Okay, so I'm still toying around with possible builds for my next gaming system, and I'm planning to go small form factor, which means Mini-ITX (NUC size like the Brix Pro etc. is too small IMO).
I keep trawling around for cases, but it's hard to find one that I really like. For example, I really like the Lian-Li TU100 for its proportions, and the carrying handle is just a great little extra. However, it's cooling setup is disappointing thanks to the single front fan, especially when it could easily fit two 120mm fans if they moved the power button, especially since there aren't many (any?) graphics cards that can take advantage of the extra few centimetres that not have a second fan gives, and none that I'd want to fit when there's zero airflow going to that part of the case. It's a real shame actually; while I could maybe drill out more holes myself, it's not something I'd want to do for an £80+ case. It's especially annoying as it seems like the best coolers for this system would be closed loop liquid coolers exhausting out the front, but fitting one for the CPU would only result in even worse GPU cooling.
Anyway, I'm going to keep looking, or just hoping Lian-Li will fix the cooling issue on the TU100, but I'm also wondering what other people's recommendations are for small form factor gaming. My actual performance requirements are fairly modest, though I'd like to be able to easily upgrade in future. Otherwise my main requirement is that the system is compact, ideally reasonably slim (less than 20cm wide when standing vertically), and I have no need for an optical drive or 3.5" hard drives. I'm also not too bothered about price; I realise they'll be some premium on going small, especially to fit liquid cooling to counteract limited airflow or cooler space.
So, what are people's favourites for small, modest gaming machines?
I'm interested by the NCase M1, but I'm not sure when exactly that will be available in the UK (though I guess I could import it if it's good enough).
I keep trawling around for cases, but it's hard to find one that I really like. For example, I really like the Lian-Li TU100 for its proportions, and the carrying handle is just a great little extra. However, it's cooling setup is disappointing thanks to the single front fan, especially when it could easily fit two 120mm fans if they moved the power button, especially since there aren't many (any?) graphics cards that can take advantage of the extra few centimetres that not have a second fan gives, and none that I'd want to fit when there's zero airflow going to that part of the case. It's a real shame actually; while I could maybe drill out more holes myself, it's not something I'd want to do for an £80+ case. It's especially annoying as it seems like the best coolers for this system would be closed loop liquid coolers exhausting out the front, but fitting one for the CPU would only result in even worse GPU cooling.
Anyway, I'm going to keep looking, or just hoping Lian-Li will fix the cooling issue on the TU100, but I'm also wondering what other people's recommendations are for small form factor gaming. My actual performance requirements are fairly modest, though I'd like to be able to easily upgrade in future. Otherwise my main requirement is that the system is compact, ideally reasonably slim (less than 20cm wide when standing vertically), and I have no need for an optical drive or 3.5" hard drives. I'm also not too bothered about price; I realise they'll be some premium on going small, especially to fit liquid cooling to counteract limited airflow or cooler space.
So, what are people's favourites for small, modest gaming machines?
I'm interested by the NCase M1, but I'm not sure when exactly that will be available in the UK (though I guess I could import it if it's good enough).
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