Question Mini iTX build

[KentState]

I'm looking to build something to sit next to the TV or quickly take with me when traveling. What I currently have is really not portable, especially when water cooled and having large glass panels.

The NZXT H1 looks like an interesting case to build in and not priced too bad considering it comes with an AIO and power supply which is tricky to find on it's own. My only concern is cpu cooling which may make me step down to the 10700k.

I also see that EVGA sells a replacement 2 slot bracket for the higher end 2080 Ti's. I may get something a little beefier like the FTW version.

H1 | Compact Mini ITX Gaming PC Case

SFF Case with PSU, AIO, and Riser Card. The all-new NZXT H1 provides a beautifully small vertical chassis, maintaining full-sized GPU compatibility.

www.nzxt.com

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i9-10900K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor ($529.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z490I AORUS ULTRA Mini ITX LGA1200 Motherboard ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL14 Memory ($234.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 860 Evo 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($139.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB Black Video Card ($1299.99 @ Adorama)
Total: $2654.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-06-29 10:06 EDT-0400

 

[piokos]

I'm looking to build something to sit next to the TV or quickly take with me when traveling. What I currently have is really not portable, especially when water cooled and having large glass panels.

Laptops?

For standing next to a TV there are good mITX cases with much more neutral looks. They come without or with a window - if that's your thing.
Sliger stuff is probably the easiest to buy:

SM550 | Sliger

Sliger Designs is a manufacturing company based in the United States specializing in computer cases and systems.

www.sliger.com

But if you can wait a moment, get something from the niche premium brands: NCASE, DAN cases, Louqe.
I guess they'll be easier to carry around as well (i.e. get a suitcase / bag that fits - compared to a longer H1), but - seriously - carrying around an mITX box is so 2000s.

 

[KentState]

I have laptops and don't want another one for gaming. Regardless, I found all the parts at Microcenter here locally and have them on reserve. I had an unused NCASE M1 that I recently sold which is a little regrettable, but the NZXT looks like something fun to build in. I will probably just get a Pelican case or similar to carry the H1.

 

[Stuka87]

That NZXT case is crazy expensive. Not a fan of the way all the cables have to be bent that sharply to go in the bottom.

My last PC was an mITX designed to be carried around (Corsair 380T), but its on the larger side for an mITX case. But it was super easy to carry around and it allows for a 240mm radiator.

However, I am not sure if its made anymore.

 

[piokos]

I have laptops and don't want another one for gaming.

Yeah... but carrying an mITX... It's for gaming? I honestly thought the idea of LAN parties has already died - let alone doing them with a desktop.

Hopefully H1 is well made and will survive carrying around. I mean: it's a fairly young, untested product.

That NZXT case is crazy expensive.

Not really. PSU and cooler that come in the bundle would cost you $200-250.
Which means the actual case is $100-150 - quite a bit less than the premium mITX alternatives made to order.
And it's mass produced by a large company, so - at least theoretically - it should be easier to get than NCASE etc.

Currently there's a shortage (COVID lockdowns?), so it's hard to find and super expensive where available (Amazon: >$500).

 

[KentState]

Yeah... but carrying an mITX... It's for gaming? I honestly thought the idea of LAN parties has already died - let alone doing them with a desktop.

This is when I go on vacation, travel or if I want to game in a different room in the house not for going to LAN parties. I also want something that I can quickly throw an Ampere GPU in when they are released as my 4k TV's support 4k/120Hz. My workstation stays in my office and way too heavy to move. The current HTPC is both heavy and only a 9900k/1070 so it's due for an upgrade anyways.

 

[KentState]

Completed the build this week.

I decided to go with the 8 core cpu to keep the heat output down and a 2080 Super since Ampere may be launching soon. Overall, probably the easiest build to put together and it runs fairly cool. I did it in about 30 minutes while being on a conference call. The biggest issue I have is access to the IO. Since it's all on the bottom, the case has to be turned to the side for plugging anything in.

NZXT H1
Asus ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming
Intel 10700K
GSkill TridentZ 2x16GB 3200
Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB
Samsung 860 EVO 1TB
EVGA 2080 Super
Pelican 1460 Case

 

[Stuka87]

Yeah, I think the bottom I/O would drive me nuts. I think I would end up using short USB pigtails to hang out so that I can plug things in without having to rock the machine over to do so.

 

[KentState]

Will probably do that. I have a few different ones around the house to test with. If NZXT wanted to score some points, the could build a USB hub into the back since many boards have USB 3.2 Gen 2 type C, or whatever they call it now, which has plenty of bandwidth.

 

[Stuka87]

Yeah, that would be a really nice addition to a case like this.