UK case dilemmas

[timothius]

Hi all,

I am currently looking to build a new computer for the next term of university. I need something small as I used a full atx case last year and it was too big and heavy. Anyway, I'm looking for the smallest computer case that meet the following specifications:

-Takes a full size ATX powersupply
-Takes a micro atx motherboard
-Has a 120mm exhaust fan
-Is as small as possible
-Preferably does not come with the psu
-Reasonably priced

I was going to get the x-qpack 2 as it looked small and was sturdy, but as far as I know, its impossible to get in the UK. The x-qpack 1 is rather badly made for my liking and costs a bomb. The micro fly looks really darn ugly and I hate case windows.

At the moment, I'm going towards Antec nsk3400. I think its pritty small for a uatx tower? Unfortunately it comes with a psu and I would prefer something less silvery.

Does anyone have any alternatives that meet my specifications?

Thanks,

T

 

[Fawkes]

Hows about

http://www.xcase.co.uk/p/293853/silverstone-tj08---black-micro-atx---no-psu.html

Silverstone TJ-08

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-087-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=187

LianLi PC-A05B

or

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-057-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=187

LianLi- V600

 

[nray]

-Takes a full size ATX powersupply
-Takes a micro atx motherboard
-Has a 120mm exhaust fan
-Is as small as possible
-Preferably does not come with the psu
-Reasonably priced

I'm not sure about UK availability, but a few cases come to mind, assuming you don't mind mini-towers:

Cooler Master Centurion 541
Silverstone SG03
Silverstone SST-TJ08

And if you don't mind a 90mm fan rather than a 120mm, consider the Thermaltake Lanbox and Lanbox Lite series (which are available without windows).

And if money isn't an issue, look at the Qmicra 2.

 

[timothius]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Those Lan Li cases look sweet, but they are rather expensive. My budget is around £50.

The silverstone looks good too. Its slightly bigger than the antec case though.

Silverstone: 195 mm (W) x 381 mm (H) x 378 mm (D))

Antec: 198.12mm (W) 355.5mm (H) 350.52mm (D)

 

[Skott]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Those Lan Li cases look sweet, but they are rather expensive. My budget is around £50.

The silverstone looks good too. Its slightly bigger than the antec case though.

Silverstone: 195 mm (W) x 381 mm (H) x 378 mm (D))

Antec: 198.12mm (W) 355.5mm (H) 350.52mm (D)

For us Americans on the old standard measurement system:

Silverstone: 7.8" (W) x 15.24" (H) x 15.12" (D)

Antec: 7.92" (W) x 14.22" (H) x 14.02" (D)

 

[timothius]

I'm so close to getting this case, but I was wondering if any of you knew the smallest case out there, for a uAtx motherboard that can take at least one full size pci express card (for graphics). Fan size etc now a mute point, although I would prefer it to use a full ATX psu if possible.

 

[timothius]

Edit: Problem solved. I am going to get one of these:

And one of these:

And power the computer from an external 250W 12V adapter. I like this solution because it lets me use a small case which has full size pci slots, only one optical drive and its small. Also, it elts me get rid of the internal psu, which generates heat and stops one from using a large heatsink on the CPU.

200W should be enough for the computer without a graphics card, and if I want to add graphics cards i'll power them from there own psu.

Update: Found the perfect PSU.

Output Rating : 12V / 18.3A
#
Output : Single output
#
Dimension L*W*H (mm) : 200.0*100.0*50.0
#
Input (Vac) : 90 ~ 264

Not bad, since that's 220W just on the 12V line. I doubt that there will much draw from the comp on the 5V and lower rails.