can you run a gaming system out of a micro atx case?

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Bullmecha
A few notes I found browsing around on THW. Just thought I'd drop them in for anyone to glance at.

Some of the comments:

jtnstnt 05/26/2009 8:22 AM
It looks like you guys have a fetish for silverstone sff cases, and small motherboards. You guys probably like other small things...

vorless 05/26/2009 8:27 AM
Yeah wtf is with this micro atx shit.

Wow, a lot of hate going on for SFF. I guess it is human nature for the less open-minded to have a "with me or against me" mentality.

And oh yeah for that first guy, he must have a fetish for big things... probably to compensate for other things... :laugh: If he can dish it out, he needs to be able to take it too.

 

[CurseTheSky]

NZXT Rogue (currently on sale for $70 + shipping) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811146043

It's bigger and heavier than most SFF cases, but that also means you have plenty of room for a normal ATX power supply, tower heatsink (I use a 92mm Freezer 7 Pro in mine, and I could probably fit a 120mm tower no problem). The weight can be an issue if you lug it everywhere, but it's also very sturdy. I wouldn't be afraid to stand on the sides of the case, and I weigh about 160. It has enough space for five 120mm fans (three included, one of which has LEDs), and it can hold 5 hard drives and 2 optical drives. It even comes with a carrying strap which isn't all that bad.

Overall, I love the case. My primary complaints are the weight (which is a trade off for the size and sturdiness), a few screws which were overtightened and eventually stripped out (replaced them since), and the foam case feet which came off (needs new glue). For $70, I'd definitely buy the case again, though I wouldn't pay the "normal" $140ish.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
NZXT Rogue (currently on sale for $70 + shipping) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811146043

Holy cow, that's cheap!

 

[CurseTheSky]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
NZXT Rogue (currently on sale for $70 + shipping) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811146043

Holy cow, that's cheap!

Yeah, that's roughly what it was going for when I bought it. Like I said, I wouldn't pay the full price, but for $70 it's an EXCELLENT case.

I really wish I got the red version, but it never seems to go on sale. The blue doesn't look bad at all, though.

I just posted it in Hot Deals to alert the masses.

 

[NA1NSXR]

I'm running a full ATX performance rig out of Lanbox Lite and mATX just fine. 920 with everything on @ 181bclk, geminii s, 4890, etc. No corners cut.

Temps are higher than what full size ATX'ers are reporting but remain at 24/7 usable levels nonetheless. You do have to do more research on your parts though. I planned my system out to the point where I knew exactly how it would look, fit, and perform before I even bought anything.....and still got caught off guard on a few small things.

Its definitely doable though, definitely. You just can't throw any odd combination of BS together and have it work out like a regular ATX system though. The NZXT Rogue looks interesting from a cooling perspective but the styling looks like its made for children.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: NA1NSXR
The NZXT Rogue looks interesting from a cooling perspective but the styling looks like its made for children.

Styling is subjective, but I know what you mean. Way too many cases are the LAN party look or the "look at me, I'm a 15 year old gamer" look.

 

[Freezebyte]

Check out my mATX gaming system here

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2322060&enterthread=y

 

[Freezebyte]

Bah, stupid double post

 

[Red Irish]

I have an i7 with two hd 4850's in a Silverstone lc17, I don't think you could or would want to get a case any smaller than that. Temps are low to mid fifties on idle (it's hot here at the minute: 42ºC), so no OC. I have a Zalman 9500 fitted and the case will not hold anything taller.


It can be done, but bear in mind that a "gaming" htpc will present limitations: you won't be able to fit many of the larger coolers and graphics cards into the case and you will have to cope with high temperatures, even when you fit extra fans.

That said, I love the lc17 and I'm sticking with it, unless I am suddenly seized by a strong desire to do some overclocking.

 

[Cliff Couser]

I'm pretty sure you can setup a really good gaming system, and keep it cool with an NSK2480.

 

[Red Irish]

Originally posted by: Cliff Couser
I'm pretty sure you can setup a really good gaming system, and keep it cool with an NSK2480.

Looks like their version of the lc 17, so I imagine that you would encounter similar problems. The case comes with a 380w power supply, which would probably need replacing.