Smaller micro atx case

[jaslion]

Hello,

 

I've started running into trouble with space in the small room I'm living in. I currently have a 1,4m desk which takes up half the width of the room and I only have about 30cm next to it.

Currently there is an old wooden box thingy there I made a long time ago where my computer is on top off but it's quite in the way and it wouldn't be the first time I bumped the computer pretty hard or the box when leaving the room.

I'm looking for a small as possible solution to put the computer in that won't cost me an arm and a leg. Putting the computer under my desk is not an option as my desk is sectioned in such a way that I have half of it available for art by moving my chair a bit to the left and the other half I sit on the right for for normal work.

 

Currently I'm using a zalman z9 plus case from ages ago that I still had over from my first good computer but it's far too big to be on my desk. I've looked into smaller cases but they all take up to much space.

 

What's normally on my desk:

A wacom cintiq 13HD

A 15 inch laptop

A 24 inch screen that's on a monitor arm so not too much in the way

Wired full size keyboard

Small Bluetooth keyboard

Wireless mouse

 

I don't use the computer as my main system. It is more my oh crap my laptop can't handle my 3d stuff or my photoshop project got way out of hand lets move to the desktop. So my wacom is usually hooked up to my laptop so I'd like to still be able to easily switch to my desktop with it some way.

 

My desktops specs:

Ryzen 7 2700

Stock cooler

32gb ddr4 3000mhz

Asrock b450 micro atx board

550w seasonic focus plus platinum

1tb sata ssd

1tb nvme ssd

2tb hdd

 

The hdd can easily be removed from the system as it's just mainly cold storage.

 

I don't care about rgb (I turn it off), glass, windowed sidepanels or anything. As long as the case is just a non intrusive looking box I'm good and if it isn't then so be it.

 

The cooler master q300l did look like a good option but it's already on the big side.

 

 

[Eschew]

Hey there. Can I assume that 30cm is the maximum width for the case, and that there aren't restrictions for height and depth? Also, what is your budget? In the meantime, here are some suggestions, dimensions are H x W x D:

 

Images:

Spoiler

Left to Right: Fractal Design Core 1100, Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L, Fractal Design Define Mini C, SilverStone Sugo SG12.

• Fractal Design Core 1100 ($47.99 on Newegg): Micro ATX Mini Tower (35.8cm x 17.5cm x 41.0cm), 350mm GPU clearance, 1 x 120mm fan included, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, and audio in/out ports.
• Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L ($49.99 on Newegg): Micro ATX Tower (37.9cm x 23.0cm x 38.7cm), 360mm GPU clearance, 1 x 120mm fan included, 2 x USB 3.0 and audio in/out ports.
• Fractal Design Define Mini C ($78.99 on Newegg): Micro ATX Mini Tower (41.2cm x 21.0cm x 41.3cm), 315mm GPU clearance, 2 x 120mm fans included, 2 x USB 3.0 and audio in/out ports.
• SilverStone Sugo SG12 ($174.99 on Newegg): Micro ATX Cube(?) (21.0cm x 26.6cm x 41.2cm), up to 368mm GPU clearance, 1 x 120mm fan included, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.0, and audio in/out ports.

Please note that you haven't specified what graphics card you're using, so I have no idea whether the cases listed above will have the space/clearance to accommodate your graphics card.

[jaslion]

12 hours ago, Eschew said:

Hey there. Can I assume that 30cm is the maximum width for the case, and that there aren't restrictions for height and depth? Also, what is your budget? In the meantime, here are some suggestions, dimensions are H x W x D:

 

Images:

  Reveal hidden contents

Left to Right: Fractal Design Core 1100, Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L, Fractal Design Define Mini C, SilverStone Sugo SG12.

• Fractal Design Core 1100 ($47.99 on Newegg): Micro ATX Mini Tower (35.8cm x 17.5cm x 41.0cm), 350mm GPU clearance, 1 x 120mm fan included, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, and audio in/out ports.
• Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L ($49.99 on Newegg): Micro ATX Tower (37.9cm x 23.0cm x 38.7cm), 360mm GPU clearance, 1 x 120mm fan included, 2 x USB 3.0 and audio in/out ports.
• Fractal Design Define Mini C ($78.99 on Newegg): Micro ATX Mini Tower (41.2cm x 21.0cm x 41.3cm), 315mm GPU clearance, 2 x 120mm fans included, 2 x USB 3.0 and audio in/out ports.
• SilverStone Sugo SG12 ($174.99 on Newegg): Micro ATX Cube(?) (21.0cm x 26.6cm x 41.2cm), up to 368mm GPU clearance, 1 x 120mm fan included, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.0, and audio in/out ports.

Please note that you haven't specified what graphics card you're using, so I have no idea whether the cases listed above will have the space/clearance to accommodate your graphics card.

Max width indeed is 30cm. Height does not have a limit but depth kinda does as I will most likely put it sideways again the wall at the back of my desk and I don't want it interfering with my monitor mount. Which is located at 48cm from the left side. I can't put it on the right as my laptop resides there almost always.

 

The silverstone looks nice size wise but does look like an older case which is fine. The define mini C also looks promising. However the silverstone is really expensive so I'll leave that be.

 

I normally allocate 70€ for a case at max but I'm willing to spend 110€ give or take (if there is like the case at 130 then sure I'll probably get it). However the cheaper the better as always. Also don't worry about fans as I have boxes full of those.