Cases for a new world

[DaniBunny]

I've been through a ton of build videos lately and i couldn't see ( or was unable to find ) a case that reflects the current technology trend ( in my opinion for that matter )

 

On my last build i used a PCIe drive ( thanks Intel ) and M.2 drive. All my other storage needs are on a external NAS ( Thanks FreeNAS ).

 

So all that space in front of the case was totally unused since I don't use optical drives and big drives in years.

 

I tried to find an ATX case that doesn't have the drive bays. Just the ATX and Power Supply mounts. Like a Mid-Tower, but maybe 10 cm less wide and around 15 cm less depth.

 

It would be like the Lian Li PC-08, but half the wide and maybe taller.

 

Do you guys know of such a case?

 

Best regards,

Daniel

 

[Tedster]

I've been through a ton of build videos lately and i couldn't see ( or was unable to find ) a case that reflects the current technology trend ( in my opinion for that matter )

 

On my last build i used a PCIe drive ( thanks Intel ) and M.2 drive. All my other storage needs are on a external NAS ( Thanks FreeNAS ).

 

So all that space in front of the case was totally unused since I don't use optical drives and big drives in years.

 

I tried to find an ATX case that doesn't have the drive bays. Just the ATX and Power Supply mounts. Like a Mid-Tower, but maybe 10 cm less wide and around 15 cm less depth.

 

It would be like the Lian Li PC-08, but half the wide and maybe taller.

 

Do you guys know of such a case?

 

Best regards,

Daniel

Welcome to the Forum!

 

I think you're looking for something that's called a 'Slim Tower' case. I'm not sure how to find something that fits this all that well...

 

The Bitfenix Pandora comes to mind.

[DXMember]

it won't be ATX, it'll probably be mATX or ITX

pretty much all ATX cases will have space reserved for drive cages, even if they are removable

you might want to consider water colling if you want to fill up that space

[DaniBunny]

I've seen the Pandora also. They are almost there! Its a shame its not full ATX.

Its also cable management hell.

 

But the concept is perfect. Liked the SSDs behind.

 

Things they have to get it right:

1 - No need to make it so slim that cable management suffers.

2 - Make it taller. ( ATX and E-ATX )

3 - Make it rock. I dont want a small case, i want a gamer case for a world without drives ( outside the mobo, ok... maybe one or two ).

 

I think in a couple of years it will eventually show up.

 

Regards,

Daniel

[Tedster]

I've seen the Pandora also. They are almost there! Its a shame its not full ATX.

Its also cable management hell.

 

But the concept is perfect. Liked the SSDs behind.

 

Things they have to get it right:

1 - No need to make it so slim that cable management suffers.

2 - Make it taller. ( ATX and E-ATX )

3 - Make it rock. I dont want a small case, i want a gamer case for a world without drives ( outside the mobo, ok... maybe one or two ).

 

I think in a couple of years it will eventually show up.

 

Regards,

Daniel

Yeah, I agree with what you're saying about the Pandora.

 

And I'm not sure if that's a form factor that's really going to happen, unfortunately. I do see a lot of manufacturers making cheap cases somewhat fall under what you're after, but they're not good quality and they're not too common.

 

I can't read Korean, but does this look vaguely okay? I think it still has a drive cage thing though...

http://www.daotech.co.kr/_board/board_view.asp?B_CATEGORY=0&B_CODE=BOARD_1331753527&skey=&sval=&page=3&IDX=25

 

It looks like something more for lower-power machines in the first place.

[Acquire]

Unfortunately, for some reason compact cases only exist for mini itx or micro atx sizes. Mostly, mini itx. I agree that it's bizarre how atx mid tower cases are so large with so much unneeded space. I know there's still a market for those, but there's also a market for more premium smaller cases for modern technologies. 3.5" drives aren't needed anymore and neither are 5.25" bays. Two ssds is the max you really need outside the motherboard. Mass storage goes into a small nas. This is the reason I moved to mini itx. In this form factor you'll find compact good looking cases that don't waste space. Only drawback is the lack of expansion slots beyond the gpu, but I've never used them for anything else.

[DaniBunny]

I found this one:

 

https://www.nzxt.com/products/noctis-450-white-blue-mid-tower-computer-gaming-case-ca-n450w-w1

 

But i think i'll go for the Lian Li PC-08, get a saw and get crazy :-D

 

I totally agree with mATX direction, but now i got it ATX :-(

BitFenix has great options for mATX just like i said. ( Prodigy line )