mITX cases - 250D or Define Nano S?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Nadav Erez

Nadav Erez

Reputable
Aug 8, 2014
159
0
4,680
I'm building a new PC when Zen will be released. I plan to overclock my C/GPU (as far as an mITX case and motherboard - and my PSU for that matter - will allow).
Build specs:
CPU: High-end Zen CPU ($350.00)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-C14 / ID-Cooling Frostflow 240/120 *
Other: AM4 Motherboard ($175.00)
Memory: Kingston FURY 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($70.47 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Tri-X Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $595.47
*I'll choose the cooler based on how far I'll be able to OC with my PSU. Also (and this is slightly off-topic) - is the Frostflow 120 any better than the Noctua?
So - if I OC, is any of these cases a bottleneck for my PSU? If not, which would offer better thermal and acoustic performance?
 
Solution
JackNaylorPE
What you need to do is look at sites that have reviews on both ... unfortunately, it would seem that there are few instances where both have garnered attention from these sites who aren't afraid of advertiser response when they rate 1 better than the other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm44CviMWik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVTuZYJ1wZo

It would appear that this reviewer favors the Define S

250D got a "Damn Good Value" Award
Define S got a "Damn Good" Award w/o the "value" qualification

But every case has pluses and minuses ... you have to judge which ones are more important for you .... 250Ds smaller size versus Nano S's well done sound reduction. Watch both reviews and see which one pushes your buttons.

For me, the...
Sort by date Sort by votes
jjbtexas

jjbtexas

Distinguished
Feb 28, 2009
234
0
18,690
Basically comes down to which form factor you like. I almost always prefer the vertical motherboard (Define) vs the horizontal (250D) because it takes up less desk space. That being said, both are good case.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Nadav Erez

Nadav Erez

Reputable
Aug 8, 2014
159
0
4,680
Hmm... If none of the cases bottleneck my PSU, I need to choose a CPU cooler. How do the Noctua NH-C14 and the ID-Cooling Frostflow 120 compare (noise & temps)? And with an mITX build, will I be OCing enough to just pony up and get the Frostflow 240?

Thanks for the quick answers, @SR-71 Blackbird and @jjbtexas!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jjbtexas

jjbtexas

Distinguished
Feb 28, 2009
234
0
18,690
Since that's an unreleased chip and chipset, I don't think anyone could comment on the temps and OC ability. The Noctua cooler competes very strongly against most 120mm AIOs though the 240mm would do the best job. If you're gonna try to squeeze as much out of the CPU as possible, the 240mm is probably the right choice, but this is all extremely hypothetical.

There simply isn't enough info out about the chips to say with any amount of certainty.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

Titan
BANNED
Oct 30, 2004
32,255
14
99,960
Personally, I'd look at the Enthoo ITX ... has more room that anything, sturdiest build

https://pcpartpicker.com/products/case/#sort=a8&page=1

Corsair 250D
Maximum GPU Length = 290mm
Maximum CPU Cooler Height = 95mm
Maximum PSU Length = 180mm


Fractal Nano S
Maximum GPU Length = 315mm
Maximum CPU Cooler Height = 160mm
Maximum PSU Length = Not Listed


Enthoo Evolv
Maximum GPU Length = 330mm
Maximum CPU Cooler Height = 200mm
Maximum PSU Length = No limit

No CLC made can compete with a comparably priced air cooler. Budget ?

$25 - Hyper 212
$50 - Scythe Mugen Max
$65 - Phanteks PH-TC14-PE
$90 - Noctua NH-D15
$150 - Swiftech H240 X2
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Nadav Erez

Nadav Erez

Reputable
Aug 8, 2014
159
0
4,680


Sadly, I can't buy the Enthoo because it's not available where I live.

The budget is also tricky, because CPU coolers aren't priced consistently where I live. For example, a Noctua NH-C14 (which costs 90$ in the U.S.) costs 80$ here, but a Corsair H110i GTX (which costs 120$ in the U.S.) costs 170$...

So I've narrowed my choices down (considering the prices and compatibility with the 250D), and the best air cooler that fits is the C14, and the best AIOs I can afford are the Frostflows.


... I could also reuse my case (a Corsair 300R), slap an NH-D15 in and call it a day (although I'd always worry about it snapping the motherboard in half...).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

Titan
BANNED
Oct 30, 2004
32,255
14
99,960


AFAIK, the TG is available only in the ATX version, not iTX or mATX .. yet :)


Sadly, I can't buy the Enthoo because it's not available where I live.

