NVIDIA SFF-Ready System Build & Benchmark

[Vya Domus]

Non X3D chips really have no place in builds like this if it's just for gaming primarily.

 

[_roman_]

The review is correct on one thing; there is little reason NOT to go smaller;

It annoys me that I'm unable to use a 420mm AIO.

I also do not see the point of an overpriced power supply unit because it's a little bit smaller. Ordinary size vs SFX sized power supply unit.

When you just build your computer once. Never change a component. Never change thermal paste. Use iatx mainboard, one nvme, one ram Stick, small cooler, small graphic card - go for the small build.
I want to say - build now in 2024 - use it with all the components till end of 2032. That is definitely not my use case for a desktop computer.

I did changed a lot of components in past 3 years. Only the case is still the same and one old spinning rust. The graphic card forced me to rebuild the case from hdd storage to plain ordinary design layout. Even a graphic card length, air cooler heigth comes close to my case mechanical limitations.

 

[Vayra86]

It annoys me that I'm unable to use a 420mm AIO.

I also do not see the point of an overpriced power supply unit because it's a little bit smaller. Ordinary size vs SFX sized power supply unit.

When you just build your computer once. Never change a component. Never change thermal paste. Use iatx mainboard, one nvme, one ram Stick, small cooler, small graphic card - go for the small build.
I want to say - build now in 2024 - use it with all the components till end of 2032. That is definitely not my use case for a desktop computer.

I did changed a lot of components in past 3 years. Only the case is still the same and one old spinning rust. The graphic card forced me to rebuild the case from hdd storage to plain ordinary design layout. Even a graphic card length, air cooler heigth comes close to my case mechanical limitations.

Im using a regular evga ATX psu in that case. Extra thicc fans on the top and rear for exhaust; and the air intake is a triple fan GPU. It works perfectly; instant temp equilibrium too. GPU settles on a load temp and stays there if the load does the same, indefinitely. If anything I saved on fans because I just need 3; no additional cost otherwise due to going smaller...

And you are right I think; if you tinker on your hardware regularly SFF is not for you; the limitations in sizes and expandabity are real. I think SFF is great for a Fire and Forget system; so maybe SFF PC should stand for Small Fire & Forget PC.

 

[tetrapak]

SFF gaming system with 14900k instead 7800X3D or 9800X3D is joke

True dat. This complete build is utter cr**. You don't know whats worse, cpu, case , or this overpriced asus gpu.

 

[mechtech]

"SFF gaming systems used to be a luxury option, often expensive and full of compromises."

I would call $1500 CAD expensive, over $2k CAD very expensive.

edit - also a lot of those cards and cases don't look SFF to me Nvidia?!

 

[Dr. Dro]

"SFF gaming systems used to be a luxury option, often expensive and full of compromises."

I would call $1500 CAD expensive, over $2k CAD very expensive.

edit - also a lot of those cards and cases don't look SFF to me Nvidia?!
View attachment 372483

All of these pass their "SFF ready" certification, when used in conjunction with a "SFF ready certified" case. The GPU is just one side of the deal.

 

[N/A]

"SFF gaming systems used to be a luxury option, often expensive and full of compromises."

very expensive.

Well one can always go the PVC pipe route. but as far as professional art goes, xikii ff04 is really the one i like a lot

 

[mechtech]

All of these pass their "SFF ready" certification, when used in conjunction with a "SFF ready certified" case. The GPU is just one side of the deal.

Is there a standard on dimensions and volumes sizes to be classified as SFF?

Small form factor PC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Doesnt appear to be so?
Basically this and smaller what I think of and or consider regarding SFF

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Is there a standard on dimensions and volumes sizes to be classified as SFF?

Small form factor PC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Doesnt appear to be so?
Basically this and smaller what I think of and or consider regarding SFF
View attachment 372504

-Agreed.

A lot of the cases pictured in the article are more MATX category in terms of total volume.

I have a Silverstone Sugo SG03-F which is an MATX case that actually looks smaller than these cases thanks to a clever design that stacks the PSU above the CPU.

It's the "Steam box" in my signature and sits behind my TV.

 

[Dr. Dro]

Is there a standard on dimensions and volumes sizes to be classified as SFF?

