Small mATX case suggestions (moving from large tower case to SFF)

I was going to fill out the 14 questions for getting help on a PC build, but then realized most of the questions were irrelevant since I'm not building a new PC, just looking for advice on a small form factor mATX case.

My PC:

CPU: Intel 3570k
GPU: Nvidia GTX 480
PSU: Corsair HX620
Ram: 2 x 4gb Gskill ripjaws
Mobo: mATX
Optical: DVD
HDD: 2 x 3.5"
Cooler: CM Hyper 212+

I guess my main concerns are if the GTX 480, HX620 and Hyper 212+ would fit in the new case. Looking around it seems like my best options are possibly these...

~$100 budget for the case
Silvertake SG09
Silvertake SG10 (current favorite)
Bitfenix Phenom mATX version

Are there any new models or ones coming out in the near future maybe that I should look out for, or ones I just looked over?

My main goal is portability so obviously the smaller the better, but not if I need to buy a new PSU or other "smaller" components to make it fit. I'd be willing to buy a new cooler, but I like the rest of my set up as of now and don't have a need to upgrade anything else just yet.

Another positive would be if its easily able to be put into a bag. Someone I spoke to said they found a perfect bag that fir the Fractal Design Node 304, but that is a mITX case and I'd have to 1) Buy a new mITX moboa and 2) find a mITX that even worked with my CPU (3570k) which a few people said I'd need a z77 which are a bit old.

Several questions.

1) Can you live without overclocking, or with minimal overclocking?
IDK even what you currently have. You don't "need" Z77, unless you overclock. Also, since you don't have SSDs, you don't need SATA 6Gbps. Final thing is USB 3.0. If you can live without those things, this H61 chipset ITX board is only $40.50 shipped with coupon code EMCPEHA84 through 6/4, and it'll work with your CPU.

2) Do you live near a Micro Center?
They have good combo CPU+mobo pricing, allowing you to upgrade to Haswell and socket 1150 for less money.

3) Have you heard of the upcoming "Devil's Canyon" CPUs from Intel?
These are upcoming chips which may or may not be released next month. They are a special Haswell refresh that should run cooler. Great for both overclockers and for SFF. You'd want to couple these with the new 9 series chipset, such as Z97.

What's your current case? Just want to get an idea of how big of an improvement we're looking at here.

The SG09 and SG10 are ~23 liters but you lose the regular 5.25" bay. There's only room for a slim slot-load optical drive.

The Phenom M is ~31 liters.

You might also want to look into the TJ08-E which is about the same volume as the Phenom M.

Zap said:

Several questions.

1) Can you live without overclocking, or with minimal overclocking?
IDK even what you currently have. You don't "need" Z77, unless you overclock. Also, since you don't have SSDs, you don't need SATA 6Gbps. Final thing is USB 3.0. If you can live without those things, this H61 chipset ITX board is only $40.50 shipped with coupon code EMCPEHA84 through 6/4, and it'll work with your CPU.

2) Do you live near a Micro Center?
They have good combo CPU+mobo pricing, allowing you to upgrade to Haswell and socket 1150 for less money.

3) Have you heard of the upcoming "Devil's Canyon" CPUs from Intel?
These are upcoming chips which may or may not be released next month. They are a special Haswell refresh that should run cooler. Great for both overclockers and for SFF. You'd want to couple these with the new 9 series chipset, such as Z97.

Click to expand...

I don't want to upgrade anything at the moment if I can help it, especially the big ticket items like the GPU and CPU. I'd be willing to move to a mITX mobo if there is a case I really like that is only mITX. So far I've heard good things about the Node 304, but I'm pretty new to the SFF world so any suggestions from experience would help.

I live near microcenter, I got my current mobo+CPU there, but I don't have the budget for an actual upgrade at this point. I'm going to be sticking with my 3570k for as long as I can.

Which mobos can I use with my 3570K? Would any LGA 1155 socket mITX mobo work fine for me if I run the CPU stock? I don't know why I was told I need a Z77 mobo, its what I currently have (mATX) so I just assumed they were right.

