The smallest PC Case, money can buy? I mean the absolute smallest...need some help plz

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MSI970OC

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Oct 29, 2014
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Hi guys, I have been reading on the net lately and I have a few terms that are rather confusing on occasion. So a mini-Atx case is smaller than a Micro-Atx? There is also one called small form factor...which is the smallest?

I want to get the absolute smallest case possible, outside of custom made designs (although I would look into it). I need it to be small as I am going to be travelling around and want to easily take my PC with me....

So what is the smallest case currently available? Thanks.
 
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M
Hi

You can get a PC in a case which is similar in size as a CD drive, with an external laptop power supply but it wont be any use for modern games.

Small cases with powerfull graphics cards need carefully designed cooling systems to prevent over heating
and as was said before, and probably come with 125W or 150W non standard sized power supplies.

Some cases are designed to be transported to LAN Parties and have a handle on top which is a good ideal, though I think transporting a PC outside of a carton with expanded foam packing is risky.

Are you also transporting the LCD screen & keyboard ?

Alterative is a Laptop with a proper graphics chip (not one integrated into CPU or motherboard chipset.)

regards

Mike Barnes
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jnewegger23

jnewegger23

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Aug 13, 2013
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Cases are typically designated by the size of the motherboard they can accomodate. This said, a micro-atx board is smaller than a mini-atx as mini typically has more expansion slots. Small form factor is a term used to differentiate the same model say a dell optiplex mid tower from the small form factor type (usually skinnier, less wide, etc.) but does not necessarily translate into a decrease in motherboard size but typically does.
The best way to help for you I believe is to direct you to pcpartpicker.com and select cases that can only accommodate micro-atx. From there you can select a style that best suits your needs and if you really want to further select the case with the smallest and lightest dimensions/specifications. Hope this helps!

Just keep in mind that if you go too small you may exclude your ability to pursue certain graphics cards due to their power requirements and the absolute smallest cases sometimes come with their own power supplies due to the odd shape/configuration of the psu needed to fit in there and thus may put a ceiling on your gpu selection. This warning heeded, if you're still ok with that then by all means...
 
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mbarnes86

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Sep 16, 2010
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Hi

You can get a PC in a case which is similar in size as a CD drive, with an external laptop power supply but it wont be any use for modern games.

Small cases with powerfull graphics cards need carefully designed cooling systems to prevent over heating
and as was said before, and probably come with 125W or 150W non standard sized power supplies.

Some cases are designed to be transported to LAN Parties and have a handle on top which is a good ideal, though I think transporting a PC outside of a carton with expanded foam packing is risky.

Are you also transporting the LCD screen & keyboard ?

Alterative is a Laptop with a proper graphics chip (not one integrated into CPU or motherboard chipset.)

regards

Mike Barnes
 
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