What do you think the best system builder Mini-ITX case and PSU combo is?

[cbn]

For the sake of this thread we'll consider any Mini-ITX case and PSU combo that is offered at a good price (without needing rebates) a system builder combo.

With that mentioned, here is case I recently found at Fry's that looks interesting:

Raidmax ITX-0907-BP for $38.99 free shipping:

http://www.frys.com/product/6145869

It is the same chassis as the Chieftec BT-02B, but with a different front fascia:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-itx-small-form-factor-pc-case,2814-3.html

Displacement is 9.3L (about 1.3L more displacement than the 8L Winsis WT-02 and about .5 liter less than the 9.8L APEX MI-008*). It has a full width single slot expansion bay (a feature also shared by the APEX MI-008), 5.25" bay and 3.5" bay, 80mm intake fan slot and two 60mm exhaust fan slots, 300W SFX PSU (<----not sure how good the quality is though, Chieftec PSU are reported to be decent quality.....but this case appears to have a different PSU in it ).

*Rosewill RS-MI-01 BK which shares the same internal chassis and 250W SFX PSU as APEX MI-008 is 9.45L.

Here is build-up using the case:

https://hardforum.com/threads/my-3-mini-itx-builds-with-pics.1605059/#post-1037193301

Overall, I like the layout more than most of the budget single slot Mini-ITX/PSU combos I have seen (eg, APEX MI-008). My biggest concern would be the quality of the PSU.

P.S. Here is a video comparing the Raidmax ITX-0907-BP to the Sugo SG-05. (A price of $20 is mentioned in the video for a 80mm fan but Newegg has this size listed starting at $3.50 free shipping---> http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007998 600035580

 

[cbn]

Here are the internal dimensions of the medium and large USPS flat rate boxes:

medium, side loading: 11 7/8" x 3 3/8" x 13 5/8"
medium, top loading: 11" x 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
large, top loading: 12" x 12" x 5 1/2"

The Winisis WT-02 @ 10.87" x 3.58" x 12.60" should fit in the medium side loading box with the assumption the box can stretch a tiny bit in one dimension.

Raidmax ITX-0907-BP @ 5.31” x 9.45" x 11.38" would fit in the large flat rate mailing box.

Rosewill RS-MI-01 BK @ 5.10" x 8.70" x 13.00" won't fit in any of the boxes.

The APEX MI-008 @ 5.1" x 8.7" x 13.5" won't fit in any of the boxes.

 

[aigomorla]

ehhh... ive built with one of those before and well, the PSU sucks.
Its also a micro ATX psu which you'll be hard pressed to find a good quality one for cheap.

I honestly would build from a raijintech case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA66Z2KU0729

Dimensions (H x W x D) 190x277x254 mm
~ 7.5 x 10.9 x 10 (wont fit in any box)

for a bit more, and get a good regular ATX psu for it.
Also your given more options on larger heat sinks for the Raijintech case.

Also cbn there is noway ur gonna fit that raidmax case inside a large flat rate box without padding and expect it to arrive at destination without getting bang'd up.
Were talking USPS, and they don't understand what fragile or handle with care means at all.

 

[cbn]

Also cbn there is noway ur gonna fit that raidmax case inside a large flat rate box without padding and expect it to arrive at destination without getting bang'd up.
Were talking USPS, and they don't understand what fragile or handle with care means at all.

1.) Right now I am hoping a person could use 2 layers of air bubble tape with the box bulging in two dimensions, but able to close because of the extra room in the third dimension.

How does that sound? I wonder if that would be enough?

2.) Regarding the PSU, I was afraid of the quality. Maybe if the chassis is good enough another manufacturer could pick it up and supply it with a better PSU. (Eg, We see chassis sharing among manufacturers with the Raijintek metis you mentioned having a clone in the DIY HTPC CUBE and Raidmax Atomic ITX)

 

[aigomorla]

nah i always package stuff now with the expectation that it will be thrown especially by usps..
that bubble wrap will not protect it from something like that. Or worse off with something heavy being dropped on it.

I wish you could honestly pay more for packaging to be handled with care, i would not mind paying the extra fee for better care, but i don't think we'll ever see that.

 

[Stuka87]

I love my Corsair 380T. I know its not the most roomy, and it is larger than some externally. But in my current config (listed in sig below) it runs very cool. And it looks awesome. Also, every intake has a filter, so the inside is nearly dust free.

 

[cbn]

nah i always package stuff now with the expectation that it will be thrown especially by usps..
that bubble wrap will not protect it from something like that. Or worse off with something heavy being dropped on it.

I wish you could honestly pay more for packaging to be handled with care, i would not mind paying the extra fee for better care, but i don't think we'll ever see that.

Okay, well that settles that.

So I will look around for some other form of "sweet spot" shipping that individual system builders could use.

 

[aigomorla]

The only way USPS wont throw your package is if its too heavy to be thrown. Then they will DROP it.

