mITX case designed for air cooling??

[blankcheck]

It's quite apparent that most of the mITX cases do not only have water cooling support, but made exclusively for it (e.g. Corsair 250D designed for H100i)

What cases are actually the opposite, such that it's made primarily with air cooling in mind?

[aeroencychris]

Not sure if that's entirely true... most mITX cases are optimized for air cooling.

That's not to say you'll find a lot of cases that are strictly made for air cooling, but it'll do the job fine.

Keep in mind mITX will always have limited airflow.

[GlassBomb]

Many of the mITX cases have air cooling in mind as well.

 

You are just a lot more limited in height of the cooler.

[Mooshi]

First matx that comes to mind is the V21, but that isn't exactly what I would call a small case.

[Zyndo]

5 minutes ago, blankcheck said:

It's quite apparent that most of the mITX cases do not only have water cooling support, but made exclusively for it (e.g. Corsair 250D designed for H100i)

What cases are actually the opposite, such that it's made primarily with air cooling in mind?

You may wish to be a bit more specific. Something like a Phantekx Evolv TG ITX case does have a lot of space for water cooling, but also as a result has a ton of space for various air coolers as well. then there are cases like a Fractal Design Node 202, which are nearly impossible to water cool and are subject to only small air coolers. for most ITX cases, if there is room for a good/big air cooler, there is likely going to also be room for some kind of water cooling.

[aisle9]

8 minutes ago, blankcheck said:

It's quite apparent that most of the mITX cases do not only have water cooling support, but made exclusively for it (e.g. Corsair 250D designed for H100i)

What cases are actually the opposite, such that it's made primarily with air cooling in mind?

There's one fairly simple reality in play here: almost any case with enough room for a stock cooler and a 120mm fan mount can handle a 120mm AIO. There are exceptions (Node 202 comes to mind), but liquid cooling is approaching universal compatibility at this point.

 

I would say the Thermaltake Core V1 is better suited for air cooling than water with its open design and large forward fan, but it's also pretty large by ITX standards.

[blankcheck]

5 minutes ago, cdsboy2000 said:

Not sure if that's entirely true... most mITX cases are optimized for air cooling.

That's not to say you'll find a lot of cases that are strictly made for air cooling, but it'll do the job fine.

Keep in mind mITX will always have limited airflow.

Hmm so would you suggest that I compromise the size and go for mATX if I want better cooling?

 

1 minute ago, Zyndo said:

You may wish to be a bit more specific. Something like a Phantekx Evolv TG ITX case does have a lot of space for water cooling, but also as a result has a ton of space for various air coolers as well. then there are cases like a Fractal Design Node 202, which are nearly impossible to water cool and are subject to only small air coolers. for most ITX cases, if there is room for a good/big air cooler, there is likely going to also be room for some kind of water cooling.

I actually agree with you both on your statements. However, I do also notice that cases like Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX which could have had great potential for air cooling, decided to have TINY intake for the front panel, giving it a very poor airflow. Another example is Fractal Design Nano S, which I would have loved if it wasn't for the slightly dumb design of putting the GPU right up against the PSU, choking the GPU and depriving it of cool air.

 

I'm wishing to downsize from my current ATX build with the huge Fractal Design Define S case, but I'm frustrated by the lack of options that doesn't require me to spend another $100 for a water cooling part that I don't need

[aeroencychris]

1 minute ago, blankcheck said:

Hmm so would you suggest that I compromise the size and go for mATX if I want better cooling?

 

I actually agree with you both on your statements. However, I do also notice that cases like Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX which could have had great potential for air cooling, decided to have TINY intake for the front panel, giving it a very poor airflow. Another example is Fractal Design Nano S, which I would have loved if it wasn't for the slightly dumb design of putting the GPU right up against the PSU, choking the GPU and depriving it of cool air.

 

I'm wishing to downsize from my current ATX build with the huge Fractal Design Define S case, but I'm frustrated by the lack of options that doesn't require me to spend another $100 for a water cooling part that I don't need

Likely, but mITX isn't BAD per se. My Silverstone SG13B (see rest of specs in school build in sig) does a decent job. A single fan in the front gives mid 40s on idle and mid 60s on load for the CPU, and the GPU never goes above 75. Not great, but fine for my use case.

