micro atx case's...i need a new one to mod!

[razer121]

ok so some may have seen my recent coolermaster 340 thread, well now it is finished i fancy a new task! first up...

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/fract...-black-w-o-psu

I like the look of this case but does anyone else have any suggestions on good case's??

[Pob255]

The fractal design mini-Arc is one of the few decent mATX cases on the market atm, shame it's a bit pricey.

The other two good mATX cases being the Fractal design Define mini and Silverstone TJ08B-E

One case that looks very interseting and full of potential is the Aplus CS-566C http://www.maxpoint.de/en/products/c..._objectID=1236 however I've only found one place that sells it and that's in germany.

If you want I've got a Chieftec mATX case I could let you have for postage or collection.
It's one of the old Bravo BS01 cases http://www.chieftec.eu/index.php?opt...id=246&lang=EN
They are really solid cases but a pig to work in stock due to the short length, also makes getting a standard ATX psu in a tricky job.

[razer121]

Thanks for the suggestions pob, but going to have to call it a miss as nice as that case is, it lacks what im looking for as the psu needs to be at the bottom this time round,

williehuff - whats way over your head exactly?

[Splash]

Razer - not sure if it would be of interest to you, but I have a Lian Li PC-V600B sat here doing nothing - if it's a modjob that could possibly be of use to you? Bottom mounted PSU, little brother to the V1000 that Collosous gave a new paintjob to lately.

[Jasp]

The free hexus shipping the way he's going lol. Sorry couldn't resist..

[razer121]

Thanks splash but although i really like the case i have a rather large cpu cooler XD

[Jasp]

Whats you aim for the new case? something like the Nzxt Vulcan is a excellent micro ATX case in its own right though a little on the vulgar side lol.

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1025.html

[razer121]

no major preference but i want to make sure the psu is at the bottom of it

[Jasp]

Ill post Da Box 100 as a option for playing around with though its stupidly expensive the amount of gear you can fit in it for a Micro ATX case is amazing.

http://www.lan-gear.eu/shop/en/11-da-box-100.html

[Pob255]

Well if you're modding you can put the psu in the bottom yourself I did it with project spork, although I'll admit it's a fairly major construction job and would be more so in this chieftec due to the internal structure.

The Fractal design Arc mini is probably your best bet for fitting a ton of high end components with the Silverstone TJ08B-E along side, both have extra width which gives them a chunk more volume than normal mATX cases and more space for cable management which can be very limited in an matx chassis.

Although a lot will depend on what you plan to do with it.

The Silverstone TJ08B-E has a rather unconventional layout, the psu is at the top however the internals are flipped upside down internally which actually make a lot of sense, the optical drives and psu are in a separate chamber in the top, which allows the front 180mm air penetrator fan to blow air across the whole motherboard. Also the psu is not in the middle but is offset to provide a big space beside/behind it for excess cables to be hidden.
With the motherboard tray upside down the cpu socket is near the bottom of the case which has allowed silverstone to create a cpu cooler rest/bracket to help support the weight of a large cpu cooler and reduce strain/pressure on the motherboard from the weight of oversized coolers.
The hard drive cage is like wise is connected to the bottom of the case not suspended from the 5.25" bays above it this allows for almost the full length of the case to be used for card length and a long card support bracket.
The only real major lack is for water cooling support.

Should also mention the silverstone Fortress FT03 that's another very good, but pricey, mATX case.
Although I'd generally rule that out for modding as I cannot see anything much I'd want to change to it.
About the only thing I would want to do would be to replace the plastic side and top covers with custom milled aluminium replacements.

[razer121]

Thanks pob but that is not my taste...however i have come to a decision! it is between these two case's, the Fractal arc mini and the silverstone TJ08B both good case's both seem to suit my needs, but which one is going to mod easier thoughts?

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/fract...-black-w-o-psu

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/silve...usb-30-w-o-psu

[scaryjim]

... which one is going to mod easier ...

Depends entirely on what you plan to do with it! They're very different design cases: the Fractal being somewhat more traditional, whereas the Silverstone appears to have a completely upside down construction! I note that earlier you said you needed the PSU at the bottom though, and the Silverstone has it at the top (albeit "under" the motherboard from a traditional point of view)...

[Pob255]

Depends entirely on what you plan to do with it! They're very different design cases: the Fractal being somewhat more traditional, whereas the Silverstone appears to have a completely upside down construction! I note that earlier you said you needed the PSU at the bottom though, and the Silverstone has it at the top (albeit "under" the motherboard from a traditional point of view)...

Exactly what scarey jim said, depends on what modding you plan to do to it.

[razer121]

Hmph its hard to choose! the idea of the psu being at the bottom is due to me wanting to mod some handles into the top, for some reason i really dig them lol.

But also for the whole better cooling that it gives, the front is going to be like p4storm so thats the idea of the case, also a side window with some kind of etch in it, unsure what etch atm but will do something....i am now leaning toward the fractal one due to the window and psu placment...

[razer121]

I've decided on the fractal case! due to a window mod being a must, the fractal will suit it more, now to just do some templates wish i was good with sketchup! would make it so much easier paper and pen it is XD

[Pob255]

Ahh you mean an mATX version of this one you did http://forums.hexus.net/project-logs...-case-mod.html

I would be tempted to say look at the NZXT vulcan mainly because it's cheaper, although it's a bit narrow which makes cableing a bit more challenging.
Or go with the ARC, I'd personally not want to do any major modding to the TJ08B-evolution that aluminium front bezel is too nice to mess with.

You could take a standard matx case and just invert it.
one of the WinIn EM series would be good for that http://www.scan.co.uk/products/inwin...ewless-w-o-psu it would involve quite a bit of work, probably need to replace the front of the frame and make/heavly alter the original bezel.