Our Smallest Gaming PC Build EVER! - Velkase Velka 3

This video chronicles the creation of a highly compact, fully custom gaming PC built around the Velkase Velka 3 chassis. The host starts by introducing the goal of fitting a capable gaming rig into an unusually small footprint, highlighting the Velka 3 case’s slim profile, two 80 mm fans, and a backplate design that supports multiple motherboard standoff placements. Early on, the constraints become clear as the team discusses how the motherboard IO shield is larger than typical, enabling a flexible mounting approach to accommodate a dual-slot graphics card. The plan involves selecting compact, heat-tolerant components and assembling them with a focus on maximizing performance in a space that pushes the limits of conventional mini-ITX builds. The host also teases the challenges of using a slim SilverStone flex ATX power supply, a short PCIe riser, and a tight internal layout, setting expectations for a build that is as much about clever engineering as it is about raw performance. The middle portion of the video focuses on the actual assembly and component choices. They install an AMD Ryzen 7 3700X in a Seuss X570 Rog Strix Mini ITX motherboard, paired with a Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 cooler to fit the restricted space. The crew navigates unusual design decisions, such as a back-plate mounting approach and a PCIe riser that must bend around the back to reach the GPU, all while trying to maintain proper clearance for an extended graphics card. Memory is added in a low-profile Corsair LPX kit, and the assembly emphasizes cable management under extreme space constraints. The host muses on the experience being more akin to laptop assembly than a traditional desktop build, underscoring the novelty and challenge of the project. As the build nears completion, the team completes critical tasks like finalizing cooling with two top-mounted fans and tucking cables to preserve airflow, albeit with compromises due to the tiny form factor. A major hurdle is mounting the power supply and its 40 mm fan in a manner that actually fits and remains secure within the case. The video shows the duo wrestling with the riser, backplate, and a very compact chassis, finally managing to secure the GPU via a custom mounting path that fits within the Velka 3’s compact envelope. Once the system boots, they confirm basic functionality such as video output and POST, then begin tuning fan curves and CPU cooling strategies to balance performance with acceptable noise levels. The result is an unexpectedly strong micro-ITX gaming machine that thrives on clever layout and aggressive thermal management rather than brute force alone. In the testing phase, the Velka 3 build demonstrates solid gameplay performance at high detail levels, with Metro Exodus achieving well over 60 FPS at 2560x1440 in-game when the system is properly cooled. The CPU sustains near 4 GHz turbo speeds during load, while the GPU tops out around the low 70s Celsius, a testament to the cooling capacity of the slim Noctua cooler and the case’s airflow design. Acoustic performance remains a talking point, as the build can be loud under load despite tuned fan curves, driven largely by the 40 mm PSUs fan and top-of-case fans. The host concludes with practical takeaways about mini-ITX builds: remarkable portability and performance are possible, but expect engineering quirks and a willingness to tinker with sensors and fan profiles to strike a balance between thermals and noise. The video ends by highlighting the broader appeal of small form factor PCs for LAN parties, quick demonstrations at friends’ houses, or simply showcasing what is possible in a compact chassis, inviting viewers to explore Velkase and related components for similar ambitious builds.

Topics · technology · hardware_build · pc_build · small_form_factor · lifestyle_pc