[blankcheck]

8 minutes ago, Zyndo said:

You may wish to be a bit more specific. Something like a Phantekx Evolv TG ITX case does have a lot of space for water cooling, but also as a result has a ton of space for various air coolers as well. then there are cases like a Fractal Design Node 202, which are nearly impossible to water cool and are subject to only small air coolers. for most ITX cases, if there is room for a good/big air cooler, there is likely going to also be room for some kind of water cooling.

Space is one thing but I am also talking about the airflow inside the case. Cases such as Corsair Obsidian 250D has plenty of space but I think its overall design is quite unsuitable for air cooling with poor airflow within the case. I built one for my friend and I feel that his system is unnecessarily hotter than it could have been, even if it is mITX

[mebaby2]

NZXT Manta.

Somewhat large for mITX and ok radiator support thus giving it room for 2 120/140mm fans in the bottom and top and a 120mm in the rear + full size atx psu + fits up to 160mm high cpu coolers i believe.

Its basicly a common midi tower that was washed a bit to warm.

 

Edit for adding info.

It might not be specificly for air cooling but im using 2 140mm Industrial noctua fans in the front for intake and at low speeds i can feel the air passing out the back without using a rear exhaust fan.

And thats without a cpu tower to help push along the air, so its smaller footprint helps stimulate airflow quite a bit.

Edited May 19, 2017 by mebaby2
added info

[blankcheck]

2 minutes ago, mebaby2 said:

NZXT Manta.

Somewhat large for mITX and ok radiator support thus giving it room for 2 120/140mm fans in the bottom and top and a 120mm in the rear + full size atx psu + fits up to 160mm high cpu coolers i believe.

Its basicly a common midi tower that was washed a bit to warm.

That is one huge case for mITX  Not to mention it costs like $170... That's one crazy case in many sense haha

[Zyndo]

17 minutes ago, blankcheck said:

cases like Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX which could have had great potential for air cooling, decided to have TINY intake for the front panel, giving it a very poor airflow. Another example is Fractal Design Nano S, which I would have loved if it wasn't for the slightly dumb design of putting the GPU right up against the PSU, choking the GPU and depriving it of cool air

I'm not sure you're aware of just how little difference this "choked airflow" situation matters. The air gets to where it needs to go, temperatures change a few degrees at most. It really doesn't make much difference. pick a case you like and go for it. drop another fan or two in there if you're really that worried about it. the problem in the Define S can be solved by using a blower style card if it worries you that much.

[mebaby2]

1 minute ago, blankcheck said:

That is one huge case for mITX  Not to mention it costs like $170... That's one crazy case in many sense haha

The size isnt all to bad sure theres plenty of smaller mITX cases but the full size psu support large support for cooling and 2 full size hdd + 2ssd are awesome.

Cable management is a breeze seeing the shape of the side panels i onhoustly did 0 cable management in the back just slide on the panel and done.

It weighs quite a bit though but its sturdy as hell seeing its pretty much all steel.

[blankcheck]

@cdsboy2000 @Zyndo @GlassBomb @Mooshi

 

In that case, if you were to choose a relatively compact ITX case for air cooling, what would it be? (Say around 20 to 30 litres?) I really appreciate your input.

 

@Zyndo - I will definitely give Nano S a thought after some research! I'd like a recommendation from you as well!

@mebaby2 - Thanks, I think I'll have to pass on that case. That 47 litres is almost the size of my Define S midtower case... 

 

Btw, I am getting a i5-7600k and RX580 for the ITX build, if that makes it any easier to narrow down the options!

[GlassBomb]

Just now, blankcheck said:

@cdsboy2000 @Zyndo @GlassBomb @Mooshi

 

In that case, if you were to choose a relatively compact ITX case for air cooling, what would it be? (Say around 20 to 30 litres?) I really appreciate your input.

 

@Zyndo - I will definitely give Nano S a thought after some research! I'd like a recommendation from you as well!

@mebaby2 - Thanks, I think I'll have to pass on that case. That 47 litres is almost the size of my Define S midtower case... 

