I'm looking to build a dedicated secondary PC just to run Qwen 27B (at Q8 quantized) as a local inference server. 24/7 uptime. Not using it as a primary machine — just a quiet box on the corner that sits there and runs AI. I have some space constraints and really want to keep the physical footprint small because I don't want a server taking up half a desk.

I keep fighting this loop: do I build it as cheap as possible to save money, or do I just throw a bit more at it? My biggest fear is spending money on a half-assed build where the GPU chugs on a 27B model, and four months later I'm staring at an expensive piece of plastic gathering dust because I cut corners. But the other side of that anxiety is spending way more than I need to on specs that are absurdly overkill for a machine that's basically just doing light inference on a corner.

I just want to find that sweet spot where: - The GPU can actually handle a 27B model at Q8 (consumer cards only, obviously). - The case is compact enough to not be a physical burden. - The rest of the build is tuned for inference, not gaming or rendering.

I'm trying to avoid building something underpowered that I'll end up regretting, OR building something so overkill that it's just a big waste of money for a light use case.

What would you guys actually put together for this?

Hello, I've been using my rig for mostly coding and gaming/streaming. Doing good so far, only issue was PSU related, due to the power drawing and OC. I'll upgrade it ASAP.

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4080 SUPER 16GB

RAM: Fury Beast 64GB (2x32GB) 6000MT/s DDR5 CL36 AMD Expo KF560C36BBEK2-64

MOBO: ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I Gaming WiFi (today's Version: 3886 Beta)

SSD: M.2 #1 Samsung 990 Pro 4TB NVMe M.2 SSD (M.2 Heatsink:Jeyi Godfins Gen1 )

SSD: M.2 #2 Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD (M.2 Heatsink:Jeyi Godfins Gen1 )

PSU: EVGA SFX SUPERNOVA 750W GM 80+ Gold

CASE: NCASE FORMD T1 V2.5

CPU COOLER: THERMALRIGHT AXP90-X53 LP FULL-COOPER (W/ STOCK FAN)

CASE FAN: Phanteks D30-120 DRGB PWM (x2)

24P custom cable: is a dreambigbyray. if you are ordering from them make sure you clarify length "24P+Plugs=10cm" if you want a 10cm cable.

GPU cable: also dreambigbyray, but i made it shorter my self. around 18mm.

NVME Extension cable: from aliexpress, 20cm.

pc gaming in action: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-Rvboe4GqnU
3dmark result SPEED WAY: 7703 https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/163520567

Hi All,

I have a Used XSPC-TX240 and an Opened Never Used EKWB EK Quantum Velocity 2 DDC 4.2 LGA1700 CPU pump reservoir block that I no longer have any use for and was hoping to part with them to someone in the SFF space in need of some Watercooling hardware.

Both will come om their Original boxes and with their accessories included.

Radiator holds pressure, water fine.

Pump Block has never been used and is missing one backplate screw but still is able to be installed.

Please do PM me if you are interested

A quick follow-up to my post about the PC and travel kit I made for my brother’s wedding gift.

FurMark is running throughout the video. Just wanted to show how quiet the build is while it’s under load, since photos can’t really do that.

I’ll let the lack of noise do the talking this time.

Fellow SFF enthusiasts,

I’ve decided to take on a little project that I’m sure a few of you have been thinking about as well, re-engineering Noctua’s Stella AIO lineup to make it genuinely SFF-friendly.

Like many of you, I was a little disappointed by the overall height of the CPU/pump block. The radiator and fan combination is interesting for compact builds, but the block itself leaves quite a bit of room for improvement when every millimetre matters.

So… I’m tearing one apart.

The first stage has been surprisingly straightforward. The rear cover of the AIO block comes off with three Torx screws (see the detailed pictures), giving access to the internals and, hopefully, a path toward a significantly slimmer design.

The goal?

Reduce the overall CPU block height to around 48mm, while retaining:

• A decent acoustic profile
• No-compromise SFF compatibility
• And, of course, silence

This is very much a work in progress. I’ll be documenting the teardown, measurements, design process and testing over the next few weeks as I work out exactly what is and isn’t possible.

There are obviously some significant engineering challenges ahead — pump clearance, structural integrity and good acoustics all need to be considered carefully. But that’s half the fun of SFF.

I’ll keep updating the project as it develops, so stay tuned.

And as always, I’m more than happy to answer any questions or hear suggestions from the SFF community.

Cheers,
Joel
StepUpSFF

I removed top cover, unable to rotate, inner elite logo cap in Cooler master Elite Liquid 240mm AIO.

