mATX Case for Storage Server

[auto-reply-bot]

Hi all, lurker here, first time poster. I have a prebuilt core 2 duo i'm setting up as a private cloud server. I wanted to replace the stock case with a smaller and better looking mATX case. I have no dedicated GPU, and only need space for at most, 2x 2.5" drives. Ideally, i'd like a case with the form factor of an Xbox One or as close as possible. The kicker is with such a low end machine, I really don't want to spend more than $50 on a case, ideally closer to 30. I know I have a pretty specific ask here, but does anyone have any suggestions for me?

[jj9987]

If you want the case to be same size as Xbox One, mATX is very likely not going to fit. You will need ITX.

Fractal Design Node 202, for example.

[auto-reply-bot]

1 minute ago, jj9987 said:

If you want the case to be same size as Xbox One, mATX is very likely not going to fit. You will need ITX.

Fractal Design Node 202, for example.

That case is about perfect for what I need. I could deal with slightly a slightly larger case to accommodate an mATX motherboard. The limitations i'm under is that I need to be able to put the machine on a shelf under my TV that's meant for consoles and dvd players and the like. If I could get something with the height of an xbox one (or an inch or two taller) the rest of the dimensions don't really matter.

[MrShinny]

I would recommend going for ITX, which will require you to get another motherboard, but if you really want mATX which is bigger than ITX, here are some good choices for that price range.

 

https://www.amazon.com/InWin-301-Black-Tempered-Micro-ATX/dp/B07229QBYM/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1530554998&sr=8-9&keywords=mATX (more expensive)

https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-MCW-L3B3-KANN-01-MasterBox-Customizable/dp/B071GYMHKL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530554998&sr=8-1&keywords=mATX

https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Versa-Gaming-Computer-CA-1J1-00S1NN-00/dp/B0797GHT9F/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1530554998&sr=8-3&keywords=mATX

https://www.amazon.com/MasterBox-Magnetic-Transparent-Acrylic-Performance/dp/B0785GRMPG (I like this one)

 

[MrShinny]

5 minutes ago, auto-reply-bot said:

That case is about perfect for what I need. I could deal with slightly a slightly larger case to accommodate an mATX motherboard. The limitations i'm under is that I need to be able to put the machine on a shelf under my TV that's meant for consoles and dvd players and the like. If I could get something with the height of an xbox one (or an inch or two taller) the rest of the dimensions don't really matter.

You could always put the case sideways.

[auto-reply-bot]

Just now, MrShinny said:

You could always put the case sideways.

The inwin 301 looks good, but it's about 2" too wide. I actually have my gaming PC built in that Cooler master case lol. Whichever case I get I do plan on putting it sideways,  just need it to be thin enough to fit. It's looking like I might end up having to shell out for a new motherboard and just go for an ITX case. Was able to get the rest of the machine free so I was hopeful all i'd have to buy was a case haha. Appreciate all the input guys..

[TVwazhere]

42 minutes ago, auto-reply-bot said:

Hi all, lurker here, first time poster. I have a prebuilt core 2 duo i'm setting up as a private cloud server. I wanted to replace the stock case with a smaller and better looking mATX case. I have no dedicated GPU, and only need space for at most, 2x 2.5" drives. Ideally, i'd like a case with the form factor of an Xbox One or as close as possible. The kicker is with such a low end machine, I really don't want to spend more than $50 on a case, ideally closer to 30. I know I have a pretty specific ask here, but does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Something like these?

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=9SIA29C64V2613

Dimensions & Weight

Dimensions (H x W x D)

13.10" x 3.80" x 14.60" w/o Front Panel

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DL4BMRC/?tag=pcpapi-20

DIMENSIONS

4.09" x 17.28" x 13.78"

 

Xbox one

13.1 x 10.8 x 3.1 in

[auto-reply-bot]

11 hours ago, TVwazhere said:

Something like these?

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=9SIA29C64V2613

Dimensions & Weight

Dimensions (H x W x D)

13.10" x 3.80" x 14.60" w/o Front Panel

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DL4BMRC/?tag=pcpapi-20

DIMENSIONS

4.09" x 17.28" x 13.78"

 

Xbox one

13.1 x 10.8 x 3.1 in

Those are both pefect dude, now I have to decide between them lol. Thanks.

[TVwazhere]

5 hours ago, auto-reply-bot said:

Those are both pefect dude, now I have to decide between them lol. Thanks.

Note that the In Win one does come with a 300w PSU included. I'm not sure how great it is, but since it's just a core 2 duo I hardly imagine you're going to stress it in ways that would make the PSU fail. However Silverstone is sorta known for their HTPC computers, so there's something to be said for their cases.

[auto-reply-bot]

2 hours ago, TVwazhere said:

Note that the In Win one does come with a 300w PSU included. I'm not sure how great it is, but since it's just a core 2 duo I hardly imagine you're going to stress it in ways that would make the PSU fail. However Silverstone is sorta known for their HTPC computers, so there's something to be said for their cases.

Great, thanks. And yeah, 300w would be more than enough.