How much would it cost to put together an ITX size system?

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 21:52

Just chewing the fat at the moment....a thought exercise just came to me while I was out on my walk.

So currently I have a 2018 Macbook Pro, it has an Intel chip inside and so I have been able to install windows on it. It is all it is really used for now because I just replaced it with a new M4 Macbook Air. However it runs hot all the time and I only use it for when I need to run somethings that requires Windows only, like updating drivers in some hardware like a gaming controller or my retro consoles.

But if I were to get rid of it, I still will need a PC, but I don't need a top spec one, but I would like something that to match the speed and run games to similar level to my Steam Deck. Let's say, running Witcher 3 in 1440p would be nice. I do have that in my Steam Library and it doesn't work on Mac.

So, how much am I looking at? I am happy to put it together myself rather than pre-built to save some money, plus I like the Fractal Terra cases, or completely left field, one of those Shipping Container ITX cases.

Excluding the price for the case, or needing any peripherals as I have them already, what is a rough cost of an ITX motherboard to run games on par or just above the Steam Deck?

Case (Fractal Terra £175)
Mobo
CPU
RAM
SSD
PSU
Fans

What else

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 22:03

tamzzy said:
the steam deck's resolution is 800p, so 1440p is nearly quadruple the pixels
realistically, i suspect you'd be looking at a gpu around a 3060 12gb/4060 to run 1440p at similar frame rates to the steam deck

A 4060 is £270.....reasonable.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 22:20

tamzzy said:
it'll be easier for us to spec you a build if we know your ball park budget. please don't say unlimited.

Let's say £600-£650 excluding the case. Let's pretend I have the Fractal Terra case already.

EDIT - if it helps, I have a Kingston NV3 NVMe PCIe 4.0 Internal SSD 1TB sitting around doing nothing if it helps saving £50 off the budget.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 22:28

Gray2233 said:
That's going to be rough for an ITX build, the boards are like hens teeth as is and you're looking at around £200 for one minimum.

There's a pre-order for an Intel 1851 ITX board at £150 but you'd only end up spending more than is necessary on a less suitable gaming CPU if buying current gen.

You might be better off trying to snag some parts on the MM tbh.

What if I increase it to £750, and don't need a SSD.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 22:32

Sounds like I need to spend more....last thing I want is spending £600-700 on something not good, I rather spend £1,000 on something that fits what I actually intended in the first place.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 22:35

Gray2233 said:
The AM4 spec suggested by @tamzzy isn't bad by any means, it's just an awkward time to buy certain things unfortunately.

I am not in a rush by any means, it was just a thought today. I am happy to revisit this again in 6 months' and make my MBP to last a bit longer.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 22:39

tamzzy said:
the stumbling block is that whilst the gpu is plenty fast enough, it doesn't have enough vram for 1440p.
what you really want is a 9060xt 16gb.

the reason it's not a good build is because for £700 and a bigger MATX system, you'd easily fit that in budget
you're paying a hefty, hefty ITX tax

My issue is space at my desk, MATX case is like double the height of an ITX and I just don't have the space.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 22:42

deviation said:
Does it have to be brand new or are you game for going on a treasure hunt for used parts?
As you could easily build a 1440P bargain build from B450/B550 mitx or matx parts - as some mitx cases allow for matx motherboards, and mix and match new and used as required?

I haven't thought that far ahead, it's been like almost 20 years since I left the PC sphere so I am not familiar with what works with what and what gen or socket and even modern internal cables are call or look like...so it's going to be a mine field in the used market for me.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 22:44

tamzzy said:
had a look at the lian li A3?
terra: 343 x 153 x 218 mm
A3: 443 x 194 x 322 mm
(D x W x H)

Oooh, interesting, I do not hate that. Actually I quite like the black one with the dark walnut front.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 22:56

tamzzy said:
reuse your nv3 1tb
this will run rings around your steam deck...literally.