I guess in the future I might want to add an SSD so I would need to make sure its 6Gbps?

vipz said:

What's your current case? Just want to get an idea of how big of an improvement we're looking at here.

The SG09 and SG10 are ~23 liters but you lose the regular 5.25" bay. There's only room for a slim slot-load optical drive.

The Phenom M is ~31 liters.

You might also want to look into the TJ08-E which is about the same volume as the Phenom M.

Click to expand...

I currently have a CM Storm Scout, which is pretty heavy. Once I downsize I paln to try and sell it via craigslist or give it a friend for his first PC build.

I have an external USB DVD drive I can use, I haven't use it in a while since I upgraded to a good internal DVD burner, but I'd drag that out if I need an optical drive. I didn't realize they couldn't fit a 5.25" drive. I could always make due with the external drive and then upgrade to a slim one later on if I can't stand that set up. I rarely use one, DVD backups once in a while. Maybe need to install drivers or Windows, but those can be done from USB drives.

I skipped over the TJ08 since it was a bit taller than the SG09 and SG10. I think I prefer the more cube shape than the tower shape. I'm just going off of the images on newegg so maybe I'm incorrect about the size comparisons between the TJ08, SG09, 10.

If you prefer the cube shape over the tower shape then the 3 cases mentioned in the first post are indeed your best bets, unless you're feeling adventurous and want to deal with selling some or most of your parts.

Oh, Computex is next week, and chances are there'll be new cases being shown. However, I wouldn't count on anything new to be available in the near future.

Yeah, for mATX its probably down to the SG09 or SG10 for me.

I am still thinking about a mITX case isntead, would be a bit more expensive since I'd have to get a mITX mobo, but it is smaller.

I like the Node 304, but the main issue with it is with a modular PSU, lik my HX620, a longer video card can block the connectors. Looking at images I think my GTX 480 should work, but anything longer than that wouldn't work out well, which limits my upgrade options in the future.

The easiest/cheapest option for me is to just get a mATX case, but I won't rule out the mITX option yet.

Are there any other recommendations for either mATX or mITX cases?

For mITX first of all you will of course need a new motherboard. For the 3570K, any socket 1155 board will do - just pick the features/price point you want. You'll most likely need a new CPU cooler since mITX cases typically don't support tall tower heatsinks without being stupid-huge.

As for specific recommendations for cases, if you want to keep your current PSU, one decent option is the Cooler Master Elite 130. It's geared towards AIO coolers.

Personally I recommend sticking with mATX until your next new build. You'd be spending ~$100 to go from ~52L to ~23L. You're probably looking at $150-$200 if you go with the Elite 130 (w/ mobo and CPU cooler), and that's only ~18L, not much of an improvement compared to ~23L. If you go any smaller (SG08 ~14L, SG05 ~11L) you'll need a new PSU and that bumps the cost up another $60- $90 easily.

All that for zero performance gain.

Honestly I don't think it's worth the trouble to build around a GTX 480 at this point. The card is closer to the 750Ti than 760 performance-wise, but has a much higher power consumption than either.

Have you looked at the silverstone raven rvz01? The downside is it uses a SFX power supply so you might have to buy a new one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163252&cm_re=rvz01-_-11-163-252-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163256&ignorebbr=1
(This is the silverstone ml07, it seems to be identical to the rvz01).

It's more of a rectangle shape though versus the cube shape. I prefer the rectangle but if you like the cube more, then check out other silverstone products. Like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163253&ignorebbr=1

The silverstone sg08 and sg07 are identical except the sg08 includes a fancy front panel made out of 6mm thick aluminum. I had the sg08, it was a nice case.

Huh, I was looking at the fractal design node 304 and it looks pretty nice. Much more clean since it doesn't seem to include an optical drive slot. Since you have an external dvd drive, it doesn't seem like an internal would be needed.

