Looking for Console-Sized PC Case

[InvertedGPR]

I am looking to switch out my current case for a small form factor or htpc case. I’m trying to get a case about as small as a console, like small enough to fit in a backpack ideally, if not then small enough to fit in luggage. I have a EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 XC3, length 285.242 mm. I have a micro atx motherboard, but am willing to buy a mini itx board for the build. 
I have been looking at the Node 202, the size is perfect but I am worried about thermals. Any ideas on good cases or you guys think the Node 202 will be ok on thermals?

[OddOod]

SFF is always gonna suck for thermals. The best ones are like the Hydra Mini, but you cannot put that style in a bag

[MrSmiles]

You ever gone custom on your cooling, and how much faith in yourself/ spare money you got lol

[InvertedGPR]

That looks like a really cool case. Just looking for something more portable and that would be a nightmare to move especially on a flight

[InvertedGPR]

6 minutes ago, MrSmiles said:

You ever gone custom on your cooling, and how much faith in yourself/ spare money you got lol

I have never done custom cooling. I’ve built a decent amount of computers in my day but only using standard fans or AIO. Not sure about going with custom cooling just because I’ve seen them leak in other builds and sounds like a lot of maintenance over time. Not completely against it though if it’s the only way to get good thermals but would rather not. I got like 300 to 400 to spend on upgrades

[MrSmiles]

5 minutes ago, InvertedGPR said:

I have never done custom cooling. I’ve built a decent amount of computers in my day but only using standard fans or AIO. Not sure about going with custom cooling just because I’ve seen them leak in other builds and sounds like a lot of maintenance over time. Not completely against it though if it’s the only way to get good thermals but would rather not. I got like 300 to 400 to spend on upgrades

Don’t necessarily have to automatically go liquid. Can look into cutting down the size of your card. I often take cards apart to assess the cooling systems, see if I can reduce the rads realistically, use thinner fans etc. Use other rads.

Its just obviously going to void your card.... and not guaranteed to do much good for the thermals. It’s whether you want to go super small with a card like that. 

[MrSmiles]

And if touching the card is a big no no. Acrylic.

You can put together a little case pretty easily based off the mounting positions from another mobo tray. Not that expensive to buy. Always nice to have your own little custom. Get creative with a riser cable... it’s another idea anyway

[InvertedGPR]

2 minutes ago, MrSmiles said:

And if touching the card is a big no no. Acrylic.

You can put together a little case pretty easily based off the mounting positions from another mobo tray. Not that expensive to buy. Always nice to have your own little custom. Get creative with a riser cable... it’s another idea anyway

Yea a bit too nervous to cut down my card  I would hate to break it. I’ll definitely look into acrylic if there’s no good htpc case available

[MrSmiles]

2 minutes ago, InvertedGPR said:

Yea a bit too nervous to cut down my card  I would hate to break it. I’ll definitely look into acrylic if there’s no good htpc case available

Yeah I was shaking when I tore into my 2070s back when I first got that. Now it’s a beautifully scarred beast haha!

But I am not a good person for cosmetic longevity.

[jaslion]

13 hours ago, InvertedGPR said:

I am looking to switch out my current case for a small form factor or htpc case. I’m trying to get a case about as small as a console, like small enough to fit in a backpack ideally, if not then small enough to fit in luggage. I have a EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 XC3, length 285.242 mm. I have a micro atx motherboard, but am willing to buy a mini itx board for the build. 
I have been looking at the Node 202, the size is perfect but I am worried about thermals. Any ideas on good cases or you guys think the Node 202 will be ok on thermals?

Honestly you want a laptop here. Thermals in console sized systems always just flat out suck. The gpu is usually ok, but the cpu especially nowadays with anything above mid range is not going to do well at all.

 

What cpu do you currently have? That will be the deciding factor. Do keep in mind that you'll need a new board, psu and cooler. Those not bad small coolers are not cheap either.