Going smaller

FoxEye

FoxEye

FoxEye

Caporegime
Joined
17 Feb 2006
Posts
29,263
Location
Cornwall
Hey guys,

My last two builds have used uATX mobos as I really didn't need a full ATX board. My current case is a few years old - it's a Coolermaster ATC 201, and several bits have fallen off/stopped working/been removed by force :p In short, it's knackered. Even the on/off button stopped working :p

The other (big) problem with it is that it isn't deep enough to hold my CPU cooler (Gelid Tranquilo) so the side doesn't even fit on properly.

Now I'd like, if possible, to have a smaller gaming PC. I don't use any of the 5.25 bays (no DVD drive); I only have a couple HD drives, and only ever 1 GPU inside.

I'm looking for something that is smaller than a mid-tower, has decent airflow, will accommodate a full size cooler, and a mid-range GPU. No need for water cooling or anything like that.

I'm also a big fan of quiet PCs, so that airflow must not be at the cost of a lot of noise if possible.

As for shape, I'm not bothered too much. A smaller mid-tower, or maybe a cube, so long as it's not a total pig to work on inside.

I just want it to take up less space and look less "1990s workstation" :p Budget is about what I spent on the last one - £100 ish.

What are your recommendations?y7uh6 (extra letters there courtesy of my cat :p)
 
I believe the Bitfenix Phenom will allow for a full size air cooler, plenty of room in it for airflow and all the other stuff as well.

The Corsair Carbide 240 is a nice looking case I'm tempted to try, but only 120mm clearance for air coolers.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Do they still make cases with the PSU at the top these days? I never understood the new trend of putting them at the bottom. Either they try to vent hot air downwards, or they try to suck in fresh air through the carpet.
 
If you are after a quieter case have you thought about ditching the air cooler and going under water? A decent AIO cooler and an elite 130 would cost less than your budget. Just a thought!
EDIT
Just seen that your after uATX, my bad! Still worth thinking about going water cooled?
 
skaif said:
If you are after a quieter case have you thought about ditching the air cooler and going under water? A decent AIO cooler and an elite 130 would cost less than your budget. Just a thought!
EDIT
Just seen that your after uATX, my bad! Still worth thinking about going water cooled?
Click to expand...

Not sure it would be necessary. I'm only after a mid-range GPU and I haven't overclocked my CPU. The fans in my current case are either PWM controlled or under-volted and are quiet. Actually only the GPU makes a significant fan noise, and that's getting replaced :p

Water cooling is nice and all, but I'm not sure I could be arsed to change the coolant, and check the hoses for corrosion, etc. Seems too much like hard work :p
 
It's swings and roundabouts with regards air and water coolers, generally you can turn the fans down more on a AIO cooler, but then you can hear the pump anyway, and as you know with air coolers you need some fan speed to cool the thing so they're never quite silent.

I had an 120mm AIO in my ITX rig and it was very quiet, not silent though. It was in over a year and I never touched it after installing it, totally faff free.
 
Agreed, my h80i is silent on the quietest profile and although temp go quite high when using it (40ish) it's still more than reasonable and within limits. I have changed the fans to noctua 3000rpm ipcc ones though!
 
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