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Small case suitable for a high-end mATX build

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dhazeghi

Junior Member
As part of upgrading my current system (Intel i7 860/P55/ATX), I'm hoping to move to a more compact setup. I've got an Antec 300 case at this point and at least half the volume is basically wasted - I've only filled 2 of the drive bays and 2 of the PCI slots.

So my thought is to go micro ATX this time around. mini ITX was a thought too, but I really prefer having 4 RAM slots (and mini ITX eliminates >4 core on Intel). My question is what smaller mATX cases are there that will reasonably accommodate a higher-end processor like an Intel 4930K plus a decent cooler (I will probably do some mild over clocking)?

I'm not super-sensitive to sound, so it doesn't have to be absolutely silent, but it would be nice if it were fairly quiet (the Antec I have right now is fine).

I've seen some wonderfully small mATX cases, like Antec's Mineut 350, but I'm not sure about the cooling with a higher-end CPU. In any case, I'd appreciate suggestions. Thanks!
 
I really like my Fractal Define Minis (I have 2. ) Depending on the cooler you want to install you might want to check clearance, but I think you should be OK with something along the lines of a CM 212 EVO and the like. The lesser version would be the Arc Mini R2... the lesser still would be the Core 1000.

I would throw in another 120mm front case fan and not give cooling another thought...
 
Check out the Silverstone Sugo SG09 or SG10.

There is an owner's club thread at OCN that has loads of pics. http://www.overclock.net/t/1356389/sg09-sg10-owners-thread

You will probably know right away of this is the type of case you would be interested in or not.

As mentioned, the Fractal Design Minis are popular mATX cases, as well as the Corsair 350D. Although, they aren't really much smaller than a regular ATX mid tower.
 
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Charlie98 said:
I really like my Fractal Define Minis (I have 2. ) Depending on the cooler you want to install you might want to check clearance, but I think you should be OK with something along the lines of a CM 212 EVO and the like. The lesser version would be the Arc Mini R2... the lesser still would be the Core 1000.
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Those look like nice cases, but they're even bigger than my current ATX case!
 
dhazeghi said:
Those look like nice cases, but they're even bigger than my current ATX case!
Click to expand...

Yes and no. The Antec 300 is skinnier because they turned the HDD cage into the case, but the Fractal is shorter in height and slightly deeper (longer) than the 300.

Maybe look at the Sugo, like nitro suggested, or the Silverstone Temjin TJ08 or SST PS07B...
 
nitromullet said:
Check out the Silverstone Sugo SG09 or SG10.

There is an owner's club thread at OCN that has loads of pics. http://www.overclock.net/t/1356389/sg09-sg10-owners-thread

You will probably know right away of this is the type of case you would be interested in or not.
Click to expand...

Yes, these look pretty much ideal. Seems like they can accommodate a full-sized cooler with no problem. Thanks!

Charlie98 said:
Yes and no. The Antec 300 is skinnier because they turned the HDD cage into the case, but the Fractal is shorter in height and slightly deeper (longer) than the 300.
Click to expand...

Okay, I see. Fair enough.

Maybe look at the Sugo, like nitro suggested, or the Silverstone Temjin TJ08 or SST PS07B...
Click to expand...

Yup, looking at those too, thanks!
 
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nitromullet said:
Fractal also just announced the m-atx node 804, which might be another consideration.
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On the surface, that's a sweet case... I just wish they would truly downsize it and still fit an mATX board. 🙁 ...I don't need an mATX case that fits 10 HDD's and a freaking radiator!
 
Charlie98 said:
On the surface, that's a sweet case... I just wish they would truly downsize it and still fit an mATX board. 🙁 ...I don't need an mATX case that fits 10 HDD's and a freaking radiator!
Click to expand...

Agreed. It's a little big (large footprint) for an mATX case IMO.

I just saw one of these at Fry's, and I liked it quite a bit... Aerocool DS Cube.

http://www.aerocool.us/ds/ds_black.html

It looks like it's about the size of a BitFenix Prodigy, but it's mATX.

