Looking for a small case

[kadafi]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for the smallest case with the best cooling for the parts I have. I'm liking the Cooler Master HAF XB but please, shoot out any recommendations you have. The most I'd like to spend is around 100. If it's a little over 100 that's fine but, preferably 100 or less.

The PSU, I can't recall but it's your normal size if I remember correctly. The reason I can't just look is because it's on the other side of the country right now collecting dust and I hope to have the parts shipped to my new home soon. Which is why I need a new case and this time I don't want a huge one, I want as small as I can go with the cooling to go along with it.

ASRock Z77 Extreme4
CORSAIR Hydro Series H100
X2 - GTX 560 Ti
X2 - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series
1 - Crucial M4 2.5" 128GB SSD
X3 - 3.5" HDD

 

[Charlie98]

The XB isn't necessarily a small case, it's just shaped differently than a tower. It's a shame you have an ATX board, it really limits your choices on smallish cases. One other traditional tower that has ports for water cooling is the HAF 912, another case worth considering is the Fractal Define R4. Those are both mid-tower ATX cases, however.

 

[lehtv]

If you want properly small, switch your board for matx or even itx. Otherwise just get a standard mid tower like the R4

 

[kadafi]

Thanks for the reply guys. I guess I'll ask you guys now. If I was to change to one of the smaller boards available what else would I need to change to accommodate it? And what smaller cases would you then recommend?

 

[DigDog]

Kadafi:Trust your gut and go with the Haf XB.

everyone else: read the OP - he's got TWO 560Ti. No, you're not gonna get them in a itx case and cool them properly.
That, and the space requirements for the H100.

 

[Charlie98]

Kadafi:Trust your gut and go with the Haf XB.

everyone else: read the OP - he's got TWO 560Ti. No, you're not gonna get them in a itx case and cool them properly.
That, and the space requirements for the H100.

No, but he could run a proper mATX board and go to a smaller case. It depends on what he wants to do.

If I was to change to one of the smaller boards available what else would I need to change to accommodate it? And what smaller cases would you then recommend?

OP, maybe look at the Fractal Arc Mini or Corsair 350D... they should be able to handle the H100. I think those are about as small a case as you can get and still fit the H100. Aside from a new board, everything else should work... just don't forget to get a Z77, not a Z87!

 

[kadafi]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I think for now I'm gonna stick with board and other parts I have now because I'm low on funds and just gonna get a mid case or one of the cube cases like the haf xb. I like the Fractal Define R4 a lot. I just want to be sure that the new case I choose can run the H100 I have with the Radiator Dim. 122 x 275 x 27 mm. Right now it's between haf xb and the R4 but I'm still open for suggestions!

 

[DigDog]

i'm not against smaller boards; but he already owns an atx board, so why not look at a reasonable option?

 

[kadafi]

I have another question about the haf xb. Will my board work fine with it even though the case is only usb3? I watched one of the reviews on youtube that mentioned you would need some sort of convert or something for certain motherboards? But I'm guessing it's for older boards that don't support usb3?

 

[Charlie98]

Yes, that is correct.... Z77 has native USB3 header on the mobo.

For your purposes, if you don't mind the size, the HAF XB is a good choice.

 

[kadafi]

Thanks for all the help and info guys. It's between the R4 and the haf but I'm leaning more towards the haf.

 

[Pardus]

Also looking for a small case in my thread here:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2364146

A desktop pc doesn't have to be this giant fugly box on the floor that looks like it belongs in a server room, not your house.

Check out the LIAN LI Black Aluminum PC-Q18B Mini ITX Media Center / HTPC Case.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jYQitRtiyQ
http://www.silentpcreview.com/Lian_Li_PC-Q18

 

[DigDog]

Thanks for all the help and info guys. It's between the R4 and the haf but I'm leaning more towards the haf.

honestly, you can't go wrong. they are both excellent cases.
(the R4 does have a maximum of - i believe - 10.5 inches on the GPU length, but that should be enough for your cards)