A $185 motherboard discount is a great way to start a SFF PC build
Summary
A significant $185 discount on the GIGABYTE B850I AORUS PRO WIFI7 motherboard offers an excellent opportunity for budget-conscious enthusiasts to kickstart their small-form-factor PC builds, making high-quality components more accessible.
Key Insights
Why should I start with a motherboard when building a small-form-factor PC?
When building a small-form-factor PC, starting with the motherboard is important because it determines compatibility with other components. For SFF builds specifically, the motherboard size (typically Mini-ITX) directly limits which cases, power supplies, and cooling solutions will fit. Unlike standard PC builds where you might start with the CPU, SFF builds require you to first select your case and motherboard together, as these define the physical constraints for all other components. Once you've chosen a compatible motherboard, you can then select a CPU, RAM, and other parts that will actually fit within your space limitations.
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What are the main challenges of building a small-form-factor PC compared to standard builds?
Small-form-factor PCs present significant build challenges due to their size constraints. The smaller the case, the harder it becomes to find compatible components, as many standard PC parts are too large to fit. This includes limitations on CPU cooler height, power supply wattage and form factor (SFX vs standard ATX), and GPU length. Additionally, airflow management becomes more critical in compact cases, and cable routing can be more difficult. These challenges mean that building an SFF PC requires more careful planning and component selection than building a standard ATX or mid-sized PC, and in some cases, purchasing a pre-built option may be easier than sourcing compatible parts yourself.