Lunchbox PC

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1

All in theory, I am by no means going to do this build at this moment. Maybe in the future if anyone has some decent hypothetical (or real world is even better) benchmarks.

As the title implies; as small as possible build in a case that has a carrying handle (Otherwise it just wouldn't be a lunchbox without the handle)

The main concern with this build is being as small a form factor as possible while still being able to run most games at reasonably decent performance (like Med settings 1080p 40-ish fps)

But, bonus internet points if you can push past that benchmark. Budget is not an issue.

Also even more bonus internet points the more lunch-boxier you can make it (if you know of any very lunchboxy cases or anything)

Here's a mock-up build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Qa41

 

At this point I realize it's quite the expensive lunchbox, so if you have any suggestions where to cut corners to lower the price that would be great. I figured it might be possible to really cheapen it if I forego the SSD but I'm not sure if it's worth it.

 

ALSO, it needs a CPU cooler. I was thinking a tower-styled heatsync with a push-pull fan config to help not only cool the CPU but would provide better ambient temperatures too since that's probably pretty important for a small build. However, according to PCpartPicker the only aftermarket cooler was a low profile one. I'm not entirely sure how things would be set up in the case, but I did do a brief measurement take in comparison to my full-tower PC and it's width is as wide as mine, which means it should support a tower-styled heatsync.

2

I7-4770k, with a SFF GTX 760.  16 gigs of RAM, and probably that Lian-Li case.

Or you can go to some store and pick up a large spongebob lunchbox and start rigging stuff up in there.

3

That would be pretty fun. Don't get me wrong I would legitimately love to do this but there's not really room for it in the budget.

Motherboard?

4

M-ITX, probably one with no daugherboard.  Integrated Wifi would help a lot.  SFX/M-ATX power supply would be a plus as well.

5

I put a mock-up build in the OP using PC part picker. I didn't realize such a small thing could cost so much, so I also tried to put in some more reasonably priced parts.

The thing it lacks now is a good cooler. I don't know if the case could fit something like a Corsair h100i, which is what I would normally use, but due to the size I'm just not sure. I think actually an actually heatsync would be better, especially if it can do a push-pull config of fans on it, which would help the air move through the case. But, once again, just not sure what it could fit.

6

Another thing I was pondering about(not in a lunchbox, but SFF gaming PC) was to grab a FM2/FM2+ mini itx board.  Get an A10-7850k.  Then get a R7 240/250 (low profile card) and do dual graphics.    The whole setup would be low profile and still provide some pretty good gaming performance.