Nervous about downsizing, insecure about e-peen

[Tadgh]

Hey all

 

So I'm joining the choo-choo hype train for Ryzen gonna rebuild my now p.obsolete rig - and I've wanted to downsize for a little while but honestly...

 

It's kinda nice having a big RGB case bc it impresses non-techies

 

So my question for you guys is:

 

1) How do you make an mATX/small ATX case look impressive?

2) What are your top mATX windowed cases that don't break the bank?

and

3) What's the smallest ATX case I can buy (I use like 11 USB devices I don't wanna rely on hubs too much, I prolly have to go B350 for the price so it'd also be nice to get a small ATX

 

Much love,

Insecure small penis man

 

Edit: Bonus points for exotic and erotic form factors, open to anything

[Spork829]

1. Much the same as an ATX case, with LEDs, tidy cable management inside you can see through a window, etc.

 

2. Define Mini C

 

3. Define C

[bgibbz]

Have you looked at itx? Itx cases are smaller and usually look better. Something like the phanteks enthoo evolv itx. 

[Tadgh]

3 minutes ago, Spork829 said:

1. Much the same as an ATX case, with LEDs, tidy cable management inside you can see through a window, etc.

 

2. Define Mini C

 

3. Define C

Thanks for the input, already have an NZXT Hue+ so I've that much handled. Will take a look at your suggestions and also maybe ex/r/otic form factors ooh I should add that on

[Tadgh]

6 minutes ago, bgibbz said:

Have you looked at itx? Itx cases are smaller and usually look better. Something like the phanteks enthoo evolv itx. 

Not a bad idea at all, my main concern is timely availability of AM4 ITX cases (as in, within the next two weeks) and again ports ports ports. Otherwise I would be super super looking at ITX

[HelplmChoking]

A smaller case is going to impress people much, much more. Non tech people are the ones most impressed by something like a Mac Pro. They'd be impressed by flashing lights and glowing fans, but they wouldn't want one in their house. Clean, minimalist lines and subtle lighting is the way to go.

[dizmo]

Yay for smaller sizes!

For starters I don't know why you'd care what others think of your system but each to their own. I think big cases are gaudy.

1. Same as any other case.

2. What style case do you want? What's breaking the bank to you?

3. I still like the S340 Elite. Cheap, tempered glass, hidden PSU. Hits all my points. Not the smallest thing though.

 

Why do you have so many USB items? What are they? I thought I needed a lot at 8...

 

10 minutes ago, bgibbz said:

Have you looked at itx? Itx cases are smaller and usually look better. Something like the phanteks enthoo evolv itx. 

Likely too limiting for his set up. Very few ITX boards have the number of USB ports he'd need, and we don't even know if Ryzen will have quality ITX boards. The Evolv case isn't really that much smaller than an mATX or ATX mid tower.

 

[dizmo]

2 minutes ago, Rangaman42 said:

A smaller case is going to impress people much, much more. Non tech people are the ones most impressed by something like a Mac Pro. They'd be impressed by flashing lights and glowing fans, but they wouldn't want one in their house. Clean, minimalist lines and subtle lighting is the way to go.

I agree, however taste is subjective and not everyone will think the same way

[Spork829]

1 minute ago, Tadgh said:

Not a bad idea at all, my main concern is timely availability of AM4 ITX cases (as in, within the next two weeks) and again ports ports ports. Otherwise I would be super super looking at ITX

You mean motherboards? Cases compatibility is not determined by the socket. 

 

9 minutes ago, bgibbz said:

Have you looked at itx? Itx cases are smaller and usually look better. Something like the phanteks enthoo evolv itx. 

Eh, my main gripe with that case is that it defeats the purpose of ITX to some extent. The Define Mini C, and many other Matx cases, are barely bigger than the Evolv ITX and give you matx support.

[Tadgh]

1 minute ago, Rangaman42 said:

A smaller case is going to impress people much, much more. Non tech people are the ones most impressed by something like a Mac Pro. They'd be impressed by flashing lights and glowing fans, but they wouldn't want one in their house. Clean, minimalist lines and subtle lighting is the way to go.

