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looking for a matx case..

K

kencheeto

2[H]4U
Joined
Apr 17, 2008
Messages
2,851
I'm not sure if this is in the right forum as its not technically SFF..

I'm using a lian li pc-a05b, and would like to go even smaller for my next build.
I was looking at the lian li pc-a01 or the SG-03, but all the threads on either of these are ages old.

Are there newer options for a mATX build or good SFF cases? I have a budget of <$150..
thanks!
 
If I had to do it all over again I'd buy another Sg-03; it's just that awesome a case. The Antec Mini 180 is nicely built, but it's too big IMO. The ages old thread on the Sg-03 you mentioned is constantly updated too, so don't discount it because the OP was made 10,000 BC.
 
I have an SG03 I recently purchased and I really like it. Make sure you don't strip the screws and it is VERY easy to install stuff in to.
 
I like all the Silverstone SG series, and don't discount the LL 350, either. The QMicra2 is awesome, but more money. If you like the mini tower styling, check also the SS TJ08/CoolerMaster 340 (essentially the same case with differing front panels).
 
Check out my sig. I was going to go with the SG03 but then I saw the Elite 340 and how cheap it was, I couldn't pass it up. It's actually a very solid case. If you are ok with a couple more inches in depth than the SG03, I would say go for it. Plus, you don't have to worry about your power supply dying faster since it is not placed above the CPU like the SG03, but it shouldn't matter that much.
 
Will the SG03 be essentially silent if I use the right Nexus fans? The PC-A05b I'm using now is still audible using S-FLEX SFF21D fans (and I'm certain its fan noise, not hdd seek). Perhaps I just got a couple bad fans?
The open styling of the SG03 worries me a little. Any fan noise from the inside would be right in my face. I did check the dimensions though and LOVE the shortened depth compared to the A05 I'm using now.
Luckily for me, the spot my computer will be takes in fresh cool air from outside (So technically, I prefer a rmATX setup, if it exists.) I'll keep checking out the SG.. I did recently read some reviews of the SG but w/o looking at dimensions, it looked bulky for a matx case.

thanks guys, I'll keep checking up. Do you have any good/common modding ideas? I work in close proximity to a machine shop, so I could get some stuff done.
 
I run two 120mm X 20mm yateloons on a fan controller (brilliantly tucked behind the left flap). I can dial them down to whatever audio level I can tolerate.

I don't suppose you mean with a reverse airflow like the A-05b? I don't know of one of those, but I do know of an upside down one. I run one of these boxes; it's not bad
 
xcrico said:
Check out my sig. I was going to go with the SG03 but then I saw the Elite 340 and how cheap it was, I couldn't pass it up. It's actually a very solid case. If you are ok with a couple more inches in depth than the SG03, I would say go for it. Plus, you don't have to worry about your power supply dying faster since it is not placed above the CPU like the SG03, but it shouldn't matter that much.
Click to expand...

I do like the Elite 340.. but the main reason I love the SG so much is the shortened depth of the case compared to the A05! I built a rig for my parents using a Centurion 5 and was suitably impressed with the cheap price but solid build quality.
 
I've got a P180 Mini, an SG03 and a Coolermaster Elite 340.

The P180 Mini is huge. It's the same size as your average ATX Mid Tower chassis, but it's wider too. The design and build quality is exceptional although there are a couple of things that irritate me with it, namely, the fact that the optional 120mm intake fans cannot be used with the hard drive cages due to all of 1cm or so and that said drive cages are not swappable - i mean you can't swap the top one for the bottom one without modifications.

Why Antec made the dimensions of the drive cages different and why they didn't shorten them or allow for the inclusion of optional 120mm fans to be installed with the hard drive cages also installed baffles me. However, all that said, it's an awesome case, but it's certainly not SFF at all. Note it doesn't really need any intake fans. The 200mm top mounted monster and the rear mounted 120mm do a very capable job of cooling a hot system.

