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Good micro-ATX or smaller ATX, for i5-2500 and GTX 570?

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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Those Intel and Samsung SSD deals in Hot Deals have me set to build a new gaming PC, but now I need to pick the form factor -- mini-ITX, mATX, or ATX?

I'm only going to be using 2 x SSD, 1 x optical, and a single graphics card (GTX 560ti now, but might upgrade) so a monster like a Fortress FT02 seems excessive.

My priorities are:
- noise
- airflow
- decent cable management

I haven't bought the motherboard, CPU or HSF yet so I could go with any size. mini-ITX seems like a pain to assemble and harder to run cool and quiet.

Suggestions? I don't mind spending $150-200 on a case if it's nice enough.
 
I've thought about this lately as I will be running a similar config (1 GPU, 1 SSD, 2 HDD, 1 optical, air cooling on CPU). Decided to stick with ATX for case cooling flexibility (loading up on slow/quiet 120mm fans) and ease of installation/cleaning. My PC just sits beside my desk anyway, so having a mid-tower ATX vs. a mini doesn't really make any practical difference, except the smaller case might end up being harder to quietly cool.

I'm waiting for the Corsair 550R to come out later this month, looks like an awesome case that can be quiet and have effective cooling.
 
If i had the option to build with another case, I would easily take the Raven 03, I have built 2 of these in recent months and for me, the airflow and near silent running has me won....SSD behind the motherboard and 4 x SATA in the front bays with 800rpm Kaze slipstream fans is the business!
 
The cases aimed for gamers seem too big and porous for my taste.
I agree a medium ATX Midtower is better with its versatility.
I like these.
Factal design - Define R3 : Can choose quietness or more air flow
NZXT - H2 : Comes with a cover for top vent.
Zalman Plus9 - Cheap, decent quietness and good enough air flow.
 
Have you looked at the NZXT Source 210?
its a nice looking case

make sure its the one with a USB3 header (updated version)
 
Yes, but when I only want 1 GPU, 2 SSD, and 1 optical, even mini-ITX has all that I need on the motherboard.

The main reasons I have for going larger than mini-ITX are heat, airflow, noise and possibly better quality motherboard choices (for example Zotac's record is spotty).

I don't overclock, so I also don't care about 20- vs. 2,000-phase power on the MB 🙂
 
For me the biggest factor is if the rig sits on the ground vs. a desk. If you are going to have it sit on a desk near to you (like i do) take a look at the silverstone temjin. I want one so bad.....
 
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