Mini-ITX Case that fits R9 270x & CX500m?

[Edge]

Hey guys,

So my old PC case is kinda knackered and terrible for airflow, and it's about time for an upgrade anyway, so I was thinking about transferring some of my current bits into a Mini-ITX Lan/Steam Box, and building a new main tower.

My current PC has a Sapphire R9 270x Vapor-X 2GB OC (I believe it's 11"?), and a Corsair CX500m that I'd like to reuse in the Mini-ITX build.

What are my best options for cases with these two parts?

 

[Feronix]

Don't know exactly how long your card is, but the CM Elite 120/130 and Bitfenix ITX cases all support HD 7990s so I'm assuming yours should fit in those as well?

 

[barnsley]

What is your budget?

I'd look at Bitfenix's various cases, Aerocool Dead Silence, The Xigmatek Aquila (imo best looker of all that I've listed) or the corsair 250d. The Elite 130 is alright but it can get a bit warm in my experience.

 

[Edge]

Don't know exactly how long your card is, but the CM Elite 120/130 and Bitfenix ITX cases all support HD 7990s so I'm assuming yours should fit in those as well?

264(L)X103(W)X35(H) apparently. Well, if they fit a 7990, that works. Trying to get away from CM, my current case in CM and I'm not a fan (although it was a budget case), so it seems Bitfenix may be a good option.

What is their best ITX case? I'd like it to have good airflow and be nice and quiet.

What is your budget?

I'd look at Bitfenix's various cases, Aerocool Dead Silence, The Xigmatek Aquila (imo best looker of all that I've listed) or the corsair 250d. The Elite 130 is alright but it can get a bit warm in my experience.

I'll take a look at those, thanks. I'll spend anywhere up to £100 if the case is worth it.

 

[Innocent159]

Bitfenix imo (a beauty)

 

[Feronix]

What is your budget?

I'd look at Bitfenix's various cases, Aerocool Dead Silence, The Xigmatek Aquila (imo best looker of all that I've listed) or the corsair 250d. The Elite 130 is alright but it can get a bit warm in my experience.

The Dead Silence and Aquila are actally mATX cases though. To add to that, the Aerocool one is a straight-up Bitfenix ripoff anyway

The Elite 130 only features on intake fan, so that's the downside. For the GPU however, it has vented side panels so it can intake air from outside the case.

The Bitfenix cases can fit up to 2x120mm or 1x230mm fans in the front, so airflow shouldn't really be a problem, especially with the Prodigy with the mesh front panel.

 

[Edge]

Okay so I'm basically decided on either the Prodigy, Phenom ITX or Colossus ITX. What are the pros and cons of these cases?

I see the Prodigy has a front mesh, so that could be really good for airflow as Feronix mentioned. Thoughts?

 

[barnsley]

The Dead Silence and Aquila are actally mATX cases though. To add to that, the Aerocool one is a straight-up Bitfenix ripoff anyway

The Elite 130 only features on intake fan, so that's the downside. For the GPU however, it has vented side panels so it can intake air from outside the case.

The Bitfenix cases can fit up to 2x120mm or 1x230mm fans in the front, so airflow shouldn't really be a problem, especially with the Prodigy with the mesh front panel.

I had an elite 120 with a athlon 750k and a 650ti. It was a bit too noisy for the gpu imo and you can feel the price as well .

Also both the areocool and the xigmatek support itx as well hence why I listed them.

Honestly I'd advise going against itx unless you can get a case that supports a triple slot gpu.

 

[Edge]

I had an elite 120 with a athlon 750k and a 650ti. It was a bit too noisy for the gpu imo and you can feel the price as well .

Also both the areocool and the xigmatek support itx as well hence why I listed them.

Honestly I'd advise going against itx unless you can get a case that supports a triple slot gpu.

mATX eh.. I'd be sacrificing size, but could be really nice for keeping things cool. Argh I can't do decisions.

 

[barnsley]

mATX eh.. I'd be sacrificing size, but could be really nice for keeping things cool. Argh I can't do decisions.

As someone whos done a few itx builds and has one now. Get mATX. You get more upgrade room for starters.

 

[Edge]

As someone whos done a few itx builds and has one now. Get mATX. You get more upgrade room for starters.

In that case - Phenom/Colossus mATX or Prodigy M?

 

[barnsley]

In that case - Phenom/Colossus mATX or Prodigy M?

If you like the fancy LED thing go Colossus. Otherwise Phenom. They're quieter than the Prodigy but pretty much the same when it comes to cooling.

 

[Feronix]

Okay so I'm basically decided on either the Prodigy, Phenom ITX or Colossus ITX. What are the pros and cons of these cases?

I see the Prodigy has a front mesh, so that could be really good for airflow as Feronix mentioned. Thoughts?

Prodigy has the front mesh which is awesome to keep temps down. The Phenom has somewhat restricted airflow but looks awesome. I wouldn't recommend putting high end hardware in there without a bit of modding though. I think the Colossus ITX is somewhere in the middle performance wise.

I had an elite 120 with a athlon 750k and a 650ti. It was a bit too noisy for the gpu imo and you can feel the price as well .

Also both the areocool and the xigmatek support itx as well hence why I listed them.

Honestly I'd advise going against itx unless you can get a case that supports a triple slot gpu.

What's the point in getting an ITX motherboard when the case you have supports bigger boards. Might as well make use of the space then and go mATX indeed. On the other hand, I personally have a weak spot for small powerhouses so either go ITX with an ITX case, or mATX. No ITX builds in mATX cases >: (

In that case - Phenom/Colossus mATX or Prodigy M?

Personally, I think Bitfenix mATX cases are terrible. Too restrictive and too much compromise in component choice.

 

[Edge]

Personally, I think Bitfenix mATX cases are terrible. Too restrictive and too much compromise in component choice.

For the sake of flexibility I may as well go mATX, but this concerns me. What are your thoughts on the Corsair Air 240? Although that's not as easy for carrying around, it's pretty tidy looking.

 

[barnsley]

What's the point in getting an ITX motherboard when the case you have supports bigger boards. Might as well make use of the space then and go mATX indeed. On the other hand, I personally have a weak spot for small powerhouses so either go ITX with an ITX case, or mATX. No ITX builds in mATX cases >: (

I know but tbh it gives him alot more of a gpu choice. I have a massive weak spot for small pretty cases as well however sometimes you have to follow your brain instead :I.

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

I have a Corsair Obsidian 250D for my Hackintosh mITX build. Love this case. Works perfect with the Corsair H100i CPU AIO cooler. Look at Tom's review here:

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/corsair_obsidian_250d_itx_case_review/1

I used to have an EVGA Hadron Air chassis for my build, but it was very cramped.

You can see my 250D insides in this thread: http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=61199 The graphics card is an EVGA Geforce GTX760 and it has no problems fitting even bigger cards
--Rick--

 

[Edge]

That looks pretty good, but I'm not really a fan of the aesthetic.

Does anyone have any experience with the Fractal Define Mini?

 

[barnsley]

That looks pretty good, but I'm not really a fan of the aesthetic.

Does anyone have any experience with the Fractal Define Mini?

Quite literally a small version of the mid tower. Basically its quiet, sleek and solid. Really a very good case .

 

[Edge]

Quite literally a small version of the mid tower. Basically its quiet, sleek and solid. Really a very good case .

I'm sold then! Always wanted a Fractal case, and been a fan of the R4 for a while. Guessing it'll fit everything no prob

 

[Feronix]

I'm sold then! Always wanted a Fractal case, and been a fan of the R4 for a while. Guessing it'll fit everything no prob

You won't regret that purchase