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Mini-ITX case for optimal CPU cooling.

Tags:
  • Cooling
  • Mini PC
  • Cases
  • Components
  • CPUs
Last response: in Components
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a c 86 à CPUs
September 4, 2014 2:29:42 AM

I am looking for a mini-Itx case optimized for CPU cooling.

Top priorities:
- Able to mount big CPU coolers (140mm-150mm at least)
- Air and only air cooling
- The smaller the better
- ATX power supply

What is not needed:
- Video card space
- More than one 3.5 HDD drive bay
- 2.5 bays are not needed
- I/O on the case is not needed (but a USB could be usefull)
- Aluminum, fancy brushed stuff or whatever. The cheaper the better.
- Any type of radiator mounts. No water cooling will be used.

Intended purpose:
Render node. Only motherboard+CPU, RAM and an HDD. Nothing more.

Anyone know of such a thing? All the Mini-ITXs I have found can barely fit anything more than Intel stock.

P.S
The Bitfenix Phenom Mini-ITX can fit some big coolers, but it costs 90 EUR for me with shipping. Any alternatives?

More about : mini itx case optimal cpu cooling

a b à CPUs
September 4, 2014 4:00:09 AM

I am assuming you're looking to use air coolers exclusively? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... (not sure about where to get in EU) can fit a 120mm radiator in the front and has plenty of space for components you listed. It is also very cheap :) 
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a c 86 à CPUs
September 4, 2014 4:44:27 AM

Cooler Master products were the 1st one I checked and rechecked. The 110 has CPU cooler height of 76mm. It does not fit at all. in the above description at all. And no water. Air cooling exclusively.

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a b à CPUs
September 4, 2014 5:01:17 AM

The Phenom, as well as being expensive, is likely to be way too big if size is a priority.

The obvious one would be the Node 304 as it checks all of your boxes. The only real drawback is that it's likely to be similarly priced the the Phenom.

Another option might be the Thermaltake Core V1. It's a bit new so review data is sparse, and it doesn't have quite the same cooler support of the Bitfenix cases or the Node, but it is cheap and more or less checks the boxes.
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a c 86 à CPUs
September 4, 2014 5:13:43 AM

Good ones Rammy. Sadly the Node 304 comes to few EUR away from the Phenom as you said. The Core V1 has bad availability to me. And I can't find a non-windowed version that will be shipped for less than 15 EUR. I will keep my eyes open for a good availability.

P.S Scratch that last one. There is no version without any windows.
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a b à CPUs
September 4, 2014 5:21:59 AM

On another side note, what about some of the ultra small form factor microatx cases? They may be a bit larger but certainly within parameters I would think.
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a b à CPUs
September 4, 2014 5:35:44 AM

Shneiky said:
Good ones Rammy. Sadly the Node 304 comes to few EUR away from the Phenom as you said. The Core V1 has bad availability to me. And I can't find a non-windowed version that will be shipped for less than 15 EUR. I will keep my eyes open for a good availability.

P.S Scratch that last one. There is no version without any windows.


The Top and side panels are swappable - you flip them around depending on where you want them. It's a bit of an odd gimmick but it probably helps them keep production costs down and it means you can have some control over where you put the venting. For the price it's a pretty solid option.
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