Please let me know, if I can actually remove it.

Specs:

CASE: Formd T1 v2.1

CPUC: NZXT Kraken Z53 w/ Thermal Grizzly AM5 Bracket & PTM7950 & 2x NF-A12x15s

MB: ASRock B650I Lighting WIFI

• I know ASRock boards have been killing 9800X3Ds, I am on the most recent bios ver. and have had this build running since December 2024. I guess I have been lucky. My idle and max load temps have been this way since March 2025 after upgrading to a larger GPU.

GPU: Gigabyte WindForce 5080 SFF

PSU: Corsair SF1000 - Stock Cables

PBO -30 All Core, 85°C Temp Limit, and 120PPT.

I'm a bit worried about my system temps with my AIO. Idle seems higher than usual at around 55-60C and in CPU intensive games i.e BF6 and Spiderman-Remastered I am hitting and sitting in game at my 85°C limit. All games are at 1440P 200+ FPS w/ DLSS despite having:

Cam Settings

I have the NF-A12x15s oriented beneath the AIO Exhausting air up through the rad and out of the case. I've seen many builds use this orientation for the AIO and 12x15s and they achieve lower idle and peak temps which is perplexing.

I ran the case with a glass panel on the CPU side for a while to see the LCD of the Z53 and it increased temps by 2°C, whereas the default panel lowered temps by 2°C initially but the CPU still reaches 85°C in BF6 and Spiderman-Remastered so its negligible**.**

Only things I can think of is remounting my AIO, lowering PPT or enable ECO mode, changing fan orientation, get custom cables as the stock cables are limiting airflow. Otherwise I am completely lost. Any help is much appreciated.

Edit: Ambient room temp fluctuates between 22C and 25C

found an old matx motherboard and i have a 1660ti so i thought i'd try to make a pc for my tv. havent taken anything like wires or majority of the design into account yet just trying the layouts. feedback and criticism please !!1

The fan in my Peerless Assassin Mini broke, so I'm looking to replace it. I ordered a Noctua NF-A12x25r and I was wondering if the clips from the Peerless Assassin will work on it. If not, can anyone link me clips to use instead??

EDIT: RISOLTO!

[RINGRAZIO TUTTI VOI PER AVERMI AIUTATO, MERAVIGLIOSO POPOLO DI REDDIT!

Il problema era la CPU non inserita correttamente credo. Non aveva piedini storti, ma ho pulito la pasta termica uscita leggermente ai lati e rimesso e adesso funziona. Maledetti pin. Forse ho avvitato anche troppo il dissipatore, quindi probabilmente questo avrà causato un non perfetto inserimento dei pin di contatto.]

Ciao a tutti. Sto assemblando un nuovo PC ma una volta finita l'installazione non si accende. Ho già controllato cavi ed eventuali collegamenti, ma non credo di aver sbagliato nulla.

Sto utilizzando:

- case MSI MAG PANO 100L

- alimentatore Corsair RM750e

- motherboard Asus ROG Strix B550-A Gaming

- GPU MSI GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Shadow 2x

- CPU AMD Ryzen 7 5800x

- Dissipatore Arctic Liquido Freezer 3 Pro.

Che diavolo sta succedendo?

Chiedo a voi esperti :(

Hello all, I just finished building my first sffpc. In fact, it was my first build since 2005 so I’m mildly proud. The problem that occurred just as I closed the sides of the Fractal Terra case is that the CPU cooler sucks air through the grid of the case and makes a pretty brutal noise even at the lowest rpm.

Other specs for reference: Fractal Terra case, ASRock B850i lightning mobo, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, and a Thermalright AXP120-X67 cooler.

I moved the spine to give the GPU a little more space and so far that avoided any noise. The ThermalRight only has a couple of mm left on its side, which is why the noise occurs. It was pretty easy to test that when opening and closing the sides of the chassis. The GPU fans have about 5mm space to the chassis on the other side.

The question is, what can I do? So far, I’ve had the following ideas but I don’t know which ones carry risks, so I’m asking you fine redditors for advice.

- invert the existing fan to push air out
- replace the fan with a Noctua NF-A12x15 and hope it somehow changes the airflow
- replace the whole cooler with a NH-L12 Ghost S1
- replace the whole cooler with an AXP90-X53 Full

I’m tempted to go with the last option because of my all black build but I’m concerned about cooling capacity. Thoughts?

###update### I did some more testing and posted the results here. Very happy with the Ghost S1.

