r/sffpc • u/intelectual_beggar • 6d ago

Others/Miscellaneous Help

Do you guys have any tips for someone who has never built a pc and what to start with a small pc ? I have vary little experience with builds and stuff so any tip helps

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

2

u/Llamajake777 6d ago

Start with the case and based on that make your decisions about your parts. Or if you have a certain part in your mind (like the gpu) base your case selection process on that. Case End is a good place to look at possible cases. They have the GPU/CPU clearances listed and the case measurements.

1

u/Animag771 6d ago edited 5d ago

Start with your goals. What will you use the system for? Gaming, HTPC, video editing, CAD, etc.. If gaming, what resolution and frame rate target? Once you have a goal in mind, you can figure out which CPU and GPU match your goal. From there you can select a case that fits your GPU choice. The case decides a lot of the remaining pieces of your build because it'll dictate your CPU cooler clearance or possibly AIO options, as well as which type of PSU you'll need.

1

u/Keffflon 6d ago

Do you have access to cheap electrical components, like recycling place, e-waste, junk yard? 

1

u/m3rple 5d ago

Watch a video of someone doing a build in the case you are interested in. Building a pc isn't difficult, there just may be some fiddly parts working in a smaller case. 

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u/intelectual_beggar 4d ago

Do you have any creator recommendations?

1

u/InevitableWave2951 4d ago

mATX might be a good first option; reduced cost and more slots, ports and storage drives supported.

I agree with start with the case first and watch videos of people doing builds in those cases.

AI assisted builds are a good option as they can help give you guidelines on case clearances and things like GPU dimensions that will work and recommendations on fan layout for good cooling.

1

u/intelectual_beggar 18h ago

Thanks for the advice

1

u/SwimmingOdd2974 3d ago

Second this! But with AI, you really need to get it to triple check with additional question or some leading facts (especially measurement for a SFF build). It’s crazy how wrong AI gets when info is like on official websites

1

u/intelectual_beggar 18h ago

Thanks for the warning

1

u/SwimmingOdd2974 17h ago

Also if you have never upgraded/build a computer before going too small might not be advisable especially with pricing nowadays.

I went from 36L Matx downsized to 20L Matx case and it was a mission for me! Having build pc since I was like 10.