Downsizing my current build

[Tordal]

Budget: Unlimited-ish

Country: Norway (can import)

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: 1440p general gaming. 

Other details: Currently using RTX3070Ti Gaming X Trio, 10700K, 2x Trident Z 16GB, Noctua NH-U12S and a bunch of A12x25 case fans.

 

I’m looking to downsize my current build. So basically I would need a new case, PSU, motherboard, probably new CPU cooler. Hopefully not GPU
 

In my head I’m looking for something standing upright, like a NZXT H1 or similar. But fitting my GPU might be difficult as it’s pretty big. Ideally I’d prefer not to replace it, but it might be wise when I’m looking to go small form factor.

 

Looking for some ideas for cases primarily that would fit a 323x140x56 mm GPU. The H1 barely does, but if you have any decent alternatives I’d be interested in looking more into it.

[Bob__]

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-quantum-vector-fe-rtx-3070-ti-d-rgb-black-special-edition?

[PDifolco]

Did you look at the CM NR200? 

It's bigger than most itx I think the 3070ti would fit 

[Tordal]

1 minute ago, Bob__ said:

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-quantum-vector-fe-rtx-3070-ti-d-rgb-black-special-edition?

Yeah, that would save some space. Not sure if I’m ready to do custom loop water cooling yet though. It’s nice to not have to worry about liquids.

[Agall]

4 minutes ago, Tordal said:

Budget: Unlimited-ish

Country: Norway (can import)

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: 1440p general gaming. 

Other details: Currently using RTX3070Ti Gaming X Trio, 10700K, 2x Trident Z 16GB, Noctua NH-U12S and a bunch of A12x25 case fans.

 

I’m looking to downsize my current build. So basically I would need a new case, PSU, motherboard, probably new CPU cooler. Hopefully not GPU
 

In my head I’m looking for something standing upright, like a NZXT H1 or similar. But fitting my GPU might be difficult as it’s pretty big. Ideally I’d prefer not to replace it, but it might be wise when I’m looking to go small form factor.

 

Looking for some ideas for cases primarily that would fit a 323x140x56 mm GPU. The H1 barely does, but if you have any decent alternatives I’d be interested in looking more into it.

If you're looking to replace a motherboard to get mITX, you're better off just upgrading the platform to a newer generation.

 

I spent from 2014 to 2022 exclusively building mITX, so I can give some solid suggestions. I only swapped because of my RX 6900 XT was a gucci thicc version that wouldn't reasonably fit or be cooled in mITX. The RTX 4090 sealed the deal on that.

 

What model 3070ti is it? RTX3070Ti Gaming X Trio*

[Agall]

2 minutes ago, Tordal said:

Yeah, that would save some space. Not sure if I’m ready to do custom loop water cooling yet though. It’s nice to not have to worry about liquids.

Look into the Fractal Design Ridge. 

Fractal Design Ridge White Mini-ITX Slim Small Form Factor Console PC Case with PCIe 3.0 Riser - Newegg.com

Stock in the US has been bad for these, but that might not apply to you. I have a R5 7600 and 6750XT system I built in this case and it'll support your GPU.

 

You will have to get a mITX motherboard and compatible cooler. I went with the NH-L9a but you can fit something even like Noctua NH-L9x65, Premium Low-Profile CPU Cooler (65mm, Brown) - Newegg.com in that case.

[Tordal]

4 minutes ago, Agall said:

Look into the Fractal Design Ridge. 

Fractal Design Ridge White Mini-ITX Slim Small Form Factor Console PC Case with PCIe 3.0 Riser - Newegg.com

Stock in the US has been bad for these, but that might not apply to you. I have a R5 7600 and 6750XT system I built in this case and it'll support your GPU.

 

You will have to get a mITX motherboard and compatible cooler. I went with the NH-L9a but you can fit something even like Noctua NH-L9x65, Premium Low-Profile CPU Cooler (65mm, Brown) - Newegg.com in that case.

Woah, the Ridge case was sick. I need to check out some build vids on it. Seems insane that the specs actually would fit a GPU like mine

[Agall]

14 minutes ago, Tordal said:

Woah, the Ridge case was sick. I need to check out some build vids on it. Seems insane that the specs actually would fit a GPU like mine

Its a great case. My first experience with this type of case design was in 2014 with the Raven Z with a 4790k and GTX 980, and this is an incredible evolution from that.