I believe the Silverstone SG09/10 is probably the most compact mATX case, but it looks like it would be a pain to work with. Probably fine if you're a build it and forget it kind of person, but I tend to upgrade components fairly regularly.
 
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Well, I went ahead and got the Sugo SG10b. The size is great. The design is clever, if a little awkward. However compared to my current Antec 300, the fans in the case are quite loud, especially the top-mounted 180mm fan. Even on 'low', I find it distracting.

So the question is: is there a way to make this case quiet(er)? Absolute silence isn't needed, but it would be nice if it were in the ballpark of the 300 (fans set on 'low' there as well). Thanks!
 
The top 180mm slot is compatible with 140mm fans, you could swap in one of those. As far as I know, the Antec 300 top fan is 140mm @ 1500 RPM, about half that when set to low speed. Antec TrueQuiet is fairly good as it comes with a 500 RPM / 800 RPM switch, so you don't need any third party cables or controllers to get it to spin at such low speeds.
 
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I have the same goals as the OP. I came in with the idea of a sugo sg10 or the fractal design define mini. ended up getting a nanoxia deep silence 4. dimensions are roughly the same as a standard midsize atx mini tower. It's tough to get something any smaller without giving up versatility it seems.
 
evident said:
I have the same goals as the OP. I came in with the idea of a sugo sg10 or the fractal design define mini. ended up getting a nanoxia deep silence 4. dimensions are roughly the same as a standard midsize atx mini tower. It's tough to get something any smaller without giving up versatility it seems.
Click to expand...

I love the Define Mini... I have 2 in service... but it's pretty big for an mATX case, all things considered. Even the mATX Node 804 is big. If they would make the Mini case without the 2 5.25" bays and room for 6 HDDs... they would have a superior small mATX case... I dare to dream.
 
have you ever built a ITX system inside an ITX case?

lol... it takes a lot of planning.. and i mean A LOT.

also takes very small hands at times, and can be stressful, as well as leading to what i call proof of war cuts as you try to squeeze your hands in tight spots.

Anyhow i like silverstone FT03 (non mini as those are only for ITX) in the way its configured and how it looks.
Its not a traditional style mount, as the board is rotated 90 degree's.

example..
edaa94b3_vbattach211822.jpeg
 
I love the Fractal Design Define Mini, but, yes, it's large for a mATX case. I also have an older Antec NSK3480, which is an awesome little mATX case. Differences in size translate directly into differences in usability. The larger the case, the more niceties it can have.

The Define Mini's dimensions are x 15.6"(h) x 8.3"(w) x 19.3"(d). The NSK3480's dimensions are 13.75"(h) x 7.75"(w) x 14"(d).

The additional height of the Define Mini gives room for water cooling radiators, which the NSK3480 could not house. The added width of the Define Mini allows for cable routing in a space behind the motherboard, which the NSK3480 doesn't have. The added depth allows for two three-drive cages, while the smaller case has room for just one or two 3.5" drives.
 
Carson Dyle said:
The additional height of the Define Mini gives room for water cooling radiators, which the NSK3480 could not house. The added width of the Define Mini allows for cable routing in a space behind the motherboard, which the NSK3480 doesn't have. The added depth allows for two three-drive cages, while the smaller case has room for just one or two 3.5" drives.
Click to expand...

True... I built in a Fractal Core 1000 (sort of a bargain Define or Arc Mini) and I really miss the cable routing. Aside from the width, the depth and height are about the same as the other two.

Even in your Antec case, look at how much space is wasted with the 3x OD/floppy cutouts?

If you think about it, what do you need in a SFF mATX case? Not watercooling, probably not more than 2 HDD/SSDs, probably not more than 1 5.25" drive, if that. There will always be those niche builders that want more than that, the current mITX gamer boxes come to mind, but it seems like the demand is there for a truly compact mATX case with the quality and features of a Fractal Define.
 
I have a custom-loop, water cooled ITX build inside a Phenom M. The Phenom & Prodigy M's are the smallest mATX cases I think you'll find, IMO.
 
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