Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 33

Thread: Thinking of going mATX

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Cornwall/Weston-Super-Mare
    Posts
    5,337
    Thanks
    438
    Thanked
    309 times in 262 posts
    • Behemoth's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte mATX
      • CPU:
      • Phenom 2 X2 555 BE
      • Memory:
      • 8 Gig DDR3 Corsair XMS 3 1600 MHz
      • Storage:
      • 4 TB's Storage
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX 460 OC2
      • PSU:
      • OCZ StealthStream 2 600 Watt
      • Case:
      • Silverstone TJ08-E
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • HP x23LED
      • Internet:
      • BT Broadband

    Thinking of going mATX

    Having thought a bout this for a few months now, I seem to find myself thinking about it again. The more and more I think about it, the more I like the idea.

    Essentially getting quite annoyed about having what I call a beast of buden on my desk (HAF 912 Case) whilst I like it, I'd like something thats going to sit more neatly on my desk and be fairly silent, so if I do feel the need to leave it run over night I can.

    Currently I've got an Asus M487TD USB 3 motherboard, AMD Phenom X2 555 BE and 8 gig of ram, GTX 460 GFX card, Wifi and TV card. One optical drive which I'm thinking of replacing with a Blu-Ray combo drive, 128 gig Crucial C300 and 3 x 1tb HDD's, two of which I would put into my Xeon box. PSU is an OCZ Stealth Stream 2 600 watt and I'm hoping I can take this over.

    So that leaves me with a case and Mobo to sell off, which I can imagine isn't going to be that hard, I suspect the mobo will sell quite quickly, case might be a bit harder, but I think I deally I'll need to get rid of these firts before I build up the mATX rig, I've got far too many full built or half built PC's I need shifting first !

    So looking for recommendations on case and a mobo, case must be able to take my current GTX 460 (Gigabyte OC2) and 1 x optical and 1 x HDD plus my SSD drive.

    Hmm thinking about it, I suspect I won't be able to use my Artic Cooler Freezer Pro 2, so suggestions a good performing sensibly price cooler would be very helpful also please.

    mATX is really not my area of expertise, so I shall bow down to your superior knowledge.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The land of Brum
    Posts
    10,128
    Thanks
    605
    Thanked
    1,220 times in 1,121 posts
    • Pob255's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X EVO
      • CPU:
      • FX8350 & CM Hyper 212+
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 2gb Corsair Vengence 1600mhz cas9
      • Storage:
      • 512gb samsung SSD +1tb Samsung HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EGVA GTX970
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic GX 650W
      • Case:
      • HAF 912+
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama XB3270QS-B1 32" IPS 1440p

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    I'll happly take the case off you for a reasonable price

    the big questions are what sort of case are you after? how much are you willing to pay?

    Fractal design mini ARC and Define Mini are very nice.
    You could easily keep all the hard drives in these cases.

    Too expensive? the Core 1000 isn't too bad as cheap matx cases go.
    Of course ideally you want an old coolermaster 340 or 341 for a cheap matx case but they are no longer in production

  3. #3
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The land of Brum
    Posts
    10,128
    Thanks
    605
    Thanked
    1,220 times in 1,121 posts
    • Pob255's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X EVO
      • CPU:
      • FX8350 & CM Hyper 212+
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 2gb Corsair Vengence 1600mhz cas9
      • Storage:
      • 512gb samsung SSD +1tb Samsung HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EGVA GTX970
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic GX 650W
      • Case:
      • HAF 912+
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama XB3270QS-B1 32" IPS 1440p

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    There's not a great range of AM3+ mATX motherboards atm, infact I can find no 9xx chipset mATX boards at all, best I can find is this 880g chipset from gigabyte http://www.scan.co.uk/products/gigab...-graphics-on-b

  4. #4
    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Gateshead
    Posts
    15,196
    Thanks
    1,231
    Thanked
    2,291 times in 1,874 posts
    • scaryjim's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Dell Inspiron
      • CPU:
      • Core i5 8250U
      • Memory:
      • 2x 4GB DDR4 2666
      • Storage:
      • 128GB M.2 SSD + 1TB HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Radeon R5 230
      • PSU:
      • Battery/Dell brick
      • Case:
      • Dell Inspiron 5570
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 15" 1080p laptop panel

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    Quote Originally Posted by Pob255 View Post
    ... I can find no 9xx chipset mATX boards at all ...
    I strongly suspect that's because the fabled 980G chipset has yet to materialise, so there's no 9x0 with integrated graphics - I can't remember the last time I saw an mATX board without integrated graphics, tbh...

