Why dont they get ITX cases right?

Relentless81 · 25 Apr 2020 at 07:40

Hello,

I've been reading a lot about ITX cases recently, I want to downsize to ITX in my next build but it seems like every case I read about has at least one issue which stops it from being perfect, I know this is personal preference so its only based on what I think is perfect but here are some examples -

In Win A1 - I love it, looks so good takes large GPUs I really want one but its so expenive because it come with a 650W Bronze PSU and a wireless charger which I have no interest in. Where is the bare bones version!?

Cougar QBX - its so cheap its hard to believe but one colour option and no glass side panel

NZXT H1 - love the foot print, very expensive but with an AIO and decent PSU, colour choice is good but I dont want an AIO, I want Air!

I started writing this yesterday, come back to it now and it's early and can't remember the other examples but I'm sure you get the idea or have seen for yourself that the perfect ITX case doesn't exist, or does it?

Relentless81 · 25 Apr 2020 at 12:30

Minibiker said:
But for the price you are getting a Case, PSU and AIO so pretty decent I think

Agreed but I don't want an aio and would prefer the choice of PSU, case manufacturers are ramming things down our throats that a lot of people don't need or want.

If inwin released a bare bones A1 I would be all over it, you can fit a dark rock pro 4 in there!

Relentless81 · 25 Apr 2020 at 15:07

The fractal era is one of the biggest disappointments in an ITX case release, fractal usually get so much right my last 3 cases have been fractal cases but the era is pants

The define nano needs an update with tempered glass and PSU shroud, maybe mesh front and that would be perfect

I read the ophion Evo is a hot box, pretty sure Tech Jesus put it through its paces but might be wrong and it was another reviewer, I'll have another read into it as it's a nice looking case

Relentless81 · 25 Apr 2020 at 18:55

I'll have a look at the c4, does it have a side window? I haven't looked into Dan cases before but what I've seen none have windows, might be wrong though

Relentless81 · 26 Apr 2020 at 08:43

McPhee said:
It's in early development though. He's only just got the first prototype. It *should* be out sometime toward the end of the year.

Yeah I read into it last night, I'll be buying before then assuming new and CPUs and GPUs are out

Looks good though

Relentless81 · 30 Apr 2020 at 21:17

Donnie Fisher said:
As for me, I've just been going through the whole ITX process for my son ... ended up with an Evolv Shift. Although on the larger ITX side, offered the best balance of air cooling, future expansion etc etc. Parts should be arriving the next few days hopefully.

Let us know how you get on with it, I've been looking at the Shift Air but think its limited to 2 slot GPU

Relentless81 · 1 May 2020 at 07:58

offitmassive said:
I think he reviewed just the Ophion and not the ophion evo though

I'll check that thanks but can't see it bettering the lian li tu150

Problem with shoe box style though is the footprint is pretty much the same as a small ATX case so doesn't save any desk space

d_brennen said:
First time I saw the Era ITX I went from must have to wtf in 45 seconds. How could they provide a two PCIe slots in the base with no airflow? Even my old Fractal cases have a mesh filter for the PSU.

If they do a V2 raised up on feet, with a full length air intake/filter on the bottom, I'm in.

I don't know how they managed to get this case so wrong fractal make awesome cases but this could have been much better

Relentless81 · 21 May 2020 at 10:20

@Donnie Fisher

Any comments on temps yet?

It does look good

Relentless81 · 22 May 2020 at 16:34

Radox-0 said:
Not aimed at me, but do own the larger Shift X. For lower powered builds you will be fine.

However as Donnie indicated once you start adding in other bits like a GPU, then temps do suffer. The top has tight mesh and the intakes on the whole are pretty small. There is vents on the bottom, but once again fine mesh. GPU temps of course will suffer if fans are against the glass.

On the whole, with a GPU and CPU that does use a bit of power (I use stock 1080Ti and 8700k in the shift X HTPC build) temps do get warm. pulling off the front panel which lets the fan's have access to more air dropped temps by around 15 degrees. Mine is under a custom loop now so temps are reasonable 50 - 60 under load.

Phantek's for example did bring out new mesh side panels for this case partly to allow options to improve airflow: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/phanteks-enthoo-evolv-shift-fabric-mesh-panel-black-ca-09x-pt.html

On the whole, for lower power consuming parts, its fine but above that, temps would suffer compared to a case with better airflow.

Thanks for this, it's another case I'll have to rule out based on your info. I'm after something with a small footprint it can be as tall as it likes but I need it to have the smallest footprint possible and there is only this and the nzxt H1 and both appear to be not great for cooling