What's the current cream of the crop in miniITX cases to host GTX980?

xchaotic · 12 May 2015 at 07:40

I want to to build a tiny gaming PC to sit under the TV.
If it wasn't for the GPU, I would have gone as small as Intel NUC (0.8l volume), Unfortunately high-end discrete GPU is still a requirement, given the selection of the games that I want to play.
What's the best, tiniest, most quiet case I can put the GTX970/980 in nowadays?
What's the best PSU to power that?

stulid · 12 May 2015 at 08:36

Do you want a cube shaped case or rectangular one like a vhs player or a slim upright like a Wii

Legion · 12 May 2015 at 09:04

Quiet will also depend on getting some air into the case.
Make sure where you place it isn't going to choke it for air intake and exhaust

xchaotic · 13 May 2015 at 06:30

stulid said:
Do you want a cube shaped case or rectangular one like a vhs player or a slim upright like a Wii

It will be ventilated properly, but it will have to fit sideways, so a 'VHS' style would be best. I was looking at Silverstone Milo ML06-E, but that can only fit 2.95” GPU where most GTX9xx are 5"+ I think.

Legion · 13 May 2015 at 08:04

Silverstone's Raven RVZ-01 and ML07 are the about the smallest that will sit like a HTPC case and still take full size GPU's.
They are not quiet though by any means and if you want quiet I would advise against them.

I'd suggest you move up to mATX and look at the Silverstone GD04 or GD05, they are quiet (with replacement fans) and can handle high end Hardware with ease.
I've used both cases, they are superb for under TV gaming boxes.
I'd also suggest you buy a GTX 970 / 980 with a reference style cooler for use in these cases.
You are limited with the height of the card and reference coolers exhaust better and they are quiet on the GTX 970 / 980

As for PSU, even a 500w is overkill for a GTX 970 / 980 so no need to go over that.

If you aren't all that fussed about GPU power, take a look at this build of an ML06, you'd be suprised just how good the GTX 750 ti is.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=26784106&postcount=896

xchaotic · 13 May 2015 at 14:53

Legion said:
If you aren't all that fussed about GPU power, take a look at this build of an ML06, you'd be suprised just how good the GTX 750 ti is.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=26784106&postcount=896

Thanks, but:

1. I am fussed about GPU - that's the only reason I go with a box so large.
If I didn't need the GPU (to play GTAV Ultra at 1080p etc) I would have gone Intel NUC at 0.8Liters.

I had a build with GD05 already and it's not small by my standards, definitely not small enough to hide anywhere near the TV.
Ideally I am looking for something under 12liters, not sure how realistic that is.

Legion · 13 May 2015 at 17:09

There's nothing else easy to obtain and "off the shelf" in HTPC style mITX cases that takes full size GPU's and is quiet.

The only other suggestion I can make is move it away from the TV console and build it into something like a Silverstone SG-13

There are also "Custom" cases you could consider, which also have pro's and cons.
Take a look at the link below to see some.

http://hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=102