Spec me a case

Alexrose1uk · 11 May 2014 at 09:55

Hi Guys,
Looking for recommendations here because the range is a bit mind boggling.

I've done a bit of parts scrounging, and filled the gaps, and managed to put together a relatively nice HTPC. The trick is that the old Antec Sonata II case it's in is just a little bit too big for the room it's in.
(42.5cm H x 46.3D x 20.6W)

Ideally, I'd like a case that'll take an M-ATX motherboard, an ATX PSU and ideally, the Gelid Tranquillo cooler (which I believe is 153mm high, so perhaps ~17cm wide to account for standoff), and be as small (with ok airflow) as possible.

Given our room aesthetics, white would also be a bonus.

The machine doesn't need much in the way of 5.25"/3.5" drive bays, as I'm running the OS off a USB stick, and it will only have a maximum of one DVD drive. Additionally the machine only uses one PCI-E card for graphics/HDMI capability.

katinacooker · 12 May 2014 at 20:33

How about the Bitfenix Colossus Micro. Its big enough for your cooler, ATX PSU & it has a 5.25 bay behind the door. Its a little larger though, and isnt white. There is also the Aerocool Dead Silence that comes in a range of colors but can fit everything you have in it

Baboonanza · 12 May 2014 at 23:44

Am I going crazy or wasn't there another thread with this exact same question? Anyway, my suggestion of the Fractal Define Mini still stands. It does come in a white version too but having the seen them both first hand the black version (which I own) looks sleek and elegant while the white looks cheap and plasticy due to the differing materials on the front door.

krooton · 13 May 2014 at 08:18

I recently acquired a Silverstone TJ08, and I love it!

Doesn't come in white though, so how about this:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-214-SV

Same basic internal design bar the fans, a fair bit cheaper too.

Alexrose1uk · 14 May 2014 at 19:26

Baboonanza said:
Am I going crazy or wasn't there another thread with this exact same question? Anyway, my suggestion of the Fractal Define Mini still stands. It does come in a white version too but having the seen them both first hand the black version (which I own) looks sleek and elegant while the white looks cheap and plasticy due to the differing materials on the front door.

Yes there was, apologies.
I started this thread, then realised realistically, it'd probably be better in case central.

Thanks for your feedback guys

Krooton, I have indeed looked at that case! My other half quite liked it. Only downside is it's still about the same size as the Antec. Colour might win her over though.

krooton · 15 May 2014 at 11:28

Alexrose1uk said:
Krooton, I have indeed looked at that case! My other half quite liked it. Only downside is it's still about the same size as the Antec. Colour might win her over though.

42 vs 37
46 vs 40

6cm shorter and 5cm shallower is actually surpisingly smaller, you can't really get much smaller and still have mATX.

Apem · 15 May 2014 at 13:05

Alex have to say you are wrong m8 no way is the TJ08E the same size as the Antec Sonata

zenf · 16 May 2014 at 14:44

Silverstone SG10, smaller than the TJ08E and has better cooling. Not white though.

krooton said:
42 vs 37
46 vs 40

6cm shorter and 5cm shallower is actually surpisingly smaller, you can't really get much smaller and still have mATX.

SG10 is 354mm (D) x 220mm (W) x 295mm (H), 23 liters.

krooton · 16 May 2014 at 15:58

zenf said:
Silverstone SG10, smaller than the TJ08E and has better cooling. Not white though.

SG10 is 354mm (D) x 220mm (W) x 295mm (H), 23 liters.

Fair play, I forgot I glossed over that as I had 3x 3.5" HDDs and a full sized DVD.

Apem · 18 May 2014 at 13:16

Nothing wrong with tj08 cooling

zenf · 20 May 2014 at 15:43

Oh indeed, by all accounts it seems the TJ08-E is an excellent case but the SG10 has some advantages. Unless you need the extra space for a full DVD drive or 3.5" HDDs, the SG10 seems like the better choice.