New Build - considering Mini-ITX/mATX

[8bit]

It's about time for a new PC build I think, the 3070 FE I got last year is still current but my CPU, motherboard and RAM are a bit older now. My current PC is basically a big empty box - the only PCIe card I have is the GPU so I'm thinking about going to a smaller form-factor this time round.

I guess the reason for the post was fairly general - for anyone who's gone from a full-size build to something very compact, how did that work out over time? Were there things that made you wish you'd stuck with a larger form factor? Availability of things like power supplies etc.? Noise (obviously this is brand/configuration dependent as well)? Do power and cooling requirements restrict component choices etc? Any other considerations to bear in mind?

In more specific terms, I like the NZXT H1 case so any feedback on that one specifically would be greatly appreciated too.

[cptwhite_uk]

Surprised no-one has repied 8bit, I have some recent experience as I transitioned to an Ncase M1 v6 in summer 2019, no regrets.

Obviously going compact, there is a bit of premium for the PSU, Case, and potentially the motherboard, and you need to be wary of sizes. But it's not difficult if you put a little planning in place and I honestly wouldn't transition back.

However I would steer you away from the NZXT H1 - while I like the vertical form factor, it's not the best for cooling, and based on my experience, I find NZXT to be middling when it comes to build quality. I would point you towards the newly released Lian Li Q58, or Coolermaster NR200P Max (or the original NR200P). Other options are the aforementioned Ncase M1 (which is what I have, it's a bit pricey and would need importing), P-ATX v2, which is "coming soon" but supports full size ATX in a 10L slim/tall case), and the Ncase M1's cousin the Ssupd Meshlicious. If you like the vertical form factor of the NZXT H1, the Ssupd Meshlicious might be the best option for you, and it's only around £110 new.

Both the Ncase M1, which has a traditional layout internally (GPU sitting at 90deg to the motherboard), and the Ssupd Meshlicious are designed by the same team, and both are manufactured by Lian Li, so the build quality is very good. Open air design is optimal for small cases, and good quality air coolers are my recommendation - I use the Noctua NH-U9S chromax.black with a dual fan setup (additional NF-A9 PWM chromax.black added to the stock fan).

Also don't skimp on cheap fans - just get a few good Noctua, maybe Arctic 12's if you want to save money. Thermaltake Tough and the new Phanteks T30 are also excellent choices, but pricey.
I'd recommend you check out the following youtube channels, which go in-depth with SFF builds:

Optimum Tech
Machines & More

[Spreadie]

The M1 has been discontinued - v6.1 was the last one and they're now out of stock.

Consider the Cooler Master NR200 as suggested, it's bigger at 18L, but that's only about an inch greater in each dimension compared to the M1 and it does mean it can accommodate a massive GPU. I have both cases and love them. The newer Max version of the NR200 uses a vertical mount for the GPU, which will limit the size of cooler for the CPU, unless you plan to go with an AIO in the roof.

Be prepared for the ITX tax though - motherboards are at a premium and rarely drop in price. Even used prices are insane, for the most part.

Completely agree on the cooling, options cptwhite mentioned - the Noctua A12x25 fans offer brilliant cooling while remaining really quiet. Do some research though, there are chesper alternatives out there. The Noctuas are pricey - I paid ~£100 for four of them. Ditto for the NH-U9S - I've been through a LOT of coolers - and it's probably one of the best performers for ITX builds, if your case form factor can accommodate it.

[cptwhite_uk]

Forgot the M1 had been discontinued, however I believe they're ramping up for it's successor, although I don't believe it's been revealed yet?

[Spreadie]

No, not yet.

Rumours about either a slightly larger size or a sandwich layout.

