What are the disadvantages of using a mini-iTX case?

[SecretDelinquency]

I'm looking into upgrading my PC by getting an SSD, graphics card and a case (for that "new feel").

I am currently using a normal tower right now, and I think it will be nice to have my PC inside a small case on my desk.

My guess is that thermal and expandability will be a bit trickier, but I can't think of other issues besides that. So please let me know if there are other problems, or if thermal will be a big issue.

Thinking of a GTX 1060 by the way. Maybe 1160 if that comes out.

 

[minibois]

It's mainly compatibility with certain hardware, like not all GPUs will fit in miniITX systems and not many hard drives will fit, usually less feature/connector rich motherboards and that sorta things.

Of course thermals could be worse, but it's not like every full sized system has great airflow.

[JoostinOnline]

Cable management is far more difficult, especially with a power supply. That and the fact that you are limited on things like hard drives makes it difficult.

[Altruist]

2 minutes ago, SecretDelinquency said:

I'm looking into upgrading my PC by getting an SSD, graphics card and a case (for that "new feel").

I am currently using a normal tower right now, and I think it will be nice to have my PC inside a small case on my desk.

My guess is that thermal and expandability will be a bit trickier, but I can't think of other issues besides that. So please let me know if there are other problems, or if thermal will be a big issue.

Thinking of a GTX 1060 by the way. Maybe 1160 if that comes out.

 

Building and cable management.

[Hip]

I think you have to be a great constructeur to fit in the hardware without getting disadvantages! Not an easy task!

[SALEEN961]

The disadvantages really come down to what hardware you want to run, a 8700K would most likely be severely thermally limited in many mini-itx cases, but my 6600K runs at 4.2GHz on all cores all day long in my Node 202 with temps topping out around 75C despite the 35C ambient temp in the summer.

 

Along the same lines a 1080TI in a mini-itx case probably wouldn't be a good idea, but the GT1030 I have runs cool even under full load in a hot environment, partially because the thin 1.5 slot card allowed me to install 2 case intake fans that blow directly onto it and push a good amount of air through the case.

 

Cable management can be an issue, but cases that come with power supplies will usually solve this issue by having all the cables at manageable lengths.

 

Planning the build is critical, making sure all your components not only fit individually, but fit together and allow for proper cable management and good cooling can take a bit of research.

[Majestic]

Everything is possible in a ITX case. 8700K's, 1080TI's, no problem. It's just in order to get it work, it's not a case (no pun intended) of building it and firing it up.

Especially in very small form factor, you're going to have to delid the chip, undervolt the GPU, that sort of stuff. 

 

You're going to have to put in the work a little if you're going to run high-end hardware in ITX. I don't see any issues running midrange hardware though.

[TVwazhere]

38 minutes ago, Majestic said:

Everything is possible in a ITX case.

^this^

 

The challenge is mostly in what others have mentioned previously; cable managment and hardware compatibility. Since mITX cases can vary wildly from the Ncase M1 to the Corsair 380T, the NZXT H200 to the Fractal Design Node 202, the Phanteks Evolv Shift to the In win A1, it's not as straight froward as picking a case and calling it a day. They can be almost any size and shape even though the boards are relatively small. Additionally, as you go down in size, airflow can sometimes be reduced in priority meaning using high end hardware can become a challenge. (Even a 1060/1160 can overheat if it doesnt get enough airflow)

 

I recently moved my entire system from a full tower ATX case to a mITX case (though most people would not call the 380T small) because i wanted to downsize. This case is no longer available so I cant recommend it, but my experience with it really shows how much more detail needs to be taken into account when planning. for example I unexpectedly had to switch my cooler since my 140mm AIO I was using wasnt supported (only 120mm or 240mm) and since my case was so short, most standard  158mm+ tall air towers wouldnt fit (Thank Cryorig for the H7 though!) Cable managment also is challenging especially when your case uses a full sized ATX PSU that had enough cable length to satisfy the full tower on the left! even semi modular, it's a lot of extra cables. SFX PSU's are more expensive, but they're generally designed with less cable length. (Alternatively, a fully modular PSU could just use shorter cables everywhere, but would require some measuring)