Micro ATX Slim Cases Tall Enough?

[morbidman]

Hi,
I'm trying to build a SFF system for my relatives and would like to know if a micro ATX slim case such as this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811154062
would be able to fit the stock heatsink and and other components I would like to buy. The dimensions for the case are: 12.8" x 3.8" x 15.8." Other than the aforementioned X2 3800+, I am planning on installing:
A microATX motherboard
1 single stick of 1gig of ddr2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227123
120gig HD
DVD burner

I'm also concerned if the power supply of the case rated at 275W will be able to handle all of this. I'll be running off of the integrated video as well. If this configuration won't work well, would you be able to suggest a better one? Thanks.

 

[Zepper]

You have to have about 5-1/4" of space to use standard add-on cards unless the case offers a way to mount them sideways like some Silverstones. The case you linked is under 4" tall and requires low-profile add-on cards and a fairly low profile HSF - both of which limit your choices substantially. Athenatech, Enermax, nMedia, et al. make some microATX cases that can take full-height cards and larger than stock HSFs but even there you can find a sizeable HSF impinging on the optical drive space. So you have to plan carefully when choosing any of these compact cases - the locaton of the CPU socket on the mobo (and maybe other things), how close things like the PSU are to the edge of the mobo, do things like drive overhang the mobo... Many of the newer optical drives have shorter than normal chassis which also helps with these cases - the new Samsung 18x DVD burners I got recently are only 6-3/4" deep.
. Luckily they are making the CPUs cooler running (lower power) while still making them faster than ever so oversized HSFs may not be necessary.

.bh.

 

[morbidman]

Thanks for raising the issue about add-on cards. I didn't consider that with only 3.8" of vertical clearance , and an optical drive things inside the case could get complicated. However, if I were to forgo a video card and basically any add-on card for that matter, would 3.8" be enough for the stock heatsink? I'm not planning on ocing so a huge heatsink isn't really necessary for this application. The original case I had in mind is a bit larger and I'm quite sure everything would fit nicely, but does anyone have any suggestions for a better option? Thanks for your help so far, Zepper.

 

[WoodButcher]

Stock hsf fits. I have this heatpipe solution. see my sig,

 

[morbidman]

So a stock heatsink is approximately 60mm tall, it will clear the 3.8" of the slim case. I think I may just get the larger case though because it's compatible with add-on cards. The DVD drive is only 5" long and won't really obstruct anything. The main issue now is whether 275W is enough for a dual core processor 1gig of memory and a single hard drive. Also, I think the larger case will be able to fit full height cards, but will this (5.8" tall) be able to take a full height card as well? Thanks for all your help so far.

 

[Zepper]

The Athenatech A100 cases have some cooling issues but power shouldn't be a problem with that new Sparkle 350W PSU they are including. It will take full height and full length add-on cards. They do have some cooling issues as most compact cases do so if you decide to get one, PM me and I'll tell you how I dealt with them. Also take a look at the nMedia (a div. of Enermax - newegg lists them under nMediaPC) 300 series. It's one of the smallest full ATX cases I know of and can also be used horizontally but you will have to come up with some type of feet to raise it an inch or so off the surface to do it. Audio Technica used to sell isolation feet for turntables, CD/DVD/laserdisc players and such that would be great for that if you could find a set. Here's a link to a set on eBay so you can see what I mean. Or you could use a set of AcoustiFeet and some short lengths of dowel or 2x2" stock for risers.

If horizontal orientation isn't a must, also check out the Arctic Cooling Silentium cases. Those come with a customized Seasonic PSU. For under $100.00 they are hard to beat for those with needs within their limitations. SVC.com et al. carry them - the Egg did for a while but I've not seen them there lately.

.bh.

 

[morbidman]

Ok, I looked at the nmedia and the silentium. They look like great cases, but are slightly larger than I would like. I think I'll be getting the A100 then. The feet also look like a good idea. Do you think I'll have any heat issues with only a 3800 though? I'm under the impression that they run quite with quite low temperatures. Thanks.