My current PC is a month from being a decade old at this point, and I feel it's time for an upgrade: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/VKWLQ7

I want to build a smaller PC. I'm way over the tower form factor, and I want to build a smaller form factor. Ideally, it should be able to fit inside this box: https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/priority-mail-medium-flat-rate-box-1-P_O_FRB1

Here's a sketch of what I have planned so far:

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
  • Motherboard: ?????
  • Memory: 16GB
  • Storage 250GB SATA SSD
  • Video Card: Basically reusing my ancient GPU
  • Case: ?????
  • Power Supply: ?????
  • Wireless Network Adapter: Some random USB wireless adapter that I'm using now since the wireless adapter I originally had no longer works

I'm hitting a few roadblocks:

I don't really know what type of mobo to look for other than its form factor (mini-ITX) and that it should have a video port. And it should be able to accept 2.5'' SSDs since some of them apparently don't?

The case is a massive headache for me. It seems like for smaller form factor builds, you have to build your PC completely around the case. The open cases like these two are pretty cool:

  • https://www.newegg.com/p/2AM-05K1-00003

  • https://xworks.store/products/x32-small-form-factor-open-air-case

They're also fucking $150+. The tower case I'm using now was 40 bucks in 2013 money, so around $50 in today's money. Those cases also require smaller PSUs, so I can't reuse my current PSU. And I don't think those cases or most smaller form factor cases like HDDs, which isn't a deal breaker for me, but it's more things to plan out and buy if I can't just reuse a 1TB HDD.

I'm honestly thinking about just buying paper stationaries like these:

  • https://www.walmart.com/ip/Stackable-Paper-Tray-Desk-Organizer-4-Tier-Metal-Mesh-Letter-Organizers-Business-Home-School-Stores-More-Organize-Files-Folders-Letters-Paper-Binders/230405212

  • https://www.walmart.com/ip/Honey-Can-Do-3-Tier-Steel-Mesh-Desk-Organizer-Silver/41981373

and just stacking the parts on top. I would also need to get a riser cable, but the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G has integrated graphics, so I wouldn't even need to bother with the ancient graphics card or the riser cable? Plus, they're not going to fit inside the USPS box.

If I have to get a smaller PSU, I have no idea about wattage requirements. Honestly, I just winged it a decade ago, and everything seemed to have worked out. I guess I could always fall back on "whatever the wattage of the current PSU is."

I think that should do it. I just have a whole bunch of questions and what-ifs because I don't have a complete picture of what the PC should look like.

  • D61 [any]
    ·
    1 year ago

    If you're wanting the challenge of reusing as many of the old parts as possible, you'd probably need to start with looking for a mini motherboard that can take your old CPU. That should help figure out what your case needs to be. I'm like 70% confident that a motherboard has a maximum amount of power it can actually make use of so the max amount of watts that your motherboard can use combined with the case will give you an idea of what wattage and form factor of PSU to look for. Probably going to have to give up on reusing the old GPU if it was for a larger form factor. RAM isn't that expensive to get a few 8Gig sticks to max out any newer board.

    But I'd also like to second, Maoo, when they recommended looking for a refurbished office PC. Many years ago I bought a Dell Optiplex 6-something-something (it was a huge chunk of metal) but it was a solid base to make a Franken-PC with. I think it ran me about 150 US after shipping and the only real work I did was dig around for some more RAM and plug in a few more drives I had sitting in a drawer. It did everything I needed it to do and I only recently replaced it with a Franken-PC made from parts that are 15 years old instead of 20.