Small PC Case mATX, ITX recommendation
- Thread starter Frenzy
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380T is a nice case, although expensive for what it is. I like the Silverstone FT03 too, and it has quite a small desk footprint. Phanteks Evolv is also popular... it's mostly just a matter of personal taste really.
I guess also take in to account CPU cooler support depending on what you're planning on using.
I guess also take in to account CPU cooler support depending on what you're planning on using.
My all time mATX favourite the Silverstone TJ08E is still a superb case to build a quiet and stealthy powerhouse gaming rig into.
I'd be tempted with the Evolv if they did a no window option, sadly they don't in the mATX versions of the case.
For ITX I'd definately go with the the ITX Evolv.
I'd be tempted with the Evolv if they did a no window option, sadly they don't in the mATX versions of the case.
For ITX I'd definately go with the the ITX Evolv.
I'd second the TJ08, lovely compact case. My only concerns around it from personal experience -
PSU has to be fairly compact otherwise you run out of room for the cables to be plugged in quite quickly.
Could do with a teensy bit more room for cable routing behind the motherboard.
Seeing as the design is relatively old it can only really accomodate 1 SSD without resorting to using bay adaptors.
If Silverstone updated the model I would jump all over it. I also have the Evolv but I'm not sure I'd call it a small though, check the dimensions against what you are looking for.
PSU has to be fairly compact otherwise you run out of room for the cables to be plugged in quite quickly.
Could do with a teensy bit more room for cable routing behind the motherboard.
Seeing as the design is relatively old it can only really accomodate 1 SSD without resorting to using bay adaptors.
If Silverstone updated the model I would jump all over it. I also have the Evolv but I'm not sure I'd call it a small though, check the dimensions against what you are looking for.
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I would also recommend the Silverstone TJ08B.
It has mimited PSU length compatability, but a few 850w psu's fit fine, and even a non modular can have cables put into the 5.5 optic drive space.
Hard drive space is another issue. I found the cage great for supporting large GPU's, but less so great for HDD storage, as the cables from the HDD's usually end up hitting the CPU cooler.
You can run a 120 AIO on the rear of the case though, but I see little point as many air coolers do just as well and the TJ08 seems better suited to air cooling.
That said, I found my Twin Frozr HD 7950 to get a little toasty at times, but that has still happened, though less frequently, in my Phanteks Entho Mini XL.
My son has one of my old TJ08 cases, using a 650w BeQuiet PSU and large BeQuiet CPU cooler, he only has a single SSD and it mounts on the case floor, and can also be mounted just about anywhere else as there are plenty of spaces a bit of velcro or drilled screw holes will fit an SSD.
I used to have a 4tb mounted on floor, with SSD on rear side of PSU area.
It is worth looking up on the web, it remains one of my favorite small cases, and it is small.
It has mimited PSU length compatability, but a few 850w psu's fit fine, and even a non modular can have cables put into the 5.5 optic drive space.
Hard drive space is another issue. I found the cage great for supporting large GPU's, but less so great for HDD storage, as the cables from the HDD's usually end up hitting the CPU cooler.
You can run a 120 AIO on the rear of the case though, but I see little point as many air coolers do just as well and the TJ08 seems better suited to air cooling.
That said, I found my Twin Frozr HD 7950 to get a little toasty at times, but that has still happened, though less frequently, in my Phanteks Entho Mini XL.
My son has one of my old TJ08 cases, using a 650w BeQuiet PSU and large BeQuiet CPU cooler, he only has a single SSD and it mounts on the case floor, and can also be mounted just about anywhere else as there are plenty of spaces a bit of velcro or drilled screw holes will fit an SSD.
I used to have a 4tb mounted on floor, with SSD on rear side of PSU area.
It is worth looking up on the web, it remains one of my favorite small cases, and it is small.
Slightly OT, on the back of this thread I contacted Silverstone about the TJ08-E and they confirm that they have an update in the works but couldn't specify what the details were. News to be announced they reckon towards the end of September, might be worth waiting for.