That does raise a very good point, but I still want something to draw the eye to it. A fusion of the two approaches would be ideal. I do greatly appreciate the input though I feel a little more like I can handle the downsize... Gonna be elegant ah from here on out

[Mira Yurizaki]

25 minutes ago, Tadgh said:

1) How do you make an mATX/small ATX case look impressive?

The fact that it's small and packs high-end hardware is impressive enough.

Quote

2) What are your top mATX windowed cases that don't break the bank?

I can't answer this because I kind of stopped caring about having windows in my case.

Quote

3) What's the smallest ATX case I can buy (I use like 11 USB devices I don't wanna rely on hubs too much, I prolly have to go B350 for the price so it'd also be nice to get a small ATX

Are we talking about the ATX sized motherboards or the smallest case period using a standard form factor?

 

In the mean time, here's my rig:

Spoiler

 

(Not really what I use, but I like this picture)

 

I get by with this knowing that I'm using more of my parts more than having a big case and parts where over 50% of what it can do goes unused.

 

Plus it's small and easy to move around :3

[Tadgh]

3 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Yay for smaller sizes!

For starters I don't know why you'd care what others think of your system but each to their own. I think big cases are gaudy.

1. Same as any other case.

2. What style case do you want? What's breaking the bank to you?

3. I still like the S340 Elite. Cheap, tempered glass, hidden PSU. Hits all my points. Not the smallest thing though.

 

Why do you have so many USB items? What are they? I thought I needed a lot at 8...

 

Likely too limiting for his set up. Very few ITX boards have the number of USB ports he'd need, and we don't even know if Ryzen will have quality ITX boards. The Evolv case isn't really that much smaller than an mATX or ATX mid tower.

 

Well for one I have a very limited personality and poor sexual capabilities, so in the almost unthinkable scenario I have someone enter my living space, I need some form of mirage that convinces said unlucky tag-along that there might be something else to my shallow existence. I also think big cases are gaudy, but I have very few opportunities to buy new hardware owing to the student life

1. Ah
2. Clean, maybe a little aluminium idk, I do like the Phanteks approach but I'm open to any manufacturer. Also exotic form factors are good. Breaking the bank.. I mean it's 100+ breaking the bank but I'm a magpie so that's flexible

3.Thank you for the suggestion, I like it too actually, it's now on my shortlist

4.Building, modifying, and measuring audio equipment, I have like 4 interfaces - on top of that like 2 game controllers, keyboard, mouse, webcam, USB sticks for video work, etc.

 

[Tadgh]

14 minutes ago, Spork829 said:

You mean motherboards? Cases compatibility is not determined by the socket. 

 

Eh, my main gripe with that case is that it defeats the purpose of ITX to some extent. The Define Mini C, and many other Matx cases, are barely bigger than the Evolv ITX and give you matx support.

Woops yes I did. 

 

If it's pretty enough I'm basically sold. A smaller footprint is indeed the main goal but price and aesthetics are important. I will check all this out thank you so much for your responses all food for thought

[Tadgh]

24 minutes ago, M.Yurizaki said:

The fact that it's small and packs high-end hardware is impressive enough.

I can't answer this because I kind of stopped caring about having windows in my case.

Are we talking about the ATX sized motherboards or the smallest case period using a standard form factor?

 

In the mean time, here's my rig:

  Hide contents

 

(Not really what I use, but I like this picture)

 

I get by with this knowing that I'm using more of my parts more than having a big case and parts where over 50% of what it can do goes unused.

 

Plus it's small and easy to move around :3

Thanks for the response, alas, while small form and high-end hardware is impressive for those in the know for the normies who might invade my house that isn't the case. I do however really like your setup! I'm looking for a slightly more pretentious /design aesthetic/ version of what you have going on. Maybe with a little RBG. I also crave that peace of mind my PC feels so.. Space inefficient..

 

Edit: We're talking smallest in common form factor

[dizmo]

11 minutes ago, Tadgh said:

Well for one I have a very limited personality and poor sexual capabilities, so in the almost unthinkable scenario I have someone enter my living space, I need some form of mirage that convinces said unlucky tag-along that there might be something else to my shallow existence. I also think big cases are gaudy, but I have very few opportunities to buy new hardware owing to the student life

1. Ah
2. Clean, maybe a little aluminium idk, I do like the Phanteks approach but I'm open to any manufacturer. Also exotic form factors are good. Breaking the bank.. I mean it's 100+ breaking the bank but I'm a magpie so that's flexible

3.Thank you for the suggestion, I like it too actually, it's now on my shortlist

4.Building, modifying, and measuring audio equipment, I have like 4 interfaces - on top of that like 2 game controllers, keyboard, mouse, webcam, USB sticks for video work, etc.

