Constructed a compact gaming PC to demonstrate console-free gaming is possible
Building a small, compact gaming PC for a comfortable living room setup offers several advantages over buying a console, providing customization, upgradability, compactness, and performance flexibility.
The author's mini gaming PC setup, housed in the sleek Deepcool CH160 case, is a prime example of this. The compact design easily blends into a living room setup without drawing much attention, making it ideal for tight or minimalist spaces.
One of the key advantages of this SFF PC is its upgradability. Unlike most consoles, the author can upgrade key components such as memory, storage, and even the graphics card, providing long-term flexibility. This means the author can improve performance over time without replacing the entire system.
Performance-wise, the author's setup, powered by an Intel Core i7-11700K CPU and 32GB DDR4 RAM clocked at 3200MT/s, offers a console-like living room experience without sacrificing the flexibility and freedom that make PC gaming great. The storage includes a low-capacity Samsung NVMe SSD for booting Windows and a 2TB Kingston SSD for the game library.
The author's gaming setup now includes a GPU, specifically the Nvidia RTX 4060 from Zotac, a compact single-fan model. Although criticized for its narrow memory bus and relatively modest VRAM, the RTX 4060 performs well in real-world gaming at 1080p or 1440p, and with DLSS, it handles games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor better than expected.
The RTX 4060 is effective in small form factor builds due to its efficiency, thermals, and size. Despite being the second most popular discrete GPU on Steam's hardware survey, it is often criticized for offering only a minor bump over the previous-gen 3060.
The author's goal was to create a compact, personal, and unapologetically PC gaming setup, merging their love for tinkering with a console-like living room setup, minus the actual console. This setup allows the author to tweak settings, install mods, emulate older consoles, and stream content without juggling multiple boxes or subscriptions.
In contrast, consoles offer out-of-the-box simplicity and exclusive game titles, but they lack the customization and upgradability of a PC setup. However, for users who want a more personalized gaming experience, better performance, and the ability to integrate into a living room discreetly, an SFF gaming PC is a compelling choice.
[1] TechRadar
[2] PC Gamer
[3] Tom's Hardware
[4] Framework Desktop
[5] Digital Trends
This compact gaming PC setup, with its sleek case and focus on efficiency, seamlessly blends tech gadgets into a living room space. Upgrading the PC's components, such as memory or graphics cards, allows the owner to maintain high performance and stay current with technology trends.
