Best MATX case, Small, WC possibly etc?

P

Pjalchemist

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
253
I've moved away from ITX as i got a deal on some super kit and needed more grunt.

If there is room to watercool internaly then ideal but doesn't have to be a must at all.

Need to home this

Intel i7 3770K
Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB
Asus Maximus V GENE
Gigabyte 660TI OC X2 SLI
Crucial M4 256GB X2 RAID 1
Western Digital 2TB X2 RAID1
Optical drive type pending case
ATX PSU

RAID 1 on both drives all for redundancy. SSD is OS and apps, 2TB is data and back up. There is a 24TB server too.

So looking for something small, sexy, cool etc etc
 
Need more info from ya, like what you consider small?

Also, for watercooling are you looking for just quiet or actually keeping things colder than air?

Do you have the option of modding the case or are you looking for mainly a plug and play deal like CLCs?
 
xyexz said:
Need more info from ya, like what you consider small?

Also, for watercooling are you looking for just quiet or actually keeping things colder than air?

Do you have the option of modding the case or are you looking for mainly a plug and play deal like CLCs?
Click to expand...

Well i was using ITX an that was an FT03-MINI.

Quite with a degree of more cooling that air. It's not a major. I can always use my 580GTX external setup :) and currently no full cover block for my cards.

CLC? I can mod, i have tools, friends and contacts for bits and bobs.
 
CLC = Closed Loop Cooler eg: Corsair H60, 100 or Antec 620, 920 etc.

Also, what is your budget for things like watercooling blocks, rads etc?

At a quick glance you'd want at least a 240 for your cpu and another 240 thick rad for your cards, trying to think about what MicroATX case could deliver such a need for space.

I'll look around and see what I can find, off the top of my head if you're into modding I think you could do something sweet with this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815016

I've always wanted to see someone mod the crap out of it but I think people are too scared of it because it doesn't have side panels - I think this could be solved easily by adding a side window that could be taken out.
 
 
wtourist beat me too it, but I was trying to remember the Fractal Design case that people used to rave about (not so much anymore?):

I definitely second the Fractal Design Arc Mini:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352008

The Core 1000 is not really a good choice as it offers poor cable management and also not nearly as RAD ready as the Arc Mini - the only real good difference between the Core 1000 and the Arc Mini is the price but you're getting much less with the 1000.

A WC Dragon Slayer would be sweet but that would be a difficult build I think if going full WC internal.
 
LIAN LI PC-V354 does look the smallest. Have looked at a few reeviews and mods. See on with a 360, 200 and it's said dual 240's fit in the front with some mods!

Fractal Design Arc Mini is the next option.

Fractal Design Core1000 i have this for an old LGA775 Q6600 backup rig and it's not bad, but i'd not put this lot into it.

This is my GFX

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/...diagtx660tikeplerseries/gv-n66toc-2gd-eu.html

http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4344#ov

http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/step1_complist?gpu_gpus=818

EK offers nothing currently :( but ....

http://www.ekwb.com/news/289/19/FC-water-block-for-reference-design-GTX-660-in-the-works/

So who knows.

Happy to use CLC's like Corsair for CPU and have seen mods for the Antec on GFX, if something can be done ideal. If not then a proper loop be done.

Have a big stash of wc parts and i'm in the trade to a degree so cost is not an issue.

I should perhaps point out i am in the uk
 
xyexz said:
CLC = Closed Loop Cooler eg: Corsair H60, 100 or Antec 620, 920 etc.

Also, what is your budget for things like watercooling blocks, rads etc?

At a quick glance you'd want at least a 240 for your cpu and another 240 thick rad for your cards, trying to think about what MicroATX case could deliver such a need for space.

I'll look around and see what I can find, off the top of my head if you're into modding I think you could do something sweet with this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815016

I've always wanted to see someone mod the crap out of it but I think people are too scared of it because it doesn't have side panels - I think this could be solved easily by adding a side window that could be taken out.
Click to expand...
thanks i will take a look
i am building a htpc right now:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top