 

Haha, very few women will be impressed by a computer to the point where they'd sleep with you. Most will have the opposite effect

 

Yeah you won't get a ton at $100 if you're looking for exotic cases. One of my favs right now is Project Orthrus, but it's not released yet so it wouldn't really help you. I also really like the Caselabs Bullet series, but they're up at the $200 mark. InWins cases are pretty nice, the 303 is within your budget (and likely others I can't think of). Check out Jonsbo too, they have some gorgeous cases but they're a little harder to track down. Again though, they're more expensive since they're aluminium and glass.

Haha, ahhh yes. That would definitely take up quite a few. Have you thought of plugging stuff into the USB hub on your monitor (provided it has one)? That's where my USB speakers, game controller and MX Master go.

 

It's a shame all the mATX boards so far for Ryzen are on the ugly side.

 

[Tadgh]

4 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Haha, very few women will be impressed by a computer to the point where they'd sleep with you. Most will have the opposite effect

 

Yeah you won't get a ton at $100 if you're looking for exotic cases. One of my favs right now is Project Orthrus, but it's not released yet so it wouldn't really help you. I also really like the Caselabs Bullet series, but they're up at the $200 mark. InWins cases are pretty nice, the 303 is within your budget (and likely others I can't think of). Check out Jonsbo too, they have some gorgeous cases but they're a little harder to track down. Again though, they're more expensive since they're aluminium and glass.

Haha, ahhh yes. That would definitely take up quite a few. Have you thought of plugging stuff into the USB hub on your monitor (provided it has one)? That's where my USB speakers, game controller and MX Master go.

 

It's a shame all the mATX boards so far for Ryzen are on the ugly side.

 

*Disclaimer: I do not practice, advise, or condone using computer hardware to impress pretty girls - it works like 20% of the time but is kind of alienating, believe me I've done the numbers*

 

Thanks so much for the list of cases had forgotten about the 303 which has made it to the shortlist! Also sort of been wanting a Caselabs case for 3/4 years but.. Hey I mean honestly I'm down gonna check that shit out.

 

None of my monitors have usb hubs .-. I'll figure it out tho, prolly USB C type 2 into a hub or thunderbolt I'll work something janky out smh. 

Yeah, really sucks  all I want is elegance guys don't do me like this

[Mira Yurizaki]

50 minutes ago, Tadgh said:

Thanks for the response, alas, while small form and high-end hardware is impressive for those in the know for the normies who might invade my house that isn't the case. I do however really like your setup! I'm looking for a slightly more pretentious /design aesthetic/ version of what you have going on. Maybe with a little RBG. I also crave that peace of mind my PC feels so.. Space inefficient..

 

Edit: We're talking smallest in common form factor

If you want some of the smallest mITX cases:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163244

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAB944MW9007

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0ZX57D0646

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163367

 

Though those are impractical for anything high performance. At that point I would suggest getting something like a NUC.

 

If you want something with a side panel window, here's the list on NewEgg for mITX cases: https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583 600545970 600006505&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&PageSize=36&order=PRICE . Some of those are a little too big I think.

 

The smallest case I've seen with a side panel window but it's kind of tacky is Silverstone's RVZ-02: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163289

 

The In Win 901 is pretty, but expensive: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108457

 

Ditto with the Lian-Li Q37WX (but anything by Lian-Li is stupid expensive): https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112551

[Tadgh]

27 minutes ago, M.Yurizaki said:

If you want some of the smallest mITX cases:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163244

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAB944MW9007

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0ZX57D0646

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163367

 

Though those are impractical for anything high performance. At that point I would suggest getting something like a NUC.

 

If you want something with a side panel window, here's the list on NewEgg for mITX cases: https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583 600545970 600006505&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&PageSize=36&order=PRICE . Some of those are a little too big I think.