So hopefully that helped. You have the cube choices and the rectangle choices. So far those two silverstone cases seem to be the only rectangle style mini itx cases. Both of them use pci express riser cards to keep their height low. They're pretty wide though, at 15 inches. Wouldn't fit in my cabinet.

Yeah, after weighing all the options it seems like the SG09 or 10 is the best choice for me. Gives me options to upgrade in the future while giving me a more portable PC which is my main goal. I'd like to go even smaller, but not at the cost of more money and limited component options.

I'm building around my GTX 480 simply because it still plays games well and I don't have the money to upgrade it at the moment. It'll be the first thing I upgrade, beyond more HDD space. But so far I haven't run into any games that I wish I could play on Ultra or anything.

The rectangular/VCR shape cases don't interest me since they seem more difficult to move from place to place. I'm hoping I can find a duffle bag or something that can fit the SG09/10 easily.

Thanks, [H] always ends up giving honest advice. As of now I'll probably get the SG09. IS the SG10 different from the SG09 in any major ways beyond looks?

V4oLDbOY said:

IS the SG10 different from the SG09 in any major ways beyond looks?

Click to expand...

It's 0.5kg heavier for one. Because of the front panel.

V4oLDbOY said:

Which mobos can I use with my 3570K? Would any LGA 1155 socket mITX mobo work fine for me if I run the CPU stock? I don't know why I was told I need a Z77 mobo, its what I currently have (mATX) so I just assumed they were right.

I guess in the future I might want to add an SSD so I would need to make sure its 6Gbps?

Click to expand...

Can use your CPU and no need for overclock? Any socket 1155. Older used boards may need a BIOS update, but they will all work.

That H61 board I linked to for $40.50 shipped would work. Heck, your CPU is on the official "supported" list. It has gigabit ethernet, PCIe x16, four SATA ports and all the other essentials. Only things "missing" are SATA 6Gbps and USB 3.0, but for that price who can complain?

SSDs can work without the faster SATA just fine, and you will gain 90% of the benefits of an SSD (disclaimer: I'm pulling that number out of my ass as a rough estimate). Main benefits of an SSD are the instantaneous access and the IOPS. Having higher throughput is just a bonus, but even there the fastest HDDs can't sustain the 285MB/s of SATA 3 so SSDs will still have higher sustained throughput.

V4oLDbOY said:

I currently have a CM Storm Scout, which is pretty heavy.

Click to expand...

You already have a mATX motherboard, right? If you just want the easiest, cheapest way to do this, then buy a more conventional cheap micro ATX tower that has decent features/cooling. Example:

Cooler Master NSE- 200 $35 shipped (after coupon code on page and $10 rebate, until 6/5)

It has all the necessary features.
- 9.5 pounds
- can hold two 120mm intake fans, including a 240mm radiator
- can hold tower coolers up to 160mm/6.3" tall
- can hold 3x3.5", 4x 2.5" and 1x 5¼" drives
- can hold 180mm/7.1" deep PSUs
- can hold 355mm/14" long graphics cards
- dust filters
- 7.95" x 14.9" x 17.52"

Your Cooler Master Storm Scout:
- 19.23 pounds
- 19.20" x 8.60" x 19.50"

So, this case would drop around 10 pounds off your rig, while being able to use all your existing parts. It will be 0.65" slimmer, 1.7"" less deep and 4.5" less tall.

Best part is that micro ATX towers are small enough to comfortably carry under one arm, unless you have freakishly short arms.

V4oLDbOY said:

I'm building around my GTX 480 simply because it still plays games well and I don't have the money to upgrade it at the moment. It'll be the first thing I upgrade, beyond more HDD space. But so far I haven't run into any games that I wish I could play on Ultra or anything.

Click to expand...

That's totally fair. I'm not recommending against keeping the 480, but rather I'm recommending against going above the size/cost sweet spot (which I also think is with the SG09/10, unless you want to go with a traditional mATX tower at a lower cost) and replacing otherwise fine components without gaining performance.

Zap said:

Can use your CPU and no need for overclock? Any socket 1155. Older used boards may need a BIOS update, but they will all work.

