Mini ITX 4k Gaming Build - Sentry or Trident 3?

[SteGA]

Hey all,

 

I'm planning (in advance) for a mini ITX 4k gaming pc with the best size/performance compromise. I've had my eye on the Sentry for some time, considering it can fit a full size GPU. I also saw the upcoming MSI Trident 3 at CES 2017, which is considerably smaller than the Sentry, but cannot house a full sized graphics card. But here's the twist: It looks like Zotac will be bringing us a mini GTX 1080. So my question is, Do i create my own build inside the sentry with a full sized 1080? Or go with the Trident 3, and swap the card in it with the mini 1080 once it releases?

 

Any insight would be awesome. Here are the links to the respective cases.

 

Sentry: http://zaber.com.pl/sentry/

 

Trident 3: https://www.msi.com/Desktop/Trident-3.html#hero-overview

[The Sloth]

if size is really issue go with the mini 1080 other than that go for the full size model. 

[dizmo]

How far out are you from building? Are you looking for a tall thin case?

The DanCase A4 gets my vote for the most compact mITX case currently.

 

If you want more when it comes to expansion options and aren't building anytime soon, the Project Orthrus case currently being worked on would be about the same size. Uses an mATX board, and has SLI expansion options.

https://hardforum.com/threads/project-orthrus-smallest-sli-matx-case-11-9l.1905653/

 

It's almost twice as wide, but still only 11cm across.

 

I wouldn't get the Trident 3. It's a prebuilt, so you're stuck with the lesser components, and it's only smaller in one dimension than the Zaber. I'd worry about cooling on both of those.

[NTDaws]

I vote trident 3, even if its a pre built there is still components you can upgrade. Do the trident. Or I can make you a PcPartPicker build.

[NTDaws]

Why don't you go the node 202 route?

[SteGA]

First off, thank you all for the input!

 

@dizmo I actually have seen that case, and totally forgot about it. Definitely an option! Any idea when it's releasing? I probably won't start the build until March/April-ish.

 

@Dawson Wehage The node is a bit big for me, currently I'm using the SilverStone Raven RVZ02 on my personal machine. I suppose I'm just looking for something smaller that I can fit in a carry on or a Laptop bag, which both the Trident and Sentry (possibly even the DanCase?) can do.

 

I'm just having a hard time choosing between the 3 when it comes to the best compromise between performance/features and size

[dizmo]

51 minutes ago, SteGA said:

First off, thank you all for the input!

 

@dizmo I actually have seen that case, and totally forgot about it. Definitely an option! Any idea when it's releasing? I probably won't start the build until March/April-ish.

 

I'm just having a hard time choosing between the 3 when it comes to the best compromise between performance/features and size

I don't think he really has a set release date yet, but he's on the last prototype and then he's taking it to manufacturers, so it might be out around the time you're looking to build! I just follow the thread and see what happens.

 

I don't think the MSI case is worth it, especially considering you have to buy the whole kit and it'll likely be inflated price wise.

[SteGA]

@dizmo Sounds great, I was just looking into the case and would definitely consider this one over the Sentry and Trident. I'll keep an eye on that thread. And yea that was my only thing about the Trident, I love MSI but pre-built stuff isn't my thing. It just looked like it had a lot of features/IO in an attractive and compact design