Gaming PCs
Small Form Factor Gaming PC: Full Desktop Power in a Small Case
The short answer
A small form factor gaming PC uses a mini-ITX motherboard and full desktop parts in a case of roughly 10 to 20 liters. Buy a ready-made one like the Cooler Master NR2 Pro if you want it done for you, or build one if you are comfortable checking GPU length, cooler height and power supply size before you order.
Last updated September 2026
| Motherboard size | Mini-ITX |
|---|---|
| Typical case volume | About 10 to 20 liters |
| Power supply | SFX or SFX-L in most small cases |
| Measurements to check | GPU length and thickness, cooler height, radiator support |
| Ready-made example | Cooler Master NR2 Pro: RTX 5070 Ti, Ryzen 7 9800X3D, 18.25 liters |
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What's covered5
A small form factor gaming PC, or SFF PC, gives you the performance of a full desktop in a case a fraction of the size. Unlike most mini PCs, it uses full desktop parts, including a desktop graphics card you can upgrade later.
Short answer: an SFF gaming PC uses a mini-ITX motherboard and full desktop parts in a roughly 10 to 20-liter case. Buy a ready-made one like the Cooler Master NR2 Pro, or build one if you are ready to measure every part.
This guide is part of our cheap gaming PCs hub. For tiny mini PCs built around laptop parts, see our compact gaming computer guide.
NVIDIA's RTX 50 series page lists the current desktop graphics cards and their specs.
A Ready-Made Small Form Factor Gaming PC
We chose this from current US listings and the maker's published specs. We did not test it by hand.
Cooler Master NR2 Pro (RTX 5070 Ti)
The NR2 Pro pairs a desktop RTX 5070 Ti with 16GB and a Ryzen 7 9800X3D on a Gigabyte B850I AORUS PRO mini-ITX board. It has 32GB of DDR5-6000, a 2TB Gen4 SSD, a 280mm liquid cooler and an 850W Gold power supply, all in Cooler Master's NR200P Max case. You can choose a glass or mesh side panel.
Building Your Own SFF Gaming PC
Building an SFF PC is like building a normal PC with less room for error. These measurements decide whether your parts will fit:
Graphics card length and thickness. Check the case's maximum GPU length and how many slots thick a card can be. Big triple-fan cards may not fit.
CPU cooler height. Tower coolers are often too tall. Check the case's maximum cooler height, or plan for a low-profile cooler or a compact liquid cooler.
Radiator support. If you choose liquid cooling, check which radiator sizes the case accepts and where.
Power supply size. Most SFF cases need an SFX or SFX-L power supply, which is smaller than standard ATX.
Motherboard. Mini-ITX boards have two memory slots and fewer ports than larger boards. Choose one with the Wi-Fi and USB you need built in.
Our PC build guide explains how to choose each part, and our gaming desktop chassis guide covers case features.
Keeping an SFF PC Cool and Quiet
- Choose a case with mesh panels on the sides or top.
- Point airflow in one clear path: cool air in, hot air out.
- Tidy the cables, since they block more airflow in a small case.
- Consider a slightly lower power target on the GPU if noise matters more than the last few frames.
SFF PC or Full Tower?
Choose SFF if desk space matters, you move your PC often, or you want a clean-looking setup. Choose a full tower if you want the quietest cooling, the easiest build and the most upgrade room for the money.
Verdict: Is a Small Form Factor Gaming PC Right for You?
A small form factor gaming PC gives you full desktop performance in a much smaller box. The Cooler Master NR2 Pro is a ready-made example with an RTX 5070 Ti in 18.25 liters. If you build your own, measure the GPU, cooler and power supply against the case before you order. Expect a little more noise and a trickier build in exchange for the space you save.
FAQ
What is a small form factor gaming PC?
A gaming desktop built around a mini-ITX motherboard in a compact case. It uses full desktop parts, including a desktop graphics card, so it performs like a larger PC in a much smaller box.
Is a small form factor PC harder to build?
A little. There is less room to work, and you must check that every part fits. Measure GPU length, cooler height and power supply size against the case before you buy.
Do small form factor PCs run hot?
They can, because there is less room for airflow. Cases with mesh panels and good fan or radiator support manage heat well. Expect somewhat more fan noise under load than a large tower.
Can I use a big graphics card in a small form factor case?
Sometimes. Many small cases fit long cards, but not all fit thick triple-slot cards. Check the case's maximum GPU length and slot width before you buy the card.