Compact cube-shaped case w/ carrying handle

[imported_KuJaX]

Hello everyone,

I have a client that wants to have some portability with their new computer. It is going to be a AMD X2 4200+ w/ Asus A8N-sli. He wants a small case that he can easily lift with a handle and take with him in the car to another residence (maybe twice a year). Regardless, he mentioned he would like a cube-shaped compact case, as long as cooling will be suffice.

Now, I haven't done anything with micro cases and would like your input. What make/models would be the best as far as durability, looks, and most importantly, cooling. Any issues I should be aware of? Will a Zalman CNPS9500 fit into the case or XP-90? Would they even be neccessary? Thanks to anyone in advance who can contribute!

 

[TheStu]

The Aspire X-QPack is apparently a very good case, and should satisfy exactly what he is looking for. It will take a standard size PSU, 2 internal 3.5", 1 external 3.5" and 2 (i think) external 5.25"

It has a removable mobo tray with a 120mm fan located above it for case air flow. The tray allows for a maximm size micro-atx board, and the Zalman 7000cu will definitely fit in there, not too sure about the 7700cu...

that's my two cents... check it out at newegg, or the review that anandtech ran not too long ago

 

[Snakexor]

not to thread hijack, but would an xp90 fit in there? i am very interested because i have an xp-90 and when conroe comes out i want to make a sff using it 🙂

 

[Remedy]

Originally posted by: Snakexor
not to thread hijack, but would an xp90 fit in there? i am very interested because i have an xp-90 and when conroe comes out i want to make a sff using it 🙂

I don't think it fits with 25mm dense fans. If I recall correctly, you can install the sink, but you would need a 15mm or 10mm at best dense fan to actually sit on it because of the right side brace that is constructed above the socket area. (HD's are screwed into)

Only fans I know of that are 15 and 10mm are Sanyo Denki's, Panasonic Panaflo 80mm. And Evercool has a fan that is 10mm in density. All fans are 80x80mm though.

 

[Zepper]

The only small cube-shaped cases with handles I know of are the Aspire X-Qpack and the chenming 118 (really the same case). You can get a better fan than stock and it'll cool well. I've not seen a microATX motherboard with SLI capability - but that doesn't mean much as I can't keep up with everything as well as I used to... IAC, the 80/20 rule applies, you can get 80% of the performance for 20% of the money. IOW, SLI isn't that important. Besides which a full ATX mobo like that Asus SLI simply won't fit into really compact case.

.bh.

 

[Zap]

You can buy a mATX SLI board from Monarch for about $160. It's their "house brand" but I think made by eVGA or something.

KuJaX, that's like your client saying he wants to buy a Ford F350 4x4 crew cab duallie with lift kit, and expect to park it in his garage. 😛 The Asus board will not fit such a case. Maybe you can tell him to fold the motherboard to make it fit - just warn that the warranty will be void!

If dude wants super high end stuff with a standard ATX motherboard and still have it compact and easy to transport, set him up with an Antec Super LAN Boy case - small for ATX, lightweight and comes with a handle.

 

[imported_killuminati]

Aspire X-Qpack :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144161

check the pics .

Peace & ciao !!!

 

[zest]

Astec Lan boy


Edit: dunno if it could handle SL but it is very nice though.

 

[imported_KuJaX]

Okay.. so the Asus A8N-SLI (not going to be running SLI, but need dual PCI-E slots) will NOT fit into the Aspire X-Qpack?

However, it will fit in an Antec Super LAN Boy case?

 

[Zap]

Correct. That motherboard is "standard" ATX form factor. The Antec Super LAN Boy is pretty much the smallest case you can get that fits such a form factor while still having reasonable (actually quite good) air flow. The case itself does not have a built-in handle, but Antec packs a free carrying strap with the case, so you just strap it on outside the case and presto - instant handle.

The Aspire X-Qpack can only fit a mATX (micro ATX) form factor, thus your motherboard physically won't fit.

There are "cube" shaped cases for standard ATX but those are quite large and made for servers with lots of hard drives - imagine two regular mid-tower cases side by side.

If your client really wants the portability, he'll have to choose a mATX board. It is possible to build a high-end rig in an Aspire X-Qpack:

#1 You have to replace the PSU with one that isn't any deeper than any "normal" ATX PSU, around 140mm "deep."

#2 You have to use "short" optical drives such as those made by LiteOn, Sony, LG.

#3 If client requires SLI, there is one mATX SLI board on the market and Monarch is the only vendor that has it. If client wants overclocking, get a Biostar Tforce6100-939 which has a single PCI-E 16X slot but not SLI, or the Jetway 210GDMS-Pro (probably butchered the model number) with similar layout. If neither SLI nor overclocking is required, then get whatever socket 939 board that's mATX and with PCI-E 16X.