Looking for M-ITX case to replace my q-pack

[mm2587]

I've never been one for large PCs and jumped on the SFF bandwagon 9 years ago when I purchased an X q-pack (actually mine is old enough that its direct from chenming)

I also didn't want to compromise on my system and while its not the highest quality case the q-pack let me shove everything I wanted into it. Full length double width graphics card, sound card, wireless card, two 5.25 bays, 3 hard drives, Atx modular power supply, and room for a decent processor and cooler. Quite a powerful little system in its prime.

I've upgraded the system, piece meal, quite a bit over the years but was never able to shake the q-pack.

I've been really excited with the advances to the m-itx boards over the years and now most of the extras I needed the matx board for can be found built into an itx.

I've begun looking into building a new system from the ground up and can't believe that I'm struggling to find an itx case that is smaller then the q-pack while meeting my needs. With a tiny itx board why are all the decent cases so huge?

What I'd like:

*Smaller then my q-pack: 11.2x9x13.8 (WxHxD) What I really need is a shorter depth. 12" would be ideal. height is not critical.

*ODD. Doesn't matter if its slim or full size.

*full atx power supply support (I'd compromise on this if need be)

*space for a graphics card of at least 10" and two slot cooler

*room for a moderate cooler. I currently use a geminii S

*space for one 3.5" drive and one 2.5" drive

That's it. I'm asking for a case that's really just an 1.5" shorter and I'm giving up a 5.25 bay, two memory slots, two pci slots, a HD slot, and 2" of graphics card space.

What am I missing? Does this case exist?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

10" GPU? How negotiable is that?

A Silverstone SG05 would about do it (they use SFF PSUs, and come bundled with units up to 450w - which is enough if you're not an overclocking addict.) but they max out at about 10.5" for the GPU and that's a HARD limit. <10" would be advisable.

You can hack in a full size ATX unit, but it'll restrict HSF size and you'd have to remove the ODD sled.

 

[MichaelD]

Hi,

The reason you think that "With all the tiny Mini-ITX boards, why are the cases so huge?" is b/c you also wish to fit a full-size PCI-E GPU in there. Not blaming you for wanting what you want; just trying to help you with expectation management.

There are a lot of really nice Mini-ITX cases out there, like the Silverstone ML04B that I just built a new HTPC inside of. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163239
I used a mean little MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116945 Note that this MB has PCI-E 16x slot...but I'm not using it...just the onboard video. My new HTPC turned out to be a badass little system. Fast as a greased pig with a small SSD housing the OS. FYI: I stream video either off the web or from my NAS. The 4th Gen Intel onboard video does a great job at full HD res on my TV. But this is for VIDEO, not GAMING.

This case will fit Mini-ITX and m-ATX MB too. Great case as long as you're not using a dGPU. The case does have a full-size, horizontal PCI slot, which I believe can be used with a MB that has a riser slot....but how many mATX/mITX MBs have a 16x, PCI-E riser slot, I've no idea.

Basically, if you want a full-height, big-boy PCI-E GPU, you will wind up with a "Shoebox case" or years ago we called them "a Shuttle case"....essentially a shoebox-dimensioned case. Small to fit the MB but tall to fit the GPU.

If this is for "serious PC duties" like gaming, well, then you're stuck. But if it's for a HTPC or similar, integrated GPUs have come a LONG way in the past 5+ years, which would negate the need for a dedicated GPU.

Hope this helps.

 

[fralexandr]

yep. with a 10" gpu, it gives ~2" of clearance for power cables (depending on gpu layout), bezel, and steel/aluminum structure (front and back/mobo io shield/etc).
most cases have ~1" front bezels.
then the case usually has to find a place to fit a front intake and rear or top exhaust. Depending on width/height/depth, this may not be an issue, but the smaller these get, the harder it is to work a large fan in.
The q-pack solves this by not having a front intake.
so it's all a work in compromises as you get into smaller cases with higher TDP components (i.e. GPU) with larger PSUs

the coolermaster elites are ok for length vs gpu length
the 110 can fit 8.3" gpu, 11.1" depth
the 120 can fit 13.5" gpu, 15.8" depth
the 130 can fit 13.5" gpu, 14.9" depth

the asrock m8 is also pretty unique since it uses a GPU riser card, this is pretty much to save on height though
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7604/asrock-m8
15.8" depth, the low height of ~5" limits it to 70mm fans.

the corsair 250d would probably be my pick at the moment
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7710/corsair-obsidian-250d-case-review
13.8" depth w/ 11.6" gpu clearance

the cpu cooler limitation could be removed if you don't mind using a contained cpu liquid cooler like the corsair h/cm seidon/etc, since the reservoir can be mounted somewhere else.

