFF PC

If you’re looking to build your own SFF gaming PC, there are more options to
work with today than ever before. Many systems under 25 liters can now utilize
the same components you might find in a standard mid-tower that's more than
twice the volume.
Still, building an SFF PC has a different set of challenges than working in a

standard mid-tower ATX case. The fundamentals of building a gaming PC
are
more or less the same between a full-size gaming computer and an SFF PC, but
there will be less space to work with, which can make steps like component
selection, installation, cooling, and cable management more complex.
To try and simplify the process, we’re going to tackle each component
individually and touch on some of the factors you’ll want to consider when
putting together your own mini gaming PC.
SFF PC Components & Hardware
Your case is probably the best place to start, as it will dictate the amount of
space you have to work with.
Pay close attention to the CPU cooler and GPU. If you already have
components selected or on hand, make certain the case you choose will
properly house them. If you haven’t yet purchased your hardware, make
sure you select a case that will accommodate the length, width, and height
of every piece of hardware. The CPU cooler and the GPU deserve the most
attention.
Don’t neglect the case’s aesthetics. Beyond just performance and liter
count, what do you want your build to look like? There are vertical builds
that stand like smaller, traditional towers, or cases that allow vertical or
horizontal placement. There are shoebox-shaped cases, as well as
unconventional desk-like designs, such as the Cryrog Taku*
. Are you interested in a window so you
can see your components in action? How about a handle
to make your small PC
conveniently portable?
Take advantage of online resources. When it comes to specific case
clearances and compatibility questions, you’ll likely find forums, message
boards, and online SFF communities as
excellent places to look for answers. Chances are, if you have a question,
someone out there has asked it, too.
Motherboard
Once you’ve selected your case, you’ll have a better idea of how to choose a
motherboard
as your range of options will be heavily impacted by the size
of the case.
Anticipate using a smaller motherboard. Though there are SFF cases that
support full-size motherboards, it’s likely that you’ll end up with a smaller
motherboard — most likely Mini-ITX, or a slightly larger microATX if you’re
looking for more flexibility.
Choose the right motherboard configuration for you. Motherboards come
in a variety of configurations. Many offer a full suite of features despite the
smaller surface area and can still provide everything you need for a high-
end gaming build.
Don’t be afraid to be creative. Many limitations you encounter — for
example, having access to only one PCIe slot — can be overcome with
creative hardware configurations, like looking for M.2 alternatives to full-
size PCIe slot devices, installing higher capacity RAM modules, or utilizing
PCIe riser cards for your GPU to allow for more diverse positioning.
Again, your exact configuration will depend heavily on the case you’ve chosen,
but seeing the motherboards that other people used in conjunction with your
case could be a useful place to start.
GPU
GPUs come in a variety of sizes to support SFF builds. There are plenty of GPU
form factors to choose from, including single-slot, low-profile, or half-length
configurations, but many cases have recently begun supporting full-size
components, too. This widens your options when it comes to SFF cases as you
no longer have to plan around an unconventionally sized GPU.
Be thorough in considering measurements. When you research the
measurements provided by the GPU manufacturer, or the GPU size
allotment of your case, keep in mind that they might not take into account
the PCIe power supply connectors or the bracket holding the card. These
two factors can add substantial height (or width, depending on the
orientation of your GPU) that need to be accounted for when planning your
layout. This can be challenging to solve for, as, again, it will depend on your
particular configuration.
Look into solutions for space management. Factoring in a little bit of extra
space around your GPU when considering the placement of your other
components could be useful, as is consulting others who have used your
case. There are also options like PCIe power cable relocation solutions
or riser cables
that
might be worth exploring.
Your SFF case may not support all GPUs. While many SFF cases support
full-size GPUs, that doesn’t mean universal support. Large, multislot GPUs
might not be compatible with your case, so you’ll still need to carefully
consider the height and width of your GPU and plan accordingly.
Cooling solutions can help save space. If you want a bit more flexibility
when it comes to the form factor of your GPU, there are also aftermarket air
and liquid cooling solutions that might provide some flexibility when it
comes to size as well as potentially quieter and cooler operation.
CPU
The CPU is one of the few pieces of hardware that isn’t heavily impacted by
choosing a mini gaming PC. As long as it's compatible with the motherboard
you've selected, you should be good to go! If you require more guidance, check
out our guide on how to choose a gaming CPU
.
CPU Cooler
The CPU may not be impacted by going SFF, but the CPU cooler very well could
be. Whether you’re planning on using air cooling or liquid cooling
, there are plenty of low-profile cooler options to choose from.
Low-profile fan coolers are often the simplest choice in SFF builds. While it is
possible to implement a liquid cooling solution, again, it’s probably going to
come with more challenges than a standard-sized build.
All-In-One (AIO) liquid coolers require a radiator to function properly, and

depending on your case, this could cause clearance issues.
Custom cooling loops add even more complexity, as working with pumps and
tubing in such a small space can be a serious logistical challenge.
Another point to consider: your choice of CPU cooler could also impact your
RAM options. A low-profile cooler might require low-profile RAM, depending on
your configuration, so be sure to consider the clearances between your CPU
cooler, motherboard, RAM, and chassis.
RAM
When choosing RAM
for your SFF PC, you’ll need to take your motherboard and case
size into account. Standard-sized modules should work in most motherboards,
including Mini-ITX, although there are a few limitations to consider.
Many Mini-ITX boards have only two RAM slots. You can still equip your
PC with 16 or 32GB of RAM via higher single-stick capacity DIMMs, but
decisions need to be made in the planning stages based on how much
memory you'll need over the life of your system.
Single channel memory may limit your system’s performance. Unlike full-
size motherboards, where having empty RAM slots is sometimes
appropriate if you plan to upgrade later, using only one stick of RAM,
regardless of capacity, can limit your system by not allowing access to the
bandwidth afforded by dual-channel memory. Make sure to check the
maximum capacity of single-channel memory on your platform and
whether or not your motherboard supports dual-channel.
Look into SO-DIMM RAM. If you’re looking at a very small form factor, like
the Intel® NUC, you might need SO-DIMM (Small-Outline Dual-Inline
Memory Module) RAM, commonly found in laptops.
Storage
With most motherboards, you typically have a fair amount of flexibility in

