In the ever-evolving world of PC gaming, the pursuit of a compact, powerful, and portable setup has become increasingly enticing. Whether you’re a professional contractor always on the move, a frequent traveller, or simply someone who values minimalist aesthetics and space-saving solutions, the concept of a mini-ITX gaming PC has gained significant traction. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the process of building a compact AMD-powered gaming rig within the sleek and versatile Lian Li Q58 chassis.
Hardware Components
Processor (CPU)
At the heart of our compact gaming powerhouse, we’ve opted for the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X. This 8-core, 16-thread processor offers exceptional performance for both gaming and content creation tasks, all while maintaining a relatively modest power envelope. The Ryzen 7 5700X’s impressive single-core speeds, coupled with its multi-threaded prowess, make it an ideal choice for our mini-ITX build, ensuring a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
Motherboard
Selecting the right motherboard is crucial when building a compact system, as it needs to provide the necessary features and connectivity while fitting within the confines of the Lian Li Q58 chassis. We’ve gone with the Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX, a feature-rich mini-ITX board that supports the AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors. This motherboard offers robust power delivery, ample storage options, and lightning-fast Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, all in a compact form factor.
Memory (RAM)
For our memory configuration, we’ve chosen a pair of 8GB DDR4 RAM sticks from Kingston’s Fury lineup, running at a speedy 3200MHz frequency. This 16GB dual-channel setup provides ample memory bandwidth to support the Ryzen 7 5700X’s processing power, ensuring smooth multitasking and exceptional gaming performance.
Graphics Card (GPU)
To power our gaming experience, we’ll be utilizing the RX 590 graphics card that we already have in our possession. This mid-range GPU from AMD is more than capable of delivering excellent 1080p and even 1440p gaming performance, making it a perfect fit for our compact build. While we may consider upgrading to a more powerful GPU in the future, the RX 590 provides a solid foundation for our initial setup.
Mini-ITX Chassis
Lian Li Q58
The heart of our compact gaming PC build is the Lian Li Q58, a stunning mini-ITX chassis that perfectly balances form and function. This sleek and modern case measures just 10.6 x 8.3 x 14.2 inches, making it an incredibly space-efficient solution for our needs. Despite its diminutive size, the Q58 offers ample cooling capabilities, with support for up to a 240mm liquid cooler and multiple fan configurations.
Compact and Portable Design
One of the key advantages of the Lian Li Q58 is its portable and minimalist design. Crafted from high-quality aluminum, the case exudes a premium feel and seamlessly blends into any environment, whether it’s a home office, a hotel room, or a construction site. The compact form factor allows for easy transportation, making it an ideal companion for those who are constantly on the move.
Thermal Management
Maintaining optimal thermals in a compact system is crucial, and the Lian Li Q58 is up to the task. The case features a well-designed airflow system, with strategically placed vents and fans to ensure efficient cooling. By pairing our AMD Ryzen 7 5700X with a 120mm liquid cooler, we can effectively manage the CPU’s heat output, keeping temperatures in check and allowing for stable, high-performance operation.
System Performance
Benchmarking
To evaluate the performance of our compact AMD gaming PC, we’ve put it through a series of benchmark tests. In synthetic benchmarks such as Cinebench R23 and 3DMark Time Spy, the Ryzen 7 5700X and RX 590 combination delivered impressive results, showcasing their ability to handle both multi-threaded workloads and gaming-centric tasks.
Gaming Capabilities
When it comes to real-world gaming performance, our AMD-powered mini-ITX system shines. In popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Red Dead Redemption 2, the system consistently delivers smooth and immersive gameplay at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, with the RX 590 handling the graphics processing with ease.
Power Efficiency
One of the significant advantages of our AMD-based build is its power efficiency. The Ryzen 7 5700X, with its 65W TDP, and the RX 590’s relatively modest power requirements, allow us to utilize a high-quality 750W power supply from our existing setup. This ensures that our compact gaming PC not only performs well but also operates in a power-efficient manner, reducing energy consumption and heat output.
Software and Configuration
Operating System
For our compact AMD gaming PC, we’ve opted for the latest version of Windows 11. Microsoft’s newest operating system offers a sleek and modern interface, along with several performance enhancements and security features that complement our high-end hardware.
System Optimization
To ensure our mini-ITX gaming rig operates at its full potential, we’ve implemented several system optimization techniques. This includes disabling unnecessary background processes, adjusting power management settings, and optimizing game-specific settings to achieve the best balance between performance and visual quality.
Cooling and Overclocking
While the Lian Li Q58 and our 120mm liquid cooler provide excellent thermal management out of the box, we’ve also explored the option of overclocking the Ryzen 7 5700X. By carefully tweaking the CPU’s clock speeds and voltage, we’ve been able to eke out additional performance without compromising system stability or temperatures.
Conclusion
Building a compact, powerful, and portable gaming PC within the Lian Li Q58 mini-ITX chassis has been an exciting and rewarding journey. By leveraging the impressive capabilities of AMD’s Ryzen 7 5700X processor and the versatile RX 590 graphics card, we’ve created a system that delivers an exceptional gaming experience while maintaining a small footprint. The Lian Li Q58’s thoughtful design, combined with our optimization efforts, has resulted in a compact AMD gaming PC that is not only visually stunning but also a true performance powerhouse. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, a professional contractor, or simply someone who values space-saving solutions, this build serves as a testament to the potential of mini-ITX systems in the realm of PC gaming.