My basket at OcUK:

1 x PowerColor Radeon RX 9060 XT Reaper 16GB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card (SKU: GRA-PWC-05257) = £329.99

1 x AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Six Core 4.4GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3D2-AM) = £99.95

1 x Gigabyte B550M DS3H (AMD AM4) B550 Micro-ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-5BR-GI) = £85.99

1 x Team Group Vulcan Z T-Force 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit - Grey (SKU: MY-0AJ-TG) = £79.99

1 x Lian Li A3 mATX Wood Edition - Black (SKU: CAS-LIA-02630) = £69.95

1 x MSI MAG A650BN UK PSU 650W 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply (SKU: POW-MSI-03345) = £49.99

1 x Kolink Umbra EX180 White Edition CPU Cooler - 120mm (SKU: COO-KLK-01161) = £10.99

3 x Arctic P12 PWM PST Black Fan - 120mm (SKU: FG-04H-AR) = £5.95

Total: £744.71 (includes delivery: £0.00)

Thanks, it has given me a starting point. I will look into it more. I won't get it today though, but it is something i will eventually do. It's either doing this or getting a crappy £300 laptop that I am going to hate. I rather spend more and get something good and last longer.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 23:00

deviation said:
Yeah, I mean for the sake of what £15 more he could easily get a Peerless Assassin 120SE, or if he's got a bit more and fancies RGB, he can get that variant, skies the limit. And we all know how good those HSF are. It's like the Arctic Freezer III Pro of the air cooled HSF's!

I am happy to spend a little more on cooling, and SILENT cooling at that. Having had a Mac for years I now dislike noisy PC's....so you can even ignore fans and heatsink as part of the budget as I will just get whatever to make it quiet....by air....I am not doing water cooling, I have to draw a line somewhere!

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 23:10

tamzzy said:
@Raymond Lin here's a thread of someone using an A3 + AIO: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/new-to-building-pc-can-someone-cast-an-eye.19002971/page-3
(obvs after my recommendation ofc )

Pardon my ignorance but what is AIO?

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 23:17

tamzzy said:
all-in-one (liquid cooling without the hassle)

Oh, they do that now??? I always imagined them to be lots of big inch wide pipes and pump and whatnot....

OMG, what is this rabbit hole I just opened up tonight?

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 23:33

I’ll do some reading and watch videos…aio water cooling….who knew?!

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 23:38

deviation said:
What is this sorcery, I googled it and have no idea what I'm looking at/wether it's safe to click

If I recall, he lived in Taiwan for a while.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 23:40

tamzzy said:
i'm singaporean lol
mandarin speaking

Soz! I mistaken you with someone else!

I don't speak Mandarin

(I speak Cantonese)

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 23:51

tamzzy said:
its chinese culture to always ask if your close relative has eaten
(don't ask me why)

That they do...it's almost like "Would you like a cup of tea?" to everyone who walks through your door.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jul 2025 at 23:56

deviation said:
So if you reply with, nah m9 I'll have £40 worth of takeaway though? Do you get a slap?

@tamzzy I was looking for the british or american guy I mentioned but instead found this

China: Man banned from all-you-can-eat BBQ for eating too much

A live-streamer has been banned from a buffet restaurant in China after multiple food binges.

www.bbc.co.uk

If you are a relative, and if I have a restaurant and if you come over and if I asked if you had dinner and you say no.

You will 100% get fed.

Raymond Lin · 4 Jul 2025 at 00:07

deviation said:
So MITX's and AIO's...
Small and quiet and cooled, yeah? Sweet. Do a buy @Raymond Lin

I do like that case @tamzzy recommended, remind me of the Fractal case (larger one) but much cheaper. I like cheaper.

Then I probably do AIO water cooling....i mean why not...

I will research which GFX, mobo and CPU to get.....

Raymond Lin · 4 Jul 2025 at 00:13

deviation said:
Awesome, yeah why not get the best of both worlds!
This will be such a pleasing new build for you if you've been out of the game for 20 years!
I will be the same when I get my first ever AIO/watercooling, after years of being scared of leaks haha!

To show you what i mean that I take my cooling seriously....this is my Mac Mini with the Caldigit dock.

I added a heatsink on the dock....

What you can't see on the Mac Mini when in use blocked by my monitors....yes, that is a CPU cooler and I have a spare SSD Cooler on the front half. I stuck it on the back half because the center is the Apple logo which is plastic