 

Note that the case comes with a PCIe 3.0 compatible riser that may work with 4.0. My setup didn't and after sending them an email through their support, they sent me a replacement 4.0 compatible riser for free.

 

If you do simply find a new motherboard and buy an SFX PSU then you won't have to worry about it. If you replace your motherboard with a PCIe 4.0 capable CPU+motherboard, then you may.

 

SFX power supplies get kind of expensive, but you're better off expecting to spend ~$200 on one. Quality matters in that sector, something like CORSAIR SF850L Fully Modular Low-Noise SFX Power Supply - ATX 3.0 & PCIe 5.0 Compliant - Quiet 120mm PWM Fan - 80 PLUS Gold Efficiency - Zero RPM Mode - 105°C-Rated Capacitors - Newegg.com

 

The system I built uses the CORSAIR SF750 750W Power Supply Gaming - Newegg.com which came with really nice individually sleeved cables.

 

I feel it important to differentiate between SFX and SFX-L power supplies. Some cases don't care like SFX-L and some do. So if you plan to potentially try out different mITX cases, then I'd elect for a standard SFX power supply. If you plan to stick with something like the Ridge, then the SFX-L will be just fine. Some cases like the Ncase M1 or NR200P can run into GPU clearance issues with SFX-L, but those cases don't matter to you since they're like max 12.5" card cases.

 

Most recent photo of that build, was testing out different configurations for the CPU cooler.

[Deadpool2onBlu-Ray]

29 minutes ago, Tordal said:

Budget: Unlimited-ish

Country: Norway (can import)

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: 1440p general gaming. 

Other details: Currently using RTX3070Ti Gaming X Trio, 10700K, 2x Trident Z 16GB, Noctua NH-U12S and a bunch of A12x25 case fans.

 

I’m looking to downsize my current build. So basically I would need a new case, PSU, motherboard, probably new CPU cooler. Hopefully not GPU
 

In my head I’m looking for something standing upright, like a NZXT H1 or similar. But fitting my GPU might be difficult as it’s pretty big. Ideally I’d prefer not to replace it, but it might be wise when I’m looking to go small form factor.

 

Looking for some ideas for cases primarily that would fit a 323x140x56 mm GPU. The H1 barely does, but if you have any decent alternatives I’d be interested in looking more into it.

SFF is an exercise in expensive futility IMO. Is this downsizing a "necessity" thing or a "nice to have" thing?

[Tordal]

30 minutes ago, Deadpool2onBlu-Ray said:

SFF is an exercise in expensive futility IMO. Is this downsizing a "necessity" thing or a "nice to have" thing?

Got some space restrictions after moving to a smaller desk.

[Tordal]

55 minutes ago, Agall said:

Its a great case. My first experience with this type of case design was in 2014 with the Raven Z with a 4790k and GTX 980, and this is an incredible evolution from that.

 

Note that the case comes with a PCIe 3.0 compatible riser that may work with 4.0. My setup didn't and after sending them an email through their support, they sent me a replacement 4.0 compatible riser for free.

 

If you do simply find a new motherboard and buy an SFX PSU then you won't have to worry about it. If you replace your motherboard with a PCIe 4.0 capable CPU+motherboard, then you may.

 

SFX power supplies get kind of expensive, but you're better off expecting to spend ~$200 on one. Quality matters in that sector, something like CORSAIR SF850L Fully Modular Low-Noise SFX Power Supply - ATX 3.0 & PCIe 5.0 Compliant - Quiet 120mm PWM Fan - 80 PLUS Gold Efficiency - Zero RPM Mode - 105°C-Rated Capacitors - Newegg.com

 

The system I built uses the CORSAIR SF750 750W Power Supply Gaming - Newegg.com which came with really nice individually sleeved cables.

 

I feel it important to differentiate between SFX and SFX-L power supplies. Some cases don't care like SFX-L and some do. So if you plan to potentially try out different mITX cases, then I'd elect for a standard SFX power supply. If you plan to stick with something like the Ridge, then the SFX-L will be just fine. Some cases like the Ncase M1 or NR200P can run into GPU clearance issues with SFX-L, but those cases don't matter to you since they're like max 12.5" card cases.

 

Most recent photo of that build, was testing out different configurations for the CPU cooler.

Interesting. Thank you for some useful tips!