mini-tower suggestions

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firestorm31

firestorm31

Junior Member
Jul 13, 2009
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hey all..

I'm looking to build 2 pcs.

ones for genaral use and the other for gaming.

so, I'd like some suggestions for the mini-tower cases and they have to be stackable.
 
firestorm31

firestorm31

Junior Member
Jul 13, 2009
19
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In addition to the enclosure being a mini-tower and stackable (that is PC on top of another PC), they also have to be all aluminum build (not mixed) and not too plain looking or too jazzy. I also don't like those side panels with windows and has to be easy to work with, have mobo tray.

At least one of the case can have the fan/vent on top, that one would be for gaming for sure and be mobile as well..
 
Z

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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Don't want much, do ya? ;)

Have you punched your specs into the Newegg's advanced search under cases? Only 4 choices under aluminum or al/steel pop up for me. You also don't mention what size mobo you need to use, and what you mean by "mini tower" (max. dimensions in inches would be good). Do you need it to hold a standard size ATX PSU? The more info the better...

Between Newegg or Directron, you'll find most cases worth having. About all I didn't see while doing a brief search was Silverstone's small aluminum cases even though they likely carry them.

Good luck in finding your hen's tooth...

.bh.
 
firestorm31

firestorm31

Junior Member
Jul 13, 2009
19
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Originally posted by: Zepper
Don't want much, do ya? ;)

Have you punched your specs into the Newegg's advanced search under cases. only 4 choices under aluminum or al/steel pop up for me. You also don't mention what size mobo you need to use, and what you mean by "mini tower" (max. dimensions in inches would be good). Do you need it to hold a standard size ATX PSU? The more info the better...

Between Newegg or Directron, you'll find most cases worth having. About all I didn't see while doing a brief search was Silverstone's small aluminum cases even though they likely carry them.

Good luck in finding your hen's tooth...

.bh.
Click to expand...

yes, I did check neweggs search engine. it is a little bit screwy in how it searches.

'bout the aluminum cases, it showed 4 as you've pointed out, but it's really 3. one of the case appears to be a full tower case @23"H, not exactly a mini-tower. :) Also, the list showed 3 of them were made steel, only one was made of aluminum and it wasn't a mini-tower.

btw, the mobo is full atx. the case will house the asrock 4corecdual-sata-r2.0. its dimensions are 12x9.6.

what do you mean standard size atx psu? do they have different sizes now, like mobo sizes?

To give you an idea about the mini tower, the one I currently have is an AT mini tower, it is 13" high and takes in a standard size AT board.

The 2nd tower is a full size tower measuring @ 26.4" high. This is an Antec SX1240 full tower. This is a nice heavy steel tower. (anyone know where I can get wheels for it.) I believe was it meant to be used in a server environment.

What I wanted - I figured that by getting 2 mini towers, both of them roughly 13" high each would measure roughly 26". Adding mid-towers would screw the calculation. mid-towers run around @ 18" roughly?
 
aigomorla

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
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Originally posted by: firestorm31

btw, the mobo is full atx. the case will house the asrock 4corecdual-sata-r2.0. its dimensions are 12x9.6.
Click to expand...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...StoreType=&srchInDesc=

Those are your only options.

But i would call those more near mid tower then mini tower. If you want a true mini tower, its not going to be possible as they were intended for mATX and not standard ATX.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
Originally posted by: firestorm31
To give you an idea about the mini tower, the one I currently have is an AT mini tower, it is 13" high and takes in a standard size AT board.
Click to expand...

OMFG... been a while since you upgraded?

So, you want:
- mini tower similar to an AT mini tower
- uses normal ATX mobo and not mATX
- stackable
- aluminum
- no side panel window
- easy to work with
- mobo tray
- not plain looking
- not too jazzy looking
- top mounted fan

The closest I've found: Lian Li PC-A06FB
- only 14.7" tall
- uses normal ATX mobo/PSU
- case is fairly "squarish" so one should easily sit on another
- It is a Lian Li, so yes, aluminum
- nope, no side window
- Toolless optical drive retention, HDD uses grommets and slide into place, lots of thumbscrews used, PSU on a bracket facilitating easy removal
- mobo tray is NOT removable, but with the PSU removed you have complete access to it
- It is a sleek black brushed aluminum look with front mesh
- Doesn't look too busy
- Looks like 120mm fan on top

There are really two possible problems with this.
1) Power button and USB ports on top, so when you put one case on the other, you can't reach them in the bottom case.
2) The PSU is right against the motherboard so you are severely restricted in what cooler you can use. Stock coolers usually work fine, but don't expect to overclock unless you somehow put together a low profile water cooling kit to take advantage of the top fan (that is if you can fit both radiator and fan there with the PSU right below it).

Oh wait, there is also the Lian Li PC-A05NB
- USB ports on top, but power button on front
- 15" tall
- PSU mounted in front bottom, so no restrictions on CPU cooling but lose two 5¼" drive bays
- no top fan
- while CPU area is unrestricted for cooling, overall case airflow seems impacted.

If you're using that ASRock board for both builds, then you probably aren't expecting high overclocks. I'd say the model A05 for bottom machine and the other one for top machine.
 
Z

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
0
I'd agree that you're likely to end up with some LL cases as above as the Silverstone boxes are for mATX mobos and some don't have flat tops. They are short, but deep (over 19"). Hard to come up with much for full ATX mobos in a truly compact size unless you're willing to give up a lot. Yes there are a number of sizes of PSUs: std. ATX/PS2 is about 6" wide by 5.5" deep. Plus there are other sizes that were made for microATX cases and other low-space boxes (called microATX or SFX PSUs). There is also the PS3 which is the same footprint as std. at the back panel, but significantly shorter. Plus the TFX which is similar in size to the mATX/SFX at the rear panel, but goes deeper into the case. Best to go for a case that fits the standard size PSUs as there is the largest selection and the lowest average cost, plus a connector assortment for most mobos. There aren't nearly as many aluminum case makers as there has been...

.bh.
 
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