Yes, it's in the review. The "SFF ready" thing is a certification program run by Nvidia. To pass, GPUs must have the following characteristics:

• 151 mm maximum height including power cable bend radius
• 304 mm maximum length
• 50 mm or 2.5 slots maximum depth

and cases have to be designed specifically around these requirements to bear Nvidia's seal of approval. The program was actually introduced back in June without much fanfare, this announcement page contains the initial batch of certified GPUs and cases:

Build Small, Play Big – Introducing SFF-Ready Enthusiast GeForce Cards & Compatible Cases

Size guidelines ensure you can build with confidence, knowing your GeForce RTX card will fit inside a SFF case.

www.nvidia.com

 

[Tech Ninja]

Waiting for 9800x3d and 4070ti super in SFF

 

[T1beriu]

SFF with 14900k? Is this a joke?

Where are the most important tests for a SFF build, noise and thermals?

 

[N/A]

SFF with 14900k? Is this a joke?

Where are the most important tests for a SFF build, noise and thermals?

With the latest bios the 14900K should not exceed 253W, this is a worse case scenario and can always be power limited

Fractal Design Mood Review

The Fractal Design Mood is a very stylish case and provides a small footprint enclosure using an upright form factor to accommodate good cooling and modern GPUs. With its unique cloth wrap and color options, the Mood is not simply another case from Fractal, but will fit seamlessly into your...

www.techpowerup.com

Intel Core i9-14900K Raptor Lake Tested at Power Limits Down to 35 W

There's no denying that Intel's Core i9-14900K is a power hog. This article examines the power, performance and thermals effects of limiting its power consumption, with very interesting results. Additionally, we investigate undervolting to determine if efficiency can be optimized even further.

www.techpowerup.com

Waiting for 9800x3d and 4070ti super in SFF

Nvidia and AMD under one roof is strange, RX 9900 and 9900X3D

 

[Lanmanna]

And totally pointless compared to this ~

Much like a lot of high end gas power guzzling things these days SFF is moving into (almost) dead as a dodo territory!

Is this a joke? SFF is dead as a dodo, while also mentioning the Mac Mini M4? You don't think the Mac is an SFF? If anything, I'd say SFF has started to become more popular recently.

Regardless, you're comparing apples to oranges; these have completely different use cases. If a prospective buyer wants to play games (seeing as multiple games were tested in this article), they're not going with the Mac.

same for me, mini-itx has always intrigued me, but at end of day, i have a giant desk, and once my build is done it never moves, so might as well have a big case and better temps /shrug

I'm considering a move away from video game consoles to PC gaming exclusively. I'm at a desk all day for work, so the last place I want to play games is at my desk. I still want to be able to game in my living room, which is why SFF computers intrigue me. I don't need anything too powerful. I'd be happy to have something comparable to my base model PS5.

 

[Kapone33]

The issue with SFF is still the cost of Mini ITX MBs. You can pay 3 times what a Matx board would cost where I live and some of them are more expensive than ATX too. I also have issues with smaller cases in terms of install and cable management. If indeed Mini ITX boards were less expensive they would be more attractive as once you buy RAM for Mini ITX you are in the range of the ROG Ally. Some Mini ITx boards actually cost more than the Steam Deck when it is on sale.

 

[dgianstefani]

Is this a joke? SFF is dead as a dodo, while also mentioning the Mac Mini M4? You don't think the Mac is an SFF? If anything, I'd say SFF has started to become more popular recently.

Regardless, you're comparing apples to oranges; these have completely different use cases. If a prospective buyer wants to play games (seeing as multiple games were tested in this article), they're not going with the Mac.


I'm considering a move away from video game consoles to PC gaming exclusively. I'm at a desk all day for work, so the last place I want to play games is at my desk. I still want to be able to game in my living room, which is why SFF computers intrigue me. I don't need anything too powerful. I'd be happy to have something comparable to my base model PS5.

Optical HDMI to your TV, or optical thunderbolt to connect peripherals too. PC in office room, game wherever you want in house.

 

[Kapone33]

Optical HDMI to your TV, or optical thunderbolt to connect peripherals too. PC in office room, game wherever you want in house.

Handhelds have USB C that you can use one those adapters so the same thing could be said of Handhelds. SFF is definitely PC Porn.

 

[dgianstefani]

Handhelds have USB C that you can use one those adapters so the same thing could be said of Handhelds. SFF is definitely PC Porn.

View attachment 372547

Good luck doing that further than 1 meter away.

