Last month, I built what I claimed to be the smallest 4060 gaming PC I had seen yet. It received a lot of positive feedback, which inspired me to see what was possible with a 4070. Now, presenting the smallest 4070 build encountered. With an internal volume of only 4.9 liters, it’s just 1 liter larger than the 4060 build, making it compact enough to fit into an everyday backpack. Weighing in at 10 pounds, this build supports a dual-slot GPU up to 270mm in length, includes an internal power supply, and has just enough space to cool a mid-range CPU.
Parts
CPU: Ryzen AMD 7600
For the CPU, the AMD 7600 will be used this time. It should pair well with the 4070 and avoid bottlenecking at the target resolution of 1440p. With a 65-watt TDP, it is suitable for this case, which only has 37mm of clearance for a CPU cooler, making a lower wattage CPU easier to cool. The 7600 is one of the more affordable CPUs in the 7000 series lineup and is reasonably efficient, featuring 6 cores, 12 threads, and a boost speed of up to 5.1 GHz.
For those who prefer Intel CPUs, consider the i5-13400 used in the Velka 3 build. It also has a 65-watt TDP but tends to run cooler when paired with the same low-profile cooler being used in this build. However, the 7600 performs faster in games.
Motherboard: ASUS B760E-I
The motherboard being used is the ASUS B760E-I, a frequent choice for many ITX builds for good reason. This board offers extensive IO options, including plenty of USB ports, two Type-C ports, built-in WiFi 6E, 2.5 gigabit Ethernet, and a BIOS flashback button. Its understated black design features an efficient VRM cooling array and two M.2 slots, one with a black backplate and heatsink in the front and another on the back.
Another board option is the Gigabyte model, which is well-liked but less frequently featured due to the management challenges posed by its various adapters, especially the front panel one. If the front panel IO were directly on the board, it would be used more often.
The MSI B650I is another solid choice, particularly for those aiming for a white aesthetic. This board has performed well without any complaints.
Storage: 2 TB Samsung 980 Pro Stick
In the front M.2 slot, a single 2TB Samsung 980 Pro stick is installed. The case includes SATA drive mounting points for future storage expansion if needed. However, M.2 drives offer the fastest speeds, so it would be prudent to fill the back slot now if additional storage is anticipated.
RAM: Corsair DDR5-6000 Vengeance Memory
Low-clearance RAM is necessary for this build, so a 32GB kit of DDR5-6000 memory from Corsair’s Vengeance line has been selected. These modules are about 35mm in height, fitting well within the limited space of the case. The solid aluminum heat spreaders help dissipate heat effectively, ensuring good performance. Additionally, the sleek design of the Vengeance RAM adds a visually appealing touch to the build.
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9a
The ultra-low-profile CPU cooler chosen for this build is the Noctua NH-L9a. The Intel 1700 socket version of this cooler was used in the Velka 3, delivering impressive thermal performance and low noise levels, so it’s being used with the AMD 7600 as well. This cooler is 37mm in height, which is the maximum recommended height for the Velka 5 case. It’s important to note that these coolers are not universal, so be sure to get the correct one for your CPU socket. For this build, it’s the L9a-AM5. For example, if using an Intel 1700 CPU, look for the 17xx version.
Due to its small size, this cooler has limitations on which CPUs it can properly cool. It’s highly recommended to visit Noctua’s website and check the compatibility list if planning to use a different CPU.
Paired with the AMD 7600 at stock settings and using a standard fan profile, temperatures range from the mid-70s to low-80s after around an hour of playing Cyberpunk 2077. Many of the 7000 series CPUs tend to run warmer, so these temperatures are reasonable for the 7600 with such a small cooler. While this setup doesn’t run as cool as the one with the Intel 13400, which showed temperatures in the low 60s under similar conditions, the 7600 offers faster gaming performance.
Case: Velcase Velka 5
The Velka 5 from Velcase is their 3.0 revision, updated from previous versions with a full steel construction, a textured finish, an optional stand for direct GPU IO access, and a few other improvements that will be discussed later. Like other cases from Velcase, the Velka 5 is very compact, with an internal volume of only 4.9 liters. It also features a unique build process compared to most cases.
GPU: Founders Edition 4070
This build will use the Founders Edition 4070 GPU. It is exceptionally efficient and retains all the AI upscaling and features of this GPU generation while packaged in a super compact design resembling its larger counterparts.
Initially, pricing was a significant concern as it launched at $100 more than the 3070. However, prices have since become more accessible, hovering around the $550 mark. While not as budget-friendly as desired, this represents progress in affordability.
With a power consumption of 200W or below, this card is well-suited for small builds. Like the 4080 and 4090, it features a flow-through design with fans on both sides. However, this design may not be as ideal for sandwich-style cases compared to a more traditional fan setup.
Power Supply: Velcase 600W Flex ATX
Next, we’ll focus on the power supply, a 600W Flex ATX unit available directly from the Velkase website. With a rating of 600W, it provides more than enough power for our system. During gaming sessions, power consumption measures around 300 watts from the wall.
In terms of gaming performance, testing in Cyberpunk Phantom Liberty at 1440p with the ultra preset and all upscaling turned off yields 50-60 frames per second. Switching to the Ray Traced Ultra preset and utilizing features like DLSS and Frame generation, frame rates exceed 100 fps.
Moving to Alan Wake 2 at 1440p with the high preset and no DLSS or Ray tracing, we achieve a very playable 65-70 frames per second. However, enabling ray tracing at high settings, using DLSS at quality, and activating Frame Generation pushes frame rates above 90 fps. This performance is remarkably impressive for such a compact machine.
Step-by-Step Assembly Guide
- 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.
- Install the M.2 drive. If needed, fill the back slot with an M.2. SATA drive.
- Align the pins on the RAM with that of the motherboard and press down until it clicks.
- Remove the front panel by unscrewing the 4 screws on the top and bottom of the case.
- Access the side panel screws hidden under the front panel and on the back of the case after removing the front panel. Remove the optional stand (black piece) if needed for direct GPU IO access.
- Remove the back 2 supporting brackets and several screws along the sides and back to remove the center motherboard tray.
- Attach the motherboard to the tray and secure it, then flip the tray over.
- Feed the PCIe cable through the bracket, plug one end into the PCIe slot, and decide on the GPU orientation (horizontal or vertical).
- Secure the GPU and riser cable, ensuring proper bending and positioning. Slide the center tray with all components attached into the outer case and re-secure it.
- Secure the power supply into the case with screws and connect the motherboard and CPU connectors. Connect the 2 8-pin connectors to an adapter for the GPU. Consider additional options such as internal DisplayPort and HDMI extension adapters for GPU IO access.
- Mount 40mm fans for additional airflow if needed and configure storage drive placement. Re-secure the 2 back supporting brackets, connect the power button to the motherboard, and secure the side panels. Finally, re-secure the front panel.
The build is complete!
This compact and powerful gaming PC showcases the potential of fitting high-performance components into a small 4.9-liter case. All components used in this build are available at Amazon or the Velkase website.