Travelling with SFF system (rare occasions)

[Goobley]

Spent a while looking at cases, would like some opinions:
1) Cooltek Coolcube (a.k.a Jonsbo V3+) (seems difficult to get in UK)
2) Cubitek Mini
3) Jonsbo C2

WRT to discussion on the SG05/6, its weight with an SFX PSU is almost exactly the same as the Shuttle (~3.4kg).

The coolcube (1) certainly looks appealing to me especially as it takes a full-size PSU, allowing me to keep my current one and throw the money into a short GTX760 which I feel would have much better longevity than a 270 (being 15-20% faster). Anyone have experience of these? (comes in right on 10L which is nice, even smaller than the SG05)

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Regarding the cases this seller,sells Jonsbo cases:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/it_tech_uk...p2047675.l2562

They can import specific models if required for you IIRC. OTH,this German sellers sells the Coolcube case:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CT-CC-Cool...item461c614cfc
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CT-CCS-Coo...item461c614f1c

The Coolcube does not have any system fans,so it requires exclusively on your PSU to do exhaust. The 500B uses a sleeve bearing fan,so that could lead to issues over time if its handling all system cooling.

There is this rebadged Cubitek Mini Center:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/power...-usb30-atx-psu
http://www.cubitek.com/products/mini-series/mini-center

It can just about take a GTX760 Mini. However,again it relies exclusively on the PSU to act as the system fan.

I use the Cubitek Mini Cube BTW in my current system,its not too bad a case - it can take a couple of HDDs and SSDs,and has support even for a GTX690.

The only thing with a longer PSU,is that if you use a standard height 120MM intake fan at the bottom of the case,it can be a tight fit with the PSU cabling. I use an XFX PRO 450W which is reasonably short so don't have a problem.

The back of the case supports a 92MM fan,but I bodged a 120MM into it(and then after that a AIO water cooler radiator with a 120MM fan).

BTW,Shuttle includes the motherboard and cooler too though,and the SG05/SG06 still it has far more limited regarding storage. The Shuttle system is a barebones,the SG05/SG06 are not.

[Pob255]

Depends which cubitek mini, the mini is a series of cases not a single case.
The mini-cube would be a better option than the mini centre but it is larger and heavier http://www.cubitek.com/products/mini-series/mini-cube

The original cubitek mini tank was a great itx case although on the large size, bitfenix basically copied the internal layout of the mini tank for the prodigy
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-...-951890/review
Getting one would not be easy though and probably not that portable

The thing about itx you have to remember is that it's about compromise, something has to give.

Short of a scratch build a shuttle SZ87R6 is probably your best bet, not cheap but it fills the other requirements.
You can sell off your current case+motherboard+psu to get some money back.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I meant to write Mini Cube in my last post.

[Goobley]

Hmm... Why am I starting to feel like this isn't a good idea?
If I'm going to go to a smaller case (and this is then only reason i'd change case) then I want to drop to at least 14L - otherwise it just doesn't seem worth it.
As far as I can see this leaves the following: (in no particular order)
- SG05/06
- Silverstone RVZ01
- Shuttle Z87R6 (or maybe H87 variant)
- Lian-Li TU100
- Coolcube/ Jonsbo V3+

The first two are steel and therefore probably a bit heavier. The Shuttle is expensive and has quite a lot of plastic (I also have a personal bias against the company but shouldn't really let that influence me). It is also on the larger side. The Lian-Li would require a short GPU, SFF PSU and a new HDD. The last one has no way of shifting air beyond the power supply...

In terms of form factor there are 4 cubes and 1 Slim-line tower. The RVZ01 would certainly be the easiest to pack due to it being thinner. Measuring inside my largest suitcase I have a maximum on 23cm height (it's a hard shell), so one dimension as far below this as possible is a good idea as it allows padding.

My fag-packet calculations show ~1.5kg difference between the lightest (Shuttle/TU100) and heaviest (RVZ01) options. (4.8kg vs 6.2kg).

Cheapest postage option I've found thus far has been £25 each way with insurance.

I reckon at best I could get £100 for my current case, PSU and MoBo (without postage costs)...

I feel like I'm chasing my own tail here and I'm shocked how hard it is to transport at 10-20L box between two neighbouring countries - I'm an astrophysics student completely unused to working on these scales!

Thanks for the the suggestions and help you've offered so far, I may be annoying but I can't work this out without discussing it.

Cheers,
Chris

Edit: Pob, you said short of a scratch build... in that hypothetical situation what would you suggest?
I'm prepared to compromise (even on price if necessary) but I'm aiming at the best value for money - this has to be more or less possible...

[Sprite]

You can get an SG05 Lite for £35 and then a 300w FSP 80+ PSU for £10?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

You can get an SG05 Lite for £35 and then a 300w FSP 80+ PSU for £10?

Secondhand PSU though?

The FSP300-60GHS has been around for at least 5 years,so that gives you a rough indication of how old a PSU you might get.

[Sprite]

True, I've seen you can get them brand new on Scan for not much more as well.

[Goobley]

Think I've worked it out: I'll stick the Mobo (with CPU and HSF on) and GPU back in their boxes. They should fit fine in my suitcase. I'll wrap the HDD up and stick it in my hand luggage. Then when I get home I'll get a cheap case and a CX500 or something which I can just leave at home while transporting the smaller Mobo box etc...
Thoughts?