Recommended mATX Mini Case for B450M-A II using Aura Sync

[Keith Galpin]

So this is my first ever post concerning PC building so please go easy

My build started by a Gumtree steal (all other Buy, Sell sites available) with a purchase of a Cooler Master HAF 932. With so much room with the size of it ((W)230 x (H)545 x (D)575 mm), it has been a brilliant introduction for me to look at all the possibilities and test all sorts of bits and even managed to get the 4-way fan temperature and control front panel working. Future plan is to possibly look at SLI/Crossfire but for now I'm looking to finish off my current setup with a case to fit on the desk and off the floor.

Anyway down to business. My current build so far is more akin to a mATX case setup as follows:

Motherboard: ASUS Prime B450M-A II
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X Six-Core Processor
RAM: Adata 3200 16GB
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (intention is to upgrade to 1660 Super with the current graphics card issue I'm just waiting for the appropriate time)
Storage: Crucial MX500 250GB (looking it to a M.2 which I have got down to ADATA XPS Spectrum 500GB)
Peripherals: ROG Strix Scope RX Keyboard, ROG Keris Mouse, ASUS 27" Monitor.

I can not take the credit for the motherboard, CPU+Fan and RAM installation as I used a pre-built bundle purchase but I am getting to the point where I would like to replace the CPU fan so I will have to just grit the teeth and go for it. The system as it is works is excellent for the games I play so not that bothered with that aspect.

I would love to purchase all ROG Strix as I am slowly collecting but I'm not willing push the marriage . The cases are set more around e/ATX or ATX and I'm not into TUF so no go there.

So my requirements for a new mATX and my 2 weeks study findings and exhaustive searching:

• Budget: This depends if the right fans come with the case etc but £100 may stretch a bit more!!! Remember the Marriage!!!
• Depth and Height of around 400mm. The Corsair 280X was an option as I am not bothered too much by the width and like the double chamber design but a bit expensive.
• Do I go for branded aka Cooler Master, Corsair, In Win, Fractal Design etc or are the cases like CiT, Aerocool, GameMax good cases. My studies show that they are okay and you pay what you get but are full of plastic where you would expect metal at least. For £30-40 some of them look a little to cheap and concentrate on the flashing lights than the stress and temperatures the case will be under.
• Before I completely disown the flashy lights part I would like to get the most out of the AURA Sync header on the motherboard. Aura Sync currently works with my GPU, Keyboard, Mouse and current Bitfenix fan I have installed in the beast case. The fan was a fluke that it was compatible with my board but makes me what to at least add fans with the capability.

So where do I need help, well all the above is hard for me to figure and make a decision and need some constructive advice. I have come across mATX cases that looked good and fitted the requirements only to find the tempered glass is tinted or it was not glass at all.

Ideally a case with a couple pre-installed fans that I can then purchase a couple more or maybe a case with no fans installed at all and I purchase a hub and fans to be compatible with AURA Sync.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Cooler running]

For specifically mATX cases I very much appreciate the node 804, looks like OCUK aren't stocking it any more for some reason though. Don't forget that most ATX cases have the correct stand-offs to support mATX.

If you want a case with built in ARGB, I believe this one will work with Aurasync if your Motherboard has a 3pin ARGB header, this is an excellent case:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/lian-li-lancool-ii-argb-midi-tower-case-black-ca-77t-ll.html

It's a mid tower but supports mATX.

 

[Keith Galpin]

Many thanks Cooler running.

The Node 804 looks good and I do like the double chamber design. I understand I can use my board in an ATX case but really would like to get a mATX case around 400mm depth and height and not a mid tower.

The RGB header on my board is specifically 12v 4-pin AURA Sync so after my researching I have figured I will not be able to run ARGB through the 4-pin but then this part has been confusing.

I have considered RGB strips (4-pin) and then some fans but I believe I will need a splitter and maybe a hub. This is where I either get the case ready or set it up myself.

Top of my list so far:

Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L Pros: like the fact you can rotate to your hearts content also have been used to CM cases. Cons: Tinted acrylic material not tempered glass I believe.
Lian Li LANCOOL 205M MICRO-ATX CASE - BLACK WINDOW - need to investigate but a front runner if I can find some decent fans
Thermalake S100 SNOW MICRO-ATX TOWER CASE - WHITE TEMPERED GLASS - only just spotted when writing this and may surpass the Lian Li

I have looked and many other like case in particular Kolink and really like the Aerocool Aero One Mini Eclipse but as I am stil unsure of the ARGB situation I'm not sure if it is compatible with my board.

Going to have to make a decision soon as it is slowly driving me mad

Regards, K

 

[Cooler running]

I have looked and many other like case in particular Kolink and really like the Aerocool Aero One Mini Eclipse but as I am stil unsure of the ARGB situation I'm not sure if it is compatible with my board.

I believe you can run RGB off the motherboard if you have either enough headers on the motherboard or one of the right headers and a splitter/controller. I looked and you're going to want case RGB compatible with the 4 pin header included on the board. RGB is annoying to deal with as you always have to make sure you're matching 4 pin to 4pin or 3pin to 3pin. From the looks of the Kolink RGB controller it seems to be a 3 pin, although their manual is terrible. Unless someone has one the best thing to do would be to contact presales to see if the board and case have the same header.

 

[Keith Galpin]

Thanks again Cooler running.

My mobo has one 4-pin RGB header and 2 other 4-pin fan headers plus the CPU fan header. I am now looking for a fan hub to connect all the fans and hopefully to the RGB header and I will be able to enable AURA. Now just to find the right Hardware.

It is out of stock on Overclockers but the MasterBox NR400 (with the option of ODD model) and a fan set with hub and a couple RGB strips is where I am going at this moment but is more than the £100 budget I set out but I anticipated that. I may have to contact presales first so good advise.

Regards, K