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Smallest case for standard components

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FireStormGS

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jul 24, 2001
Messages
1,425
What is the smallest case available that will support standard sized parts? So it would need to fit a full sized motherboard, video card and power supply, 2 hard drives and an optical drive. I have a Scythe ninja heat sink right now but I would be willing to change that out if needed. 120mm fans are best as well. I have a p180 right now but find it too big with a lot of empty space inside.

Failing to find a suitable new case, where can I grab some specs on ATX standards to make my own? Stuff like standard screw positions and sizes. Thanks
 
I have gotta say the Lian Li A05.
I'm on my second one and I love it, it is an amazing case for the price.
 
Actually the Rosewill RZS series is the smallest I've found in a good while. It puts the PSU sidesaddle in the bottom front. That's the only one I've seen with the PSU in that orientation - I've seen several with the PSU in the bottom front with the exhaust out the front. As always, a really compact ATX case will require fussing with the cooling to get a decent solution for higher end components, so don't expect miracles at the under $40. shipped price. Newegg stupidly failed to include the dimensions (basically the only reason anyone would want one, IMO) in any of the listings for the 5 or 6 versions of the RZS, so you have to check at the Rosewill site or in the thread I started about it over at the forums.anandtech.com in the C&C section - IIRC, it was 14.x X 17.x X 7.x" in English measure (HDW) - about as small as you're going to find to hold std. ATX mobo and PSU. Oh, you will probably want a straight thru ventilated PSU like the Antec Earthwatts as there are vents in both side panels for that, but a PSU with a big fan will probably work too. I have some new/pull EA-380s for sale - PM me if interested.
. The A05 is short but deep and some very weird (and unnecessary) design choices were made. I really dislike inverted ATX intensely. And the reverse airflow... :rolleyes:

,bh,
 
Why is the A05 inverted like that, how does that help? How bad is it really not to have access to the main psu switch. Like if the computer hard locks you would either have to open it up or pull the plug from the wall which wouldn't be very good.
 
Another vote for the A05. I have one and my only issue with it really isn't with the case. I installed an 8800GT that is a single slot cooler and the system started to get too warm. I have a Zalman fan coming to fix that. Was going to replace the stock fan anyway as it is loud.
 
FireStormGS said:
Why is the A05 inverted like that, how does that help? How bad is it really not to have access to the main psu switch. Like if the computer hard locks you would either have to open it up or pull the plug from the wall which wouldn't be very good.
Click to expand...

The inverted design along with reverse airflow means that your CPU cooling has constant fresh air via the rear intake and your PSU isn't dumping hot air into your case. The whole front face of the case pops right off easily so you have access to the PSU switch if you need it.
 
A05 by far... looks amazing and its nice aluminum meaning you'll get decent cooling just from the heat leaving through the case!

I am not a fan of inverted designs... but they make the cases significantly smaller
 
No significant cooling thru the case. Several tests have been done on cases of the identical design: one in aluminum and one in steel (Chenming Dragon design, IIRC) and there was no significant difference with identical components.

BTW, what did you choose OP?

.bh.
 
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