Like what happened to this guy here:
https://forums.anandtech.com/thread...-this-4k-monitor.2473344/page-3#post-38414418

 

[cbn]

Since I have a Coolermaster Elite 110 box handy I plugged in the measurements of the box (13" x 13" x 11") and estimated two system build (+ box) weights into the ebay shipping calculator:

15 lbs total shipping weight:
UPS Ground (1 to 6 business days)--->$14.55 - $24.73 (varies by buyer's location)
USPS Retail Ground-$10.77 (2 to 9 business days) -->$14.55 - $44.71 (varies by buyer's location)
USPS Parcel Select Ground ( 2 to 9 business days)-->$9.73 - $44.80 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Smart Post (2 to 8 business days)--> $17.54 - $31.24 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Ground of FedEX home delivery (1 to 6 business days)-->$14.37 - $24.44 (varies by buyer's location)


20 lbs total total shipping:
UPS Ground (1 to 6 business days)---> $15.10 - $29.52 (varies by buyer's location)
USPS Retail Ground-$10.77 (2 to 9 business days) --> $57.28 (varies by buyer's location)
USPS Parcel Select Ground ( 2 to 9 business days)-->$10.77 - $57.28 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Smart Post (2 to 8 business days)--> $18.29 - $37.67 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Ground of FedEX home delivery (1 to 6 business days)--> $14.92 - $29.17 (varies by buyer's location)

If the system + box only weighs 15lbs the UPS Ground and FedEX Ground or Home Delivery are pretty cheap. The USPS Parcel Select Ground appears to be the best for short distances though. For comparison, the USPS large flat rate box (which the Elite 110 won't fit into) is $18.75.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The Winisis WT-02 @ 10.87" x 3.58" x 12.60" should fit in the medium side loading box with the assumption the box can stretch a tiny bit in one dimension.

Are you talking about double-boxing it? It comes in a box with foam inserts on both sides.

 

[cbn]

Are you talking about double-boxing it? It comes in a box with foam inserts on both sides.

The USPS box is not big enough for that.

I was actually thinking (when the post was written) of having the system using Winsis WT-02 placed directly in the USPS medium, side loading flat mailer box.

Since then post was written though Aigomorla mentioned how rough the shipping can be, so that is why I started doing research on other forms of shipping that can use larger boxes (like the stock Winsis WT-02 box which includes the foam inserts).

P.S. Virtual Larry, can you tell us how large the box the Winsis WT-02 comes in? (Height x Width x Depth)

 

[cbn]

Since I have a Coolermaster Elite 110 box handy I plugged in the measurements of the box (13" x 13" x 11") and estimated two system build (+ box) weights into the ebay shipping calculator:

15 lbs total shipping weight:
UPS Ground (1 to 6 business days)--->$14.55 - $24.73 (varies by buyer's location)
USPS Retail Ground-$10.77 (2 to 9 business days) -->$14.55 - $44.71 (varies by buyer's location)
USPS Parcel Select Ground ( 2 to 9 business days)-->$9.73 - $44.80 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Smart Post (2 to 8 business days)--> $17.54 - $31.24 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Ground of FedEX home delivery (1 to 6 business days)-->$14.37 - $24.44 (varies by buyer's location)


20 lbs total total shipping:
UPS Ground (1 to 6 business days)---> $15.10 - $29.52 (varies by buyer's location)
USPS Retail Ground-$10.77 (2 to 9 business days) --> $57.28 (varies by buyer's location)
USPS Parcel Select Ground ( 2 to 9 business days)-->$10.77 - $57.28 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Smart Post (2 to 8 business days)--> $18.29 - $37.67 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Ground of FedEX home delivery (1 to 6 business days)--> $14.92 - $29.17 (varies by buyer's location)

If the system + box only weighs 15lbs the UPS Ground and FedEX Ground or Home Delivery are pretty cheap. The USPS Parcel Select Ground appears to be the best for short distances though. For comparison, the USPS large flat rate box (which the Elite 110 won't fit into) is $18.75.

In comparison to the above, I measured a NUC i5-6260U box @ 5.5" x 5" x 4.5". Estimating (actually a blind guess) weight at 3 lbs (which would include the AC adapter) here are what the shipping charges would be:

USPS Parcel Select Ground ( 2 to 9 business days)--> $6.31 - $15.50 (varies by buyer's location)
UPS Ground (1 to 6 business days)---> $11.61 - $15.01 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Ground of FedEX home delivery (1 to 6 business days)--> $11.47 - $14.83 (varies by buyer's location)

 

[cbn]

In Win BP655 mini ITX case with Haswell Ready 200W power supply, 8cm Fan, Black, TAC 2.0, Front USB 2.0X2, HD audio, $49.99 free shipping:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108196

 

[cbn]

APEX MI-008, $49.99 free shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154091

(This case shares the same internal chassis as Rosewill RS-MI-01 and Thermaltake Element Q)

Review at Silent PC Review here.

