Looking to move to mini-ITX case.

MatsyLR

MatsyLR

MatsyLR

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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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Should be all right with the Corsair, will allow for better air flow in the case.
The GB board is as cheap as you will get for a decent mITX.
 
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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The ssd will go in one of the pockets on the side panel. Stick your hdd in the bottom slot of the rack, as this wont impede the air flow. Just remove the middle rack, which you may have to do, to fit your Gpu.
Then just fit the cooler at the top or rear.
 
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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Can`t comment on the led fan, as I never buy them.
Just bought these fans recently and will be putting them in my Antec P280 at the weekend. Reviews I have read all look promising. Have a Noiseblocker on my Cpu which will stay, the 140`s will go in the top of the case and the 120`s in the front.
So if you are not putting this together until after the weekend, i`ll let you know how good they are.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Corsair SP120 Performance Series High Pressure - Dual Pack £25.99
2 x Corsair AF140 Quiet Series Low Noise High Airflow - Single Pack £14.99 (£29.98)
Total : £65.87 (includes shipping : £8.25).

 
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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YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte Z77N-WIFI Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £89.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy 'Yin' Mini-ITX Cube Case - White/Black £64.99
1 x BitFenix Spectre PRO 200mm Blue LED - Black £14.99
1 x Akasa AK-CB002 PWM Fan Splitter Cable £3.59
Total : £185.56 (includes shipping : £10.00).



The mobo only has a two fan headers, one for the CPU (your H80i) and one for a system fan. The prodigy can take upto 230mm for the front intake. I added the splitter cable so you can run the two supplied 120mm case fans and the 200mm LED Spectre pro easily.
 
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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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Tbh, you might as well wait until you have it all up and running before worrying about fans. See how the fans perform and then if you are not happy, think about replacing them. I have had my case about 3 months now and only bought the Corsair fans because they were such a good deal in the Members Market. Plus a lot of todays quality cases come with very decent fans installed.
 
honosuseri said:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte Z77N-WIFI Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £89.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy 'Yin' Mini-ITX Cube Case - White/Black £64.99
1 x BitFenix Spectre PRO 200mm Blue LED - Black £14.99
Total : £181.97 (includes shipping : £10.00).



The mobo only has a two fan headers, one for the CPU (your H80i) and one for a system fan. The prodigy can take upto 230mm for the front intake. I added the splitter cable so you can run the two supplied 120mm case fans and the 200mm LED Spectre pro easily.
Click to expand...

What splitter cable? :confused:
 
Can vouch for the BF Spectre's - Have 140mm for my H60
and a couple of the 120mm in the case.

Also using the Prodigy

you will need a splitter for any of the ITX mobo's. I have the Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe and IIRC only has one case fan header...
 
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