Looking to move to mini-ITX case.

Soldato
Joined
10 Jan 2012
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UK
Currently I'm using a Coolmaster Haf 912 plus case.
Its kind of big for my desk so I'm looking to move my current spec (in signature) into a ITX case.
I'm guessing all I need is a new mini ITX motherboard and I'm all set. I have a Corsair H80i I could use too, which I haven't bothered to put in yet.
Any suggestions on which motherboard I should be getting (I don't exactly care for the high end stuff, just need a simple board for gaming etc with USB 3.0 etc the usual)
Also would anyone be able to recommend a case, the prodigy was my first thought, but its kind of big for a ITX case ^^
I realise my GPU isn't exactly the best thing to use in a ITX case (since its a blower design) but, it shouldn't make that much difference, the thing blows pretty hard (don't....) so if anything its getting rid of GPU heat from the case.
If anyone could tell me estimated tempeture increases it would be good too :) currently get 30c idle, 65c max on GPU and around 55c max on CPU (with a artic freezer 7 pro, don't laugh its served me well! :P)
 
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What about if I choose the prodigy.....

Have this idea:

Take middle HDD cage out, put GPU in.
Put 2 120mm intake fans in the front to give ample air flow to the case + blow some air to the GPU, or 1 200mm....
Put a Corsiar H80i in the top spare slot in the roof (the CD cage would remain since I still need it...) OR if there is issues with space with that (cant get DVD drive in) remove the included 120mm fan, put the H80i there instead(on the backslot) and get a 120mm fan and put that in the top slot as there will be clearance there.

Also is that the cheapest you can get a mini-itx mobo....that includes OC capabilitys for CPU+GPU and USB3?
 
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After looking at the bottom of the prodigy, do you even need the other cage in the bottom? I suppose removing it would improve airflow?
If you need a mechanical drive somewhere(I do), cant you just get something to stick the drive on or something like pieces of rubber stuck to the bottom (to stop vibration) and put a SSD on the side of the PSU cage?
 
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You seem to know abit as-well as stalking the forum so one more thing if you don't mind :D

What would you suggest as fans?
Would need ones for the front, 1 for the top and maybe 1 for the h80i? not sure if the fan on it (SP120) is loud or not (which is my main concern, less concerned about temps). Atm my system is pretty much silent apart from the CPU cooler (artic freezer 7 pro). Turned down all fans in my case either by the bios or afterburner for the GPU to maintain good thermal performance as-well as being totally silent (apart from the CPU cooler since its a small fan, its gona be audioable no matter what unless I switch the thing off, the h80i will help in the regard I think, and would like to keep it silent ^^.

Was thinking about the http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-025-BX for the front, as I would like a LED in the front just because really as long as not as its not loud...., not sure about the 120's.
 
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Oh I just noticed, the two included fans are Bitfenix Spectre's (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-038-BX), I thought they where useless garbage ones you get with other cases...

According to reviews they are quite and push quite a bit of air.
Gona have to re-think some things......maybe putting the 2 fans in the front as intakes, h80ti in the rear and leave the top as a natural exhaust (heat rises)? mmm

And sure, I'm not ordering anything till next week so I would like to see what you think of those, the one you get with the h80ti is a SP120 performance series, just without the color choice ;p
 
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Oh suger didn't realise it only had two fan headers (they are PWM headers though arn't they?) and using a splitter wouldn't stop the PWM working?, also wouldn't the 230mm be better?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-071-AK

I assume something like that is all thats needed? I think I even have one in my box of wires somewhere lol, might not be a PWM one though.
 
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