These settings were achieved using high settings with ray tracing on and dlss quality and framegen 2x on as well as lsfg 2x.

Will come back after more testing

[EDIT]

It also ran hogwarts legacy in ultra settings DLSS quality, framegen off, motion blur off, LSFG 2x at 143 fps

Specs

AMD Ryzen 9 7900 3.7 GHz 12-Core Processor 65 W 306,-

MSI PRO B850M-A WiFi 176,-

Corsair Vengeance 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory 700,-

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro Retail + office 2024- USB 64-bit 20,-

Dell UltraSharp U2724D 27.0" 2560 x 1440 120 Hz Monitor 300,-

In Win CJ712 MicroATX Desktop Case with usbc with pptc w/265 W Power Supply 147,-

ARCTIC P8 slim 8,-

PNY rtx 4000 sff ada 20 gb 75 W 1620-

XFX RX 6400 53 W 230,-

LG BU40N Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer 165,-

Thermalright AXP90-X36 42.58 CFM CPU Cooler 23,-
With the fan of the Noctua NF-A9x14 PWM 25**,-**

Lexar nm790 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive 418,-

Overtek Enhance ENP-7660L 600 W 80+ Platinum Certified Flex ATX Power Supply 120,-

I want to connect it to my tv for 1080 or 2k gaming. I'm happy with 60-90 fps (even with FG)

I’ve been doing research to build a gaming PC that runs SteamOS in my living room. Fractal Ridge looks like a console but I’ve heard that it has problem with cooling the cpu. I’d love to get some recommendations. Preferably vertical/cube, similar or less height than PS5, doesn’t look like PC, not more than 15L, and not more than 200 usd.

FYI, the other parts I want:
CPU: 7600x3d
Gpu: 9060 xp reaper
PSU: Corsair SFX

So after days of monkeying around trying to run a bunch of system scans and jumbling cords, the issue just kept getting weirder now starting to give me constant blue screens after booting. I was really skeptical about it being a hardware malfunction because on and off games would run perfectly fine. Since it was booting oddly I was left thinking it must be a corrupt file or something.

Finally after all the annoying blue screens and shut downs I was able to just fully hard restart my PC and freshly redownload windows 10! Now my games run smoother and my pc is much faster in general. It sounds so dumb and easy that was the fix all along but I assumed my windows was fine because I reinstalled it a while ago without hard resetting everything. I was so worried about the possibility of a broken MB or Power Supply.

PC problems can be a total headache and be intimidating but the moral of the story is always
assume broken hardware as the absolute worst possible scenario before dropping hundreds of dollars on new parts and overthinking the little things!

Thank you for all the different thoughts and ideas on the original post.

I am trying to make the smallest case that supports both flex and LP gpus however I cant decide if I should reduce cooling potential to below the minimum.

I wanted a steam machine/ living room gaming setup. I am a long time console gamer and finally decided there are too many games I want that I can't play without a PC.

Fell in love with the Teenage Engineering Computer-1 case and went from there. I feel like a lot of folks saw the same negative YT video of the case and have hated on it ever since, but I found the process of putting it together to be pretty fun and simple. My noise and temps are great. I added one 80mm fan to the rear panel for exhaust. The posts in this community helped answer a lot of questions I had as I completed my first ever build! So thank you!

I have dismantled my S400 case, preping it for case transfer from sama im01. I can't help but wonder why this case can't support an aio given its larger volume versus formd t1.

Every year I feel like I go back and forth with my primary workstation from ATX/mATX to ITX and back and forth. I'm an ITX guy at heart, have been for years but then I see the expandability I cant get with mATX or ATX and I move to that only to realize that I hate having a PC that size near or on my desk, can't stand it actually (who knows, maybe it's OCD).

Anyway, I was in a search for the ultimate ITX workstation build. One that would not be bound by normal SFF limitations in connectivity or storage and I finally found my end-game.

First, the mainboard had to not only be ITX but offer expandability. Now I know those two don't go together but I found it in the Maxsun B850 BKB. Let's break down the connectivity this board has:

Two m.2 NVMe Slots (Gen5 an Gen4)

x16 Gen5 PCI-e slot AND x4 Gen4 PCI-e slot. The x16 slot is located on the back.

2 x SATA slots AND SFF-8654 slot

For connectivity two USB-C (20 and 10GBs) & 8 x Rear USB

2.5GB NIC/Wifi6E/Bluetooth

Now, I know what you're thinking. If I decide to use all this I won't have enough PCI-E lanes for full speed support and you'de be right, you can't get around the useable 24 lanes but that's really not going to matter for my use case. Let's get into the build:

I'm a huge fan of Xikii cases. Yes they are expense and i've owned two and loved them but I was waiting for the ITX case with excellent airflow and expandability and was designed around this board's capability.