 

[Kapone33]

Good luck doing that further than 1 meter away.

Semantics. Cables are not all the same length. One could lay their Ally by the TV or monitor. Use a wireless KB/M and have the exact same Computing experience as a SFF with one of those. Think of that as the ultimate back plate for handhelds. It is not like those are expensive either.

 

[notanin]

As I understand it, they've provided components and asked for a review of the SFF. While it's not a direct advertisement, it still conveys a marketing story. But that's fine — it’s still an educational and interesting read. However, why, oh why, did you skip the temperature and noise readings? These are crucial here!

 

[R0H1T]

Is this a joke? SFF is dead as a dodo, while also mentioning the Mac Mini M4? You don't think the Mac is an SFF? If anything, I'd say SFF has started to become more popular recently.

The SFF (case) for "PC" is practically dead. The Macs from Apple are also laptop chips used in a mini PC & of course they're not modular or upgradeable ~ the real joke is thinking they're in any way comparable!

But maybe keep mentioning this for the millionth time & it will come true, who knows

 

[Yashyyyk]

All of these pass their "SFF ready" certification, when used in conjunction with a "SFF ready certified" case. The GPU is just one side of the deal.

-Agreed.

A lot of the cases pictured in the article are more MATX category in terms of total volume.

I have a Silverstone Sugo SG03-F which is an MATX case that actually looks smaller than these cases thanks to a clever design that stacks the PSU above the CPU.

It's the "Steam box" in my signature and sits behind my TV.

When ITX GPU?

I want an ITX / low length/single fan RTX 4070 with 16GB VRAM. (Or rather something like the 1080Ti mini for the 4070Ti (Super/16GB VRAM)) It's ~200W just like the numerous ITX 1080/2070(S)/3060Ti, all ~1 "Liter" in size, so ~200 "Watt per Liter" We should be getting better/more...

www.techpowerup.com

Used to be able to get 180W-200W single fan GPUs, now there's only one obscure, expensive to import Zephyr model

 

[Dr. Dro]

When ITX GPU?

I want an ITX / low length/single fan RTX 4070 with 16GB VRAM. (Or rather something like the 1080Ti mini for the 4070Ti (Super/16GB VRAM)) It's ~200W just like the numerous ITX 1080/2070(S)/3060Ti, all ~1 "Liter" in size, so ~200 "Watt per Liter" We should be getting better/more...

www.techpowerup.com

Used to be able to get 180W-200W single fan GPUs, now there's only one obscure, expensive to import Zephyr model

Well, it is quite the niche, one that will get even smaller thanks to this certification program. It's not a replacement form custom super compact SFFs, it's just a compatibility system for off the shelf parts on compact cases.

 

[Ruru]

"SFF" and a 300mm long GPU is a combo which just doesn't come up first to my mind.

Shouldn't a SFF have something like an ITX board with an "ITX" version of a card?

edit: Like the legendary Zotac GTX 1080 Ti Mini.

ZOTAC GTX 1080 Ti Mini Specs

NVIDIA GP102, 1620 MHz, 3584 Cores, 224 TMUs, 88 ROPs, 11264 MB GDDR5X, 1376 MHz, 352 bit

www.techpowerup.com

 

[Yashyyyk]

Is there a standard on dimensions and volumes sizes to be classified as SFF?

Small form factor PC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Doesnt appear to be so?
Basically this and smaller what I think of and or consider regarding SFF
View attachment 372504

"SFF" and a 300mm long GPU is a combo which just doesn't come up first to my mind.

Shouldn't a SFF have something like an ITX board with an "ITX" version of a card?

edit: Like the legendary Zotac GTX 1080 Ti Mini.

ZOTAC GTX 1080 Ti Mini Specs

NVIDIA GP102, 1620 MHz, 3584 Cores, 224 TMUs, 88 ROPs, 11264 MB GDDR5X, 1376 MHz, 352 bit

www.techpowerup.com

Maybe if it's 300mm and single slot, like Galax 1070 Katana

When ITX GPU?

I want an ITX / low length/single fan RTX 4070 with 16GB VRAM. (Or rather something like the 1080Ti mini for the 4070Ti (Super/16GB VRAM)) It's ~200W just like the numerous ITX 1080/2070(S)/3060Ti, all ~1 "Liter" in size, so ~200 "Watt per Liter" We should be getting better/more...

www.techpowerup.com