Mini-ITX Gaming case?!? Small, quiet, simple, dust free.

quinlan276 · Dec 28, 2013

ASUS MAXIMUS VI IMPACT MOTHERBOARD
i7-4770K CPU
EVGA SUPERNOVA 650Gold PSU
KINGSTON HYPERX 3K 120gb SDD
EVGA 660 Sig2 FTW GPU
(1) 3.5" HDD

I want a new mini-ITX case for this build. I don't like anything I've seen. I just build a rig for my friend using a bit phenix prodigy. While i liked it for the most part, it did not seem to use space very efficiently. Most of the space up front where the hard drives go was wasted. I will never have more that one, maby two 3.5" drives, along with my ssds. Also the dust filter system leaves a lot to be desired. Also, my PSU is too long for it, although I could easily remedy this with modification which I don't mind doing. I have not selected a cooler for my cpu yet, but I am thinking about the H100i. So a case that could hold this would be nice, although I could do without it. I just want QUIET!!! And good dust filters are a must. A 5.5" drive bay would be preferred, however if I find something I like without one it would be fine.

Recommendations?

tiny voices · Dec 28, 2013

Is this for gaming? If so, all these parts are wrong and need to be changed around for MUCH better gaming performance.

quinlan276 · Dec 28, 2013

Other than a more powerful GPU why do you say these are wrong? I had the 660 from a previous build and will replace it at some point. While it is primarily for gaming I also do a lot of CPU intensive stuff like CAD modeling.

tiny voices · Dec 28, 2013

I did not know that you were planning to do modeling. But basically, for gaming, an i7 and a gtx660 is very unbalanced. The GPU is simply too weak to run modern games past mid-high settings at 1080p with any kind of AA or anything.

quinlan276 · Dec 28, 2013

I hear you, the extra $100 for the i7 isn't going to make much difference with games. I do use hyper threading applications though so its something I like to have. Once I get a new job i'll probably get a 8xx card, but I'm in no rush. Im playing BF4 right now with an i7 920@4.0 and the 660, its enough to keep me happy. It was time to get rid of the 1st gen i7 though.

quinlan276 · Dec 28, 2013

Having this motherboard/CPU combo will allow for any GPU I get within the next 1-1.5years to preform without limitation. That is my main concern.

tiny voices · Dec 28, 2013

I would suggest getting an i5 but it seems you know that the i7 is only going to aid in your hyper threading programs and not in games. Seems like you are good to go.

For the case, any mini-itx case will not really be as quiet as you are looking for. If quiet matters to you alot, you need to look into specifically designed cases, get quiet fans (not cheap "silent" fans, but real quiet fans like Noctua's), A PSU with an active fan would also be a big help. Some Seasonic units have this. Basically the fan only spins if the PSU is hot.

quinlan276 · Dec 28, 2013

Thats what I have been finding... I already have the PSU, got it for 55$ on black friday, its plenty quiet. And I would definitely be replacing any case fans with good ones. All the cases are too open and dusty looking for my liking though. Im considering doing some heavy modifications to a Prodigy. Maybe blocking the front vents, putting a filtered on the bottom, h100i to exhausting up top.

tiny voices · Dec 28, 2013

You DO NOT want an h100i or any liquid cooler if you want quiet. They are all WAY louder than comparable air coolers.

quinlan276 · Dec 28, 2013

Really, I was assuming that i could put on some noc fans and run them low rpm and do pretty well. You might be right though I've never used these all-in-one systems. Right now I've got a custom loop on my 920 with a 3x120mm radiator. I just don't want the complexity of this anymore.

Any specific air coolers you'd recommend? I think my mobo is pretty good about allowing big ones despite it being mini-itx, it just might be hard/cumbersome to use.

tiny voices · Dec 28, 2013

The pump in those coolers alone will be louder than silent fans. A custom open loop like you have is the only way to go for quiet water cooling. Otherwise get an air cooler. they will cool just as well as closed loop coolers and make WAY less noise.

These are the air coolers of choice: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-cpu-cooler-phtc14pebk
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhd14

Both are LARGE, but VERY quiet and should both fit in a Prodigy.

quinlan276 · Dec 28, 2013

Good to know. I like both those air coolers, I was looking at those earlier. Maybe that is the way to go after all.

tiny voices · Dec 28, 2013

For a quiet system, it is 100% the way to go.

quinlan276 · Dec 28, 2013

Well the noctura is listed as compatible with my motherboard, so I think ill go with that. Its going to look ridiculous on such a tiny motherboard though haha.

tiny voices · Dec 28, 2013

http://www.tonymacx86.com/screenshots/normal_ASUS-P8Z77-I-Deluxe_09.jpeg is what it will look like. MAKE SURE you have RAM with no heat sinks or remove the heatsinks.

quinlan276 · Dec 28, 2013

Yeah definitely, this is the ram I'm considering and it should work fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148655

The one thing I'm trying to make sure is if there will be interference with the sound card/wireless card. They are both vertically mounted above the PCI-E slot.

quinlan276 · Dec 28, 2013

They are removable so its possible they list the cooler as compatible but thats only if you take the cards off. Thats not an option.

Mini-ITX Gaming case?!? Small, quiet, simple, dust free.

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