Quality Small Cases?

[Cadius]

Soon, I plan on doing a full upgrade to my system, case included. Currently, I'm running out of a Super LANboy Antec case, and well I can't complain. The only reason why I'm even upgrading it, is because the front USB slots are busted (mostly my own fault), and just a general wear and tear on the outside of the case.

Now, since I've gotten this case I've gotten a rather nice computer desk, the only problem is the size of the cabinent in which the case sits. (Its 22" deep, 19" high and 12" wide)

Almost every case I have come across that is of reasonable quality is far too large. If not, they tend to only just fit, which is something I want to avoid due to heating concerns.

Is anyone aware of a case that could easily fit into my cabinet, or should I start looking at other places to put my system?

I'd like to avoid Small Form Factor cases, I like the room offered in towers and the space for a lot of expansion (down the road I may upgrade to SLi)

 

[Zepper]

First, welcome to the AT forums.

Almost any mid-tower case or smaller will fit within those dimensions. If you plan on running any system that generates significant heat, you'll need to provide active cooling for your cabinet - at least a passive vent near the lower front (if the front is open, then that is sufficient) and an exhaust fan at the upper rear. 140mm fans are fairly common now and that size is what I'd suggest or a 120mm fan that can provide equivalent air flow at a higher speed..

The Coolermaster Mystique 631s that they've been blowing out at svc.com would be a good idea. Or the Rosewill R5600 series cases that I always recommend - see my Rosewill thread here. Technically better than the Mystique but not as pretty or light.

.bh.

 

[Cadius]

Yeah, the cabinet has an extremely large rear vent, almost the entirety of the back fo the cabinet is open. So heat really isn't an problem (or hasn't been with my current case), this is especially true if I leave the front door open.

So far, the only case that I've seen that can fit my cabinet from Thermaltake, Lian-Li, or Antec that isn't some discount case is the Soprano, which only leaves about a third of a inch on the top. That seems a little too close for comfort. Most mid-tower cases are just over 19" tall.

Edit: Another problem with that, the Soprano's "front" IO port is actually on top, which would be useless in my cabinet

 

[Zepper]

The Mystique is not a discount case - they are still about $100. everywhere but at SVC - I don't know how SVC is doing that price. And in Europe those Rosewill cases are sold under the original Yeong Yang http://www.yycase.com brand for 90 Euros - well over $100. now. So those are high-value cases too. Actually 19" is pretty tall for a mid tower most are 17 to 18" - 19 and up is getting into maxi-Mid range. In any case, the clearance at the top is unimportant as long as the air isn't locked in place to form an insulator.

I use the Rosewill R-5604 and it is under 18" from the bottom of the feet to the top of the ports bump - need an extra two inches or so to open the ports hatch sufficiently (2.5" to open completely - the 5601 would probably be better for your situation and sort of reminds me of the Firefly, whereas mine reminds me of the spacer guild ships in the original Dune movie. Don't buy before looking at them and checking my Rosewill thread. No sense paying more than you have to for a top functioning case.

.bh.