"MicroATX Mini" clarification needed

[Waffle_Loard]

Hi, I'm currently doing a simple build for a friend and ran into a bit of confusing wording when checking out the "Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case".

What's getting me is the "mini" part, does this mean its a mini tower or a microATX with mini support or something else I am not catching?

 

(aforementioned pc build)

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Waffle_Loard/saved/fp6N6h

[jaslion]

It's just them calling the case a mini tower.

Just a heads up the case is kinda crud for airflow. Fine for low end systems but nothing higher.

 

Also couple things. That board can just about barely handle a 6core cpu I'd invest a little more and get something that won't make the system slower/die when stuff gets too intense for too long.

Also no ssd? Windows 10 installed on a hdd + trying to play a game from that same hdd is basically a no in terms of usability. Even just windows 10 on a hdd is a pretty bad experience.

You also forgot a gpu. The 3600 doesn't have a igpu.

[IkeaGnome]

27 minutes ago, Waffle_Loard said:

Hi, I'm currently doing a simple build for a friend and ran into a bit of confusing wording when checking out the "Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case".

What's getting me is the "mini" part, does this mean its a mini tower or a microATX with mini support or something else I am not catching?

 

(aforementioned pc build)

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Waffle_Loard/saved/fp6N6h

 

7 minutes ago, jaslion said:

It's just them calling the case a mini tower.

Just a heads up the case is kinda crud for airflow. Fine for low end systems but nothing higher.

 

Also couple things. That board can just about barely handle a 6core cpu I'd invest a little more and get something that won't make the system slower/die when stuff gets too intense for too long.

Also no ssd? Windows 10 installed on a hdd + trying to play a game from that same hdd is basically a no in terms of usability. Even just windows 10 on a hdd is a pretty bad experience.

You also forgot a gpu. The 3600 doesn't have a igpu.

To build on this. If you're trying to go no GPU for budget, look into the 3200g or 3400g. You might also look at how Intel iGPUs compare to them. Here's one, but I'd do some research of my own as well. 1 comparison isn't enough to go off of

 

[Waffle_Loard]

 

1 hour ago, Voluspa said:

 

To build on this. If you're trying to go no GPU for budget, look into the 3200g or 3400g. You might also look at how Intel iGPUs compare to them. Here's one, but I'd do some research of my own as well. 1 comparison isn't enough to go off of

 

I am aware of the lack of a gpu, this is due to current prices being a steaming cow pie, I have yet to find a good price-performance because of this (dedicated GPU is a must so iGPUs are out of the picture) 

The system is intended to be budget hence the cheap case, I recognize its poor airflow but this should not be a major concern for its intended use case.

As for the mobo, would a Gigabyte B450M DS3H V2 Micro ATX AM4 be an adequate alternative?

As for the SSD I have a 256 gb m.2 one already on hand its just not on the list to avoid confusion when purchasing parts.

 

thx for the input thus far.

[thrasher_565]

2 hours ago, Waffle_Loard said:

 

I am aware of the lack of a gpu, this is due to current prices being a steaming cow pie, I have yet to find a good price-performance because of this (dedicated GPU is a must so iGPUs are out of the picture) 

The system is intended to be budget hence the cheap case, I recognize its poor airflow but this should not be a major concern for its intended use case.

As for the mobo, would a Gigabyte B450M DS3H V2 Micro ATX AM4 be an adequate alternative?

As for the SSD I have a 256 gb m.2 one already on hand its just not on the list to avoid confusion when purchasing parts.

 

thx for the input thus far.

you can probably keep the side panel off for gaming for better temps if its a problem. not ideal but hey cheap is the goal

 

imo you dont need a $100 psu that can go for a better case posably only 8gb ram as well.

[shaz2sxy]

the mini is reference to the size of the case.

 

I would avoid it if I was you, I had the case for my sons PC and it was not good for airflow.

 

you would think with the amount of holes on it that it would have good airflow but the holes are too restrictive and its a dust magnet.

[tdkid]

they are calling it a MicroATX Mini Tower Case because it can only support a motherboard that is a microATX size form factor and nothing bigger. if you want decent or good airflow i would suggest looking into a mid tower or bigger as they still support a microATX board but more room for the air to move over the components.

 

and here is a video of the different sizes of computer cases. Chassis Size Comparison - YouTube