Want opinions on a good mATX case for Core i5 build.

[scaryjim]

Well that's me told

Actually, it's a very good call - I'd had a quick look at it on ebuyer but they only have the front on photo and I discounted it because at first glance it looked low profile (I assumed that it was 2x80mm fans on the side). Should've done a bit more research, I guess!

Although personally I still prefer the look of the NSK1380, but then I've got a soft spot for well designed cube cases

[Pob255]

Indeed there is something right about a cube case esp over a desktop case, desktop cases worked better when you stood a big CRT on them, they look a bit silly if you stand an LCD on them unless they are a real SFF case
Personally I liked the look of the NSK1380 but not the internal layout, I prefered the Aplus Blockbuster or Blockbuster Storm for internal layout.

[oolon]

How about a Lian Li PC-C37 it would fit in well in a living room, the PC-C37 takes normal PSUs and low profile cards, you can get the PC-C36 which can do 2 full height cards or 4 low profile ones, but has a custom PSU.

[DanceswithUnix]

I have an Antec Fusion case and although the internal volume isn't bad the footprint is really quite huge!

Have built a couple of Silverstone SG01 cased machines recently and once fitted with fan controllers on the noisy hard drive cage fan they are lovely, although a friend also using that case is I think having trouble with it coping with the heat from a 6850 graphics card and 955BE cpu (though I am convinced it can be fixed).

[MSIC]

Good to know about the Fusion, i suppose that i wouldnt want anything that (if i did indeed place it on my desk) intruded too much into my keyboard / work space.
That Lian-Li looks quality, although i'm going to think again about the footprint, and am now possibly favouring a cube-type form factor.

I recognise the value in planning heat dissipation needs in advance, although would imagine that my components would be something like the following:
2500k overclocked, but not adjusting the voltage (so I assume it wouldnt have impact on power consumption and/or heat production??)
Graphics card would be something like a 5770, or maybe even something newer that only requires power from the PCI-E lane.
A SSD for boot, plus my current new 2 platter 1TB drive, 2 x 4GB DDR3 plus the motherboard and that'd be good. I may well get by on keeping my current Tagan 430W modular PSU, not sure yet.

[Duke_]

Worth checking out the Silverstone GD05. I recently moved an mATX based system into one of these

I liked it because:
It looks good & has a discreet appearance, no really bright LEDs on the front
Good case airflow, although consider a fan controller or replacement fans as I can hear them when the TV is off (fine when watching / listening to something) this is just something to consider.
It accepts an ATX size PSU
It accepts full height graphics cards - and quite long cards, 8800GTS no problem, I've now moved to a silent Asus 5570 which is great although it does take up the adjacent PCI slot on the mobo with the heatsink. I considered the 5770 but decided the 5570 was fine for HTPC and I wasn't going to play many games on it.
It is a cosy case to work in but if you're careful with cable management it works like a charm. I'd also suggest a psu with modular connections - sadly I didn't and had to tidy up a lot of unused cables but it worked out fine.
Good value, £72 from Scan
Really nice build construction

I thought long and hard about the Antec Fusion case but decided against the front display (too far away to read it, waste of money etc) and the GD05 is shorter.

Hope this helps, good luck.

[Pob255]

How about one of the silverstone SGUO series, the SG02 or SG03 or SG04 if you want a handle
Only issue is the psu above the cpu so low profile coolers only

For a small foot print the Fortress 03 ticks all the boxes and personally I love the look, only down side is that it might be a couple of weeks to a month before it hits the UK, so cost and availability are unknown and being so new we don't know it's little foibles yet.

[MSIC]

See my next thread about 6850 cards, and further discussion of heat dispersion / cases:
http://forums.hexus.net/graphics-car...xhausting.html