SFF (mITX) case for gaming

[Jake_UK]

Hi all,

I'm looking at handing down my Shuttle XPC (SZ77R5) and all it's contents so thinking about what I'd replace it with. I really appreciate the SFF and so want to stick with something similar in terms of overall size/desk footprint. This means the first decision is on the case so that I can work out what'll fit inside it.

Taking a look around so far I've found as examples:

- New Shuttle XPC e.g. SH370 or 270 - I like the lack of clutter on the front face of those models
- BitFenix Phenom - similar to XPC but starting to get bigger in all dimensions unfortunately
- NXZT H1 - this really piqued my interest, the vertical design would work well for quiet cooling (as would the built-in liquid cooler) but I'm seriously put off by the glass front. Such a shame there's not an option to have it like the sides!
- Ncase N1 - seriously pricey for an empty case though!

To give it some context, after the case decision I'm looking for best bang for buck with a total spend around £1k (exc. monitor/peripherals) if that helps steer the advice any direction (e.g. AMD vs Intel options for example).

Thanks for any advice, recommendations, warnings, etc.!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The case I really want is the ZZAW B6 which is a Chinese case,but more importantly does not need a PCI-E riser unlike the Ncase N1 or Ghost S1. The only problem I would need to import from the Taobao website in China!

[easyrider]

. The only problem I would need to import from the Taobao website in China!

More than the cost of the case I bet!

[Spreadie]

I have the Ncase M1. Love it. Although, price and availability are real concerns.

I'm currently looking for an e-tailer with the NR200 in stock for my son's upgrade. Hen's teeth right now.

If I was in the market for a new case for my main rig, I'd be sorely tempted by the NZXT H1 but I'd be looking at modding a vent panel to replace the glass.

[Jake_UK]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. Doing a bit more looking around today it seems this isn't the greatest time to be buying a new PC - shortages on many cases, overpriced GFX cards and nextgens just around the corner. There's always 'something just around the corner' of course but now doesn't seem to be the greatest time to be buying - I imagine COVID-induced consumer demand and COVID-induced supply/manufacturing delays aren't helping either!

Games are the only thing that'll push the system and here I play for example (at 2560x1440 for the foreseeable future) modded Arma3, modded RTS (e.g. TW series) and I imagine RDR2 and some kind of openworld coop survival game will find their way onto it by Christmas! Only other thought is perhaps this system will also be the first one that gets VR added to it at some point - not sure what requirements that places on things though! I won't OC as I'dd rather have slower/quieter fans than a few more FPS.

Anyway, if I do take the plunge and build a new system in time for the Christmas holidays here's a potential starter for ten based on an H1:

Case: NXZT H1 (£299.99 @ Scan UK) includes a PSU, CPU cooler and case fan
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor (£278.99 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty B450 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard (£103.86 @ More Computers)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory (£125.00 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate BarraCuda Pro Compute 1 TB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£53.16 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8 GB SC ULTRA GAMING Video Card (£368.13 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £1,229.13

I'll use an SSD I already have but still a bit over budget so would welcome any suggestions about where to trim but TBH the £1k budget is rough guide to keep my spending level sane rather than a strict limit - bang for buck and a balanced system is the main goal.

[cptwhite_uk]

The case I really want is the ZZAW B6 which is a Chinese case,but more importantly does not need a PCI-E riser unlike the Ncase N1 or Ghost S1. The only problem I would need to import from the Taobao website in China!

err Ncase M1 does not need a riser cable....I built mine 2 days ago, see pics:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ThpWw8SXWhYzHDtu5

[cptwhite_uk]

Invest in the Ncase M1, it's a superbly engineered piece of kit and unbelieveably versatile, or wait for the CoolerMaster NR200P (which is a similar case with slightly larger overall dims, and a much cheaper £90 price tag typically).

Ncase M1 v6
Noctua U9S cooler > intake from the rear of the case, add second NF9x25 pull inside the case
Invest in a compact 4 pin PWM fan header if needed, I used the DEEP COOL FH-04
2x Noctua NF12x15 fans for bottom intake (max 40mm / 2 slot card if using them, otherwise forgo to fans and you can fit upto a 3 slot 60mm GPU). Fan grills come with the Ncase M1 so you don't need to buy these

NZXT H1 is a nice case, but it doesn't have the versatility or cooling potential of either the Ncase M1 or N200P, however it does take up less desk space, so it has that in its favour.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

err Ncase M1 does not need a riser cable....I built mine 2 days ago, see pics:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ThpWw8SXWhYzHDtu5

I don't know why I put the Ncase in that sentence,oops!

Anyway,this chap had both the Ncase N1 and ZZAW B6 so compared both:
https://smallformfactor.net/forum/th...ew-post.14619/

It has an unusual inverted layout with the GPU at the top of the build.

More than the cost of the case I bet!

Sadly,yes!

I can get some of the other ZZAW cases on Ebay though,so there is some hope.

Thanks for the suggestions folks. Doing a bit more looking around today it seems this isn't the greatest time to be buying a new PC - shortages on many cases, overpriced GFX cards and nextgens just around the corner. There's always 'something just around the corner' of course but now doesn't seem to be the greatest time to be buying - I imagine COVID-induced consumer demand and COVID-induced supply/manufacturing delays aren't helping either!

Games are the only thing that'll push the system and here I play for example (at 2560x1440 for the foreseeable future) modded Arma3, modded RTS (e.g. TW series) and I imagine RDR2 and some kind of openworld coop survival game will find their way onto it by Christmas! Only other thought is perhaps this system will also be the first one that gets VR added to it at some point - not sure what requirements that places on things though! I won't OC as I'dd rather have slower/quieter fans than a few more FPS.

Anyway, if I do take the plunge and build a new system in time for the Christmas holidays here's a potential starter for ten based on an H1:

Case: NXZT H1 (£299.99 @ Scan UK) includes a PSU, CPU cooler and case fan
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor (£278.99 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty B450 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard (£103.86 @ More Computers)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory (£125.00 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate BarraCuda Pro Compute 1 TB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£53.16 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8 GB SC ULTRA GAMING Video Card (£368.13 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £1,229.13

I'll use an SSD I already have but still a bit over budget so would welcome any suggestions about where to trim but TBH the £1k budget is rough guide to keep my spending level sane rather than a strict limit - bang for buck and a balanced system is the main goal.

I would honestly spend extra on a B550 motherboard. Even the ASRock B550M-ITX/ac which is around £130 has 50A power stages. Also,I would be looking at Crucial Ballistix 3200MHZ or 3600MHZ kits as they should be Micron E-die.