SFF case recomendations for build

cypto · 7 Jun 2013 at 02:19

Panning to do a small form factor case very soon got a few components already (PSU ax860, Dominator ram and a gtx 680. However having trouble deciding on a case, plan to set it up as a portable rendering rig/gaming station. Water cooling or all in one would be ideal as would like to get a reasonable overclock for rendering.

Really like the silverstone sg05 but after that they look awful. No idea what they where thinking on aesthetics. Fractal node 304 is another favorite however any recommendations?

Budget wise anything from £0-200 if the case is right.

Also its only still in prototype stages but almost tempted to wait out and pick this up. Looks of it are just jaw dropping.

Doomedspeed · 7 Jun 2013 at 07:32

That M1 case looks good, though not being available is a small problem.

The Fractal node 304 is a stunning and very nice little case. Check out the tasty pc reveiw on YouTube. The build she does is very good.

Tute · 7 Jun 2013 at 09:45

How about the SG06? Personally I find the looks of the SG05/06 a small price to pay for the fact that it's about 10-11L in volume and can fit and power a GTX680 system.

The nCase M1 - as nice as it is - is something i'd be reluctant to try. Should you have problems, would the guy that made it be in a position to offer you support and/or a refund? You might scoff but I believe Langear did a similar thing - made a case that looked amazing but then disappeared when problems arose.

Just something to think about really. I might well be wrong and it turns out to be something amazing.

Optimis0r · 7 Jun 2013 at 11:42

Silverstone SG08? Although it already comes with a power supply.
Of Silverstone FT03-Mini? Admittedly finding a SFF with good watercooling potential is limited.

cypto · 7 Jun 2013 at 16:10

With you there Tute on warranty however pretty sure lian li has taken on the manufacturing of it. But very true a product is only as good as it support should it go wrong. Maybe not considered a small form factor case but was looking at the corsair 350d, matx which works for gpu should i add a second and will be able to fit a water cooling loop in there with ease.

Just out of interest what does small form factor account for anything smaller than a atx board? or mini itx and lower?

Sprite · 7 Jun 2013 at 16:39

Bitfenix Prodigy usually gets mentioned, although I'm not a fan of the looks personally.

Tute · 7 Jun 2013 at 17:27

Small Form Factor doesn't really have a definition. It's just a term banded around to describe anything microATX or smaller.

Personally, I say <20L for mITX or <30L for mATX. Anything bigger just misses the point.