I want to go smaller

[Minibiker]

Hi all

I'm really considering downsizing to ITX/SFF, however I'm not sure what case to get.. I was considering a Dan A4 or Ncase M1 but they don't seem to be available in the UK..

My next choice was these two

Raijentek Metis EVO ITX
or
Raijentek Ophion

I want it to be pretty small but have a acrylic side panel or TG, any suggestions or if anyone has one of these cases do you have any pics?

The NZXT H200i looks nice but I think it's on the bigger end of the ITX scale

Cheers

 

[McPhee]

That's an eclectic mix of cases

What hardware are you looking at putting in there? How much do you want to spend? Is the plan to have it sat on a desk? Or is it travelling with you?

With the Ophion, the main grumbles seem to be the size (much bigger than most sandwich design cases) and airflow.

The Metis Evo is a bit of an unknown quantity. Not seen many builds in it, or reviews of it. Probably because it's quite large for SFF (22.3L).

Might be worth looking at the Streacom DA2 if budget allows. A window panel is available as an extra.

The Dancase A4-SFX has sold out. The next production run won't be for a couple of months. There's also no window panel for it now (it was discontinued a while back).

The Ncase M1 is only (officially) available from the Ncase website. So unless you live in Taiwan, you have to import it. You also have to import the window panel separately (different website, sold by one of Ncase's creators).

Any other options (e.g. Nouvolo Steck, GEEEK A-Series) also involve importing the case. Though a few (Sliger SM range, Dice Cases Flow, Loque Ghost S1) are sent from Europe, so no import fees and better consumer rights if anything goes wrong.

 

[Minibiker]

That's an eclectic mix of cases

What hardware are you looking at putting in there? How much do you want to spend? Is the plan to have it sat on a desk? Or is it travelling with you?

With the Ophion, the main grumbles seem to be the size (much bigger than most sandwich design cases) and airflow.

The Metis Evo is a bit of an unknown quantity. Not seen many builds in it, or reviews of it. Probably because it's quite large for SFF (22.3L).

Might be worth looking at the Streacom DA2 if budget allows. A window panel is available as an extra.

The Dancase A4-SFX has sold out. The next production run won't be for a couple of months. There's also no window panel for it now (it was discontinued a while back).

The Ncase M1 is only (officially) available from the Ncase website. So unless you live in Taiwan, you have to import it. You also have to import the window panel separately (different website, sold by one of Ncase's creators).

Any other options (e.g. Nouvolo Steck, GEEEK A-Series) also involve importing the case. Though a few (Sliger SM range, Dice Cases Flow, Loque Ghost S1) are sent from Europe, so no import fees and better consumer rights if anything goes wrong.

I know but there's so many to choose from

It will be on my desk i just want something small but sexy My current Antec P120 is a great case and looks nice but just looks to big on my desk...

The ophion was my first choice but then i watched some videos and a lot of people are calling it a hot box which puts me off but then i suppose most IT cases will run hotter... I will have a look at Streacom i haven't seen them before.

I did consider the GEEEK A50, it looks great i just don't like the fact its flat packed when you buy it Thanks for your options and info i'll look at the Streacom cases now

 

[McPhee]

I'm in the same "choice paralysis" situation

The Ncase is clearly the best all-rounder. No real question over that one. I just can't be faffed with importing it, dealing with any problems that crop up, and then messing around trying to source the window panel (the big deal-breaker, really).

Currently waiting to see how the Dancase C4 pans out. Looks promising. Should be stocked here. Won't launch until late this year though (and could slip in to 2020).

 

[Minibiker]

I'm in the same "choice paralysis" situation

The Ncase is clearly the best all-rounder. No real question over that one. I just can't be faffed with importing it, dealing with any problems that crop up, and then messing around trying to source the window panel (the big deal-breaker, really).

Currently waiting to see how the Dancase C4 pans out. Looks promising. Should be stocked here. Won't launch until late this year though (and could slip in to 2020).

It's a pain trying to find the right ITX case, then when you do you have to import it...

I have been consider the taller ITX cases now like Phanteks Shift Air and Silverstone LD03

 

[Tute]

Honestly, i'd go browse r/sffpc on reddit and see what people are building in, it'll give you some great ideas. They also have an amazing spreadsheet in the sticky covering most available SFF cases and their characteristics. It's like my holy bible.

There's also SFF.Network where a lot of the custom case makers hang out and communicate with customers about their products. Well worth a browse around there too.

 

[Minibiker]

Honestly, i'd go browse r/sffpc on reddit and see what people are building in, it'll give you some great ideas. They also have an amazing spreadsheet in the sticky covering most available SFF cases and their characteristics. It's like my holy bible.

There's also SFF.Network where a lot of the custom case makers hang out and communicate with customers about their products. Well worth a browse around there too.

Ohhh cheers bud i'll have a look at those sites no and get a few ideas

 

[martin363]

of those choices I think the Ncase M1 is by far the best. The Dan is not actually that well designed and too limiting in CPU options. I have a Dan and 2 x Ghost s1, I imported one from Sweden and 1 from the US. None are cheap options though, but both the Ncase and the Ghost are probably the best options for very small form factor ITX