 

Btw, I am getting a i5-7600k and RX580 for the ITX build, if that makes it any easier to narrow down the options!

I myself am a really big fan of the Ncase M1, but that case is expensive, and isn't for everyone.

 

As something more reasonably priced. Maybe a Fractal Design Define Nano S. It's pretty much like any normal case, but much smaller.

 

[Zyndo]

23 minutes ago, blankcheck said:

 

@Zyndo I'd like a recommendation from you as well

Tough to say really. The things I like and look for in a case may very well be different than what you're after. Also have no real clue of what your budget is, or what kind of build aesthetic you're after.

 

Take a look at the picture posted by @GlassBomb just now. That is a great example of what I meant by getting around the PSU interference situation in the Define S by using a blower style cooler. Since blower styles have only one fan located at the far right side of the card, they are unfettered by the bulk of the PSU blocking any air to the left side of the card (where an open-air card would have fans located). they're also great for ITX builds if you're worried about airflow since they do not contribute any hot air to the case.

 

All that said, Here are some recommendations I could make to you for the few things I know you may want. I'm unsure what your price range is, but i'll just drop some links to cases I like and you can cross the ones off that are too expensive or otherwise do not meet your criteria:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CRfp99/corsair-case-cc9011061ww

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/fGvRsY/thermaltake-case-ca1b800s1wn00

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/VH2rxr/fractal-design-case-fdcadefnanosbkw

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2kTrxr/phanteks-case-phes215pbk

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/KsTmP6/bitfenix-case-bfcpro300kkxskrp

 

 

This case has only 125mm CPU clearance so it may not be what you're looking for... but I think its unique, and interesting, so I figured its worth mentioning in case maybe its your thing.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8dTrxr/bitfenix-portal-white-mini-itx-tower-case-bfc-pot-150-wkxkk-rp

 

 

Most of the above cases come in a variety of colours with windowed and non-windowed variants so you also have some flexibility if something isn't quite how you like it. These are not, by any means, the only good cases on the market. These are merely ones I like, have heard good things about, and (I think) meet the criteria you may be interested in. If your budget is a bit higher you may also consider looking into some Lian-Li cases as they're pretty slick... but they're certainly not for everyone, and they will leave your wallet a bit lighter.

[TVwazhere]

9 hours ago, GlassBomb said:

I myself am a really big fan of the Ncase M1, but that case is expensive, and isn't for everyone.

 

As something more reasonably priced. Maybe a Fractal Design Define Nano S. It's pretty much like any normal case, but much smaller.

 

Where'd the motherboard go? 

 

9 hours ago, Zyndo said:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CRfp99/corsair-case-cc9011061ww

Ah how I miss this case  This is dead BTW, Corsair stop making these a year after production. But damnit if the 380T wasnt a f%$&#@ awesome case!

 

Also I would recommend the updated version of the V1, the Suppressor F31

[Zyndo]

Just now, TVwazhere said:

Ah how I miss this case  This is dead BTW, Corsair stop making these a year after production. But damnit if the 380T wasnt a f%$&#@ awesome case!

Yeah I had heard about that.... but you see reviewers getting brand new ones every now and then... and they were on the pcpartpicker database... so i figured i'd throw it in there. OP can look into the matter himself or find one used if hes that interested.

[TVwazhere]

5 minutes ago, Zyndo said:

Yeah I had heard about that.... but you see reviewers getting brand new ones every now and then... and they were on the pcpartpicker database... so i figured i'd throw it in there. OP can look into the matter himself or find one used if hes that interested.

The link leads to Corsairs website which directs you to websites who are out of stock except amazon selling it through some third parties for $350+

[Zyndo]

1 minute ago, TVwazhere said:

The link leads to Corsairs website which directs you to websites who are out of stock except amazon selling it through some third parties for $350+

Yes. I'm aware of all this. I included it in the list because i think its a great case and would be good for his needs. my suggestions were not based on ease of access. the case exists. he can go on a treasure hunt for one if he wants one that badly. He could also choose to completely ignore the suggestion, or any of my suggestions. that's all they are. suggestions. one of many.