[8bit]

Thanks folks - opted to stick with my current ATX case just now in the end. Watched a number of reviews of Mini ITX cases, mostly the NZXT H1 and the SSUPD Meshlicious. Both of those ruled out for technical details. If I was going mITX I'd really want a vertical case but all the options seemed fairly significantly flawed to me. Micro ATX ruled out because very few cases are really much smaller than a compact-ish ATX tower. Decided if I stuck with current case etc. then I'd have a bit more budget for the rest of the build.

i5 12600K, 32GB DDR5, MSI Z690 board and Corsair AIO cooler should all arrive tomorrow. I had to order the retrofit kit for the cooler to fit the LGA1700 socket, hopefully that ships quickly too...

[AGTDenton]

Two thermal problems I had on my ITX. GPU & M.2

Firstly the GPU ideally needs to be a blower style fan design when dealing with a nVidia xx70 or above, there just wasn't enough air flow, the heat wasn't able to escape the chassis to keep the GPU cool for high end gaming. (Antec Razer Cube & 1080Ti)
Secondly the motherboard positioned the M.2 slot on the rear of the board, which as a space saver was brilliant, but you couldn't put a heatsink on the M.2 stick. As no air got to the back of the board the M.2 regularly hit 70c and throttled. The design of the chassis meant the GPU was very near the M.2 and I'm fairly certain they were both heating each other up.

[[GSV]Trig]

I'm quite liking the look of the NR200P-MAX kit, certainly not cheap but should tick my boxes, is available as base case..

[AGTDenton]

I'm quite liking the look of the NR200P-MAX kit, certainly not cheap but should tick my boxes, is available as base case..

Coolermaster are definitely upping their game lately, I like the GPU panel install method and it's overall dinky size.
Looking at the pictures there is no air flow at all so a blower GPU would definitely be recommended, unless a low spec card is being fitted.

Bitfenix are about to release their 2022 version of their Prodigy M if you were a fan back in the day, but this is mATX so would be a lot bigger.
https://www.bitfenix.com/products/ch...rodigy-m-2022/

[[GSV]Trig]

I'm deffo going iTX next, just not sure on the cooling side of things with a 5800x and 3080FE, its gonna be toasty but at least with the Max kit its everything in a box rather than having to take the time to build and buy everything separately...

I wonder however if you could loop the CPU and GPU together, or maybe have an AIO for the CPU and then similar for the GPU and have 2 separate rads in the top to stop the heat soak between the two..

Still lots of ideas and the 3d printers probably also going to get some use in this next re-case...

[cptwhite_uk]

Just to point out Trig, the Coolermaster NR200 (no 'P), which is the solid version without the temperated glass side panel, is currently just over £60 on Amazon, which is the best price I've seen them. White version is a similar price (£61.**)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08CZNBK...260503029&th=1

[[GSV]Trig]

Thats not bad tbh, I was looking at using a Fractal Design case as I had a very good CS experience with them, which makes me want to spend money with them, however when you can get a case, AIO, PSU, Riser etc for what appears to be less than the sum of the parts if you buy separately then its almost a no brainer..

Plus if it comes in one box its just a single upgrade and the FD wont get as suspicious as she would if 5 or so boxes turn up...

[cptwhite_uk]

That's only the case for £60, just to be clear. But something like the Corsair SF600 will suffice for the PSU, which is £90 on Amazon, then you have your choice of fans and AIO - something like the Coolermaster Masterliquid Lite 240mm, which is £57 on OCUK:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/coole...BoCEg0QAvD_BwE

And a couple of extra Arctic P12 slim PWM PST:

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/120m...ring-black-4-p

So that's the Case, PSU, 240mm AIO, and fans all for £217

There's someone with good feedback selling the SF600 for £55 on Ebay, so that would bring the total down to £182

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265404042...12041000008005

[AGTDenton]

Plus if it comes in one box its just a single upgrade and the FD wont get as suspicious as she would if 5 or so boxes turn up...

There is a pink one with go faster flowers on, that might help you get away with it completely:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...AC_SL1500_.jpg

[[GSV]Trig]

I think I've just been a little bit sick in my own mouth...

[[GSV]Trig]

EOL, how, its been out since September, do we think the grey was a test run and they're going to bring out other colours next year, probably at a higher cost?