  5. #5
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    31,621
    Thanks
    3,757
    Thanked
    5,060 times in 3,912 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    I would hold off for a while until Bulldozer is released to see how well the 880G AM3+ motherboards will work with it.

    Regarding a case the Silverstone FT03 seems a decent mATX case IMHO:

    http://www.scan.co.uk/search.aspx?q=FT03

  6. #6
    Comfortably Numb directhex's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    /dev/urandom
    Posts
    17,074
    Thanks
    228
    Thanked
    1,027 times in 678 posts
    • directhex's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus ROG Strix B550-I Gaming
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 5900x
      • Memory:
      • 64GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB
      • Storage:
      • 2TB Seagate Firecuda 520
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 Ultra
      • PSU:
      • EVGA SuperNOVA 850W G3
      • Case:
      • NZXT H210i
      • Operating System:
      • Ubuntu 20.04, Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 34GN850
      • Internet:
      • FIOS

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    Wifey has a Lian-Li v354.

    Has specific SSD mount points, and takes a Radeon 6970 easy with the lower drive cage removed






  7. #7
    Comfortably Numb directhex's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    /dev/urandom
    Posts
    17,074
    Thanks
    228
    Thanked
    1,027 times in 678 posts
    • directhex's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus ROG Strix B550-I Gaming
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 5900x
      • Memory:
      • 64GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB
      • Storage:
      • 2TB Seagate Firecuda 520
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 Ultra
      • PSU:
      • EVGA SuperNOVA 850W G3
      • Case:
      • NZXT H210i
      • Operating System:
      • Ubuntu 20.04, Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 34GN850
      • Internet:
      • FIOS

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    I would hold off for a while until Bulldozer is released to see how well the 880G AM3+ motherboards will work with it.

    Regarding a case the Silverstone FT03 seems a decent mATX case IMHO:

    http://www.scan.co.uk/search.aspx?q=FT03
    It's gorgeous, but "oddball" doesn't come close. Vertical mounting, cables at the top:


  8. #8
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The land of Brum
    Posts
    10,128
    Thanks
    605
    Thanked
    1,220 times in 1,121 posts
    • Pob255's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X EVO
      • CPU:
      • FX8350 & CM Hyper 212+
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 2gb Corsair Vengence 1600mhz cas9
      • Storage:
      • 512gb samsung SSD +1tb Samsung HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EGVA GTX970
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic GX 650W
      • Case:
      • HAF 912+
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama XB3270QS-B1 32" IPS 1440p

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    I keep forgetting about the mATX Lian-Li v354, I only every remember the Q08 miniITX version
    There's also the new PC-V600F which would be worth a look http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product...25&ss_index=63


    The fortress ft03 is also another realy nice, however these are all over £100

    I don't see anything "oddball" about it at all, this is not the first case silverstone has made with a rotated layout, infact that whole layout makes more sense than a standard pc layout, using the natural properties of heat rising to help with the cooling, the psu position forces all the cables to be run behind the motherboard tray.
    When you think about it, it's basically the layout as the SG07 but flipped onto it's front and personally I love it, the size of a case it's just how tall it is but all the dimentions as well as footprint.
    there are smaller overall cases where this case would still be better because of the smaller foot print.

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Cornwall/Weston-Super-Mare
    Posts
    5,337
    Thanks
    438
    Thanked
    309 times in 262 posts
    • Behemoth's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte mATX
      • CPU:
      • Phenom 2 X2 555 BE
      • Memory:
      • 8 Gig DDR3 Corsair XMS 3 1600 MHz
      • Storage:
      • 4 TB's Storage
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX 460 OC2
      • PSU:
      • OCZ StealthStream 2 600 Watt
      • Case:
      • Silverstone TJ08-E
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • HP x23LED
      • Internet:
      • BT Broadband

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    Don't mind spending £200 as all i need is mobo and case, I have everything else, but that really is top whack

    It has to be said the Fract Design is ticking all the boxes at the moment.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The land of Brum
    Posts
    10,128
    Thanks
    605
    Thanked
    1,220 times in 1,121 posts
    • Pob255's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X EVO
      • CPU:
      • FX8350 & CM Hyper 212+
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 2gb Corsair Vengence 1600mhz cas9
      • Storage:
      • 512gb samsung SSD +1tb Samsung HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EGVA GTX970
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic GX 650W
      • Case:
      • HAF 912+
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama XB3270QS-B1 32" IPS 1440p

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    Well current AM3+ matx motherboards means around £75 which would leave £125 for a case which opens it up to almost anything

    The Lian-Li PC-V354B at £130ish is just over budget

    Gigabyte GA-880GMA-USB3 @ £75 + Fractal Design Arc Mini @ £65 would leave you with about £60 change.

    Oh and no real reason why you cannot keep using the ACf7p v2, yes there's better out there but for a phenomII x2 555 you don't need massive cooling.
    You could go with a corsair A50 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/corsa...156-amdam2-am3 or coolermaster hyper212 plus http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coole...55-1156-1366-a both great sub £25 cooler options (the corsair has a better fan bracket but the fan's not quite as good (non-PWM)) Or even the ACf13p http://www.scan.co.uk/products/arcti...m2-am2plus-am3

    Then with the money saved you can sell me your HAF 912 at a discount

    hint hint


    PS one thing I must point out the front bezel of the ARC is not brushed aluminium, it's just plastic textured to look like brushed aluminium.
    It's thick ABS plastic so it's not some flimsy brittle cheap stuff that will crack with the slightest knock but it's not aluminium ether, but does look it in photos, less so in real life as it's near impossible to reproduce that sheen you get from anodizing.

  11. #11
    Comfortably Numb directhex's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    /dev/urandom
    Posts
    17,074
    Thanks
    228
    Thanked
    1,027 times in 678 posts
    • directhex's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus ROG Strix B550-I Gaming
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 5900x
      • Memory:
      • 64GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB
      • Storage:
      • 2TB Seagate Firecuda 520
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 Ultra
      • PSU:
      • EVGA SuperNOVA 850W G3
      • Case:
      • NZXT H210i
      • Operating System:
      • Ubuntu 20.04, Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 34GN850
      • Internet:
      • FIOS

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    Quote Originally Posted by Pob255 View Post
    PS one thing I must point out the front bezel of the ARC is not brushed aluminium, it's just plastic textured to look like brushed aluminium.
    It's thick ABS plastic so it's not some flimsy brittle cheap stuff that will crack with the slightest knock but it's not aluminium ether, but does look it in photos, less so in real life as it's near impossible to reproduce that sheen you get from anodizing.
    Whereas every last bit of the Lian-Li is beautifully anodized alu. Which accounts for the cost, I guess. And the (included) DVD drive bezel is spiffy.

  12. #12
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The land of Brum
    Posts
    10,128
    Thanks
    605
    Thanked
    1,220 times in 1,121 posts
    • Pob255's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X EVO
      • CPU:
      • FX8350 & CM Hyper 212+
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 2gb Corsair Vengence 1600mhz cas9
      • Storage:
      • 512gb samsung SSD +1tb Samsung HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EGVA GTX970
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic GX 650W
      • Case:
      • HAF 912+
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama XB3270QS-B1 32" IPS 1440p

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    I never said it wasn't, I automatically assumed he knows that lian-li cases are all anodized aluminium and high quality which is why they are 2 to 3 times the cost.
    I was pointing out the front bezel on the arc is plastic because the brushed texture does make it look like aluminium in photos and I've already seen a couple of people make the mistake of thinking it was aluminium.
    Personally I've got nothing against steel and plastic cases if they are decent quality, which the arc is.

