Lightweight ATX case

[Thorsson]

I find that I'm going to be spending the next 9 months in the U.S. so I'll be building my new machine there rather than the UK. At the end of that time I'd like to bring it back, so I want to make it as light as possible. However I don't want to sacrifice performance so I want a case that's a decent size, good airflow, strong, but light.

Any suggestions?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

What about a Silverstone Sugo or a Shuttle system?? I hope you do not intend to fly with the system as there have been a few horror stories!!

Here is one:

http://www.sudhian.com/index.php?/fo...wthread/96370/

[Thorsson]

The problem with Shuttle is that they need special kit, which basically won't deliver the bangs per buck I'm after.

As the trip is business I get to fly Business Class and I get plenty of storage space and luggage allowance, so I expect I could come to some arrangement to carry a normal mid-tower. I'd probably take out the HDDs and HSF (maybe the PSU too), and pack them separately. It's not like going round to a LAN party so taking the box fully fitted seems daft to me.

If that won't work then I guess it's Fedex, and weight will be equally important there.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I still think that the Sugo is your best bet though unless you get something like an Antec NSK4000 mini tower:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ANTEC-NSK400.../dp/B000QY85V6

The NSK3400 is even smaller and is one of the smallest towers I have seen personally:

http://www.links.co.jp/html/press2/nsk3400.html

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/125576

A lightweight aluminium case such as the Antec Super Lanboy may also be a viable option:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article134-page1.html

Shuttles come with their own motherboard and psu preinstalled anyway. You can get specialised carrying cases for them which makes it much easier to transport than a box!! They also weigh less which is also an additional bonus for air travel.

[Salazaar]

When I brought a machine home from the US I just took it apart and packed it up into a cardboard box, I left the case over there. It was much easier that way and far less bulky.

[aidanjt]

Here's a crazy idea... A laptop?

[rabbid]

"won't deliver the bangs per buck I'm after"

So probably not a laptop, tho we dont know Thorsson's requirements/projected usage. If hes not gaming why not a laptop?

[xrob]

Antec P182 Gun metal, friend of mine just got one and its lush.

[Thorsson]

Salazaar, I had thought of that solution and it certainly remains an option.

I don't game much, and I don't know even how much time I would have for gaming (and there's no point in getting a serious screen), but it will be a probably be a Quad with 4Gb RAM running Vista 64 Ultimate. I have applications that I usually run 24/7 and I want every bit of bang I can get without spending silly bucks. Gaming is not the only thing to require power.

I don't know diddly squat about Shuttles but my impression in the past was that they were a step away from the leading edge and expensive in comparison with normal systems. Tell me that's no longer the case and they would be a serious option. Laptops are definitely not.

[aidanjt]

I don't know diddly squat about Shuttles but my impression in the past was that they were a step away from the leading edge and expensive in comparison with normal systems. Tell me that's no longer the case and they would be a serious option. Laptops are definitely not.

Not anymore.

You get a case, motherboard, and PSU for £220 odd, so good value as well.

[DanceswithUnix]

Another vote for Shuttle here.

Most limiting factors with a Shuttle is inability to handle 2 slot wide graphics cards and poor overclocking. Sounds like neither of those apply to you.

You do pay a little extra, but then you get the ability to chuck it in a carry bag.

[aidanjt]

Most limiting factors with a Shuttle is inability to handle 2 slot wide graphics cards and poor overclocking. Sounds like neither of those apply to you.

A quick job with a dremil would fix that too. Even if that were the case.

[Pob255]

Mini-ATX (not Midi ATX) like the NSK3400 are quite good ( we use a cheiftech version at work)
They are not the eaiest of things to go digging around in, esp removeing the hard drive as the cpu cooler tends to get in the way.
You'll need a smaller uATX motherboard than a standard ATX which means am max of 4 rear expasion ports.

I'd agree with Salazaar, take it to bits, keep what you want and ditch the rest. If you get a cheap motherboard you could ditch that as well, along with DVD drive cables and such.
A CPU and memory isn't going to take up much space or weight a graphics card, hard drive & PSU will take more (esp high quality PSU)

A Shuttle is small but they are well packed and are not that light.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Another vote for Shuttle here.

Most limiting factors with a Shuttle is inability to handle 2 slot wide graphics cards and poor overclocking. Sounds like neither of those apply to you.

You do pay a little extra, but then you get the ability to chuck it in a carry bag.

I am afraid this is not entirely true. The SD37P2 has two PCI-E slots and hence can take two slot cards. My SD37P2 can run an E4500 at 3.1ghz(native 2.2ghz) and has the Intel 975X chipset.

The main problem with Shuttles is that if you run 4gb of RAM overclocking is not very good as opposed to having only 2gb. The newer P2 Shuttles may solve this hopefully!! These contain the newer Intel chipsets.

The power supplies are pretty decent too and a fair number of people are running P2 Shuttles with Q6600 processors and 8800 series cards.

Make sure that you also get RAM which is on the Shuttle compatibility list.

Check out the SFFtech forums as there are a lot of Shuttle owners there including me.

[aidanjt]

Overclocking and shuttle don't really go well together, but it's not really needed. Overclocking is ok for fun, but it's not much use on production boxes.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Another vote for Shuttle here.

Most limiting factors with a Shuttle is inability to handle 2 slot wide graphics cards and poor overclocking. Sounds like neither of those apply to you.

You do pay a little extra, but then you get the ability to chuck it in a carry bag.

My previous Shuttle was one of the G series which could fit in the case you mentioned. There is also version which is a backpack I believe. Even my P2 has its own bag.