mITX case - so many options!

[ChrisGlobe]

Replacing my now rather tatty 600T with something a bit smaller and more aesthetically pleasing; I think I've grown out of the garishly large case phase!

Looking to upgrade and downsize my rig all the way to mITX, so H100i, GTX980Ti, etc. all needs to fit.

Looking at the following options;

• Corsair Obsidian 250D
• Fractal Node 304
• Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV
• Sharkoon SHARK ZONE

I'm pretty sure I can discount the Sharkoon case because it appears the AIO cooler won't fit, but any thoughts on the others? Obviously leading towards the Corsair case, but I'd love to get some thoughts on them all if people own them?

Edit: Oh, and another question! Do any of them come in white?

Cheers!

 

[MrKambo]

My old 240 Air by Corsair

Thats with a H100 and MSI Gaming 980, also housed a 4770K, they also make them in white as well

Thats with my Asus Impact board which is uITX

 

[Thelosouvlakia]

I'd go with the Phanteks Evolv, it has recieved way too much praise for it to be a bad choice

 

[Lazlo]

Node 304 won't fit a H100i without modding.

 

[MadShadow]

Enthoo Evolv, check out my build gallery

If your motherboard has WiFi connect the two connectors to the motherboard BEFORE installing. It'll save you a lot of suffering

 

[Feronix]

To be honest I'm really not a fan of most of the Corsair ITX cases. The 380t has been massive improved but the 250D remains a very limited case, which is not what you want when you plan to make this into your main computer imho.

It won't fit proper air heatsinks, it has only one 140mm intake option and it's so low even the really high-end, tall graphics cards don't fit in it. Let alone that any AIO watercooler that's not a 240mm is going to look silly and if you want to go custom you're still limited to the 240mm slim radiator. Perfect if you want an H100i (or a competitor's solution), but not so perfect if you want anything else.

The 240 air is one of these weird cases at all. With an µATX system in it, it's super cramped, with an ITX system it's going to look empty. In Kambo's case he pulled it off well by putting in bottom fans, have the H100i in the front and sticking an SSD in the biggest empty spot. And then there are the silly little fan mounts in the rear.

Corsair makes some really nice cases but imo compact ones and compromise just aren't their thing.

The Node 304 and Sharkoon Sharkzone do not appear to fit the H100i without modding so that's an easy 'no' I suppose.

That leaves the Enthoo Evolv ITX from your list (mind you the regular Evolv is a µATX case), which is probably my personal favourite. It's spacious enough to work in, and put a crap tonne of hardware in as this is going to be your main PC. It has decent airflow for an ITX case and nice watercooling options if you want.

Then of course there are also the age old offerings from Bitfenix, and yeah a LOT of people have (had) a Prodigy by now, but there are also the Phenom and Colossus ITX if you are into either looks and the interior designs have proven themselves effective time an time again.

 

[Davva2004]

I love the Enthoo Evolv with its crafted aluminium awesomeness, and I'm really disappointed that the Evolv ITX uses steel and plastic instead of the aluminium.

If I were doing an mITX build then it would either be the Corsair 380T for its quirky design, or the Air 240 with the H100i up front and fans at the sides - I'd mount it with the window facing up. That would depend on which 980Ti you have though, as tall cards won't ft the 240.

 

[barnsley]

Phanteks everytime. You get better build quality than anything Corsair not to mention the whole look is alot less shouty/gamerrrrrrr.

 

[cooperman]

I think if you are going to go m-itx you should go for the smallest you can find like a cm 120 size or a fractal node some of the m-itx cases are just as big as micro towers (looking at you Corsair Obsidian 250D and BitFenix Prodigy) and then you mayaswell of just gotten a micro case and saved some money.

Here is a video about some m-itx cases showing size compatablity ect.

 

[ChrisGlobe]

Thanks everyone for their comments so far, they're a massive help, really are!

I have a Prodigy, which I use as a home server, but after spending months drooling over getting one (I wanted one in white, which were rare at the time I seem to recall!) I never really fell in love with it like I thought I would. The Phenom looks really nice, but I think I'll end up in the same boat.

It seems support for the Evolv is overwhelming, but I'm not sure, I can't put my finger on it but there's something I don't like - maybe the front panel design? :/

Would it make more sense to go mATX for my main rig? My plan is to put it on my desk, rather than on the floor, as we have a few dogs and I'm getting tired of cleaning my 600T's filters now!

Thanks again

Chris

 

[Optimouse_Prime]

380t

Have you considered the Corsair 380T? I've got one awesome little case and it fits my Gigabyte G1 980 in aswell

 

[SpencerUk]

Thanks everyone for their comments so far, they're a massive help, really are!

I have a Prodigy, which I use as a home server, but after spending months drooling over getting one (I wanted one in white, which were rare at the time I seem to recall!) I never really fell in love with it like I thought I would. The Phenom looks really nice, but I think I'll end up in the same boat.

It seems support for the Evolv is overwhelming, but I'm not sure, I can't put my finger on it but there's something I don't like - maybe the front panel design? :/

Would it make more sense to go mATX for my main rig? My plan is to put it on my desk, rather than on the floor, as we have a few dogs and I'm getting tired of cleaning my 600T's filters now!

Thanks again

Chris

You're not the only one that doesn't like the Evolv...For me its that front thing that does it.

My choices for each category;

For Mini ITX - Corsair 380T
Micro ATX: Corsair Air 240
ATX - Fractal Design Define S (With Window)

Boils down to space doesn't it in the end.

 

[AlienALX]

The best one I found that houses a full sized GPU is this.

http://www.quietpc.com/cooltek-jonsbo-umx1

I found it to be stunning, and absolutely tiny. Do note though you need a SFX PSU and be prepared to have to take things out and move them around to get it all in there.

I used one for my Pockit Rockit and the build quality was second to none.

Edit. Do note - only the black Plus model holds a full size GPU.

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

Hi

For the best small case I have ever seen, I would pick the nCase M1. Its expensive, however the features and how it is built puts it at the top of the list.

https://www.ncases.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azFtK7TWAfo

The one I chose for my build is a bit bigger but I am going full loop. It is the new CaseLabs Nova X2m. I am waiting for it to be delivered. Was supposed to ship on the 4th of September, but might be delayed a couple of weeks. Ordered it July 25th. You can't go wrong with CaseLabs. The wait is a bit of a bummer though

http://www.caselabs-store.com/nova-x2m/

 

[rfarmer]

I know some don't like it but I fell in love with the Evolv-itx. I also wish Phanteks had stuck with Aluminum, but at the price I really couldn't complain.

It will easily fit a 240mm rad and the slide out bracket is nice, fits a 330mm graphics card so a 980Ti shouldn't be a problem. Also cable management options on this m-itx case are so much better than many of the competitors.