Thinking of going mini! Need some help.

Doilus

Doilus

Doilus

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Ok guys I currently run a desktop with the following spec:

Intel i5 2500k @ 4.5
Radeon 7970 ref
Noctua Nh d14
Standard 500gb Hd
128gb samsung evo ssd
OLD antek vsk 2000 tower
Corsair hx 850 psu.

Im looking to go smaller and use anything I can from this build into a new smaller case.
I can only assume that the noctua wont fit into any small factor case because its insanely big. The system is for gaming.

Any of you guys had any experience with smaller builds and have any thoughts on a nice case and cpu cooler.

I have mouse keyboard and monitor and game at 1200p.
Dont really have a budget but id say no more than 600 quid.

Thx in advance :).
 
erm your 2500k has a few more years life in it, keep it

grab a z77 mini itx second hand and a 120mm hydro cooler and you're set to go really...

look at the prodigy or similar mini itx case as well, maybe grab another 128gb as you have the money and some faster memory.. your rig will be tiny and powerful
 
While I have not the experience of doing this, but I have actually been thinking a lot about doing the same, and I have my eyes set on this micro-atx case:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-195-BX&groupid=2362&catid=1850

http://forum.chip.co.id/forum/hardware/casing-aksesori/bitfenix-casing/5464371-bitfenix-pandora

My plan is to grab a 2nd hand Z68/Z77 Micro-atx board, 120mm AIO cooler for the CPU and lower front intake fan for feeding cool air to graphic card, and top-rear 120mm fan as exhaust.
 
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CinderzFTW said:
its still a big case...
Click to expand...
It's really around the same size as the Prodigy.

Prodigy: 250 x 404 x 359mm
Pandora: 160 x 420 x 465mm

The Pandora is may be 2cm taller and 9.5cm longer, but it is 10cm "slimmer" comparing to the Prodigy...and it can actually take Micro-ATX board instead of Mini-itx. I have the Prodigy for my mom's PC, and whilst I do like it, I think it is a bit "too fat" and taking up a but much surface space, especially when it is sit on top of a desk.

One of the biggest limitation of Mini-Itx is that there won't be extra slots for soundcards or other extra hardwares, and people would have only the option to use external soundcard or DAC. Also Mini-itx only haves two memory slots.
 
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Now I know you have surely seen the Linus or Hardware canucks videos where the Pandora gets a bit of a slamming.

Seems like a over priced mess to me.
 
stulid said:
Now I know you have surely seen the Linus or Hardware canucks videos where the Pandora gets a bit of a slamming.

Seems like a over priced mess to me.
Click to expand...
Yea in terms of performance, I know the Pandora is probably not great comparing to the bigger cases, but I think it's down to what cooling components being used- a blower type cooler graphic card with a 120mm AIO cooler for the CPU should be much of a issue. IMO AIO cooler for the CPU is a must for this case; and a graphic card with the "custom dump heat into case" type cooler plus and low-profile air-cooler for the CPU would be formula for cooling disaster.

Also it would seem that BitFenix has taken some of the issues mentioned in reviews onboard, and they are delaying the launch a bit to try to address the issue to further improve the case:
https://twitter.com/BitFenix/status/520260822568673280
 
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Marine-RX179 said:
Yea in terms of performance, I know the Pandora is probably not great comparing to the bigger cases, but I think it's down to what cooling components being used- a blower type cooler graphic card with a 120mm AIO cooler for the CPU should be much of a issue. IMO AIO cooler for the CPU is a must for this case; and a graphic card with the "custom dump heat into case" type cooler plus and low-profile air-cooler for the CPU would be formula for cooling disaster.
Click to expand...

Its less so much the cooling performance but more the,

Cable management is lacking.
Side panels held on by ball+socket
Struggling to get the rear panel on (again cable managment /space)
And finally I think in the Hardware canucks video they mentioned it cut their hands a few times.
 
stulid said:
Now I know you have surely seen the Linus or Hardware canucks videos where the Pandora gets a bit of a slamming.

Seems like a over priced mess to me.
Click to expand...

Hey Mr Stulid ive seen you around some threads and you seem to know your stuff.

IF you had to choose a small case which would it be?

Ive seen talk of parvums but is it just me or do they look a little weird?

I dont mind spending 100+ on a case I just want a quiet and smart looking case.
 
Marine-RX179 said:
It's really around the same size as the Prodigy.

Prodigy: 250 x 404 x 359mm
Pandora: 160 x 420 x 465mm

The Pandora is may be 2cm taller and 9.5cm longer, but it is 10cm "slimmer" comparing to the Prodigy...and it can actually take Micro-ATX board instead of Mini-itx. I have the Prodigy for my mom's PC, and whilst I do like it, I think it is a bit "too fat" and taking up a but much surface space, especially when it is sit on top of a desk.

One of the biggest limitation of Mini-Itx is that there won't be extra slots for soundcards or other extra hardwares, and people would have only the option to use external soundcard or DAC. Also Mini-itx only haves two memory slots.
Click to expand...

I do have a soundcard :/ and didnt know this.

sorry to sound stupid but is micro atx bigger than mini then?
 
I dont do small.

But if I had to then errr...

Corsair AIR240, Aerocool DS.

The Parvums are made from Acrylic which is why they look different.
 
stulid said:
Its less so much the cooling performance but more the,

Cable management is lacking.
Side panels held on by ball+socket
Struggling to get the rear panel on (again cable managment /space)
And finally I think in the Hardware canucks video they mentioned it cut their hands a few times.
Click to expand...
Yep, that's why I am hoping that BitFenix would be able to address those issues that were mentioned before they hit the shelf. They have already acknowledged that they are now aware of those issues and mass production has been delayed (on purpose).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjsCnESY68E
https://twitter.com/BitFenix/status/520260822568673280

Anyway, just to clarify I'm not saying OP should go for the Pandora and not consider anything else...I was merely pointing out what I think, being in the same position of considering downsizing my own PC.

I myself also have been considering a lot about Corsair Air 240, but due to the dual-chamber design, it still seem a bit "too fat".
 
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Yes... lovely case... I would love one... it looks amazing, but the cable management and one exhaust fan and the problems with it... puts me off massively...

and I don't like the front screen thingy on it... too flashy

but the ssd mount on the front with the side window does look nice... maybe something other manufacturers could implement into some future case designs
 
CinderzFTW said:
Yes... lovely case... I would love one... it looks amazing, but the cable management and one exhaust fan and the problems with it... puts me off massively...
Click to expand...
Currently the width of the case is just 160mm..if they can change the design to make it 180-190mm instead, it would still be slim, but improve on the amount of clearance available and allow better cable management and the taller graphic card as well. Fingers-cross for that they will make this change to the design before mass-production.
 
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