... I could also reuse my case (a Corsair 300R), slap an NH-D15 in and call it a day (although I'd always worry about it snapping the motherboard in half...).
Click to expand...

Where are you located ?

What about Cryorig ? H7 is 145mm ... will fit in the Fractal ... the H5 just fits at 160mm

The weight issue is rather of no concern unless you shipping via GorillaExpress. The cooler weighs 2 pounds, ya thing it notices that when you are applying 60 pounds of clamping force ?

In the history of PC building, no cooler has ever snapped off a MoBo sitting on a desk. But I have done 3 MoBo replacements for folks who over tightened their Hyper 212s
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Nadav Erez

Nadav Erez

Reputable
Aug 8, 2014
159
0
4,680


I'm located in Israel, and apparently Cryorig products aren't available here... The stores I plan to buy my parts from are [url:http://en.ksp.co.il//]KSP[/url] and Ivory (sorry that there's no English version. "Translate to English" with Google Translate should work though).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
NumbNut

NumbNut

Commendable
Aug 7, 2016
4
0
1,510
Stop - Just stop for a moment.

Take a good long look at each. I'm pretty sure you know which one looks more appealing to you. Functionally, the Nano has an advantage in terms of layout, airflow, and thus temp's. I've also heard its pretty quiet. Its sleek and looks elegant for a pc case without it being an elephant on your table.

On the other hand, the 250D is more compact, and while everything sits a lot more snug inside, I don't have any complaints regarding temp's. On a desk like mine, it gets mistaken for a second subwoofer. Considering its weight, I thing its pretty quiet with the noisy gpu inside. I can say, however, cleaning it gives off a beautiful shine giving it unprecedented attention when it comes to all the other hardware on my table.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

Titan
BANNED
Oct 30, 2004
32,255
14
99,960
What you need to do is look at sites that have reviews on both ... unfortunately, it would seem that there are few instances where both have garnered attention from these sites who aren't afraid of advertiser response when they rate 1 better than the other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm44CviMWik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVTuZYJ1wZo

It would appear that this reviewer favors the Define S

250D got a "Damn Good Value" Award
Define S got a "Damn Good" Award w/o the "value" qualification

But every case has pluses and minuses ... you have to judge which ones are more important for you .... 250Ds smaller size versus Nano S's well done sound reduction. Watch both reviews and see which one pushes your buttons.

For me, the inability to fit a premium cooler puts the kabash on the 250D. Also some GFX cards won't fit in the 250D (i.e. Asus Strix 1070 / 1080)
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Solution
Nadav Erez

Nadav Erez

Reputable
Aug 8, 2014
159
0
4,680




My first choice was the Define S, but GPU compatibility is also something I'm worried about... With the Define S, there's almost no spacing between the PSU and the GPU, so temps might be affected. The spacing issue also means that if you've got a GPU that's thicker than the standard 2 slots, it won't fit... Even considering all this, I'll probably go for the Nano S. I've still got room for it, it's quieter, and performance is better. Thanks!

One last question, though - if I go for an AIO w/ the Define S - what would be the best location to place it? The top doesn't have a dust filter, so maybe on the front with the fans pulling air in..?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

Titan
BANNED
Oct 30, 2004
32,255
14
99,960
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24I1dxleSpQ

Here's an idea....

1. Swiftech H240 X2
http://www.swiftech.com/h240x2.aspx
H240-X2-COLOR-PICS.jpg


2. MSI Seahawk 1070 EK X
https://us.msi.com/Graphics-card/GeForce-GTX-1070-SEA-HAWK-EK-X.html#hero-overview
14-127-956-TS


As, unlike CLC type AIOs w/ aluminum rads, this one is just an assemblage of custom loop components ... it's copper and no aluminum in the loop, pump us capable of use with multiple blocks ad rads. All you need is two fittings, some extra tubing and coolant ... it literally blows every other CLC type AIO "outta the water".

That will eliminate your PSU concern

240 X2 should mount on top or front

 
Upvote 1 Downvote
NumbNut

NumbNut

Commendable
Aug 7, 2016
4
0
1,510


You buy magnetic dust filter kits. =) Got one for my new 350D
They're available at every second store I trip into. My kit was made by DEMCiflex. Looks like it was designed for the case. Wait,...it was

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom