Where do I look for a mini case?

[dnuggett]

I am looking for the cheapest, reliable place to buy mini cases because I am looking to build a SFF PC.

SFF case must have USB 2.0 and 1394 I would like built in cooling and power supply as well. This must also be unbranded, I will be add my own case improvements.
P4 proc no less then 2.0 GHZ up to about 2.4
compatible motherboard for the above proc (see I have no idea about how to tell if the mobo is compatible with the proc)
I suppose the motherboard will dictate what type of RAM (again no idea)
What type of video card? Are they all compatible or will this depend on the mobo too?
Hard drive should be the easy part.

Any suggestion of specific parts to put them together and the cheapest places to find them would be great!!

Thanks...

 

[dnuggett]

Anyone?

 

[syf3r]

When you say mini, do you mean a mini-ITX form-factor system, or a SFF case that takes micro/Flex-ATX boards...? I'm not positive, but I don't think there are any mini-ITX boards that will take P4 chips, in which case you're looking at micro or flex... there are lots of micro and flex cases out there... newegg, directron, servercase, digitalconnection.. It would help if you explained what this machine is for, so that people can help with specific case/mobo/video recommendations... There are mini systems and there are mini systems.. all depends on what you want it for...

/syf3r

 

[Zepper]

There have been several threads recently on the same topic. Not hard to find if one bothers to look... Search this forum on- small -.
.bh.
:moon:

 

[dnuggett]

When you say mini, do you mean a mini-ITX form-factor system, or a SFF case that takes micro/Flex-ATX boards

Well I'm not sure...

I am looking to build a SFF (like a shuttle) but I'm trying to make it much cheaper then if I were to buy the whole system already assembled.

I'm going to use it as a regular computer to repalce an aging desktop.

There have been several threads recently on the same topic. Not hard to find if one bothers to look... Search this forum on- small -.

One did bother to look. I'm just really confused with the smaller cases what mobo to use with a P4 processor. And how I get the right case so that the mobo fits.

 

[Zepper]

For all of the cases I like (as in my posts in the threads you found when you searched on small), you need to use a standard mATX (micro ATX) mobo. And they don't require low profile add on cards. (Also search this forum on 'home' or 'HTPC' for small cases.)
Probably should avoid a super high-powered video card as the PSUs are pretty puny in these cases (I did find a 300W SFX PSU recently, but it sold out in a HURRY!) - most mATX have integrated video anyway but can be had with AGP slots for video upgrades.
There are also lots of threads on favorite vendors too. Newegg.com has been popular to date. Use their mobo configurator to get a list of mobos - just choose mATX form factor along with other needed characteristics.
.bh.
:moon: