Small form factor cases

[J3v400]

Hi all, this is my first post here! Yay.

Ok, so I'm building my first PC during the summer and geting all of my research out of the way now. So what i'm considering is using a mATX motherboard and case because the space where my current tower isn't the largest in the world. My hardware considerations at the moment are a i5 3570 and either a GTX 660 or Radion HD 7870. Motherboard will most likely stay a mATX. Is this a good idea or should I go with a atx mid tower?

Thanks!

[Whaler_99]

As long as you get a decent mATX case with cooling. Linus as reviewed a few - like the Silverstone SG09. BitFenix make a nice one as well.

[J3v400]

Cool, thanks I'll check those out.

[nillas12]

Fractal Design Arc Mini. Haven't made a build with it, but I had a look at it once, and it looks sweet. Also the thermals should be decent.

[Toby]

TJ08-E - an awesome mATX case without being ugly as sin.

Lian Li PC-A04 is nice too, though the USB 3.0 ports on the front panel use a passthrough.

[J3v400]

I don't really care for looks as the system will be put behind my desk and not be a centerpiece of my room.

[Eric Kazer]

300R Corsair would give you ATX upradablility in future. Does it need to be a cube? It's more of a small mid tower. Maybe C70. Thats probably a standerd retilish kind of size. Maybe a little larger than you want. Good also if you use opticle drives. I use Blu-ray & DVD allot.

[Toby]

300R Corsair would give you ATX upradablility in future. Does it need to be a cube? It's more of a small mid tower. Maybe C70. Thats probably a standerd retilish kind of size. Maybe a little larger than you want. Good also if you use opticle drives. I use Blu-ray & DVD allot.

Just to put their sizes into perspective, those cases are nearly double the size of the SG09 (as far as height/depth, anyway. Width is pretty similar).

[That Norwegian Guy]

I am religious about the BitFenix Prodigy. In my opinion it is lightyears ahead of other mATX cases. Granted, it is larger than most of them, but the air flow, configuration options, space and looks is just beastly. Do note that the handles can be removed if you think it takes too much space which would buy you an extra 15 cm of height reduction. You'd have to put rubber feet on it though, as it has a bottom-intake PSU.

[J3v400]

I am religious about the BitFenix Prodigy. In my opinion it is lightyears ahead of other mATX cases. Granted, it is larger than most of them, but the air flow, configuration options, space and looks is just beastly. Do note that the handles can be removed if you think it takes too much space which would buy you an extra 15 cm of height reduction. You'd have to put rubber feet on it though, as it has a bottom-intake PSU.

Thanks for the recommendation but, I dont really want to go smaller than a mATX board at the moment.

[onionring]

Rly? the prodigy LOOKS like a useless case (good looking but the form factor boggles me),

it can only hold a MITX motherboard but some atx case are smaller than this one.

OP wants to use a matx mobo so the prodigy is out of question anyway.

Why go for mitx (or matx) if you end up with a bigger case afterwards

If you try to save space (pr transport frequently) matx is fine but if you go for MAX cooling(not needed) or MAX silence (nice) atx might be a better option.

IF you want to go for one of the smallest case possible the fractal design core 1000 is a cheap and decent case but does not include too much in terms of cooling but should be enough for 1 gpu. (25L for 35$)

The fractal arc mini could also be good but much bigger (40L 100$)

Just but good fans for it with the money you saved (it can take 2 120mm and 1 92mm, but watch out for the height of the cpu cooler)

DO NOT BUY A SG09 IF YOU ARE NOT AN EXPERIENCED BUILDER. IT IS A NIGHTMARE (23L 100$)

It does offer nice gpu cooling potential as a reward for all the pain received during the build. The choices of psu is also limited

If you rly want to go crazy small sff, id advise you to look at the SG05 (13L 100$ with psu) or SG07 (18L 200?$ with psu) (Both MITX)

Just watch out for the maximum gpu length.

[J3v400]

Ok, guys I think that I'm going to dich the whole sff case thing and go with a nice ATX mid, because it will allow more expandability and space for me to work as I learned from my Jeep's dash, last weekend that my hands and arms and small tight spaces don't mix well. I was also research this form factor as an option and appreciate all of your input.

[jeffrly]

A nice compromise would be the Coolermaster HAF XB. It's more of like a test bench with side panels, but it isn't tiny like a Fractal Design Node 304 or Arc Mini or Silverstone SG09, etc.

[Eric Kazer]

300R Corsair would give you ATX upradablility in future. Does it need to be a cube? It's more of a small mid tower. Maybe C70. Thats probably a standerd retilish kind of size. Maybe a little larger than you want. Good also if you use opticle drives. I use Blu-ray & DVD allot.

Hmm, that small for behind desk? SG09 is a nice case. My only problem would be a standard opticle drive. I like my Pioneer BDR-2208 Blue Ray writer. Awsome if your not useing one. I would love it if they allowed for a standard opticle drive. It might add 3" or so to case hight. Ya, nice $100 case.

[soupistasty5]

I think a mATX build is a great idea! SFF builds, imo, are way cooler than huge build, aka, CoolerMaster Cosmos II, etc.

My recommendation is using the Gigabyte Assassin mATX board, stick with the 3570 but make sure to buy the k model which is unlocked. Even if your not into overclocking, it will be there for you in the future.

For the case, my favorite is the Fractal Define Mini. Its basically the same design as their own Arc Mini, but build to a little higher standard/quality with sound damping and a nicer finish.

Another great case option is the LianLi TJ08-E, if your willing to spend more for aluminum. If you need to cut costs, the Fractal Arc Mini is hard to beat.

All of these have room for a Nvidia GTX 670, which would be a nice upgrade over a 660/660ti. Again, imo, putting in a nice MSI Power Edition GTX 670, or the Asus DirectCU 670 would be the best. Of course, it's more $$, so set out your budget and stick to it. Good luck.

[vanwazltoff]

+1 for fractal arc mini or define mini or core 1000. fractal makes excellent cases

[Toby]

Ok, guys I think that I'm going to dich the whole sff case thing and go with a nice ATX mid, because it will allow more expandability and space for me to work as I learned from my Jeep's dash, last weekend that my hands and arms and small tight spaces don't mix well. I was also research this form factor as an option and appreciate all of your input.

I suggest creating a new thread for that. As you can see, people don't tend to read.

[soupistasty5]

If you decide on the Silverstone SG09, just remember that its a VERY unusual design. Very innovative. It will make the build more challenging, so just budget more time when you build it, so you won't be rushed and have time to reference the very good instruction manual that is included with it.

[Stonep11]

Hi all, this is my first post here! Yay. Ok, so I'm building my first PC during the summer and geting all of my research out of the way now. So what i'm considering is using a mATX motherboard and case because the space where my current tower isn't the largest in the world. My hardware considerations at the moment are a i5 3570 and either a GTX 660 or Radion HD 7870. Motherboard will most likely stay a mATX. Is this a good idea or should I go with a atx mid tower? Thanks!

I think you mean mITX as you have an Intel CPU.  Look at the CM 130 Elite.  Nice case, cheap, but solid, light construction (can fit a normal PSU and even an HD7990)