high quality mATX case

[herfalerf]

trying to find more mATX cases along the lines of the tj08 and the fractal define mini. i was really hoping to find one that had a nice window in the side panel and that was full aluminum. any ideas?

 

[aerial-]

Lian Li V600FX
http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/produc...567&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=62&g=spec
full alu + window
but it is very expensive

 

[herfalerf]

i saw the v600f, didnt see the x model. i was thinking about it but i read that it has some serious design flaws. at this point im leaning towards the tj08, it just seems to give the best combination of performance, space and size. the fact that i can fit an h100 in it (barely) if i want to is a plus. i just wish it came in all aluminum.

 

[aerial-]

Tj08-e is great case, cheap and excellent air cooling.
Don't bother with H100 it is not worth the price, you get similar performance on top end air coolers, without any problems, it will be also quieter (no pump). Get noctua d14 or silver arrow instead.
These pseudo "water cooling" kits are often not worth it, people buy it as gadget to have water cooling. But if you really look at performance/price ratio it just sucks. Water cooling in tj08-e? sure get a phobya 200mm rad at the front, pump+reservoir and waterblock, then you will get real watercooling setup that will be significantly better than best air coolers (and h100).
But I would just stick to high end AC in this case, it has great airflow for it.

 

[DejaWiz]

Fractal Arc Mini

Look no further.

 

[herfalerf]

i did look at the arc but as i see it there are 2 issues. essentially its the same thing as the define mini. exactly the same layout inside except for the extra top fan slots. this is what i dont like about the arc. i have to put my case on the floor as my small ikea desk doesnt really have room for a pc tower on it. even though i place my tower on the right side of my desk near my mouse and i dont put drinks over there i am just really skeptical of a case that would potentially allow liquid to just drop right on top of all my components. i know most cases have top vents, but the entire top of the arc mini is mesh. im still considering one of the fractal cases, they just appear to be much larger than the tj08-e, the up side is that they would be slightly easier to work in and i could attach a lot more drives if i wanted to without having to sacrifice video card length.

so basically it looks like the choices for high end mATX cases are really limited to:

fractal define/arc mini
silverstone tj08-e
lian li a04/v600f(x)

i find this surprising. i would think the mATX platform would be pretty attractive especially now that you can get some high end mATX boards like the gene-z.

@aerial yeah i wasnt planning on going with an h100, just commenting that it would fit. ive already ordered a thermalright true spirit 120 after hardocp review showed it was the best performance/dollar setup available. it even beat the h80 at low fan speed.

so basically i have to decide between the fractal cases or the tj08-e they are basically the same price. the fractal is bigger and therefore easier to work with, but the tj08-e is smaller and will still fit everything i need it to. both appear to be nice build quality for steel cases and both of excellent cable management options. the only downside to the tj08 is that it will have to purchase a 5.25 to 3.5 bay converter since i will probably need to remove the hard drive cage. i have 2 hdd and 1 ssd i would like to hook up and with the cage removed there is only enough room for 1 ssd and 1 hdd.

 

[aerial-]

Fractal is different (worse) quality imo, note it has plastic front, tj08-e is brushed alu front panel.