    The only way to get cheap aluminium cases is ether older 2nd hand cases or chases that are actually steel with plastic bezels that have a thin sheet of anodized aluminium glued to the front.
    (I'm currently considering what to do with a jeantech butterfly case that has one of these veneered bezels, looks great but it's going to be a pig to mod)

  13. #13
    Getting old...
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    You Want To Ask That?
    Posts
    2,548
    Thanks
    187
    Thanked
    91 times in 87 posts
    • UseItNow's system
      • Motherboard:
      • It's holding everything together!
      • CPU:
      • It's in my PC
      • Memory:
      • It's remembering, alright?
      • Storage:
      • It's a hard drive, what more do you want?
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Cr*p, there I said it!
      • PSU:
      • It's old and juicy!
      • Case:
      • Bog standard!
      • Operating System:
      • You Got To Ask? I'm here at Hexus because of it!
      • Monitor(s):
      • Big Enough, Yay For Me!
      • Internet:
      • Hell if I know, care anymore?

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    Quote Originally Posted by directhex View Post
    It's gorgeous, but "oddball" doesn't come close. Vertical mounting, cables at the top:

    If you ever want rid of it, I'll possibly take it off you, well the case more than likely!

  14. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Birmingham
    Posts
    3,050
    Thanks
    248
    Thanked
    33 times in 31 posts
    • amjedm's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus A8N-Sli Premium
      • CPU:
      • Athlon X2 4200 S939 + Scythe Ninja rev A
      • Memory:
      • 2GB Corsair DDR PC3200
      • Storage:
      • Samsung T 160GB Sata in Scythe Quiet Box
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Nvidia 6600 256MB + Cooling Mod
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Noisetaker 485 (fanless) - lower chamber P180 fan doing the PSU cooling
      • Case:
      • P180 (modded - easier cable routing, front and rear grills cut)
      • Operating System:
      • XP Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 22" WTQ?
      • Internet:
      • O2 8MB (Standard)

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    I'd recommend the Fractal cases as well, have been keeping my eye on them but don't want spend that much...

    I currently have main setup in a Coolermaster 340 and find it a bit cramped so am looking to install kit in a Fractal Defini Mini or Arc Mini so easier to test hard disks etc.

    Wouldn't mind moving to Fractal Define R3 or Arc Midi but these are ATX cases...

  15. #15
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The land of Brum
    Posts
    10,128
    Thanks
    605
    Thanked
    1,220 times in 1,121 posts
    • Pob255's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X EVO
      • CPU:
      • FX8350 & CM Hyper 212+
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 2gb Corsair Vengence 1600mhz cas9
      • Storage:
      • 512gb samsung SSD +1tb Samsung HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EGVA GTX970
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic GX 650W
      • Case:
      • HAF 912+
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama XB3270QS-B1 32" IPS 1440p

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    Quote Originally Posted by amjedm View Post
    I'd recommend the Fractal cases as well, have been keeping my eye on them but don't want spend that much...

    I currently have main setup in a Coolermaster 340 and find it a bit cramped so am looking to install kit in a Fractal Defini Mini or Arc Mini so easier to test hard disks etc.

    Wouldn't mind moving to Fractal Define R3 or Arc Midi but these are ATX cases...
    Regularly swapping out hardware and small cases don't really mix.
    although the tray system in the Define mini and arc mini would make it easier.

    Ps did you consider the antec P180 mini? ok it's the size of a standard midi atx tower not a mATX tower

  16. #16
    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,147
    Thanks
    867
    Thanked
    143 times in 125 posts

    Re: Thinking of going mATX

    Quote Originally Posted by amjedm View Post
    I'd recommend the Fractal cases as well, have been keeping my eye on them but don't want spend that much...

    I currently have main setup in a Coolermaster 340 and find it a bit cramped so am looking to install kit in a Fractal Defini Mini or Arc Mini so easier to test hard disks etc.

    Wouldn't mind moving to Fractal Define R3 or Arc Midi but these are ATX cases...
    Sorry going to hijack but what are you doing with that 340
    Quote Originally Posted by TAKTAK View Post
    It was so small that mine wouldn't fit into it

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Budget mATX Build?
    By ctid in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 17-11-2009, 06:57 PM
  2. Thinking about going to Japan
    By Blackmage in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 06-06-2009, 02:04 AM
  3. Replies: 18
    Last Post: 13-02-2008, 01:26 PM
  4. i'm thinking about this product
    By illmatic282 in forum Console
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 21-09-2007, 09:04 PM
  5. Need to find a new 775 MATX board!!!
    By Recoil in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 30-05-2007, 04:22 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •