New, smaller pc case for existing gaming build

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zdeno84

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Apr 5, 2014
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Hi Everyone,
I am long thinking about change of my pc setup - the single reason being my pc case which is huge, too big to my liking. I didn't plan properly for this particular component and as it was compatible with my other components, I ordered just looking at the picture but not actual size. I don't really use (and don't plan to) the number of free slots of various kind it offers.

I don't plan to upgrade other components just yet (waiting until LGA2011-v3 based system gets a tad cheaper and Witcher 3 comes out, gets patched and modded), but need to get smaller case as I move to a new appartment...

This is my current setup:
processor - Intel Core i5-3570K
cooler - SCYTHE SCSMZ-2100 Samurai ZZ CPU Cooler Rev.B
mobo - Asrock Z77 PRO4
RAM - Patriot 8GB 2x4GB 16000MHz DDR3 CL9
HDD - Western Digital Caviar Blue 250GB WD2500AAKX
gpu - Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 2GB 11199 00 20G
psu - Seasonic 620W S12II-620 80+ Bronze
dvd - Samsung DVD RW SH-224BB

and this is the case I have and want to replace:
Corsair PC Carbide Series 500R Mid-Tower ATX White

Now I would like a smaller type of tower, as small as it can get while keeping as many of the original components as possible )maybe only replace mobo?). I game on 42' TV (1920x1080) and would like to keep it close by, preferably white color case so it fits in the room.

What is your take on this, is it feasible or would I need to build for smaller case from scratch?

thanks for any advice/opinion

tl;dr - need a new, smaller case while keeping as many original components as possible.
 
Solution
capt_taco
Before you buy any Micro ATX case, make sure there will be enough room for the video card. That one you have is fairly long, over 10", and they won't always fit depending on the case.

I would also say dual video cards in a small case is an idea of dubious quality, especially if they're both cards that require 2x6-pin connections ... that equals a lot of electricity, which equals a lot of heat, and in a smaller case that can cause problems unless you pay a lot of attention to airflow. (You would also need to replace your power supply, as it only has two 6-pin plugs anyway).

Personally, I would not think it worth the trouble of replacing the motherboard and case for something on the order of $200 just to have a slightly smaller machine...
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Ike0

Ike0

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Nov 25, 2013
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Luckily for you, i'm here.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/search_results.php?keywords=bitfenix+prodigy&_=1410801893008
They do many custom whites and the case is top notch
Enjoy :)

 
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zdeno84

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Yeah, just tried to find if any X99 mobo for MiniITX exists and it doesn't atm. I wanted to keep the case for the future x99 setup. Such mobo might come later, but miniITX seems to be difficult to fit in all the stuff later while keeping heat/noise in bearable levels...
Going to look at micro atx a bit. Would I fit in my current mobo there or do I need a new one for that as well?
 
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zdeno84

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I found microATX case I like - Aerocool DS Cube White. 2 questions though:
1. would it fit in Sapphire R9 290 VaporX card? it's a long one, so I'm not sure
2. how would it work with 2 of those GPUs in crossfire (heat, fans, etc)? or 2 pieces of R9 290X if I wanted to 4K?
thx
 
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zdeno84

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1. Thanks
2. I don't think Aerocool DS Cube White is mini atx actually. It states it is Micro ATX which should be bigger class. So you think it wouldn't allow crossfire?
 
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capt_taco

capt_taco

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Before you buy any Micro ATX case, make sure there will be enough room for the video card. That one you have is fairly long, over 10", and they won't always fit depending on the case.

I would also say dual video cards in a small case is an idea of dubious quality, especially if they're both cards that require 2x6-pin connections ... that equals a lot of electricity, which equals a lot of heat, and in a smaller case that can cause problems unless you pay a lot of attention to airflow. (You would also need to replace your power supply, as it only has two 6-pin plugs anyway).

Personally, I would not think it worth the trouble of replacing the motherboard and case for something on the order of $200 just to have a slightly smaller machine. For years, I had a setup where I could game on my TV, which I managed with a pair of 15' HDMI cables connected by an adapter, and a wireless keyboard/mouse, for a total cost of around $60. Of course, I was fortunate that the layout of the place made it easy to conceal the cable and not have it running right across the floor, but you may not be so lucky.
 
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Solution
James Mason

James Mason

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Jan 2, 2014
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Duo video cards is not necesarily a good idea anyways.

For truly small size you can do somthing like this: https://pcpartpicker.com/b/XNJxFT
BUT you need a new motherboard.

A small case like this that's white is pretty good, and will fit your video card: http://www.coolermaster.com/case/mini-itx/elite-120-advanced-white/
This is would be the cheapest Z77 m-itx motherboard: https://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-motherboard-111ibe692kr
I'm not 100% sure how well your air cooler would fit though. it doesn't LOOK that big, but there won't be much clearance when the PSU is in there. So you might need to get a smaller one.
 
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zdeno84

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well, I know... I decided against CF or SLI with my current build, but as 4k will become a standard soon (somewhere a year from now I guess) I am planning a bit towards that. I game on hdtv (1920x1080), so the only next step for me is 4k with new tv (why don't they do other res with tvs??). I don't think single chip GPUs able to go ultra on 4k with decent (60+) fps will be affordable (~400 EUR) any time soon, so maybe a CF or SLI is a better option? feel free to correct my thinking here...

the new case should be only the first piece of my next build based on LGA2011-v3, but don't want to make a mistake and find out CF or SLI is a problem when I start to get all the other components. The next piece I will most likely buy is GPU (R9 290 or 290X). which would later get mobo, ram, cpu and 2nd gpu for 4k. Once I buy the TV.

I am also intriqued by what capt_taco suggested with hdmi cables, but don't now the final layot of my new place yet. Also was thinking of having the pc in some closet, but air circulation would become a problem so probably not
 
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James Mason

James Mason

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not exactly. One of the big "power" draws of higher resolution is more VRAM usage (the #GBs listed on the video card) SLI and CF don't add the RAM of the video cards together, it just uses the size of the first one (or smallest one, whatever) So if you have two 2gb ram GFX cards, in crossfire or SLI they just mirror the data on both ram sticks for the cards, and process it seperately.

Also, hold off on 4k for a while. Early adopters are always screwed over in the end.
 
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zdeno84

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I know the VRAM doesn't add up in SLI/CF, but I'm thinking the GTX970 with 4 GB in SLI should make 4k quite affordable at 60 fps at high/ultra settings. I don't play shooters at all, the most demanding game I will likely play the next few years is Witcher 3 which should be doable.

However - I am not going for 4k atm as none of the current UHD TVs goes below 30ms input lag. Will wait for some TV going to around 20ms and below 1k EURs at the same time. Which might take time...

Thanks for the replies, I found long HDMI 2.0 cables for reasonable prices so will likely go for that in my new appartment as I can decide the complete layout of the place. And hide the case in some room where it doesn't matter.
 
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