Looking to get a much smaller high quality case, need recommendatons

[pimpin-tl]

Here is what my system has currently below. I would like to move the PC off the floor and moved up on my desk in the corner. Something nice looking, Aluminum as well. Would like it to fit two video cards in case I need it in the future. CDROM slots are optional as I do have an external drive if I need it.


CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processo
CPU Cooler: Corsair h115i 280mm Extreme Performance Liquid Cooler
Thermal Compound: Arctic Cooling MX4 4g Thermal Paste
Motherboard: MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO Series 512GB 2.5" SSD
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: EVGA 970 GTX 4GB
Monitor: LG34UM95 34" ULTRAWIDE 21:9 LED IPS

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1gFNG
Sound Card: Creative Labs ZXR 24-bit 192 Hz Sound Card
Case: Fractal Design Define XL R2 (Titanium Grey) ATX Full Tower Case
Case Fan: Noctua NF-P14 FLX 65.0 CFM 140mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-P14 FLX 65.0 CFM 140mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-P14 FLX 65.0 CFM 140mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-P14 FLX 65.0 CFM 140mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-P14 FLX 65.0 CFM 140mm Fan
Power Supply: SeaSonic Platinum 1000W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($225.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer

 

[BonzaiDuck]

So . . . the Fractal is a FULL TOWER? Apparently . . .

Did you want a case like an HTPC with an appearance of an AVR receiver? Or does the functionality of a tower still appeal to you?

Right now, I'm at the end of a week or more spent with an old CM midtower STacker (all aluminum) sitting in front of me while I watch TV, thinking of several options I concocted for modding it -- all so I can build a neat server. I couldn't help at least being tempted to buy good fans -- all PWM -- when I have several 3-pin Sharkoons and some 120x38 panaflo units. Why not just build it with the parts I have? And why would I need to mod it into a HAF with a side-panel 200mm fan? I don't.

My next workstation is likely to use this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9015&cm_re=Corsair_C70-_-11-139-015-_-Product

It also comes in "gunmetal black." But it's not aluminum.

If you are really sold on the idea of "looks," don't see a real advantage to having "aluminum," and don't like the C70's choice of colors, you might try visiting the ALSA web-site to purchase their "killer-Chrome" paint kit. You'd spend a lot more on it than what you would get as spray-enamel at ACE Hardware, and you have to follow the prescriptions that use only the ALSA black enamel in preparation for the chrome. But it would look much better than aluminum when you're finished.

The reason I've picked the C70 -- which you should note: it is totally compatible with the H115i cooler.

 

[Ketchup]

Are you getting a smaller board? If not, moving to a desktop is the only way you're going to get noticeably shorter (not necessarily smaller)

 

[looper]

If you go with one video card, get one 980Ti. Then you could go with a Mini-ITX form factor case and MB. (either the NCase M1, Fractal Core 500, Dan 4, or the Phanteks Evolv case)

Larger form factor cases are prob not going to fit well on your desktop. I have a great but huge/heavy Corsair 600T case... sick of it's weight/size...

I'm about to go small form factor (Mini-ITX) within a month or so, from what I have in my Sig below. (Had that cpu/MB combo since April, 2011).

Don't confuse small case/MB size with lack of performance... this new rig will be an awesome gaming setup, and I'll prob OC the cpu as well, depending on which case I get.

What I'm getting:
*Either the NCase M1, Dan4, Fractal Core 500, or the Phanteks Evolv case
*Asus Z170I Pro Gaming MB
*i7-6700k cpu
*Corsair LPX DDR400 Mem (2x8GB)
*my current EVGA 980Ti or the EVGA 1080
*same SSD
*external optical drive
*prob the EVGA TerraNova GS650 PS
*same monitor... just got that Acer / Amazing> best gaming monitor I've ever had

 

[pimpin-tl]

Definitely will look into doing that myself as well. Thanks

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

 

[wpcoe]

I've got a mATX motherboard in a Silverstone Temjin TJ-08E and it's a small profile, full featured, quality-built case. If you're willing to downsize the motherboard, I'd recommend it.

There are some case-modder sites that have extensive threads (here's a 7000-post thread) dedicated to that case and how to fit a water cooler in, but TBH, I haven't paid much attention to that part. I mention that because I know it can be done, just not sure exactly how and if it would accommodate your current cooler.

 

[HeXen]

I like small cases too but that's why I use ITX mobos. I mean that's the only way you're actually going to get something that doesn't look like an elephant in the corner of your room imo.

I have several small cases but these are what I consider something nice on a desktop or entertainment center without sticking out like a sore thumb

Got an I7 and 970 in them and their quiet so performance and size isn't as bad as it used to be

 

[wpcoe]

A +1 vote for ITX motherboards from me, however the OP wants the option to "... fit two video cards in case I need it in the future," hence my compromise with a micro-ATX recommendation.