 

[mm2587]

10" GPU? How negotiable is that?

A Silverstone SG05 would about do it (they use SFF PSUs, and come bundled with units up to 450w - which is enough if you're not an overclocking addict.) but they max out at about 10.5" for the GPU and that's a HARD limit. <10" would be advisable.

You can hack in a full size ATX unit, but it'll restrict HSF size and you'd have to remove the ODD sled.

I think I too quickly dismissed the sg05/06 before for its SFF PSU. Upon taking a second look its very close to what I'm looking for. I can probably live with the SFF PSU if there are no other alternatives

Hi,

The reason you think that "With all the tiny Mini-ITX boards, why are the cases so huge?" is b/c you also wish to fit a full-size PCI-E GPU in there. Not blaming you for wanting what you want; just trying to help you with expectation management.

Basically, if you want a full-height, big-boy PCI-E GPU, you will wind up with a "Shoebox case" or years ago we called them "a Shuttle case"....essentially a shoebox-dimensioned case. Small to fit the MB but tall to fit the GPU.

If this is for "serious PC duties" like gaming, well, then you're stuck. But if it's for a HTPC or similar, integrated GPUs have come a LONG way in the past 5+ years, which would negate the need for a dedicated GPU.

Hope this helps.

yep. with a 10" gpu, it gives ~2" of clearance for power cables (depending on gpu layout), bezel, and steel/aluminum structure (front and back/mobo io shield/etc).
most cases have ~1" front bezels.
then the case usually has to find a place to fit a front intake and rear or top exhaust. Depending on width/height/depth, this may not be an issue, but the smaller these get, the harder it is to work a large fan in.
The q-pack solves this by not having a front intake.
so it's all a work in compromises as you get into smaller cases with higher TDP components (i.e. GPU) with larger PSUs

the coolermaster elites are ok for length vs gpu length
the 110 can fit 8.3" gpu, 11.1" depth
the 120 can fit 13.5" gpu, 15.8" depth
the 130 can fit 13.5" gpu, 14.9" depth

the asrock m8 is also pretty unique since it uses a GPU riser card, this is pretty much to save on height though
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7604/asrock-m8
15.8" depth, the low height of ~5" limits it to 70mm fans.

the corsair 250d would probably be my pick at the moment
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7710/corsair-obsidian-250d-case-review
13.8" depth w/ 11.6" gpu clearance

the cpu cooler limitation could be removed if you don't mind using a contained cpu liquid cooler like the corsair h/cm seidon/etc, since the reservoir can be mounted somewhere else.

My expectations are managed. I currently have an X Q-pack that is 13.8" deep and it can fit a 11.5-12" card with minimum to no modifications depending on card layout. I simply want a case that is 1.5-2" shorter and fits a graphics card that is 1.5-2" shorter. It seems all of the popular M-ITX cases are actually the same size or larger then my current M-ATX rig.


I want a "shoebox case" (and yes I know/remember shuttle) and there are plenty out there but there seems to be a void in the 12" area. There are plenty of <11" cases that fit small cards and lots of >14" cases that fit just about anything. Where's my niche case for the moderate gaming SFF rig?

Look at the corsair 250D. Its 13.8 inches and holds a 11.6 inch card. That's 2.2" longer then the gpu. 10"+2.2"=12.2" Perfect. This is the case I'm looking for, but apparently I'm just too small of a niche. Although the sg05 comes very close.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you can wait 6-9 months the nvidia 8xx cards will be out. That should give all cards a performance boost so a <= 10" card will be enough.

Look at the 750 ti -- nice gaming performance, tiny cards.