Can I put this MOBO in this case?

Thanks so much. I noticed Micro-ATX only had a "minimum" size but I guess it's not a very good rule to assume they'll all be minimum size.

I'm planning to make this into a power rig, so sadly no fusion or atom CPUs, but bulldozer and sandy/ivy bridges and some sort of graphics card. For now, I'll be using a low-power 8800GT, I just need to decide on bulldozer or SB/IB, and then if things go well and prices drop, I'll put in a 6950 if I can.

I'm doing this (if anyone's interested) because I'm going to need a new laptop pretty soon. Rather than get a $1500 17" Sager that'll be nowhere as powerful as a $700 desktop (and not be portable due to a 1 hour battery), I'll get this mini-ITX shoebox and a $500-$1000 15" laptop, either something cheap like acer, or an optimus sager.

Any thoughts on this idea? I can't deal with a huge case and all those wires anymore, so I figure this is an easy way to consolidate it all into one little shoebox (granted I'll have to figure out how to deal with the monitor and keyboard/mouse problem)...

Is this a better idea than trying to cram expensive and hot parts into a laptop? I mean, if you can't use your laptop on the go (due to battery), what's the point?

I'm confused?! Are you trying to make the Mini ITX 'portable' and get a cheaper Notebook?

I use an HP Elitebook Mobile Workstation {and PC's}, and it REALLY depends upon what you're needs are and what you're trying to process. The $500 cheapo Notebooks run circles around 5 year old 'state-of-the-art' Notebooks. So potentially having two substandard PCs isn't tops on my list of good ideas.

The processing power between Notebooks and PCs is closer than you think. There are 'bizarre' i7 9XX {desktop CPU} notebooks -- they oddly have 45min~1+hour batteries.

Q - What are you trying to do with either the PC or Notebook??

I'm trying to get the "best of both worlds". It's silly, I know, I should probably just pay a bit more for a better laptop. I can customize a CLEVO with a 17.3" FHD screen, an i7 2630, and a 460M for about $1400ish....This would then be my main computer and my laptop, but it would neither last very long without the charger nor would it be as easy to upgrade as a laptop or as future-proof.

On the other hand, I figure I can get a fairly decent 15" laptop, Acer or Toshiba or Samsung, for $600, with fairly decent specs and a screen. Basically I'll be able to open up 10 tabs, watch a movie online, and write a paper at the same time without crashing...

And then, with another $600, buy a mini-ITX case, MOBO, and bulldozer CPU, and let's say even an HD 6950. Add $200 for a nice 24" monitor and I've got two machines...one of which is more powerful than the CLEVO ever could be (and upgradeable) and one which is much more portable than the CLEVO.

I don't know though...maybe I should just give up on the 17.3" idea, get a portable 15" CLEVO (just under $1000 for 540M w/ Optimus or about $1200 for 460M) and get a monitor, and be happy with the processing and graphical power of that...

I don't know...as you can see, I'm terribly undecided  

If you're a mobile user then get a nice Notebook. Any Notebook can do as you described easily including older notebooks with multi-core and sufficient RAM. The 'real' differences are the Graphics and yes a more demanding CPU is needed for more FPS.

Here's a good Recommended Build Guide from Tecmo32 -> http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/269162-31-recommended...

The ONLY usefulness for either Mini ITX or mATX is an HTPC.

The problem is I'm a notebook lover who wants an 18" for at home, and a 14" for the road...

I think, based on the fact that it's probably not going to be a long-lasting system if I cram an i5 and a 6950 into a mini-ITX case, that I'll forgo the idea of a powerful gaming rig in a mini-ITX case, and just get a nice laptop. As much as I don't want an alienware...I do hear the m17x R3 has switchable graphics and can get a nice 4 hours on the road, while having good performance...

Seems like that would suit me much better than 2 systems that are kind of half-assed...

I totally agree and if needed get a docking station or simply hook-up a larger monitor, K.B./Mouse when home.

Good Luck!  

Best answer selected by rykoshet.

OK, I've decided against the mini-ITX. Even though I'll save money AND have a better computer in terms of power, it's not worth because it's still not going to be "portable", it'll just be "out of the way".

I wanted a laptop, I should stick with a laptop...