In October, Gigabyte sent their low-profile 4060 GPU. Eager to leverage its compact design, I selected the Laser3D HT5 case, which accommodated both the HDPLEX 250 power supply and the low-profile 4060 perfectly. This sparked my interest in exploring other ultra-small cases capable of fitting the 4060.
Recently, I built a 4.4L 4060 PC in the Gemcase C9, a new product from an emerging company. However, the smallest case I used was the 3.9L Velka 3, which I previously believed to be the smallest case available that could house a 4060 without modifications, using only off-the-shelf parts.
qThe purpose of this series is to highlight small builds that can be assembled without specialized equipment or modifications.
Continuing with these ultra-compact 4060 builds, today I present the Yocto from N3rdware, which has a volume of just 3.59 liters, making it the smallest case I’ve encountered so far.
The Yocto is impressively designed to fit any mini-ITX motherboard, a low-profile GPU up to 185mm in length, the HDPLEX 250 power supply, and a CPU cooler up to 40mm in height. Additionally, the Yocto+ variant accommodates a 48mm CPU cooler and a 2.5-inch drive, maintaining a compact 4-liter size.
Aesthetically, the Yocto has a sophisticated all-black design with brass accents. The brass feet are solid, the power button is satisfyingly clicky, and a large brass baseplate adds rigidity and creates a striking thin brass line across the front. The included brass screws further enhance the cohesive design. Ventilation is provided on both sides, the bottom where the GPU fans are located, and the entire top panel.
This handcrafted case is made to order, combining brass elements with a 3D-printed base. The base is printed as a single piece, enhancing overall rigidity and eliminating visible seams. The fine print layers are almost imperceptible, though minor imperfections may vary between units. The PETG material used has a higher heat tolerance than other common plastics, ensuring it won’t soften or melt from component heat.
While the Yocto is the smallest case I’ve seen, it may not be ideal for frequent travel due to its plastic outer shell, which is more prone to breakage than metal. The manufacturer seems aware of this, positioning the Yocto as a home theater or console-sized PC option. For travel, I recommend steel cases like the Gemcase C9 or Velka 3, which are more durable.
Parts
CPU: Intel i5-13400F
This build will use the Intel i5-13400F CPU. This 10-core processor, with six performance cores and four efficiency cores, was used in my HT5 and Gemcase builds. While the AMD 7600 offers better gaming performance, it runs hotter with small CPU coolers. Both CPUs have a 65W TDP, suitable for the Noctua L9a cooler, my preferred choice for compact builds.
The 13400F measures lower temperatures and noise levels in the Velka 3 build, making it a suitable choice. Although the 7600 is faster in games, the 13400F is more than capable and shouldn’t bottleneck the 4060.
Motherboard: ASUS ROG STRIX B760-I
The build will use an ASUS ROG STRIX B760-I motherboard, which may be overkill for this build. A less expensive board without extensive VRM heatsinks and additional features would suffice. However, I enjoy working with this board for Intel builds due to its built-in WiFi 6E, two M.2 slots, and ample I/O options.
The build also includes 32GB of DDR5-6000 RAM and a 1TB 970 EVO SSD.
CPU Cooler: Noctua L9a
The standard 3.59-liter Yocto only supports a CPU cooler up to 40mm in height. The Noctua L9a, at 37mm, leaves a bit of space between it and the panel, hopefully reducing turbulence.
Power Supply: HDPLEX 250
The HDPLEX 250 is a super compact gallium nitride power supply, fully modular and passively cooled, eliminating fan noise. It is smaller than Flex ATX power supplies, which I typically use in small builds. At 250 watts, it is sufficient for the system, drawing about 230 watts under gaming load, providing minimal headroom but adequate power. The HDPLEX 250 includes both standard C14 and slimmer C6 (cloverleaf) power connectors.
When testing the system to see how it performed under stress, it drew over 240 watts, which is close to the power supply’s maximum capacity, but the system remained stable. Similarly, during gaming, everything functioned perfectly, comparable to using a standard SFX power supply. There were no shutdowns or issues, although the unit did become quite hot, with noticeable heat transfer to the case. While it wasn’t hot enough to melt the plastic, it is not advisable to touch it immediately after running a game.
GPU: Gigabyte 4060
The low-profile Gigabyte 4060 GPU is compact and efficient, requiring an 8-pin power connector. The case’s PCIe riser cable, more of a 90-degree adapter, facilitates a clean installation. Due to the large VRM heatsinks on the motherboard, fitting the GPU requires some adjustments.
Step-by-Step Assembly Guide
- Assemble Motherboard
- 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 SSD and secure it by gently screwing it in.
- Align the pins on the RAM with that of the motherboard and press down until it clicks.
- Install the CPU cooling fan.
With all components assembled, we have a compact motherboard setup ready for installation in the case.
- The first component to install into the case is the power supply. Use the cloverleaf connector to attach the power supply to the case’s front and connect the motherboard and power cables.
- Align the motherboard with the four standoffs. There is enough space between the bottom panel and the motherboard to accommodate the power cable,making it possible to place it on top and secure the motherboard to the case.
- Connect the CPU and motherboard power cables, along with the power button and LED. Using custom-length cablesmakes the cable management look very clean and easy to manage.
- Attach the PCIe riser card to the GPU before installing it, as this is likely the most challenging part of the build.
- Due to the large VRM heatsinks on the motherboard, there isn’t enough room for the GPU fingers on the PCIe bracket.
- Remove the bracket from the GPU and positioned the bracket fingers between the motherboard I/O and the back of the case first. Insert the GPU into the PCIe slot on the motherboard, re-secure the bracket, and connect the 8-pin power connector.
That’s the build complete!
Performance Review
Performance testing shows the 13400F CPU maintaining temperatures between 65-70°C in Cyberpunk 2077 at ultra settings with no upscaling or frame generation, and the GPU at mid-70s. In The Finals, CPU temperatures slightly increase to 75°C, while the GPU remains stable in the mid-70s. System noise is low at 42 dB, quieter than the Ryzen 7600 setup, with no turbulence or high-pitched noises.
This build is highly enjoyable, offering low noise and solid performance. I plan to use it as a living room gaming PC for a while. Despite extended use, the plastic remains solid, with the hottest part being the power supply area.
Final thoughts
Overall, the build is straightforward, compact, and clean, with excellent cable management.
For those interested, the Yocto case is priced at £150, including the riser cable. The Yocto+ version, at 4 liters, accommodates a larger CPU cooler and 2.5-inch drive. As a handcrafted case, lead times are longer due to the manual assembly involved. Check the description for a link to the case and the components used in this build.