Gaming PC - what's the smallest ITX case to safely fit my spec without melting anything!

cellieb

cellieb

cellieb

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22 Sep 2014
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Hey guys,

Go easy on me as I'm getting old and haven't built a PC for several years lol! I'm pretty set on what I need my PC for (medium end gaming, not super pro, no overclocking, air cooling only) and the physical spec I want to buy (see below). The only thing I can't really work out is what the best/smallest ITX case for me is. I like the look of the Prodigy but it's frankly massive so pointless imho. I want the smallest case that can safely house my rig without temp issues.

This is the basic spec. Don't want to spend more than £700-800, not buying peripherals.

CPU - i5 (not worth k series or i7 for my use?)
MOBO - Gigabyte Z97N (I need wifi)
8 gig RAM
256gig SDD
1tb HDD
GFX - £200 - R9 280? GTX???
Windows needed
PSU - modular?
internal DVD drive preferable if it will fit

So a pretty standard build. Advice on where to best spend the money very gratefully received :D
 
Are you concerned with fan noise? As the graphics card will probably be the loudest component.

Nvidia 960 was scheduled for October release so I would consider that if the reviews are favourable. At least it's a breakaway from the model rebranding both companies have been doing.

For cases, I have been disappointed with Silverstone SG05. The lid never goes on easily, and with added custom filters on side vents it still suffers from internal dust. If I had my choice again I might of gone Parvum Systems ITX case that they make on request.
 
Thanks for the reply. The rig will be downstairs as opposed to in my bedroom so I'm not too concerned about noise within reason. Aircraft taking off I could do without tho :D
 
Personally I love my SG05, but when your graphics card hits 9.5" long or more you have to get a bit creative with the dremel to cut some space out. Totally concealed by the front facia though, so it's no problem. Crammed quite a lot into mine too, so I would always recommend it.

I have to agree with Bane though in that the lid is tricky to get on properly. I don't have too much of a dust problem though.
 
Yeah, my SG05 doesn't attract that much dust either.

Go for an ITX GPU (think Gigabyte just released a GTX 970) and it's great. I managed to get a reference length GTX 670 in with some manoeuvring, but if I was buying new I'd go for a shorter card to save the hassle.

Alternatively there's the Antec ISK-600 which is similar but proportionately larger to take full size PSUs and GPUs.
 
Funnily enough I had just about decided to go for the ISK but realised that it's just too wide to go where I want it :(

Don't like the look of the Coolermaster's so next best bet seems to be the Silverstone SG08 (lite). Size is good and looks great. Only problem is the confusing information about which PSU to use in order to be able to fit a normal size GFX card. Non-modular is what OCUK fit seemingly in the create your own M-ITX gaming PC section:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/syscon_int.php?prodid=FS-043-OG

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-003-SF

Surely a modular cabled PSU is more likely to work? I'm confused.
 
I have the modular 450W Gold Silverstone SFF PSU in my SG05 and frankly there's no real benefit to having modular cables over the non-modular version. Running an SSD, a laptop HDD and a GTX Titan means I've plugged in every cable except 1 SATA chain, so I have a mass of cables to route through a small case anyway with the added pain of a bank of inflexible plastic plugs on the PSU rather than a single "tube" of cables.

So basically using a high-end GPU in a SFF system means you use all the cables, so there's no real benefit to being modular.

That said, I can create a bunch of custom cables all cut to length and individually braided to really help out with the cable clutter and routing. But that's the only real benefit to being modular in a small case IMO.


When you said the ISK 600 is too wide to go where you want it, be very mindful of blocking side panel vents if you're trying to squeeze a computer into a small space. Do that and you'll kill airflow and definitely starve your graphics card of fresh air.
 
cellieb said:
Funnily enough I had just about decided to go for the ISK but realised that it's just too wide to go where I want it :(

Don't like the look of the Coolermaster's so next best bet seems to be the Silverstone SG08 (lite). Size is good and looks great. Only problem is the confusing information about which PSU to use in order to be able to fit a normal size GFX card. Non-modular is what OCUK fit seemingly in the create your own M-ITX gaming PC section:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/syscon_int.php?prodid=FS-043-OG

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-003-SF

Surely a modular cabled PSU is more likely to work? I'm confused.
Click to expand...

A longer video card occupies the space that the modular PSU connectors would or any PSU over 140mm. I have the SG08-lite and like it, but it needs only non-modular power supplies, at more than 140mm in length to fit a decent video card :) I went with the seasonic G-550
 
Thanks for that - it makes sense. I wonder why OCUK use the Superflower and manage to make up the build using the SG08 and the GFX cards they offer as according to the info listed that PSU is:

Dimension: 145mm(L) x 150mm(W) x 86mm(H)

which should be too big? :confused:
 
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