Best cheap micro-atx case

person31 · Dec 26, 2015

Hi, I need a micro atx case to replace the Corsair C70 which is too big and unsuitable for my living space. These are the specs of my PC:

Gigabyte 78LMT-USB3
AMD FX8350
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
ASUS Geforce GT610 passive GPU
8gb DDR3
Aerocool 850 PSU
1tb HDD

I want to downgrade from my C70 because I find it too big and due to having a bottom mounted PSU, I have to keep a board underneath to prevent the PSU from suffocating. The reason I bought the C70 was because it was on sale for £50.00. I want to downgrade to something smaller and more practical than the C70. Preferably, the case needs to have a top mounted PSU, enough room for a Hyper 212 Evo, decent airflow and some cable management (although cable management isn't absolutely necessary).

I should be getting the XFX AMD R9 380 in the summer so the case will need to be able to cope with e bigger GPU.

Any responses are appreciated!

fredfinks · Dec 26, 2015

http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/core-series have a look at these. The 1100 can be had for a good price.

InvalidError · Dec 26, 2015

Top or bottom PSU mount makes very little difference in total case height since the shortest tower case that will fit a *-ATX motherboard and PSU will have the motherboard butting against the PSU either way. That's why most ATX towers for a given motherboard form factor are within a centimeter or two from each other. The height reduction going from a standard ATX case to micro-ATX comes almost entirely from axing 3-4 expansion slots.

If you compare the Fractal 1100 (top PSU) to the 1300 (bottom PSU), there is only a 15mm height difference between the two, most of which from the taller feet on the bottom.

person31 · Dec 26, 2015

Thanks for the prompt answer. I'm not sure if the 3.5" drives will interfere with the CPU cooler or the GPU. I'll definitely keep the Core 1000 series in mind.

person31 · Dec 27, 2015

I have found two cases that suit my current needs and I am still undecided about the Fractal core 1000.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AvP-Viper-Black-Mini-Tower-Gaming-Case-500W-Power-Supply-/111304148639?hash=item19ea3e869f:g:ZX8AAOSwstxVPj5B
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Mesh-512A-Black-Micro-ATX-Computer-PC-Case-USB-3-0-Meshed-Panel-mATX-/401010711452?hash=item5d5e19db9c:g:zKAAAOSwYHxWHmce

Which one of these looks better in yout opinion? I am leaning towards the AVP case due to having more cable management options but I need some confirmation.

InvalidError · Dec 27, 2015

Can't say I would prefer either one of those two cases. If you pick the AvP one, you should probably chuck the "500W" PSU-shaped object included with it directly into the garbage bin. You may also want to keep an eye open for better quality PSUs to replace your current Aerocool - tier four units rarely last for very long.

person31 · Dec 27, 2015

Yeah. Don't really intend to use the PSU supplied with any cheap case. If I can afford it, would a Corsair CX500 be powerful enough for a R9 380? (might be upgrading in the near future)

InvalidError · Dec 27, 2015

While 500W should be more than enough for just about any single-GPU single-CPU system, the CX500 is another tier four unit and not much of an upgrade. Ideally, you want to aim for tier two or better from the list.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

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