PCPartPicker
  • Log In
  • Register
Blog/

Fractal Design Define Mini C Gaming PC Build

Recent Posts

March 2018

February 2018

December 2017

November 2017

October 2017

September 2017

August 2017

July 2017

June 2017

May 2017

April 2017

March 2017

February 2017

January 2017

December 2016

November 2016

October 2016

September 2016

August 2016

July 2016

June 2016

May 2016

April 2016

March 2016

February 2016

January 2016

November 2015

October 2015

September 2015

August 2015

July 2015

June 2015

May 2015

March 2015

February 2015

November 2014

October 2014

September 2014

August 2014

July 2014

June 2014

May 2014

April 2014

March 2014

February 2014

January 2014

December 2013

November 2013

October 2013

August 2013

July 2013

June 2013

May 2013

April 2013

March 2013

January 2013

December 2012

November 2012

October 2012

September 2012

August 2012

July 2012

April 2012

March 2012

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 63 points 21 months ago

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

Permalink
WirelessCables 1 Build 11 points 21 months ago

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

Permalink
SilverWolf149 9 points 21 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.

Permalink
WirelessCables 1 Build 2 points 21 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)/¯

Permalink
SilverWolf149 2 points 21 months ago

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

Permalink
WirelessCables 1 Build 6 points 21 months ago

Artists are never appreciated in their time.

Usually

Permalink
Continue this thread
ShriyansM 4 points 21 months ago

Couldn't the budget get an 6600k?

Permalink
mlach 4 Builds 2 points 21 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.

Permalink
rhali8 2 Builds 2 points 21 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.

Permalink
mlach 4 Builds 2 points 21 months ago

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

Permalink
rhali8 2 Builds 2 points 21 months ago

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

Permalink
[comment deleted by staff]
ShriyansM 2 points 21 months ago

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

Permalink
RebelFaction 1 point 21 months ago

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

Permalink
FACUNDO 13 Builds 3 points 21 months ago

Unboxings are just so damn satisfying

Permalink
ShriyansM 1 point 21 months ago

I feel ya.

Permalink
WirelessCables 1 Build 1 point 20 months ago
Peeling the plastic off of side panel windows.
Permalink
FACUNDO 13 Builds 2 points 20 months ago
We are the tiny people
Permalink
WirelessCables 1 Build 1 point 20 months ago
Yes. Muahahahahahaha
Permalink
ericko 2 points 21 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

Permalink
Leo2807 1 point 21 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.

Permalink
Doctor_Mudshark 2 points 21 months ago

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

Permalink
msninmx 1 point 21 months ago

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

Permalink
nowayride 2 points 21 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.

Permalink
RebelFaction 1 point 21 months ago

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

Permalink
GentlemanShark 1 Build 1 point 21 months ago

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

Permalink
WirelessCables 1 Build 1 point 21 months ago

laptop plugged in.

Tim Cook :

* Fire eyes *

Permalink
GentlemanShark 1 Build 1 point 21 months ago

Nice!

Permalink
Gooberdad 8 Builds 1 point 21 months ago

Nice video and post.

Permalink
MoisesPaul 1 point 21 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).

Permalink
undrline 1 point 21 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).

Permalink
MoisesPaul 1 point 21 months ago

Thank you!

Permalink
dihappy 1 Build 1 point 20 months ago

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

Permalink
Sweans 1 point 19 months ago

could i use a mini itx mobo in this case

Permalink
HaloLegend98 1 Build 0 points 21 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.

Permalink
[comment deleted by staff]
[comment deleted by staff]