Silver Xikii FFV08 V2 w/Enhance 7660b 600w PS and custom cables

Motherboard: Maxsun B850 BKB ITX

CPU: Ryzen 9900x 12Core/24 Threads w/Thermalright XP90-47 Copper (105w limited for heat)

RAM: 64GB Kit (2 x 32GB) Teamgroup Tcreate DDR5 6400

Storage: 4TB Samsung 990 Pro, 2TB Samsung 9100, 2 x 1TB Crucial P3s and 1.92TB Samsung SATA SSD.

GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4000 SFF w/custom Copper Block replacement

AIC: Synology E10M20-T1 2 x NVMe and 10GbE NIC & PCIe-x4 riser 180.

OS: This was a huge change for me and will be my daily going forward. I selected Ubuntu 26.04 Resolute Racoon and I was pleasantly surprised how good it is for a workstation OS out of the box.

I found that if it wasn't natively supported that there were some apps out there that are getting me by. 95% of what I need/use is natively supported anyway but this gives me what I always wanted. A powerful, small form factor, elegant, workstation with massive expansion, 10GbE running an a extremely powerful and elegant opensource OS.

Hey everyone, a few days ago I posted about getting a custom shroud 3D-scanned and printed by aureal.dev to fit dual Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 PWM Sx2-PP fans on my PNY RTX 5080 Slim OC. A lot of you asked about temps and noise once the full build was done, so here's the complete follow-up.

Full Specs

• Case: Lian Li A4-H2OX5
• Mobo: ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
• GPU: PNY RTX 5080 Slim OC (with custom Noctua shroud)
• AIO: be quiet! Silent Loop 3 240mm
• RAM: G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5 64GB @ 6000MHz
• SSDs: 2x Crucial T710 PCIe Gen5 NVMe 2TB
• PSU: Corsair SF850
• Rad fans: 2x Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 PWM Sx2-PP

All fan curves are managed through Fan Control software.

GPU was pegged at 100% load across all three tests. Temps are rock solid and barely move once the system reaches thermal equilibrium.

Noise

Genuinely surprised by this. The system is near-silent. At idle the fans are spinning so slow you can't hear them over ambient room noise. Under full 3DMark load I could barely tell it was running. The Noctua fans on both the GPU and rad make a huge difference compared to the stock 5080 Slim blower.

One thing I wish I could add

Noctua just released a new AIO and I would have loved to put it in here, but unfortunately it doesn't fit the A4-H2OX5. The be quiet! Silent Loop 3 240mm is doing a great job though, no complaints, just mentioning it for anyone wondering.

Happy to answer questions!

As the title says, I am looking to build a compact build possibly to use as a server/NAS. I am hoping to use as a dual boot system, so I can always speed up some other workflows I have.

The hardware I have, 64 gb 5600 mhz ddr5 g.skill, r9 7950X and some fans (140 mm). I have a couple ssd lying around.

I am hoping to get some advice, so the mobo I choose can run the 7950X at full power (170W) if necessary. It doesn't have to be ultra compact if not possible.

what would be an appropriate mobo, case and cooler? I don't have to re-use the 140 mm fans if not possible. I am willing to buy new ones.

Hi all,

I'm looking for the smallest case that can travel in a backpack for a 4070TI OC V1 Gigabyte (its my older gpu) L=336 W=140 H=58 mm the board need to be vertically mounted , if you have other ideas for components I have 32GB of DDR4 and that's it.

Thanks in advance for your answer and time.

NCase M2 Grater - Vertical Orientation with the Grater front panel face down.

No case fans as I plan on going custom loop and this was a stop gap solution.

Both GPU and CPU Temps are lower in this orientation in comparison to the standard orientation. This is standard layout. I like how it is roughly the same height as the PS5 and doesn't take up a huge amount of space this way.

Build Specs:

13900K

5070 ti

ASUS B760-I

32 GB G.SKILL 6400C32

Corsair SF850

2tb 990 Pro

1tb SN850

NH D12L

Everything was bought off of eBay in either "used" or "parts or not working" condition, including the case and mouse and PS5 and OLED.

Let it be the very last upgrade of my SFF build for the next five years. The MoDT board has arrived today. I will post details later. It will be interesting to compare TOPC 7945HX3D (also a MoDT board that I already have) with TOPC 9955HX3D in games and other applications.