Compact mATX cases?

[Hologram]

Hi All, 

 

First post!

 

I'm looking to build a compact PC for productivity and some mid-tier gaming (so v unlikely I'll be looking to dual SLI, I don't need front drive bays for DVD, probably won't water cool etc). So, I've got my heart set on building a mATX Ryzen R3 (depending on reviews)/R5 build, probably with a RX550/Similar, m2 stick for Windows and a couple of drives for storage/serving content. I'd love to go mITX but feels like a couple too many compromises with regards to heat, noise,cable management, certain expandability etc. 

 

However, some of the mATX cases still seem HUGE for what I'm looking to build. Classic cases like TT Core V21s, Node 804s, Nano Define Mini all seem massive to put on a desk. Could anyone recommend me some nice compact mATX cases? Pics of your compact mATX rigs would be more than welcome.

 

Thanks, 

 

H

 

[Damascus]

Sure, inwin 301.  My phone camera is shot but here are some pics.

 

third one isn't me but way better picture quality. 

[Dujith]

The width (or height when looking at it from the MB) is going to be your main decider.

If you can keep all PCI-E cards half height you can get some truly small cases. Or look for one that requires you to use a riser.

 

Are you looking for a more square box or slim and tall?

[Hologram]

@Damascus > Damn fine looking build - I was looking at the inwin 301 but I don't know if I'm a big fan of the front of the case and the inwin logo. Love the glass side panel but would prefer a sleeker front? What do you think?

 

@Dujith >thanks - good point on half-height - I kinda assumed that Ryzen wouldn't support half height cases that well - the (gorgeous) wraith cooler looks pretty huge and I guess they'll only get bigger? Also - have to be honest - I haven't really looked at half height graphics cards - just presumed support for these would be pretty limited? I love the shoebox form that you can get in some mITX cases but I don't think this looks as good for mATX so I think I'm more thinking slim and tall  But all recommendations welcome. 

 

 

[Damascus]

1 minute ago, Hologram said:

@Damascus > Damn fine looking build - I was looking at the inwin 301 but I don't know if I'm a big fan of the front of the case and the inwin logo. Love the glass side panel but would prefer a sleeker front? What do you think?

You can't see it in my pics but I actually redid the front logo with rgb (looks awesome) and it looks more like a squiggly thingy then anything else. You can really easily change it btw, it's just a peice of paper with the logo printed on so you can make your own and slap it on there.

 

Even without the rgb it looked grear,  the red glow is very consistent.  And I assume the blue is the same.

 

[Hologram]

26 minutes ago, Damascus said:

You can't see it in my pics but I actually redid the front logo with rgb (looks awesome) and it looks more like a squiggly thingy then anything else. You can really easily change it btw, it's just a peice of paper with the logo printed on so you can make your own and slap it on there.

 

Even without the rgb it looked grear,  the red glow is very consistent.  And I assume the blue is the same.

 

Ah interesting - might be worth a second look then if I can swap out the logo - the case looks great and I love the illuminated ports - just not so much the oversized inwin logo. How do you find the case for airflow/temps + noise without a front/top fan?