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Fractal Design Define Mini C Gaming PC Build

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Post

BoyScout Nov. 2, 2016

Fractal Design announced their new Define C and Define Mini C cases today. They were kind enough to send us the windowed version of the Define Mini C to check out, so we decided to build an $850 Intel Core i5-6500 / GeForce GTX 1060 gaming system to put it through its paces.
 
PCPartPicker part list

Type Item Price
CPU Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor $194.88
CPU Cooler CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler $29.88
Motherboard ASRock H170M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard $70.98
Memory Kingston FURY 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory $43.88
Storage Crucial MX300 525GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive $124.99
Video Card PNY GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Video Card $234.98
Case Fractal Design Define Mini C with Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case $79.99
Power Supply Fractal Design Integra M 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply $59.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
Total at time of filming $839.57

 
Be sure to check out our Completed Build write-up for some more pictures and benchmarks.

And don't forget to watch just how easy the cable management went in the Define Mini C, in our latest time lapse video:

A big thanks to Fractal Design for providing the case and power supply used in this build.

Comments Sorted by:

SilverWolf149 61 points 8 months ago

Remember first time builders... just slam the graphics card into place as hard as you can. jk. Seriously don't do that.

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WirelessCables 1 Build 9 points 8 months ago

Why a downvote? Here's a +1 to bring you back up to 1.

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SilverWolf149 9 points 8 months ago

Thanks. I was wondering what that downvote was for anyway? I was only making a joke. I guess someone thought that would confuse new builders who can only read the first sentence in a comment.

/shrug.

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WirelessCables 1 Build 2 points 8 months ago

I would kind of understand the 'confuse new builders' side, but people would read all of a comment, as if they read only part of it, there would not be an end to the thought and therefore what they read wouldn't make sense.

What really made the down vote confusing for me was :

jk. Seriously don't do that.

So it's pretty clear it's a joke... Whatever. ¯\(ツ)/¯

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SilverWolf149 2 points 8 months ago

Some people are too sensitive. Not everybody gets I guess.

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WirelessCables 1 Build 6 points 8 months ago

Artists are never appreciated in their time.

Usually

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Continue this thread
ShriyansM 4 points 8 months ago

Couldn't the budget get an 6600k?

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mlach 4 Builds 2 points 8 months ago

An extra $25 for the 6600k and another $25 for a z170 already goes over the $850 total. Maybe if you downgrade to a 1050ti, the budget will fit.

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rhali8 2 Builds 2 points 8 months ago

This is a gaming PC... Upgrading the CPU and downgrading the GPU is going to perform worse... Besides, the majority of games are GPU inclined and thus even if you kept the GPU and upgraded to a 6600K you really wouldn't see much of an increase in performance.

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mlach 4 Builds 2 points 8 months ago

No argument there. I was just pointing out that including an unlocked cpu would go over the $850 budget.

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rhali8 2 Builds 2 points 8 months ago

Ah ok... Still, for anyone reading this, its not rlly a good idea

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[comment deleted by staff]
ShriyansM 2 points 8 months ago

Makes sense. Would rather downgrade CPU which is a minimal difference in this case, and get a better GPU.

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RebelFaction 1 point 8 months ago

You could also trade the m.2 for a regular SSD and that should just about do it

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FACUNDO 12 Builds 3 points 8 months ago

Unboxings are just so damn satisfying

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ShriyansM 1 point 8 months ago

I feel ya.

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WirelessCables 1 Build 1 point 7 months ago
Peeling the plastic off of side panel windows.
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FACUNDO 12 Builds 2 points 7 months ago
We are the tiny people
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WirelessCables 1 Build 1 point 7 months ago
Yes. Muahahahahahaha
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ericko 2 points 8 months ago

POWERPACKED BUILD by Mr. Eric ENJOY:) ~ $600 US

Component Selection Price
CPU

Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor $194.89 Buy Motherboard

ASRock H110M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard $39.98 Buy Memory

Avexir Core Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory $36.99 Buy Storage

Western Digital VelociRaptor 600GB 2.5" 10000RPM Internal Hard Drive $60.00 Buy Video Card

MSI Radeon RX 480 4GB GAMING X Video Card $210.26 Buy Case

Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case $24.99 Buy Power Supply

EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply $34.99 Buy Total: $602.10

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Leo2807 1 point 8 months ago

This looks like a mini ITX build: one stick of ram to keep the extra slot free, low profile cooler, 6500 to keep the temps down.

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Doctor_Mudshark 2 points 8 months ago

and m.2 drive to avoid any extra cables in a small case.

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msninmx 1 point 8 months ago

What brand of anti static strap do you use and where do you attach it?

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nowayride 2 points 8 months ago

I've never used an anti static strap. Never had any problems frying components. For reference, worked in a datacenter for over a year, handled RAM and burn in tests daily. They are a good thing to use but the dangers just aren't that high to worry about. You usually will end up discharging before you get around to touching components anyway. Don't wear wool and dance on carpet while handling components.

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RebelFaction 1 point 8 months ago

Neither have I and I've never had any issues but it's probably still a good idea just to be safe.

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GentlemanShark 1 Build 1 point 8 months ago

Any kind work lol. Attach it to something grounded (I.E. metal sink, PSU plugged in, but turned off, laptop plugged in.)

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WirelessCables 1 Build 1 point 8 months ago

laptop plugged in.

Tim Cook :

* Fire eyes *

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GentlemanShark 1 Build 1 point 8 months ago

Nice!

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Gooberdad 7 Builds 1 point 8 months ago

Nice video and post.

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MoisesPaul 1 point 8 months ago

I love everything, I want to build my own computer and I am new to this; apart have little money. I have a concern I do not know the importance of the CASE but I am from the Dominican Republic and request the CASE online because it weighs 22lb I get 2 the real cost (US$188.66), I can use a conventional CASE that are in computer stores, they recommend me or one that weighs 5lb (not if it exists).

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undrline 1 point 8 months ago

From what I've read, a case is often overlooked as just a cosmetic component. Remember a case is likely going to be around for future builds. The, size, and orientation of components (along with cord length) can add or decrease your frustration while trying to put your build together. Who wants to spend money and research on components only to find they have to kludge them into place? While a viewport is nice to show off, it has a practical aspect of keeping an eye on dust and other possible problems within the case without routinely having to open it up and inspect (or, worse yet, only finding out when there's damage).

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MoisesPaul 1 point 8 months ago

Thank you!

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dihappy 1 point 7 months ago

Love it, but that case is a bit too wide for my liking :(

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Sweans 1 point 6 months ago

could i use a mini itx mobo in this case

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HaloLegend98 1 Build 0 points 8 months ago

Great video.

Thoughts:

Replace the C7 with an M9i, it performs better and is cheaper, overall a better value. The C7 is a waste of money in this size case.

Nice choice on the M.2 and Semi modular PSU. Cuts out several cables.

Just a note: If you buy the CPU and MOBO at Microcenter (I'm not promoting that vendor, just pointing out that they price their CPUs 5-7% cheaper than competitors and offer $30 off a MOBO bundle), you can save ~$70 and put that extra $ toward buying a cheap reference/blower cooler 1070.

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