Today’s build is a lunchbox-sized gaming PC that I think is pretty impressive. It’s fairly compact and portable, but it’s also incredibly quiet, fitting a massive air cooler. When correctly configured, it can handle just about any game at 1440p or 4k without issue.

Let’s take a look at the parts, see what it’s like to put this thing together, and then we can check out the thermals and performance.

Parts

CPU: Intel i5-13600K

The CPU for this build is the Intel i5-13600K. This has been my go-to Intel CPU for gaming this year. It has 14 cores, 6 of which are performance cores, and can boost up to 5.1 GHz.

Considering the cooler support, it could properly cool any high-end CPU. It pairs with an i9 processor if a top-of-the-line productivity machine with an Intel chip is needed, or on the AMD side, the 7800X3D is always a top choice for gaming, while the 7950X3D is will give top-tier productivity performance.

Otherwise, the 13600K is a known quantity at this point and is still a really great CPU choice for gaming.

Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix B760-I

As far as the board, that will be the ASUS ROG Strix B760-I. This is a B series motherboard, so it’s going to have mid-range features, but it’s also not going to be as costly as the higher-end motherboards, like the Z series board.

The K suffix in 13600K denotes an unlocked gaming CPU; however, to take advantage of that, you need a motherboard that can support overclocking, so something similar to a Z series board would be compatible. Those can be more expensive, and you would need to decide for yourself if overclocking your CPU is worth the extra cost. I personally don’t think so with the 13600K, so if you can find it, you could instead get the 13600 without the K to save some money.

Going from a B series board to a Z isn’t going to improve gaming performance if you aren’t planning on overclocking your CPU. So, at that point, you would be paying for some extra features, but I believe that the vast majority of people are going to have everything they need in a B series board.

This board has built-in WiFi 6E, a BIOS flashback button, and ample I/O. On the front, you’ve got all of your standard connections, including USB 3.0 and Type-C headers, as well as 2 M.2 slots.

SSD: Samsung 970 EVO Stick

The primary m.2. is under this heatsink on the front, in which a 1 terabyte Samsung 970 EVO stick will be installed. and the second one is located on the back, which, in this case, is easily accessible even after the entire PC is built.

Because this build is using a  13th Gen Intel, you have the option to save some money and get a last-generation motherboard with DDR4 RAM, but this build will use DDR5.

RAM: DDR5-5600 Corsair Vengeance RAM

This build will use a 32GB set of DDR5-5600 Corsair Vengeance RAM. The Assassin 4 cooler that we’ll be using is supposed to give 100% RAM clearance, but that doesn’t seem to be the case on this ITX board, as it overhangs the first DIMM slot. Because of this, we will need to use low clearance sticks. TA great fit would be RAM that is 35mm in height.

Case: KXRORS G200

The case used in this build is the G200, produced by the same company that made the lunchbox build a few months ago in the S300. This company also offers various sizes of that case, including the S4 and 500. The G200, at 12.8L in volume, features a cube design to accommodate massive air coolers, with mesh extending across the top, front, and entire side panel for airflow.

The case is primarily made of aluminum, including the mesh panels, providing a rigid and high-quality feel. It is one of the easiest cases to build in, as it comes fully assembled. The power supply bracket and the bar across the side that contains the case I/O for the power button, along with a USB 3.0 and a USB Type-C port, can be easily removed.

On the top is a strong leather handle. The fully built system weighs XX lbs, and it seems to support the weight well when moved around, maintaining a solid feel.

Power Supply: Corsair SF750

This case can accommodate an ATX power supply, though to ensure sufficient clearance for the graphics card, the power supply must be under 140mm in length. Suitable options include the Corsair RM750e or 850e, which can be found on PCPartPicker by filtering for sizes under 140mm. This selection could potentially save upwards of $50 compared to the power supply being used in this build.

