Best itx/matx case?

lsquare

Senior member
Jan 30, 2009
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1
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I'm leaning on getting a mATX case just in case I might get a mATX board in the future, but iTX would be nice just because it's small. I'm planning to put in an Intel Core i5 750 and Gigabyte H55N-USB3. Right now this will be a user system, but over time I would like to use it as a server so the case should have the ability to accomodate multiple hard drives. The case that I have in mind right now is the Fractal Arc Mini even though it's a mATX case. One bad thing is that it's not a very small case despite being a mATX case. Like I said, I would like to have the flexibility so if I go with that case, then in the future I can always get an iTX case just for the i5 750 and the Gigabyte H55N-USB3. I don't mind going the itx case route if there is a good case out there. I thought of the Lian-Li Q08, but it didn't get very good reviews.

Suggestions?
 

lsv

Golden Member
Dec 18, 2009
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Are you putting a big cooler on it? If so maybe something like a Fractal Define mini to keep it quiet for the user/server use (which does give you 6! 3.5" HDD trays). The mini also provides great airflow for something hotter like the i5 750. I would imagine idle temps around 30-35 and load at 60 using a mediocre range HSF.

The Arc Mini is good as well but it doesn't have as much sound dampening/silent operation in mind as the Define Mini.

Edit - it seems the Arc Mini also has 6x 3.5 trays but as I said it doesn't offer the silence of the Define Mini.
 
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