Fractal Design launches mini-ITX chassis, liquid cooling solutions

[HEXUS]

New Node 202 and Core 500 chassis and revised Kelvin Series coolers are revealed.

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[Bagpuss]

You absolute pig!!!

I'd like that core 500 but it's 3mm too tall for my TV stand shelf...ARRGGHHH!!!

[cjs150]

Core 500 looks interesting to me. I love watercooling and looks perfect to cool CPU and GPU using either 2x140 mm radiator or even a 200x200mm radiator (with a bit of modding).

Due to start building a new rig so this is definitely an option

[crossy]

You absolute pig!!!
I'd like that core 500 but it's 3mm too tall for my TV stand shelf...ARRGGHHH!!!

Don't want to get your hopes up, but some companies are lazy and just do their measurements on a desk - so the "height" includes the feet. In which case you might be able to get those much-needed mm back by not installing the feet or replacing them with "low profile" versions.

I really fancy the 202 for a build to replace a laptop I'm using as a low-end server - downside though is that to me SFX power supply means "noisy" and that just won't do. Shame, because £115 for the case and the PSU sounds like darn good value to me.

[Goobley]

I keep hoping that someone is going to release a decent mITX desktop case that I can just stick my monitor on top of. I currently have to stack my monitor on top of textbooks to be comfortable, why couldn't I use that space for my actual hardware? The 202 looks like it could almost to this, but without being designed for it I doubt the side would be strong enough... Maybe mod some additional rigidity into them...?

[Jowsey]

I keep hoping that someone is going to release a decent mITX desktop case that I can just stick my monitor on top of. I currently have to stack my monitor on top of textbooks to be comfortable, why couldn't I use that space for my actual hardware? The 202 looks like it could almost to this, but without being designed for it I doubt the side would be strong enough... Maybe mod some additional rigidity into them...?

That sounds like an extremely specific usage scenario. Why don't you make a little table* with space underneath for your computer and put your monitor on the table?

*I don't know where you'd buy one or if you are capable of making one

[crossy]

That sounds like an extremely specific usage scenario. Why don't you make a little table* with space underneath for your computer and put your monitor on the table?

*I don't know where you'd buy one or if you are capable of making one

Goobley - I'd second what Jowsey is saying. And what he is suggesting comes under a variety of names - either "monitor stand" or "monitor riser" are the most common. Google for these and you'll see what I mean:

(Other designs are available - and I've made these images into links so you can check prices if desired)

[Goobley]

Mm, thanks, that probably makes a lot of sense. It's always surprised how few desktop cases are around these days since they're pretty much all I can recall from the mid-90s. I'll take a gander down that route.

[Noxvayl]

I like those cases, simple and sleek aesthetics which would blend in perfectly to any modern living room. The interior of the cases seem well thought out and easy to work with. Not in the market for something like that but I do like the products Fractal Design have been releasing recently.

Mm, thanks, that probably makes a lot of sense. It's always surprised how few desktop cases are around these days since they're pretty much all I can recall from the mid-90s. I'll take a gander down that route.

If you are interested I have a riser you can use. Designed for laptops to use when on the couch but would work perfectly on a desk as well for a monitor. It is similar to the last picture crossy included in his post.