ITX case suggestions

[Rob_B]

I've just bought an x370 ITX mobo and am now looking for a case to go alongside it.

I'm currently using a Cooler master Q300L. Which is fine but I'd like something smaller & nicer looking.

I'm using a 2600x and a 1070, I intend to keep my Wraith Spire for now but maybe move to an AIO in future.

I'd like to be able to use my current ATX PSU (NZXT C650 - 150mm long) which obviously limits my options but I think I've narrowed it down to a few.

NR200 (mesh version with ATX bracket)
Meshlicious
Sugo 16
Phanteks Evolv shift 2 air

I'm leaning towards the Sugo due to size & price but as always would appreciate any thoughts!

Rob

[cptwhite_uk]

Don't try and use an ATX PSU in an ITX case, it's just not worth it. My main suggestion is to ensure it supports a 3 slot GPU.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Big question is whether you are fine with using a case with a PCI-E riser cable or not?

[[GSV]Trig]

I've got an SSUPD Meshy here and an NZXT H1v2, what do you want to know?

[Rob_B]

Don't try and use an ATX PSU in an ITX case, it's just not worth it. My main suggestion is to ensure it supports a 3 slot GPU.

I've watched a few of his vids and he does like the Nr200 doesn't he, its 20L so if possible I'd like an option to go smaller.
I need something I can upgrade as I go so using my current PSU for now is must, that alone saves me £60 or more.

Big question is whether you are fine with using a case with a PCI-E riser cable or not?

No issues with a riser, since the N1 is now 'fixed' is it a negative in any way?

I've got an SSUPD Meshy here and an NZXT H1v2, what do you want to know?

Which do you prefer? I will never be using any extreme cpu/gpu so the H1's iffy thermals shouldn't be a problem. Do you use ATX or SFX PSUs?

[Rob_B]

Also, I can get a H1 with psu/aio on ebay for about £140 so as a package it's reasonably priced. As for the riser on those I must be the v1 but with screws removed so I guess it's safe*?

Im concerned about thermals in that case though.

[[GSV]Trig]

Which do you prefer? I will never be using any extreme cpu/gpu so the H1's iffy thermals shouldn't be a problem. Do you use ATX or SFX PSUs?

They are slightly different use cases case tbh, I have the following specs.

SSUPD, 5800X, 3080FE, x570 board, 32giggety's, 2x500gb 970Evo+ I wouldn't put that spec in the H1 given that I mine when I'm not gaming and the SSUPD gives you a lot more room to mod, motherboard standoff, GPU standoff, 3d printed feet..

NZXT, 3600x, 2070, b550, 16giggety's, 500gb 970Evo+

The NZXT is really, really, easy to build in, the SSUPD not so much.

Both are running SFX PSU's, the SSUPD will take ATX though.

[Rob_B]

Cheers for that. I'm torn as the Meshilicious bare case price isn't far off what I can get a full H1 for, seems like my use case is closer to your H1 rig though so maybe thermals wouldn't be an issue.

[[GSV]Trig]

Yeah the Meshy isn't cheap, I managed to get an SF750 PSU refurbed from Scan which helped, everything else was full price, I'm not even going to add up what I have spent in the last 18 months..

Depending on what your budget and spec are, the NR200P is a good alternative to the Meshy but don't think it takes ATX PSU's like the Meshy does but then there are downsides to fitting that over the SFX one, also if you are looking at used given the H1v2 is out there's a fair few H1v1's popping up.


If I had a choice between the two, then I'd go Meshy, don't get me wrong the H1v2 is a nice case, but I wouldn't trust it to cool my 5800x when being thrashed let alone a 3080FE when its mining, its not as easy a build but gives you a lot more choice in things..

[Rob_B]

expensive habit isn't it! I bought a £50 mobo and now I'm 'having' to upgrade the rest.

The NR200 takes an ATX PSU with a bracket that you can 3D print (well, I can't)
I can get an NZXT H1 including the 650w SFX PSU and the AIO for £140 and its a fair bit smaller than the Nr200, seems like a pretty for deal but I DO like the Meshlicious!
Considering it's a living room PC and I won't be buying top end kit I might be OK with the H1

[[GSV]Trig]

Oh yeah don't get me wrong, the H1v1 was on my list before I found out they like to set fire to themselves, then I decided on the NR200P Masterbox Max thing, but by the time I had actually decided to buy it was out of stock so I got the Meshy, and despite it not being my first choice, it really was the best, given its more a vertical build than the NR200P I prefer it from that POV, its better for cooling than the H1v2 and there are just so many options to tweak it based on your spec and requirements..
I've got 3d printed feet, a 3d printed 92mm fan bracket for the top of the case, a 3d printed GPU support arm, bought some standoffs to move the motherboard out (gives you better airflow and somewhere to hide cables), flipped the PSU so it draws air out of the case.

The only thing I might do is swap out the stock fans that come with the NZXT Kraken I have for Noctua ones

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Why I was asking about the riser is because they cost a lot of money to replace or upgrade! Everytime you upgrade to a motherboard which supports a faster PCI-E specification,you need to buy a new riser as it will limit the throughput of the PCI-E link.

[Rob_B]

Fair point, gen3 should be enough for me (I'll be using an X370 + 2600X anyway), certainly for the likely life of the build anyway. But if I catch the ITX bug then that's the least of my worries!

[[GSV]Trig]

Lets be fair though, what GPU's are going to bottleneck a Gen3 riser for what you are using, but as you say, if you get the bug you're screwed either way when the FD finds out lol...

[Rob_B]

Another Q - Given the choice between the stock PSU and the Fractal Design ION SFX-L 650 - is one better than the other?

[[GSV]Trig]

Stock PSU on the H1, it's a 750 on the v2, think the v1 had a 650.

That Fractal one has a nice big fan, certainly looks bigger than the one on my SF750, does it run all of the time or does it kick in at a certain power draw like the SF750 (300w iirc)