Core i5 in a mini tower?

dajakal

Junior Member
Jul 12, 2009
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I haven't built a PC in awhile, and am looking to put together an i5 system mostly for video encoding and programming tasks. I don't have a dedicated home office space, and I was wondering if I can make a small and lightweight i5 system.
Would a mini ATX case would have sufficient space and cooling for an i5? I'm looking at putting in a GTS 250, 1 optical drive, and 2 SATA HDs. Possibly a http://www.svc.com/fan-alp11p.html if the stock HS/fan on the i5 is too noisy, and/or a downgraded video card with passive cooling for minimal noise (if whatever GTS 250 I pick is too loud).
So is this possible with an i5 build, or should I reconsider my chipset choice?
Thanks!
 

cbn

Lifer
Mar 27, 2009
12,968
221
106
I haven't built a PC in awhile, and am looking to put together an i5 system mostly for video encoding and programming tasks. I don't have a dedicated home office space, and I was wondering if I can make a small and lightweight i5 system.
Would a mini ATX case would have sufficient space and cooling for an i5? I'm looking at putting in a GTS 250, 1 optical drive, and 2 SATA HDs. Possibly a http://www.svc.com/fan-alp11p.html if the stock HS/fan on the i5 is too noisy, and/or a downgraded video card with passive cooling for minimal noise (if whatever GTS 250 I pick is too loud).
So is this possible with an i5 build, or should I reconsider my chipset choice?
Thanks!

Is your mainboard micro-atx or mini-itx?
 

Ayah

Platinum Member
Jan 1, 2006
2,512
1
81
I find that it's easier to pick the case first, then find parts that will actually fit in said case.
You may run into issues like PSU length clearance, CPU cooler height clearance, video card length clearance, optical drive length clearance.
 

dajakal

Junior Member
Jul 12, 2009
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0
So, I need a little bit of help there, searching for cases on places like Newegg, how can I tell if a PSU or CPU cooler fits? Not really seeing any easy way...
Maybe I'll just forget it and get a mid size case.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Would a mini ATX case would have sufficient space and cooling for an i5? ... Possibly a http://www.svc.com/fan-alp11p.html if the stock HS/fan on the i5 is too noisy...

So is this possible with an i5 build, or should I reconsider my chipset choice?

Yes, this is totally possible with a socket 1156 (Core i5) build. The stock Intel heatsink is very low profile and the one you linked isn't much taller.

When you say "mini ATX" do you really mean micro ATX?

I would guess that almost ALL micro ATX mini tower cases can fit the stock heatsink, and most can fit up to a 92mm tower heatsink. Probably only a few can fit larger 120mm tower heatsinks (Antec Mini P180, Antec NSK3480 to name a few).

Once you go into the realm of desktop or "slim" cases, then you are pretty much limited to the stock heatsink or other low profile units similar to the one you linked.
 

dajakal

Junior Member
Jul 12, 2009
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0
The Newegg search category I use is MicroATX Mini (their criteria go Slim -> Mini -> Mid -> Full), so I don't know if that's the real term for it.
Something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811121003 isn't quite pint sized, and looks like it will fit a MicroATX mobo, ATX PSU, video card, HD, and an optical drive, which is all I'm looking to squeeze in there. It seems well and good, but I've never used anything smaller than a full tower, so I just don't know all the details. If there's a good chance that poor airflow will kill components, or things aren't going to fit, then I'll just get a mid sized case.
Thanks!
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811121003 isn't quite pint sized, and looks like it will fit a MicroATX mobo, ATX PSU, video card, HD, and an optical drive, which is all I'm looking to squeeze in there... If there's a good chance that poor airflow will kill components, or things aren't going to fit, then I'll just get a mid sized case.

That will physically fit everything and even a smaller tower heatpipe heatsink (using 80-92mm fan). I would be a bit concerned with airflow because some of the cheaper cases don't have enough intake ventilation. Where does the air get into the case from? With the one you linked, it sure isn't the front!

Something like this case would cool well (vents in front, 120mm fan in rear) but it won't hold bigger graphics cards.

This $25 case actually has decent airflow and would hold everything. It only uses a 92mm fan in the back, but the front is vented.

This case is more expensive but probably has better ventilation than many mid tower cases, LOL. It is micro ATX but not only can hold all the gear you want, it can take up to FOUR 120mm fans! I used one of these briefly with a micro ATX Core i7 920 overclocked setup with a GTX 285 graphics card and two hard drives.
 

Skott

Diamond Member
Oct 4, 2005
5,730
1
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My latest mATX upgrade:

SFF SG03 mATX case (reusing it)
i5 750 CPU (replaces old E6750)
GA P55M-UD2 (replaces ASUS P5K-VM)
Corsair H50 Hydro CPU Cooler (old hsf was NT06)
4GB GSkill RAM (replaces old 2GB RAM)
WD 640GB hdd (replaces Seagate 500GB)
eVGA 8800GT (will be replaced soon)
Corsair HX520w PSU (keeping it for now)
Lite-On LH20A1H Optical (keeping it)
X-Fi XtremeGamer (keeping it)
W7 Pro 64bit (replaces XP Pro 32bit)

The SG03 is a SFF tower case and can fit 10.5" cards easily and can fit 12" cards if you remove the bottom 120mm fan. Its a good case and sturdy. Pleasing on the eye. Mine is the silver one but you can get it black too. Portability is not bad. I use a Geargrip harness to tote it around from house to wherever. I wouldn't take it on a plane though. It is a nice alternative to bigger ATX mini-towers especially if you want it to sit on a desk which is where mine sits. I just completed the initial Prime95 24 hour torture test and now proceeding to overclocking phase.

The only thing different I would do with the SG03 is add a 120mm blowhole and fan on top back portion of case since the SG03 doesn't have an external exhaust fan. If you buy one from PerformancePC they will do that for you for an extra $20 according to them last I talked to the owner. Its not completely necessary but something to consider having done if you want to do some serious cooling. My SG03 doesn't have a upper blowhole&fan but I do have my psu turned so it sucks air up and exhausts out the back though so that helps. The H50 also helps keep the cpu cooler than anything else available. I highly recommend it.
 
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