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

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

    Am starting early stage thinking about my next build, and despite my love of my Antec P180 (which has done a sterling job), it's frankly just too big.
    My PC desk is now situated in our family living room, so i need something that looks classy and is quiet (ie no side windows, no neon flashy what-nots). I will quite probably have it sitting on my desk, so am thinking mATX, and am possibly considering it lying on it's side with the monitor on top.

    With that in mind, something like an Antec Fusion comes to mind, although I have no interest in the media aspects specifically.

    Can I get some ideas please?
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    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
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    Re: Want opinions on a good mATX case for Core i5 build.

    What graphics card are you thinking of? Going to make a big difference what cases you can look at...

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

    The Silverstone SG03 would be worth considering but unless you use high CFM fans it will run hot.

    The Lan Gear Da Box 100 is quirky but seems a nice case too:

    http://www.lan-gear.com/langear-products

    This Shuttle should do the job if you want to re-use your Q6600:

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/222816

    You will need to get some DDR3 RAM too.

    The Shuttle SH55J2 can be had for around £160 and uses socket 1156 processors.

    If you get a mini ITX motherboard the Lian Li PC-Q08 and Silverstone SG07 are worth considering.

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

    Crikey, that Shuttle is a bargain! Almost makes me consider keeping the Q6600 for a while yet...

    But no, i'm going to slowly gather ideas for a Core i5 2500K-based machine.
    It certainly wont be before March though, and may even be into May or June before i save up the proper pennies. As I said, early stage thinking.

    That Langear does look nice though, I'll read some reviews later.

    As for graphics card, I'm not sure yet. I currently have a 3870, which works, but truthfully if I'm getting a new system I'll save extra for something better.
    In principle, I'm looking at something like an AMD 5770 or similar, and definitely want something that is lower power requirements than current.
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    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: Want opinions on a good mATX case for Core i5 build.

    coolermaster elite 360?
    Quote Originally Posted by TAKTAK View Post
    It was so small that mine wouldn't fit into it

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


    TM-B11 Black Micro ATX

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

    OK, full height graphics card is going to rule out some of my favourite cases, but it still allows you the option of my absolute favourite mATX case: Antec NSK1380. You'll occasionally hear my slag this case off, but only because it's more expensive and less well featured than its predecessor, the Antec Aria. Still a very good case though, surprisingly compact, and looks amazing

    Otherwise, I don't think there's an awful lot of interesting cases out there: there's some nice looking Silverstone full-atx desktop cases: all the decent mATX desktops seem to be low profile...

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

    In my system I use a Core i5 in a SG03 with a Corsair H50. A little bit tight, but I haven't had any problems for over a year that I've had it. You do need a graphics card that exhausts out the back (most standard ones) unless you want to mod the case.

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

    Don't get an Asus case they are very poor quality.

    If you want a micro tower how about the silverstone TJ08 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/silve...-black-w-o-psu
    Slightly cheaper, the InWin EM series are decent construction http://www.scan.co.uk/products/inwin...ewless-w-o-psu
    The Scan listing is incorrect, they can take a rear 120mm or 92mm fan and a front 92mm fan (could easily be modded for a 140mm fan in the front) http://www.in-win.com.tw/products_pc...6&model_id=240
    Avoid the Z series as while it's cheaper it's not as wide so can only take a 92mm fan in the rear and it's only designed for a single hard drive screwed flat onto the front.

    For a desktop case how about the Antec NSK2480 http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTE0Nw==

    Or pray silverstone finally gets around to releaseing the Fortress ft03 (which they have just done )
    http://www.silverstonetek.com/produc...pno=FT03&area=

    however there's one issue you've not looked at, Core i5 2500K-based machine, will require a p67 motherboard if you want to overclock it so you're looking at full ATX not mATX motherboard, which rules out a lot of smaller cases.

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

    Asus make a couple of mATX P67 boards, like this one:
    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-...gb-s-raid-matx
    However thanks for the thought - it's stuff like that which upsets months of potential research !!
    (Also, please correct me if i'm still missing something relevant).

    I actually looked at that InWin the other day thinking that it looks quite nice, although nice for a budget system rather than something i'd want for a personal build. Am liking the Silverstones and a couple of Antecs so far, probably with some sort of brushed-aluminium finish. I can imagine paying certainly over £50, although unlikely to pay over £100.

    Am also not completely ruling out getting a Shuttle, however I dont need the small space, it's just a wish, and given potential compromises of space / heat / power, will probably go mATX.
    Thanks for the ideas chaps.
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    Re: Want opinions on a good mATX case for Core i5 build.

    My Shuttle SD37P2 has served me well for over 4 years as my primary PC. It currently contains a mildly overclocked Q6600 and an overclocked HD4830 512MB ATM.

    Here are some more details of the new Shuttles being launched:

    http://forums.hexus.net/small-form-f...stems-ces.html

    Also,if you don't intend to build your PC for a few months I would wait until AMD Bulldozer is released. AFAIK,it is being released in Q2 2011 supposedly around April or May.

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

    Ok I wasn't aware of any mATX p67 boards, just looked at scan's p67 page again, what's the first board? the Intel BOXDP67DE an mATX P67 from intel ok it's only been a couple of weeks and my info is out of date

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

    That Ebuyer shuttle is incredible value - will read up on some reviews.

    I hope they've improved over the years though. I've actually gone through 3 dead shuttles in 8 years.

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

    Quote Originally Posted by kori sletekke View Post
    That Ebuyer shuttle is incredible value - will read up on some reviews.

    I hope they've improved over the years though. I've actually gone through 3 dead shuttles in 8 years.
    Even my SN41G2 V2 still works and it is over 5 years old.

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    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
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    Re: Want opinions on a good mATX case for Core i5 build.

    The thing to watch with desktop cases is that a lot of them are slimline / low profile and would seriously limit your graphics card options. The ones that accept full height graphics cards are often full ATX, so almost as big as a standard tower case anyway...

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

    Quote Originally Posted by scaryjim View Post
    The thing to watch with desktop cases is that a lot of them are slimline / low profile and would seriously limit your graphics card options. The ones that accept full height graphics cards are often full ATX, so almost as big as a standard tower case anyway...
    That's why I suggested the Antec NSK2480
    It's mATX, full height cards, standard ATX psu (another point is that many use micro ATX psu's) it's foot print is however larger than a normal micro tower on it's side, it's about the same volume because it thinner.

    One major thing about cases is Volume of space and perceived size is not the same thing, good example here is the Lian Li PC-A05NB which many people say is small, it's not it's short (height), what it loses in height it makes up for in extra length, so it's actually around the same volume as a normal midtower case.

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