Some quick notes:

It has one dedicated 3.5" bay and one 5.25" bay. There is also an option to add either a 120mm fan or another 3.5" HDD via a sled.

250W SFX PSU has 16 amps on the single 12v rail.

Maximum cpu cooler height is only 4cm (which is really tight) due to the SFX PSU and its intake fan being right above it.

P.S. I've also seen a 80mm fan installed (using silicon fan grommets ) on the side of the case where the PCIe x 16 slot is located. However, with the 80mm fan installed here the PCIe x16 cannot be populated.

 

[cbn]

On the APEX MI-008 and Rosewll RS-MI-01 I have seen them drop as low as $40 free shipping in the past. At one time the APEX MI-008 did drop to $29.99 AR free shipping .

Box size for APEX MI-008 is 15 1/2" x 6 3/4" x 11" and Newegg lists the weight of the case and PSU @ 7.2 lbs. Assuming total build weight (with 3.5" HDD and 5.25" Optical drive) + box was 12 lbs here is what the shipping would cost:

USPS Parcel Select Ground ( 2 to 9 business days)--> $9.22 - $40.14 (varies by buyer's location)
UPS Ground (1 to 6 business days)---> $13.96 - $21.43 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Ground of FedEX home delivery (1 to 6 business days)--> $13.79 - $21.17 (varies by buyer's location)

This, in comparison, to the 3 lbs estimate NUC in the 5.5" x 5" x 4.5" box mentioned previously:

USPS Parcel Select Ground ( 2 to 9 business days)--> $6.31 - $15.50 (varies by buyer's location)
UPS Ground (1 to 6 business days)---> $11.61 - $15.01 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Ground of FedEX home delivery (1 to 6 business days)--> $11.47 - $14.83 (varies by buyer's location)

And the 15lbs CoolerMaster Elite 110 build + 13" x 13" x 11" box mentioned previously:

USPS Parcel Select Ground ( 2 to 9 business days)-->$9.73 - $44.80 (varies by buyer's location)
UPS Ground (1 to 6 business days)--->$14.55 - $24.73 (varies by buyer's location)
FedEX Ground of FedEX home delivery (1 to 6 business days)-->$14.37 - $24.44 (varies by buyer's location)

 

[cbn]

In Win BP655 mini ITX case with Haswell Ready 200W power supply, 8cm Fan, Black, TAC 2.0, Front USB 2.0X2, HD audio, $49.99 free shipping:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108196

The following Inwin Models have the same chassis as the one above:

In Win BP671 mini ITX case with Haswell Ready 200W power supply, 8cm Fan, Black, TAC 2.0, Front USB 2.0X2, HD audio, $58.47 free shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2F84D68873

IN WIN BP691.FH200B Black S.F.F Slim Chassis (Ultra Small Form Factor) Computer Case Standard TFX 12V, 200W Power Supply, $59.07 free shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2F84H09137

P.S. Here is a video showing a build-up. (Notice this case has much more room for the CPU cooler compared to APEX MI-008/Rosewill RS-MI-01 due the PSU being next to the motherboard rather than right above it, but notice it cannot fit a full height single slot card. Only a low profile single slot video card will work here.)

 

[cbn]

Here is a research question I asked regarding the quality of the Inwin Haswell Ready 200W TFX PSU found the in three BP series cases (BP655, BP671 and BP91) listed in this thread.

 

[cbn]

Here is a research question I asked regarding the quality of the Inwin Haswell Ready 200W TFX PSU found the in three BP series cases (BP655, BP671 and BP91) listed in this thread.

After doing the PSU research (in the above thread I linked) I've come to the conclusion the Inwin cases with the 300W PSU are a better idea than the ones with the 200W PSU (re: the Inwin 300W TFX PSU comes with a three year warranty (rather than 1 year warranty) and has a lower PSU failure rate according to Newegg reviews).

Here is one of the cases that comes with the 300W (rather than 200W PSU). Another difference it has is usb 3.0 rather than usb 2.0:

In Win BP655 mini ITX case with IP-S300FF1-0 H Haswell Ready power supply, 8cm Fan, Black, TAC 2.0, Front USB 3.0X2, HD audio, $64.99 free shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108428&ignorebbr=1

 

[VirtualLarry]

https://www.directron.com/hardware/components/cases/wt02.html

I just ordered three of those. $36.99 for the Winsis WT-02 (non-card-reader model). Shipping was under $30 for all three shipped to the East Coast. So, approx $47 ea. shipped. Beats those In-Win cases at Newegg by a tiny bit.

 

[cbn]

https://www.directron.com/hardware/components/cases/wt02.html

I just ordered three of those. $36.99 for the Winsis WT-02 (non-card-reader model). Shipping was under $30 for all three shipped to the East Coast. So, approx $47 ea. shipped. Beats those In-Win cases at Newegg by a tiny bit.

Any builds happen yet?