The Witch motherboard offers a solid option.
The Witch motherboard offers a solid option.
You're organizing a Mini-itx project that requires mobility, mainly for gaming and streaming. Your hardware setup includes a Ryzen 5 2600, GTX 1650, and several storage solutions. You're weighing between a Coolermaster NR200 and a Silverstone SG13B, with a budget cap of $150. Consider your needs for portability and performance when choosing the motherboard.
According to what I understand, neither option meets the 2600 requirement—they only cover 3000 and 5000 series. I’d suggest going with the B450i Gaming Plus (either max or non-max)—it’s a great board and reasonably priced.
This setup should function perfectly, but what about getting a Ryzen 3 3300X? I found one on eBay for $150, and for some odd reason I was thinking about buying a Ryzen 5 2600 for $200.
With the 3300X, the B450i gaming plus max remains slightly superior to the B550m/itx, though it lacks PCIe 4.0 support—so you decide which compromise fits your needs. You might also want an alternative cooler; air cooling is usually more affordable and can deliver comparable or better performance, plus it enhances airflow around the motherboard, which is crucial for these high-density boards. Many recommend the Fuma 2 or Noctua C14S in this situation, so a similar setup would be ideal.
I'm planning to use the Silverstone sg13b, which only has a single fan setup for an AIO. Research on LAN Loc suggests the Corsair H60 is the top choice in this scenario (see the article link). It outperforms other popular 120mm AIOs in cooling efficiency, and its price at my local Best Buy isn't a big concern. However, as you mentioned, using air cooling for the CPU can also help the motherboard perform better. I've discovered a method from someone's sleeve to improve airflow beyond just one fan—just tie a fan with a zip tie.