Shrink my PC

Relentless81

Relentless81

Relentless81

Soldato
Joined
18 May 2010
Posts
12,917
Hi,

I need to shrink my PC from ATX to ITX as I'll be losing my large desk in favour of a much smaller one, I've come across multiple challenges whilst looking into this hopefully someone can help me out.

It would be good to upgrade where possible but I would like to keep costs down too.

It'll need to power my 1440P Freesync monitor, it might be an option to sell it if I need to change GPU to Nvidia but I'll see what you guys have to say about that.

Current spec

Fractal Define C with 2 x Noctua 140 intakes and 1 x 120 exhaust
Ryzen 1600X with Noctua tower Cooler
16GB of DDR4 RAM
Gigabyte Gaming 3 Motherboard
Saphire Fury Nitro GPU
Seasonic X 750 ATX PSU
1 x SSD for operating system
2 x HDD for srorage

I want to keep the RAM, is the CPU worth upgrading for gaming to the new Ryzen's or just swap that over too?

I'll need a new CPU cooler current one wont fit and I'll need a new case and fans, silence is important. Looks like I'll need a new PSU too as its over 140mm

New mobo needs to be ITX and WiFi, would prefer Gigabyte but open to suggestions.

The case is the issue because of the GPU, its a 2.2 slot GPU, the Cougar QBX might fit it in but I have trawled the internet and cant confirm, I dont need a side window this time as the PC will be going out of sight hopefully, depends on the desk.

So, the main thing is, especially with GPU prices currently, do I sidegrade to a smaller GPU or do I risk a QBX and see if the Nitro fits, if it does fit can I get a PSU thats small enough and power a Fury Nitro?

Really hoping someone has experience with a small build and power hungry toasty GPU like the Fury Nitro but if it has to go then I'll have to see what GPU I can afford to replace it and probably have to drop back to 1080P

Thanks
 
I don't have any experience with the AMD card but I have been using the Ncase M1 which is what the Cougar case is based on for the last 2 years. I think often people overestimate how much power their computer actually needs. I have been using the Corsair SF600 for quite sometime now without any issues, it is currently powering a 1070 but I had a Titan X in there for about 6 months, which is easily a 250W+ TDP card. The rest of my system is made up of

i7 4790K OC'd to 4.7Ghz
16GB RAM
1x M.2 and 2x SSD Drive.
 
Not really but the NCase is a 3 slot case as it is designed to house fans and HDD underneath the GPU, I am not sure whether Cougar implemented this when they copied Ncase.
 
Just how small do you need to go exactly? You could get something much smaller than you've got now in MATX and still be able to use most of your components...
 
orbitalwalsh said:
Yep, slightly wider too .also top fan

Prob went to OEM and chucked a lot more money at them or found another case OEM to make. Kolink don't make their own but rebrand or get something made for the cheapest in very big bulk buys
Click to expand...

This is interesting, I will read into it thanks, does the case support GPUs that take up more than two slots?

Edit - It says max two slot in the description, ah well, nice looking case so thats a shame
 
Relentless81 said:
This is interesting, I will read into it thanks, does the case support GPUs that take up more than two slots?

Edit - It says max two slot in the description, ah well, nice looking case so thats a shame
Click to expand...

yes, this is a problem - in theory a lot of these can support 2.5 slot but its the shroud by the IO ports that have issues - not sure if you've seen this perfect case

http://www.louqe.com/

again, suffers the issues of it cant take 2.5/3 slot coolers! Theres no ITX case that does perfectly, if it does - the airflow to the card is very poor and high temps!
I had to buy Phanteks evolv mATX case to house a triple slot Aorus card

got the point getting a friend to 3D print the Ghost s1 for triple slot cooler :D
 
orbitalwalsh said:
yes, this is a problem - in theory a lot of these can support 2.5 slot but its the shroud by the IO ports that have issues - not sure if you've seen this perfect case

http://www.louqe.com/

again, suffers the issues of it cant take 2.5/3 slot coolers! Theres no ITX case that does perfectly, if it does - the airflow to the card is very poor and high temps!
I had to buy Phanteks evolv mATX case to house a triple slot Aorus card

got the point getting a friend to 3D print the Ghost s1 for triple slot cooler :D
Click to expand...

I definitely need ITX to make it worth while. mATX isnt as much of a difference from my current case.

Ah well, I suppose without knowing if my specific card can fit an ITX case I'm stuck and need to wait for GPU prices to come down before I can switch to ITX. Which means when I move house I might not have a PC for a bit as there is no where to put it.

Thanks
 
Relentless81 said:
I definitely need ITX to make it worth while. mATX isnt as much of a difference from my current case.

Ah well, I suppose without knowing if my specific card can fit an ITX case I'm stuck and need to wait for GPU prices to come down before I can switch to ITX. Which means when I move house I might not have a PC for a bit as there is no where to put it.

Thanks
Click to expand...

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £753.74 (includes shipping: £15.90)
​

though a case that can house triple slot cooler and ATX PSU whilst allowing a good gpu cooler - is this

http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt-portfolio/pc-q39/

but does have a wider footprint

Q38 might be able to do it!

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/kolink-satellite-micro-atx-cube-case-black-ca-005-kk.html

stop gap?
 
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orbitalwalsh said:
My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £753.74 (includes shipping: £15.90)
​

though a case that can house triple slot cooler and ATX PSU whilst allowing a good gpu cooler - is this

http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt-portfolio/pc-q39/

but does have a wider footprint

Q38 might be able to do it!

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/kolink-satellite-micro-atx-cube-case-black-ca-005-kk.html

stop gap?
Click to expand...

Thanks, reading up on those my GPU is still an issue at 2.2 slots and 307MM

Q38 looks like a similar situation to the Cougar QBX and Kolink Rocket, they have 2 slots but there might be enough room at the bottom to take the GPU cooler shroud. Unfortunately the only way to know is by buying a case and trying it but I'm not sure I'm wanting to do that in case I have issues returning it
 
Just checked and the Q39 isnt much smaller than my current case.

Those other cases are interesting and I appreciate you posting them but would prefer something off the shelf from OCUK.

I dont think this is possible, my GPU is the limiting factor in all options. Best thing for me to do is go without a PC until GPU prices drop and do a new ITX build then with a more accommodating GPU. Its either that or risk buying a case and it not fitting as its no guaranteed with any of them unless they are too big
 
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if yours is a 2.2 slot then you'll stand a better chance- nzxt h200, phanteks evolv itx ect will handle them- people have fitted 2.5 slot Strix 1080ti to them , just air flow that is the issue . and then 3 slot ones like aorus/amp extreme stand no chance .

check PCP for your card and limit to ITX motherboards and should be able to see builds that have housed your card in ITX form :)
 
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