Looking for some good, small, MATX options.

phantommaggot

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 25, 2014
Messages
127
so, with zen 3 out and me still beating on a 4790k... It's time for me to upgrade.


That said, I'm no fan of the current ITX boards for zen.. I don't really like the z490 boards all that much either but... There are a few I could live with for different reasons.
I miss the z87-97 days where boards were full featured and not over priced...


I'm considering looking into a zen3 MATX build in the near future and am shopping around for some parts. But I really need a decent case option that isn't a big/old style tower.

I had considered modding a riotoro cr280 to hold a MATX board... sorta... and using that. I kind of thought this option out a few years ago when I built my daughters PC in one. It's a decent little case for the money. (mount a SFX PSU in front of the lower part of the board and make a shrould for the PSU and platter drive I'd have in the bottom)

FWIW i'm using a modded node 304 right now. I was looking at getting a Hadron air and modding it but EVGA seems to have dropped it :(

Let me know whats out there. I'm not really looking for a giant cube...
 
No giant cube, so no go on the Corsair 280x? hehe. The gotcha with cases is that is preference. Sure there are airflow consideration and cable management, but at the end of the day, if you're putting it in an area where you're going to be looking at it, what kind of case do you want?

My friend wanted the 280x ever since they saw Corsair's promo for their prebuild but it's definitely more cube like. There's also NZXT's H400i if you like the look of their cases as the smallest to the biggest looks somewhat the same. If you want something less flashy, Fractal makes non cube like Micro ATX cases. I love their quality as I'm sure you do to with your 304.

Oh, in the case you're still looking into an ITX setup, check out the Masterbox NR200 by Cooler Master. I think my next build for my bro in law will be using this case (per his req).
 
No giant cube, so no go on the Corsair 280x? hehe. The gotcha with cases is that is preference. Sure there are airflow consideration and cable management, but at the end of the day, if you're putting it in an area where you're going to be looking at it, what kind of case do you want?

My friend wanted the 280x ever since they saw Corsair's promo for their prebuild but it's definitely more cube like. There's also NZXT's H400i if you like the look of their cases as the smallest to the biggest looks somewhat the same. If you want something less flashy, Fractal makes non cube like Micro ATX cases. I love their quality as I'm sure you do to with your 304.

Oh, in the case you're still looking into an ITX setup, check out the Masterbox NR200 by Cooler Master. I think my next build for my bro in law will be using this case (per his req).
MATX really needs more love, that's for sure... or.. ITX needs the love it used to get lol.
I don't want a huge cube... Biggest I'd want is just wide enough to maybe fit a 240mm rad in the front.. the node 804 is SO much bigger than the 304 I have now (from my prospective on things)

It's like, I can't get a board that has all the features I need the way I could a few generations ago.
I use a powered sub and a fiber optic cable for audio, for example... I also use a LOT of usb stuff

If ASrock could make the X99E itx board... they could get a full audio setup and a double NIC on a ITX board for the smaller chips....
The ASRock z490m itx ac is SO close... but when they ditched the E series boards.. they ditched that full audio setup. That's the best ITX board on the market for me though.. with both M.2 on top of the board.

if I go itx, I was considering the larger lazer 3d case
it looks good on that little stand with the graphics card out front and I think if I messed with it enough I could water cool it..
BUT, it's awful expensive for a easy to scratch plexi cae.. I'd have to buy some lamin-x for it... smh/lol
 
Since we are in the SFFS sub-forum, I'm assuming you want something small.
if you want something that fits an M-ATX board and ATX power supply, your options are limited.

From what I've seen you either have to get something barebones from a chinese e-store, or try out the sliger cerebrus or cooler master nr200. Both are just under 20 litres in volume.

If you are ok with something that is 20 to 25 litres in volume then your options do increase. Maybe the inwin 301, thermaltake core G3 or silverstone ps15 would fit the bill.

I've been looking into shrinking my matx system down from my 33 litre fractal define C mini but haven't settled on anything.
 
Back
Top