The SG03. . ahh . . my favorite case of all. These things, once you get over the fact that no matter how much sexy top shelf hardware you put inside the SG03, when you take the sleeve off, internally, it's going to be ugly and messy. A P180 Mini interior is a glossy showroom by comparison. Still this case looks gorgeous and being truly SFF (though some beg to differ - though it is, trust me, it's tiny) it certainly has great appeal in this category. Again personally, it's my favorite case in the known universe.

I bought two of them.

Build quality and finish is exceptional, support for dual 4870X2's (yes two of them) and its impressively small dimensions and style are solid attributes. As with all of Silverstone's SUGO range, CPU cooler restrictions apply. I recommend the Silverstone NT06-E but many Orb style coolers with also fit.

There is an SG04 now too, it's basically an SG03 with different external aesthetics and an unusual and distinctive handle. I prefer the SG03, however.

The Cooler Master 340 is different again. It's not really SFF, though it is 'cute'. It's basically a slightly shrunken Mid Tower but it's a great case don't get me wrong. The finish and build quality is fairly no frills but it's neat and stylish in its own right. It's dirt cheap as well. A good case but no where near the class of the P180 or the SG03.

As for other SFF or mATX only cases, there's a couple worth mentioning. The NZXT Rogue is a real winner - it's also copped some flak for being too big for SFF and too small for ATX (much like the P180) but it oozes class and has unprecedented options as far as cooling goes, including water without modification. It's a very unique and unorthodox design but i like it. It is expensive however. I pay respect to it but i personally don't desire it. Check it out anyway.

Lian Li's V350 is damn sexy too. Again it's unorthodox and oozes class. Can't really go wrong. Expensive however and the side mounted optical bays may or may not appeal to you.

The other option is to take a look at those mATX HTPC styled chassis that many manufacturers are offering. There's nothing anywhere that says you can't use these as desktop boxes. Many of them are very stylish but that said what they lack in height they tend to make up for in width. SFF here is debatable.

I take it you're familiar with the Microfly (and its numerous clones), Thermaltake's LANbox series, Silverstones SG01 and SG02 offerings and the like? Shuttle style shoebox SFF.

They're also pretty cool but generally pale in comparison next to the chassis' mentioned above.

It's worth mentioning that you can put a 4870X2 (or similarly sized GPU) in a Silverstone SG02 (and SG03) without modification. Out of the shoe box style cases i like the SG02 the best (but i wish it had an aluminium bezel instead of a plastic one).

There's not alot of new cases that i'm aware of but this short list covers most of the kings of SFF (or mATX at least) as we speak.
 
Zybortrix said:
The SG03. . ahh . . my favorite case of all. These things, once you get over the fact that no matter how much sexy top shelf hardware you put inside the SG03, when you take the sleeve off, internally, it's going to be ugly and messy. A P180 Mini interior is a glossy showroom by comparison. Still this case looks gorgeous and being truly SFF (though some beg to differ - though it is, trust me, it's tiny) it certainly has great appeal in this category. Again personally, it's my favorite case in the known universe.

I bought two of them.

Build quality and finish is exceptional, support for dual 4870X2's (yes two of them) and its impressively small dimensions and style are solid attributes. As with all of Silverstone's SUGO range, CPU cooler restrictions apply. I recommend the Silverstone NT06-E but many Orb style coolers with also fit.
Click to expand...

I have found that taking the front panel out makes it look a lot cleaner than taking the side panel off.... lol. That's what I do to show it off, since I bunched all my wiring up in front of the PSU on the side panel area, luckily there isn't a whole lot of it, since it's a modular power supply.
 
mrmylanman said:
I have an SG03 I recently purchased and I really like it. Make sure you don't strip the screws and it is VERY easy to install stuff in to.
Click to expand...

Are the screws really that easy to strip? Should I have some extra on hand?
I do recall aluminum screws sucking hard.

I'm thinking of picking up a 8400 to ride out the lifetime of the 775 socket and take me comfortably into Nehalem. I just sold my Q6600 because for my needs it runs too hot and I prefer a dual core clocked higher. Will the NT-06 Lite be sufficient paired with the PSU fan?
Also, do the short cables of the Silverstone PSU really help? I have a corsair 520hx I'd just LOVE to keep using (and may despite issues). I have a 9800gtx w/HR-03 GT I'd like to use as well, will this all fit?
 
For the most part, the NT06 Lite paired with the PSU fan will work fine, as long as you're not overclocking the processor. I'm currently using the NT06 Lite with the E6850 (the predecessor to the E8400) and I've had no problems with it. (Then again, I'm also using the Silverstone ST60F power supply.)

The short cable kit helps immensely, but they have been discontinued for a while. They're also designed to be used with the Silverstone power supplies, so they may or may not work with other brands.

As long as you're using no other cards besides the 9800GTX, it will all fit inside the SG03.
 
kencheeto said:
Are the screws really that easy to strip? Should I have some extra on hand?
I do recall aluminum screws sucking hard.

I'm thinking of picking up a 8400 to ride out the lifetime of the 775 socket and take me comfortably into Nehalem. I just sold my Q6600 because for my needs it runs too hot and I prefer a dual core clocked higher. Will the NT-06 Lite be sufficient paired with the PSU fan?
Also, do the short cables of the Silverstone PSU really help? I have a corsair 520hx I'd just LOVE to keep using (and may despite issues). I have a 9800gtx w/HR-03 GT I'd like to use as well, will this all fit?
Click to expand...

I stripped one screw, since then I built another SG03 for a friend. The ones you have to worry about are shown here:

SG03S-INSIDE.jpg


The ones on the steel support beam, they are the small ones and are easy to strip, only if you don't know what you're doing. Get the proper size screw driver and apply enough pressure to keep it in, and you'll be fine. Just something to be aware of.

I am using an NT06 with my Q9300 and it runs a little hot, yeah, but not THAT hot. I think it's about as good as it will get in an SFF case with a quad core. Around 50C with normal use. I don't have gaming temps. But I am using a Silverstone 700W PSU (I plan on getting on the DFI Crossfire (or SLI if it is available) bandwagon eventually).
 
tiraides said:
For the most part, the NT06 Lite paired with the PSU fan will work fine, as long as you're not overclocking the processor. I'm currently using the NT06 Lite with the E6850 (the predecessor to the E8400) and I've had no problems with it. (Then again, I'm also using the Silverstone ST60F power supply.)

The short cable kit helps immensely, but they have been discontinued for a while. They're also designed to be used with the Silverstone power supplies, so they may or may not work with other brands.

As long as you're using no other cards besides the 9800GTX, it will all fit inside the SG03.
Click to expand...

The short cable kit will be replaced eventually according to Silverstone's customer service. I can't wait, as I have the long cables on my ST70F :(
 
Man, this thread has some good info. Thanks guys.

I believe I'll be going for the SG03.. It'll take me awhile to figure out my parts list..
 
I love my SG03 case. Its puurdy! (said in hick accent). Did you know it'll fit inside a standard gym/school locker? (think school hall locker and you'll know what I mean) Yep, it does. I got one of those half size (not full length) lockers at work and it fits in there just fine with room. :D
 
I just purchased my sg03 since newegg had it on sale last week for 79.99 after MIR and free shipping. It was an unexpected purchase so I won't have the parts for the build until much later. I'm going to try to fit in an enzotech extreme-x but if it's too tall then I can massage/bend the heatpipes to make the height shorter.
 
I found that the easiest screws to strip in the Sugo3 are not the ones holding in the brace, but the PCI slot holders. It's not the screws you have to worry about, but the flimsy metal that you're securing your cards to. I had to resort to using nuts to hold my expansion cards in place (not elegant, but it works).
 
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