# Small form factor light gaming PCs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 20, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173 "2014-11-20T16:55:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173/21 "2014-11-21T23:19:47Z")
Dang…That heatsink will not fit that case either (I read the dimensions wrong). The case will take a 120mm heatsink. I can look for a substitute later tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173/22 "2014-11-22T05:17:35Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > The case will take a 120mm heatsink. I can look for a substitute later tonight. Wow…that was a lot more difficult than I thought. The case will accept a cooler less than 120mm tall. Searching for heatsinks less than 120mm gets you a zillion with 120mm fans (meaning the heatsink is taller than that). Searching for cooler builds for that case and you get a ton of water cooling solutions. Neat but pricey. I found other air cooled options that were nearly as expensive as low-end air cooled solutions. I finally settled on a [Noctua NH-L9a 92mm SSO2 CPU Cooler](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608030&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-CPU+Fans+%26+Heatsinks-_-N82E16835608030&gclid=CJDqo-W3jcICFeHtMgodZisArw) ($44). A bit more than I wanted one to cost for this but it is not a _lot_ more expensive and has some things to recommend it: 1. It is Noctua which makes great heatsinks (quiet ones too). I have a Noctua heatsink on my PC and maintain a nice easy overclock on it with no problem and no noise (it is a big honkin heatsink though). Love their stuff. 2. This heatsink will easily fit that case and [Noctua claims the heatsink meats all AMD specifications for a “keep-out” zone](http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=51&lng=en) so it will not overhang memory slots. Put another way any RAM will supposedly fit with this heatsink. 3. Did I mention Noctua heatsinks are quiet? Your case fans and video fans will easily be louder than this. Downside? 1. Noctua has always had that weird beige(ish)/maroon(ish) color scheme for their fans. Kinda ugly IMO although easily recognizable and for those who know you get bragging rights (considered some of the best fans in the business…quiet, perform well and reliable as hell). Still ugly. You can of course buy any other fan of the same size to replace it if you wish. 2. Noctua ain’t cheap. This one is not horrible though…they get a lot more expensive than this. Of course this is all just recommendations. You will probably want to have a look for yourself. I found a search for low profile CPU coolers gave the best results (not ideal IMO but close enough). Just remember the heatsink must be less than 120mm tall for use with the Corsair case (NOT the fan…the heatsink itself). ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173/23 "2014-11-22T13:40:33Z")
Also should add that Noctua heatsink is listed as [compatible with that motherboard](http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_gen&products_id=51&lng=en#AM3+_Asus) (was worried about the chipset heatsinks on that mobo interfering with that low profile heatsink but Noctua says it’s all good). ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173/24 "2014-11-22T13:52:05Z")
Missed edit window: If you get the Noctua heatsink you can skip buying the Arctic Silver thermal paste (Noctua ships their heatsinks with their own thermal goo which is reportedly pretty good stuff). With that money savings (skipping the Arctic Silver) this heatsink’s price becomes not too bad. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173/25 "2014-11-24T20:29:52Z")
Well did some tinkering and have a tentative build. I decided to go with onboard video. It still beats my current card, and I can add one later if I want. I’m buying enough power supply to run the config, likewise if I need a larger one later I’ll get one. Found a case that gets good review, and it appears to be roomy enough to fit additional components later. [Case](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352047) $109 [WD 1TB HD](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339) $55 [MSI MB](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130741) $60 [520W power supply](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148008) $40 [Thermal compound](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007) $8 [GSkill RAM 8GB](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311) $79 [AMD 4.1Ghz x4 with video](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331) $130 [CPU fan/heatsink](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200014) $20 [WMC remote](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880101002) since this will be the media center $20 I have a TV tuner card I’ll probably bring over from my current computer, debating upgrading that and also getting a sound card. I have all those PCI slots hanging out doing nothing… Grand total $520ish. Naturally input is welcome if you feel like it. Appreciate the comments to this point, and the hardware list to use as a jumping-off point. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173/26 "2014-11-24T20:44:27Z")
Apologizes if I missed it but do you have an operating system for it? ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173/27 "2014-11-24T20:57:38Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Apologizes if I missed it but do you have an operating system for it? Actually glad you brought that up. I figured I’d just install Win7, but then I just realized that I bought an OEM copy when I built my last machine. So technically, I suppose I need an operating system. Crap, tack on a hundo! ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2014, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173/28 "2014-11-24T21:15:06Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Actually glad you brought that up. > > I figured I’d just install Win7, but then I just realized that I bought an OEM copy when I built my last machine. So technically, I suppose I need an operating system. > > Crap, tack on a hundo! You can probably switch it over. I haven’t’ had trouble with this. You’ll need to call the number they ask you to call should online registration fail. At which point you let the machine know you’re only running this copy on one machine, and they’ll give you a code to unlock it. Done this three times with OEM win 7 (had a bad mobo and one mobo upgrade) with no issues. Windows 8.1 performs better in modern games though. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173/29 "2014-11-24T21:17:33Z")
God please no, the power supply it burns !! Seriously though, that power supply (and so, so many of those sold at Newegg) is awful. At best, it really is something like a 350W power supply. At worst it will fry your motherboard when it fails. Better supply: (for less than the one you picked) > **[CORSAIR CX Series CX500 500W 80 PLUS BRONZE Active PFC ATX12V & EPS12V...](https://www.newegg.com/corsair-cx-series-cx500-cp-9020047-na-500w/p/N82E16817139027?cm_re=corsair_cx-_-17-139-027-_-Product)** > > Buy CORSAIR CX Series CX500 500W 80 PLUS BRONZE Active PFC ATX12V & EPS12V Power Supply with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg! Even better supply: > **[SeaSonic G Series SSR-650RM 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80...](https://www.newegg.com/seasonic-g-series-ssr-650rm-650w/p/N82E16817151118?cm_re=seasonic-_-17-151-119-_-Product)** > > Buy SeaSonic G Series SSR-650RM 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Haswell Ready with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you... Under no circumstances purchase a supply that is not 80+ bronze rated are better, those are pretty much universally awful quality. Some of the cheaper 80+ bronze ones on newegg are pretty bad too. Corsair CX series are usually the cheapest ones that are decent quality, although as you get above $50 there are more to recommend. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2014, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173/30 "2014-11-24T21:24:42Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > Windows 8.1 performs better in modern games though. I’d go for it if it didn’t add another $100! Really though, the thing’s not being built with games that have been released in the least year and forward in mind. I’m considering taking this opportunity to tinker with Linux. I’m probably less intimidated by that prospect than I should be. > [@jacobsta811](#): > > God please no, the power supply it burns !! > Seriously though, that power supply (and so, so many of those sold at Newegg) is awful. At best, it really is something like a 350W power supply. At worst it will fry your motherboard when it fails. > > Better supply: (for less than the one you picked) > [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&cm\_re=corsair\_cx-\_-17-139-027-\_-Product](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&cm_re=corsair_cx-_-17-139-027-_-Product) > Even better supply: > [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119&cm\_re=seasonic-\_-17-151-119-\_-Product](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119&cm_re=seasonic-_-17-151-119-_-Product) > > Under no circumstances purchase a supply that is not 80+ bronze rated are better, those are pretty much universally awful quality. Some of the cheaper 80+ bronze ones on newegg are pretty bad too. Corsair CX series are usually the cheapest ones that are decent quality, although as you get above $50 there are more to recommend. Thank youuuuuu, the switch has been made. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-form-factor-light-gaming-pcs/705173.md?page=1)