Midi tower setup to a mini ITX - anyone with any regrets?

dav3evans

dav3evans

dav3evans

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So I'm considering scaling my rig down, as I currently have a 600T, which is a beautiful case, but there is so much room in there that I'm not using, as I have no time/money for tinkering with watercooling, I have a Kuhler 620 on my CPU but that's as far as I'm ever going to go.

This, coupled with the Prodigy cases being oh so pretty, but also much more portable, I'm considering doing a swap out, which does in turn mean swapping the motherboard and sacrificing some expandability.

I was just wondering if anyone had thought the same and then massively regretted it after a short while? As with watercooling, I have no plans to SLI my GTX570 either, so having an additional PCI-e slot isn't needed, and if I need video IO I can use USB 3.0.

As you can see I've basically talked myself into doing it..hence why I'd like some objective opinions and hindsight.

Cheers =]
 
Prodigy is a real treat to work with, have stuffed in a XFX Pro 550W, GTX 560 Ti 2xSSD and a 2.5" 1TB, works great as a media center. I also removed all the Drive bays and used the side panel for the SSD's while fitting the HDD to the floor of the case, the inclusion of a 230mm front fan while moving the 120mm to the rear keeps the system pretty quiet :)

All the cables form the PSU not in use are stuffed nicely in the PSU module :)

Nope no regrets here.
 
It'll be my gaming rig that I will be downscaling somewhat, so that I can move it around for LANs etc... rather than lug the 600T about.

I was concerned about cooling being an issue, but if there is space for a 230mm fan at the front, I should be fine!
 
I miss having a proper soundcard but that's about it. Getting a decent CPU cooler into my SG08 required some effort but that wouldn't be an issue in the Prodigy. In my opinion though the Prodigy is far too large for an ITX case, there are similar sized mATX cases out there.
 
Went from an Antec 1200 to a Prodigy and it's the best thing I did. Got five hard drives in there all hooked up plus an SSD. Never used soundcards as an externa DAC is better. I carry it over my shoulder using a heavy duty shoulder strap, gotta take the hard drives out though they weigh a ton.

bitfenixprodigygpuandha.jpg
 
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Is it a good idea putting the Prodigy on you're amp? I'm sure it states in the manual not to block the ventilation :p
 
Your attracted to mini-itx? then why put it in a case the size of a standard mini tower (prodigy)? not only is the Prodigy too big but it's also awkward with it's side mounted ports and really not that pretty. Take a look at the SG05 complete with decent 450w PSU - now that's a proper mini-itx case.

I've had a prodigy and moved it on, been a fan of mini-itx for a couple of years now and have a HTPC as well as my main rig both based on the SG05. In fact both my sons PC's are also SG05 builds and we're all very happy and I certainly couldn't go back to big cumbersome ATX!
 
dacads said:
Is it a good idea putting the Prodigy on you're amp? I'm sure it states in the manual not to block the ventilation :p
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lmao I need to build a desk shelf for it to put the prodigy ontop and the amp under, I hate that amp there is nowhere to put it, I'd sell it but I need it for my speakers.

pumaz said:
Your attracted to mini-itx? then why put it in a case the size of a standard mini tower (prodigy)? not only is the Prodigy too big but it's also awkward with it's side mounted ports and really not that pretty. Take a look at the SG05 complete with decent 450w PSU - now that's a proper mini-itx case.

I've had a prodigy and moved it on, been a fan of mini-itx for a couple of years now and have a HTPC as well as my main rig both based on the SG05. In fact both my sons PC's are also SG05 builds and we're all very happy and I certainly couldn't go back to big cumbersome ATX!
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I prefer the prodigy over the sgo5, more space for hard drives.
 
I've basically been looking at downsizing the 600T, and love the design of the Prodigy case, so as that is made for Mini ITX it's kind of what I need to go for.

I've had a look at the SG05. It's not to my taste, first thing I thought was that it looked like a little Microwave. I know the Prodigy isn't the smallest case in the world, but as previously mentioned, going from a 600T everything is going to be smaller.

Also the downsize isn't to make it so small it's hidden from sight, I just want to make it easier to transport for lans etc... without needing to buy a bunch of new components.

I'm hoping once I start getting things together, all I will need to buy is the case, new RAM, the motherboard and an additional 230mm fan for the front intake.
 
Nate Silvers said:
I prefer the prodigy over the sgo5, more space for hard drives.
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Ultimately it's your choice but why bother going mini-itx if your going to need a case of this size to house all your hard drives? surely you would have been better off going ATX/MATX and getting a similar size case, possibly getting extra features on a larger motherboard and saving some cash.

Sorry if this is coming across wrong (I real don't mean it to) but it bugs the hell out of me why people stick m-itx in big cases like the Prodigy as it kind of defeats the object!!!!
 
pumaz said:
Sorry if this is coming across wrong (I real don't mean it to) but it bugs the hell out of me why people stick m-itx in big cases like the Prodigy as it kind of defeats the object!!!!
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Everyone is entitled to their opinion pumaz, there's nowt wrong with that :) If I wasn't after opinions then posting the thread would have been pointless.

I like the design of the case. It'll fit everything I already have in (except for a couple of bits. Going m-itx is as a result of wanting to build in the Prodigy, and as such, trying to discover any shortcomings from people who already have one will allow me to see any reasons that might make me think twice.

Unfortunately, a similar case or the sg05 isn't an option for me here, but appreciate the recommendations!
 
Just use a normal ATX case and chuck it under your desk. Not really sure why people want to build a gaming pc in such a small case. Seems pointless to me.
 
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