Smallest mITX Case That Supports A Full Sized 2 Slot GPU?

Coops_THC

Coops_THC

Coops_THC

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Hi peoples,

I'm looking to build (And i hate saying it) a *Steam Machine* or basically a very small form factor PC. This will be sitting in my living room on full show so as you can understand, it needs to look relatively minimalist and very small. It will be streaming my entire media library which is based on my main gaming rig but would also like it to have the capability to play games on reasonably good settings hence the need for a dedicated GPU. I have also thought that if it has enough 3.5" drive slots(3+), i could move all my media onto this so it can remain on 24/7. This could potentially be a HTPC/Gaming Machine/Home Server.

These are some of the cases i have found so far:

Lian Li PC-Q25B : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-433-LL&groupid=2362&catid=2279

Silverstone Sugo SG08: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-188-SV

Antec ISK 600: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-217-AN&groupid=2362&catid=2279

Silverstone Fortress FT03 Mini: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-237-SV&groupid=2362&catid=2279

Xigmatek Nebula: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-085-XG&groupid=2362&catid=2279

Fractal Design Node 304: http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/node-series/node-304-black

Currently the Xigmatek Nebula is my favorite due to its extremely small size, minimalist look and support for a standard ATX PSU. Unfortuantely it only supports room for 2 x 3.5" drives (I'm sure i could do some ghetto mods to fit more).

My question to you people is, which is your favorite and why, and have i left anything out? ;)
 
EVGA Hadron Air is worth a look, really masters the size by using a custom PSU that is longer and thinner than a standard ATX PSU and the entire case is only 305mm high.

Full sized GPU support and not to mention it is a great looking case with a nice large window.

* It's also on offer atm from 179.99 to 149.99 *

YOUR BASKET
1 x EVGA Hadron Air Mini-ITX Case - including 500W Gold Power Supply - Black £149.99
Total : £159.59 (includes shipping : £8.00).

 
Sugo SG05 is 12 litres (I believe the next smallest on your list is about 50% bigger) and can support a GTX770/R280X.

If you want bigger I'd personally have the SG08 or the Hadron out of those. I personally don't like the front of the Hadron though.
 
I use the SG08 on its great. Wouldn't want anything smaller in these standard "box" type cases. The Valve steam machine looks great, hopefully more cases like that appear soon.
 
Lan-gear Infinity. If feeling adventurous and want to test it for everyone, as so little end user feedback. But you order it from France.

Dimensions 11.85" (L) x 9.29" (W) x 5.97" (H)

Picture doesn't show the silver buttons for power and reset on case lid, so I would check they are included. Not sure if includes a cover for optical drive if plan not to fit one.

Only other info I've seen about it was a prototype owner on [H]ardforum



Would need some dust filters by the look of it.
 
You might not need a big graphics card! I'm pretty sure I read that steam os will allow you to stream from another PC running steam, sort of like the nvidia shield..

You could have something low power in your living room which would mean smaller, sleeker case!
 
cypto said:
EVGA Hadron Air is worth a look, really masters the size by using a custom PSU that is longer and thinner than a standard ATX PSU and the entire case is only 305mm high.

Full sized GPU support and not to mention it is a great looking case with a nice large window.

* It's also on offer atm from 179.99 to 149.99 *

YOUR BASKET
1 x evga hadron air mini-itx case - including 500w gold power supply - black £149.99
total : £159.59 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Click to expand...

loving this case. i didn't actually look at it because it looked bigger than it is on the photos... the only downside to this is the price.

tute said:
sugo sg05 is 12 litres (i believe the next smallest on your list is about 50% bigger) and can support a gtx770/r280x.

if you want bigger i'd personally have the sg08 or the hadron out of those. i personally don't like the front of the hadron though.
Click to expand...

this hits the spot in terms of size, i just think the front is ugly. i don't like mesh on the front of pc cases.

bane said:
lan-gear infinity. if feeling adventurous and want to test it for everyone, as so little end user feedback. but you order it from france.

dimensions 11.85" (l) x 9.29" (w) x 5.97" (h)

picture doesn't show the silver buttons for power and reset on case lid, so i would check they are included. not sure if includes a cover for optical drive if plan not to fit one.

only other info i've seen about it was a prototype owner on [h]ardforum



Would need some dust filters by the look of it.
Click to expand...

I really like this case and became my favourite at the time of reading your post. Having to order it from France is an obvious down point.

Bane said:
Also, depending on how you like to orientate case, Silverstone have the ML07 in progress.

Hexus CES 2014 video showing the gaming themed RVZ01 and more minimal ML07.
Click to expand...

I am really glad you posted as this is exactly what i am looking for. It can't house the amount of 3.5" drives i would like but that was a compromise i was willing to make if i found a case of this type. All other cases of this type only support single slot/low profile GPU's which simply don't meet the cut. I am going to wait for these to be released and hope Overclockers stock them. The price also sounds very reasonable.

preacher666 said:
You might not need a big graphics card! I'm pretty sure I read that steam os will allow you to stream from another PC running steam, sort of like the nvidia shield..

You could have something low power in your living room which would mean smaller, sleeker case!
Click to expand...

Yes, you may be right but from what i have heard all the beta testers have reported severe latency problems and huge packet loss making games unplayable. I know its only the beta and that's the purpose for beta versions, to iron out the problems but it really wouldn't surprise me if Valve were to go back on this idea so its best i prepare for the worst.

Thank you everyone for sharing your idea's and opinions. I am going to wait for the Silverstone ML07 and hopefully by then other case manufacturers will have released something similar, specially with the recent popularity of Steam Machines.
 
I have the Fractal Node 304. Its a great little case and will take a long gpu BUT if you have got a slightly longer PSU or a Modular PSU you may have problems with the connectors at the PSU End. I have a Corsair HX 750w PSU and as its modular the connectors/cables stick out too far for you to be able to put a decent length card in restricting you to the same length as the motherboard.
 
Get the silverstone fortress ft03 and place it next to your tv, looks like a speaker/sub then
86rm.jpg

Not my setup :)
I have the ft03 great case, silverstone also make a m-itx case in the same range (ft03-mini)

Just wanted to throw a different option in instead of the usual shuttle/betamax type cases :)
 
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shatpank81 said:
I have the ft03 great case, silverstone also make a m-itx case in the same range (ft03-mini)

Just wanted to throw a different option in instead of the usual shuttle/betamax type cases :)
Click to expand...

From what I remember the FT03-Mini is just a SG05 frame inside a fancy shell(has some modifications to steel frame). So using same cooling system and space constraints.
 
ZXSpectrum said:
I have the Fractal Node 304. Its a great little case and will take a long gpu BUT if you have got a slightly longer PSU or a Modular PSU you may have problems with the connectors at the PSU End. I have a Corsair HX 750w PSU and as its modular the connectors/cables stick out too far for you to be able to put a decent length card in restricting you to the same length as the motherboard.
Click to expand...

^this, its the only reason ive stuck with my Corsair TX750v2 Bronze, as my 670 windforce just wont allow a modular PSU to fit with it in this case, with modular your probably limited to about a 20cm card.
 
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