That H61 board I linked to for $40.50 shipped would work. Heck, your CPU is on the official "supported" list. It has gigabit ethernet, PCIe x16, four SATA ports and all the other essentials. Only things "missing" are SATA 6Gbps and USB 3.0, but for that price who can complain?

SSDs can work without the faster SATA just fine, and you will gain 90% of the benefits of an SSD (disclaimer: I'm pulling that number out of my ass as a rough estimate). Main benefits of an SSD are the instantaneous access and the IOPS. Having higher throughput is just a bonus, but even there the fastest HDDs can't sustain the 285MB/s of SATA 3 so SSDs will still have higher sustained throughput.



You already have a mATX motherboard, right? If you just want the easiest, cheapest way to do this, then buy a more conventional cheap micro ATX tower that has decent features/cooling. Example:

Cooler Master NSE- 200 $35 shipped (after coupon code on page and $10 rebate, until 6/5)

It has all the necessary features.
- 9.5 pounds
- can hold two 120mm intake fans, including a 240mm radiator
- can hold tower coolers up to 160mm/6.3" tall
- can hold 3x3.5", 4x 2.5" and 1x 5¼" drives
- can hold 180mm/7.1" deep PSUs
- can hold 355mm/14" long graphics cards
- dust filters
- 7.95" x 14.9" x 17.52"

Your Cooler Master Storm Scout:
- 19.23 pounds
- 19.20" x 8.60" x 19.50"

So, this case would drop around 10 pounds off your rig, while being able to use all your existing parts. It will be 0.65" slimmer, 1.7"" less deep and 4.5" less tall.

Best part is that micro ATX towers are small enough to comfortably carry under one arm, unless you have freakishly short arms.

Click to expand...

The only downside going to a mITX mobo for me is that I already have a mATX board with 6Gbps and the size drop from the SG09/10 to a mITX might not be enough for me to want to buy a new mobo and then move my CPU/cooler over. I'm completely open to the idea as like you said I'm not losing much going to a cheap mITX board.

If I am going to do the downsize I'd go as small as I can within my budget. I could save some money by going with a slightly larger case like the cooler master you linked, but if I'm going to do the move I don't see why I would go really cheap and not get the smallest mATX case I can that fits my needs. That CM fits my needs, but the length of it might make it more difficult to move from place to place. I'll be moving it at least once a week so every inch makes a difference. It's not just the weight (The SG09 is heavier than the CM), but also the shape as the SG-09/10 and Node 304 are short enough where it would fit under my gf's tv. I could put the CM case sideways, maybe buy some rubber pads to put on the panel.

I am perfectly open to getting a mITX setup still. I need to investigate the Node 304 as that is my favorite mITX case as of now. It fits my needs perfectly in that it is highly portable. My only issue is the whole PSU and GPU setup that it has. I think my GPU will fit with my mobo just fine, especially if I remove the PSU bracket I can get a bit more room from what I read from other owners of the case. But I just can't fit a new PSU or GPU into my budget so that case would need to A) fit my current set up and B) leave me some room to upgrade the GPU since I do plan to do that in the future.

Are there any mITX cases besides the node 304 that are worth my time in the ~$100 price range. Plus the .ITX mobo I'm looking at around $150 for the mITX downsize.

OK, ended up ordering the SG09 from newegg. They had a $10 rebate that ended today so might as well take that. $85 +tax after that.

I just can't justify to myself getting a new mITX mobo and the Node 304. I like the case a lot, but not enough over the SG09 to got hat route.

Thanks for the help, if I do want to go even smaller its nice to know what I know now regarding my CPU and set up.

Got the case today and got everything set up, then... PSU extension cable is at the wrong angle for my Corsair HX620. Others in the SG09 thread had the same problem. The only solution I could do is to replace the 120mm fan on the side panel with a 92mm fan, but even then it is still a very tight fit and requires to sort of squish the power cord a bit. No way I'm going to buy a new PSU so hopefully I can get a replacement extension as other(s) have posted about in the thread.