However, due to the unavailability of an extra 850e, an SFX power supply, the Corsair SF750, will be used instead. The SF750 conveniently includes an ATX conversion bracket in the box, which the case lacks. Interestingly, this choice leaves enough room to install a triple fan setup on the large air cooler. While the third fan might fit with an ATX supply, the SFX supply offers more space for airflow and simplifies cable management.

Regarding system power draw, the setup consumes around XXX watts from the wall under a full gaming load, making the 750W power supply more than adequate to support the system.

GPU: Power Color AMD 7900 XT

Now comes the graphics card, which is the AMD 7900 XT. The PowerColor model used here measures 290mm, exceeding the 275mm recommendation for this case. 

In terms of cooling performance, the triple fans on the card face downwards, working against a ventilated aluminum panel and a mesh dust filter, which stand about a quarter inch above the desk. This setup provides the card with decent airflow, resulting in temperatures in the mid to high 70s degrees Celsius under a full gaming load. However, it won’t run as cool as it would in a larger mATX case, such as the DeepCool CH416, where the same card operates in the low 70s degrees Celsius.

In gaming performance, Alan Wake 2 at a native 3440×1440 ultrawide resolution without upscaling or raytracing enabled yields around 65-70 FPS. Turning on FSR2 increases the frame rate to over 120 FPS. In Cyberpunk 2077 at the same resolution, using the Ultra preset without upscaling results in around 75 FPS, and over 90 FPS with FSR enabled.

CPU Cooler: Deepcool Assassin 4

This high-end air cooler is capable of handling demanding tasks, including cooling i9 processors, making it more than sufficient for the Intel i5-13600K. Its massive size is atypical for an ITX build, but it highlights the unique feature of this case, which officially supports coolers up to 160mm in height. The cooler used here measures 164mm, pushing the limit, but its design complements the case perfectly. 

The cooler’s sleek design features fans and a heat sink seamlessly fitted together into a giant black cube. 

Noise levels are around 43 dB using the silent mode switch directly on the cooler and 45 dB in performance mode. For thermals, after an hour of gaming in performance mode, CPU temperatures stabilize around the mid-60s degrees Celsius. Switching to quiet mode results in temperatures rising to the low to mid-70s degrees Celsius, presenting a trade-off between noise and temperature control.

The outcome of this build has exceeded initial expectations, resulting in a visually impressive setup. The successful fit of the Assassin cooler within the case, without any contact with the side panel, is particularly satisfying. This build places a strong emphasis on CPU cooling, making it an ideal choice for individuals who require robust cooling solutions for both gaming and productivity tasks.

Step-by-Step Assembly Guide

1. Lower the CPU into the socket, ensuring the arrow on the top right aligns with the socket arrow. Once it’s in place, lower the latch to secure it.

2. Install the SSD by placing it into the slot below the CPU and secure it by gently screwing it in.

3. Align the pins on the RAM with that of the motherboard and press down until it clicks.

4. Secure the motherboard into the case.

5. Remove the power supply bracket. Secure both the conversion bracket and the case bracket to the SF750. 

6. Plug in all of the power cables while they are easily accessible. Install it all together into the case.

7. If using the Power Color AMD 7900 XT, it is necessary to unscrew a few spots along the sides of the front panel for installation. Afterward, re-secure the front panel by applying some pressure. The panel will likely not bulge, demonstrating the case’s rigid build quality. For a smoother fit, a card at or below 285mm is recommended.

8. The center fan of the cooler is accessed by popping off the center panel, and squeezing two tabs to unlock the fan, allowing it to slide out for access to the mounting screws.

9. Feed the backplate through the 4 holes on the motherboard. Tighten the standoffs, and then secure the mounting brackets to the standoffs.

10. Spread thermal paste and lower the cooler in the case. Be sure to connect the fans to the CPU fan header before securing the cooler.

11. Attach an FK120 fan Increase the cooling potential. It is possible to fit this third fan with an ATX power supply, but it might not supply enough fresh air. With the SFX power supply, there is ample room.

That’s the build complete!