The Best $1250 Mini-ITX Gaming PC Build

On the spec sheet, it offers a 32MB L3 cache and offers a 5.1GHz boost clock.

The Ryzen 5 7600 brings 6 cores and 12 threads, a 5.1GHz maximum boost, 32MB of L3 cache and a 65W rating, and it accounts for 18% of the parts total. A cooler comes in the box, so the build adds none. Its integrated graphics stay available as a backup display output.

AM5 is the socket on both the Ryzen 5 7600 and the B650I Lightning, which is the first thing that has to match. The board maker's support list names the BIOS version this processor needs. The Flare X5 16GB is a DDR5 kit, the type both the B650I Lightning (DDR5) and the Ryzen 5 7600 (DDR5) accept. A kit of the other generation would not physically fit the board. AM5 appears in the AXP120-X67's supported sockets (AM5, AM4, Intel), so the bracket for the Ryzen 5 7600 comes in its box. If the budget is tighter, the Ryzen 5 8500G offers 6 cores against 6, roughly 33% cheaper than the Ryzen 5 7600; it keeps the same socket, memory type and cooler fit.

It needs two 8-pin connectors and a 650W power supply.

8GB of GDDR6, the Arc A580 chip, a 2.4-slot cooler, a 271mm length and 2 x 8-pin power come with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, which takes 16% of the parts total, more than any other part. For the supply, the maker's guidance for this chip is 650W.

The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is listed at 271mm and the NR200P V2 takes cards up to 357mm, which leaves 86mm before a front fan or radiator. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is an Arc A580 card, and its chip maker recommends a 650W system power supply. The LIAN LI SP750 V2 is 750W, which leaves 100W for the processor, drives and fans. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin, and the LIAN LI SP750 V2 lists one 12V-2x6 connector, so match the cable to the card's socket. If the budget allows more, the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro offers the RX 7600 with 8GB of GDDR6, against the Arc A580's 8GB, roughly 93% dearer than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger; it still clears the supply and case limits in the table.

It suits budget small builds with a mid-range CPU.

For 15% of the parts total, the B650I Lightning adds Mini-ITX size, 2 M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE LAN on the AM5 socket, and only DDR5 sticks fit its slots.

AM5 is the socket on both the Ryzen 5 7600 and the B650I Lightning, which is the first thing that has to match. The board maker's support list names the BIOS version this processor needs. The Flare X5 16GB is a DDR5 kit, the type both the B650I Lightning (DDR5) and the Ryzen 5 7600 (DDR5) accept. A kit of the other generation would not physically fit the board. The B650I Lightning lists 2 M.2 slots, so the NV3 500GB has a home and a second drive can follow. The manual says which slot runs at full PCIe speed.

This kit is 16GB, DDR5, 5600MT/s, CL36 and EXPO profiles in two sticks and takes 23% of the parts total, a heavy slice because DDR5 is expensive when we checked.

The Flare X5 16GB is a DDR5 kit, the type both the B650I Lightning (DDR5) and the Ryzen 5 7600 (DDR5) accept. A kit of the other generation would not physically fit the board. 16GB arrives as two sticks in the Flare X5 16GB kit; the B650I Lightning manual shows which two slots to fill so the memory runs in dual-channel. A step up is the Viper Elite 5: 32GB at 6000MT/s, roughly 74% dearer than the Flare X5 16GB; the memory-type check still passes.

It also offers a 5,000MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 0.5TB.

The NV3 500GB offers 500GB, PCIe 4.0 and up to 5000MB/s sequential reads and takes 9% of the parts total.

The B650I Lightning lists 2 M.2 slots, so the NV3 500GB has a home and a second drive can follow. The manual says which slot runs at full PCIe speed. To spend more, the NV3 1TB is 1TB on PCIe 4.0, roughly 57% dearer than the NV3 500GB; the board's M.2 row is unaffected. Ranked by cost it comes sixth among the eight parts, in the $50 to $100 range, so a change here shifts roughly 9% of the budget.

It has a 10-year warranty.

The LIAN LI SP750 V2 is 750W, Gold rated, ATX 3.1, SFX format, fully modular cables and one 12V-2x6 connector and takes 10% of the parts total.

The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is an Arc A580 card, and its chip maker recommends a 650W system power supply. The LIAN LI SP750 V2 is 750W, which leaves 100W for the processor, drives and fans. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin, and the LIAN LI SP750 V2 lists one 12V-2x6 connector, so match the cable to the card's socket. The LIAN LI SP750 V2 is a SFX unit and the NR200P V2 lists SFX only, so the supply has a mount.

You choose glass or a vented steel side panel, but it needs an SFX power supply.

The NR200P V2 lists room for Mini-ITX boards, graphics cards up to 357mm and a radiator up to 280mm and takes 7% of the parts total.

Mini-ITX is the B650I Lightning's size, and the NR200P V2 lists Mini-ITX, so the board has a place on its tray. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is listed at 271mm and the NR200P V2 takes cards up to 357mm, which leaves 86mm before a front fan or radiator. The LIAN LI SP750 V2 is a SFX unit and the NR200P V2 lists SFX only, so the supply has a mount.

It is the value choice for small cases with a 65W or mid-range CPU.

The AXP120-X67 is a tower air cooler with 6 heatpipes, a 120mm fan, 67mm height and AM5, AM4, Intel mounting, and it takes 2% of the parts total.

AM5 appears in the AXP120-X67's supported sockets (AM5, AM4, Intel), so the bracket for the Ryzen 5 7600 comes in its box. The AXP120-X67 stands 67mm tall, but the NR200P V2 listing gives no cooler height limit, so check the case page for that figure before ordering.