HTPC case recommendation (to fit Noctua NH-D14)

Snykch · 18 Jan 2013 at 07:00

Hello people,

I've currently got my gear inside a tower, but the PC is being moved into a my living room to sit with the TV and AV receiver, so I want to put it all into a HTPC case without changing any components.

The case need to take ATX form, Noctua NH-D14 (about 160mm height I think), and suitable for a 280mm gfx card. Must be black in colour.

I'm not really fussed about any HTPC features tbh. I just want a case that's designed to sit horizontally, therefore I really would be looking at spending £200 at the absolute most, but would prefer half of that.

None of the Silverstone cases appear to be tall enough, and I thought I had found what I was after in one of the Lian Li cases, but I found a thread elsewhere showing a guy having to mod his case to get it to fit, so that was out as well. I would rather not have to go down the route of cutting holes in a case.

The only thing I have found is the Antec Fusion Remote Max, but it's an older case that I can't find for sale anywhere I can be sure is trustworthy, or under the £200 mark.

http://store.antec.com/Product/enclosure-veris_media/fusion-remote-max/0-761345-15727-8.aspx

I would really appreciate any suggestions on finding the right case.

Cheers.

ZXSpectrum · 18 Jan 2013 at 08:41

I think you are going to struggle with that cooler, it is huge. What about selling the cooler and getting either a closed loop H20 cooler or a smaller cooler? Then that will leave you with a larger range of cases you can use.

Snykch · 18 Jan 2013 at 08:56

It's a push, I know. There's smaller form factor cases out there that are the right height, but only one ATX case that I can find, and I have scoured through lots of different specifications.

Lower profile HSF will be my second option if I can't find a suitable case for the NH-D14.

Cheers.

Mitzy · 18 Jan 2013 at 09:00

The Lian Li C50b has 135 height clearance fir a CPU cooler.

ZXSpectrum · 18 Jan 2013 at 09:50

Mitzy said:
The Lian Li C50b has 135 height clearance fir a CPU cooler.

Unfortunately the Noctua cooler is a lot bigger than that.. The fans are 140mm if i remember correctly hence the 14 in the model.

olivier renault · 18 Jan 2013 at 21:27

I would go with a top-flow cooler. There are a few very good ones, Phanteks, Noctua, Prolimatech, that are pretty good.

Snykch · 19 Jan 2013 at 08:37

Yes, I think I will have to replace the cooler with a NH-C14, which would then fit into a Lian Li case without any problems.

I just didn't want the additional hassle of having to sell my NH-D14 to recoup some of the money.

Thanks for the responses, folks.

thenewoc · 22 Jan 2013 at 07:08

I had the same problem when I looked at doing this, just isn't a case manufacturer that recognises a need for a htpc case that can take a high end cpu cooler.

The closest I got was to compromise on cpu cooler to a top down model with this lian li case and the optional extra top fan filter.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-428-LL&groupid=2362&catid=187&subcat=

The c50b isn't atx btw.

Mal X · 23 Jan 2013 at 23:35

i'm after this case too.... but for OCing that case will need modding anyway, you also dont need a massive cooler like that, it's total overkill

cooler height = 140 mm.....flipping heck, how tall is mine ? mine wont fit, nor will Megahalems/thermalright, this means that none of the good tower ones will fit, this has to be low profile only, ok so we just find the best one