 

The smallest case I've seen with a side panel window but it's kind of tacky is Silverstone's RVZ-02: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163289

 

The In Win 901 is pretty, but expensive: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108457

 

Ditto with the Lian-Li Q37WX (but anything by Lian-Li is stupid expensive): https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112551

I meant smallest ATX, apologies for the wire-crossing. I'm also sullenly European, so no functional Newegg for us..

 

For anyone reading asking the same question I'm choosing between the NZXT S340 Elite and Inwin 303 for a mixture of downsizing, looking nicer, and just.. Tempered glass I want it..

 

[Mira Yurizaki]

4 minutes ago, Tadgh said:

I meant smallest ATX, apologies for the wire-crossing. I'm also sullenly European, so no functional Newegg for us..

 

For anyone reading asking the same question I'm choosing between the NZXT S340 Elite and Inwin 303 for a mixture of downsizing, looking nicer, and just.. Tempered glass I want it..

 

It doesn't have to be NewEgg, I was just showing what you could get

 

If you want a tempered glass, you can't get classier than the Corsair Crystal 460X.

[dizmo]

21 hours ago, Tadgh said:

*Disclaimer: I do not practice, advise, or condone using computer hardware to impress pretty girls - it works like 20% of the time but is kind of alienating, believe me I've done the numbers*

 

Thanks so much for the list of cases had forgotten about the 303 which has made it to the shortlist! Also sort of been wanting a Caselabs case for 3/4 years but.. Hey I mean honestly I'm down gonna check that shit out.

 

None of my monitors have usb hubs .-. I'll figure it out tho, prolly USB C type 2 into a hub or thunderbolt I'll work something janky out smh. 

Yeah, really sucks  all I want is elegance guys don't do me like this

Hahaha, yeah. My last gf hated my PC because it took time away from her.

 

The only thing I hate about the 303 is there's no shroud for the PSU. Since those have come along, I can't imagine having a case that has a window without one. I've always loved Caselabs cases, I just wish they'd make something super super small, but alas my next build won't be from them. Though that new ITX case...

 

Did you decide which case you'll use?

[Tadgh]

On 24/2/2017 at 6:52 PM, dizmo said:

Hahaha, yeah. My last gf hated my PC because it took time away from her.

 

The only thing I hate about the 303 is there's no shroud for the PSU. Since those have come along, I can't imagine having a case that has a window without one. I've always loved Caselabs cases, I just wish they'd make something super super small, but alas my next build won't be from them. Though that new ITX case...

 

Did you decide which case you'll use?

Your last gf sounds sweet, not to rub it in

 

Yes! I've done a lot of soul searching and also just hours mocking up my build seeing what I could fit in my budget and I'm gonna house it in the NZXT S340 Elite because: ATX but decently small, very sleek design, PSU shroud and good cable routing, and ofc t e m p e r e d  g l a s s.

 

I haven't actually been on the LTT forums for about a year before this so none of my builds are shared or anything, but I'm considering posting a build log on here, I've got a really nice plan for a value-for-money-but-also-sexy rig to go with a house move I'm undertaking soon.

[dizmo]

34 minutes ago, Tadgh said:

Your last gf sounds sweet, not to rub it in

 

Yes! I've done a lot of soul searching and also just hours mocking up my build seeing what I could fit in my budget and I'm gonna house it in the NZXT S340 Elite because: ATX but decently small, very sleek design, PSU shroud and good cable routing, and ofc t e m p e r e d  g l a s s.

Haha, aye she was. That was a while ago though

Ladies come and ladies go through my revolving door...

 

I think that'll be a good build! Make sure you do a build blog! I honestly think the S340 has everything one needs in a case while being really well priced. I'd love to see what NZXT could do if they went for a really premium case.

[Tadgh]

3 hours ago, dizmo said:

Haha, aye she was. That was a while ago though

Ladies come and ladies go through my revolving door...

 

I think that'll be a good build! Make sure you do a build blog! I honestly think the S340 has everything one needs in a case while being really well priced. I'd love to see what NZXT could do if they went for a really premium case.

Finito, Benito. 

[dizmo]

4 hours ago, Tadgh said:

Finito, Benito. 

Noice