Small Form Factor Cases

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

Ok, as some of you know, I recently built a HTPC using the Lian-Li PC9300 Case. It's not living up to what I want, want to go even smaller Smile

So what cases do you know of that are small (the Molex case is great but no PCI slots), that will use the u-ATX boards?

Specifically the Chaintech 7NIF2

An external powersupply would be nice, as it would decrease the size of the case, and help keep it cooler.

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Fri, 22 Aug 2003 10:05:07 Post Subject:

For mATX, I really did like this one that I reviewed...

http://www.bigbruin.com/html/maxtop_csx-001_1.htm

Ohl had one too, I think!

And for a bit more money... This one looks cool:

http://www.svc.com/mipiblslpcca.html

Both come with a psu, mounted inside... which is pretty much the standard on a mATX case... Go Mini-ITX, or make your own, and you can get one outside. In general, the Mini-ITX ones won't offer much more than 100W... so can't power too much.

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

Yea, might have to talk with Ohl about it Smile

See if I can get it to check it out. I really love the design of the Lian-Li, but it's big. Have to measure it tonight and get the exact dimensions and compare to this one.

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

The Lian-Li case I have is smaller in width and height than the maxtop, but larger in depth. Guess I'll stick with the Lian-Li, until I can get something different that will let me use a PCI card so I can use the TV tuner in it Smile

ratfink · Rated PG-13 Joined: 03 Sep 2003 Posts: 28 Location: UK

Honestly, the only minipc worth gettting is the Shuttle XPC. Very good build (even better than tyour Lain, honestly), excellent thermal properties, the only minipc with a decent PSU, and a decent Nforce2 chipset!

Replace the casefan with the best, quietest sleeve bearing fan you can afford. 5V mod your graphics fan and run speedfan to slow down and temperature control the chipset fan and trust me: you won't be able to hear this box over your own heartbeat! Believe.

My buddy has one with a Rad 9500 and it dumps all over my regular PC for sheer performance.

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

I thought about the Shuttle mini-pc but I don't care for the cube cases. Hard to really show how it'll really be in the real world, sitting next to my other components. A standard desktop style was preferred, as it looks like it belongs in the home theater system.

I think I will look at replacing the fans though, might be better off if I do that.

theavenger · Rated PG Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Posts: 12

The shuttle is truely gorgeous. It looks stunning. Try and check one out in the flesh.