choosing between an SSD or HDD for storage
, though you might be
limited by the physical parameters of your case. You might have SATA ports on
your motherboard, but whether you have space for a 2.5 or 3.5-inch SATA
storage drive is going to depend on your particular setup.
The M.2 storage form factor solves a lot of these potential issues. These storage
devices plug directly into your motherboard, eliminating cables, and the smaller
size fits nicely with the goals of SFF. Many Mini-ITX motherboards even support
multiple M.2 drives, though keep in mind the placement of those drives. Small
spaces, like the one between the case and the underside of the motherboard,
can result in the M.2 overheating if there is insufficient cooling, which can cause
performance issues.
Power Supply
You’ll also need to select a power supply unit (PSU).

Determine whether or not the case supports a full-size PSU. Many
support full-size power supplies, but if not, you might need to go with the
SFX form factor. These PSUs are designed to be more compact, and to
provide more flexibility in placement.
Consider a modular power supply. A modular power supply allows you to
choose the cables you put in your build by allowing you to pick and choose
only those you will use. This flexibility allows for a cleaner build, which can
make a substantial difference when you’re working in a small space, and
can help with airflow as well.
Try custom-length cables. If you’re finding that cable management is an
issue in your case, you can find PSU cables designed to custom lengths
, allowing you even more
flexibility.
Check out this power supply guide
for more
information on selecting the right PSU.
General Cooling
Selecting hardware that fits in your case is the first step to putting together an
SFF gaming PC. Making sure everything is properly cooled is the second.
Thermals and cooling can be one of the more challenging parts of building
small computers; all of those powerful components operating so close together
creates heat, and removing that heat is important.
The smaller you go with your build, the more difficult it becomes to
manage thermals. This is especially true if you’re overclocking(2) your
hardware or pushing higher temperatures over sustained periods of time.
Testing your build with demanding workloads and closely monitoring
component temperature and performance is a great way to ensure that
you're within the operating limits of your hardware and is also a good way
to identify problems as they arise.
Make sure your cables are properly managed. With SFF gaming PCs, it’s
critical to ensure that the cables are not inhibiting the ability of any active
cooling (like preventing a fan from spinning), or blocking any airflow
pathways.
Carefully consider your fan placement. Properly using all the fan
mounting locations in your case can go a long way toward ensuring proper
airflow. You’ll want to balance the fan configuration between intake and
exhaust, and focus on creating pathways that effectively relocate the hot air
generated by your hardware to the outside of your system.
Seek assistance online. If you’re looking for assistance in determining your
ideal fan and cable configuration, your case’s manual or website is probably
a good place to start. Another excellent resource is online SFF

communities. Reviewing completed systems that used your same case can
be a great way to draw inspiration, and answer questions or shed light on
issues you might encounter during your build.
Think Small
Building an SFF gaming PC doesn’t mean you have to compromise on power or
features.
Though the smaller form factor presents some unique logistical and thermal
challenges, the variety of SFF hardware available means you can customize the
build you want in the smaller size you’re looking for.
If you’re a PC enthusiast with a few builds under your belt, maybe the challenge
of a mini gaming PC build is the next step in your PC building career!
Learn More
How to Choose a PC Power Supply - Intel
A guide on how to choose the right PC power supply. We'll cover the basics so you know what to
look for.
Pre-Built PC Vs. Custom PC: How to Choose
In the market for a new gaming PC? Can’t decide whether to buy a pre-built PC or build a custom
PC? Read this first.
Go to the Core of Gaming

Get advice from international gaming pros and Intel gaming tech experts. Everything about your
game can become a lot better.
Go to:
Intel Gaming Home
Tips & Mods
Gaming Desktops
Gaming Laptops
Overclocking
Intel in Esports
Defining "Small Form Factor"
How to Choose
How to Build
Learn More
Product and Performance Information

1
Intel® technologies' features and benefits depend on system configuration and may require enabled
hardware, software or service activation. Performance varies depending on system configuration.
No product or component can be absolutely secure. Check with your system manufacturer or
retailer to learn more.
2
Altering clock frequency or voltage may damage or reduce the useful life of the processor and other
system components, and may reduce system stability and performance. Product warranties may not
apply if the processor is operated beyond its specifications. Check with the manufacturers of
system and components for additional details.

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4/17/23, 4:54 PM What to Consider for a Small Form Factor Gaming PC - Intel

How to Choose a Small Form Factor PC

What Qualifies as “Small Form Factor”

What exactly qualifies a PC as having a small form factor?

How to Choose a Pre-Built SFF PC

that allow you to install your own storage

How to Build Your Own SFF PC

Still, building an SFF PC has a different set of challenges than working in a

SFF PC Components & Hardware

, there are plenty of low-profile cooler options to choose from.

All-In-One (AIO) liquid coolers require a radiator to function properly, and

With most motherboards, you typically have a fair amount of flexibility in

You’ll also need to select a power supply unit (PSU).

a good place to start. Another excellent resource is online SFF

Pre-Built PC Vs. Custom PC: How to Choose

Go to the Core of Gaming

Defining "Small Form Factor"

Product and Performance Information

You might also like