Question Best Mini-ITX case for sitting on a shelf inside a wall unit?

[Muckster]

As part of a wall unit, there's an enclosed shelf area where I'd like to put a new gaming build. The enclosure is 19 W , X 20" deep X 6" high. Sides are solid, but both top and bottom pieces of the enclosure have lots of holes to allow air flow. Is there a case specially made to lay horizontally and have case fans positioned in such a way as to take the best advantage of this enclosure? I'm guessing this would mean fans pulling from below and pushing out the top?

 

[hang-the-9]

There are plenty of cases that may fit the area, but none that I would use for a gaming system without maybe some additional fans outside the shelf blowing air onto the system. Look at HTPC cases.

 

[tennis2]

Fractal Design Node 202 = $50-$60 on sale.

The Thermaltake Core G3 is also a unique case that would fit your opening.

 

[Muckster]

Here's what I really think I need. I need some kind of horizontally oriented HTPC box that has intake fans in the FRONT. The front is the one part of the PC that won't be boxed in. As I mentioned, the top and bottom of the cubby have many air holes drilled into the wood for heat to escape. Still, I worry about heat piling up in the back faster that it goes up creating a positive pressure that might push the heat forward and into the intakes. Ideally, exhaust fans would be top mounted, but I've never really heard of top exhaust on a HTPC case, so I'll probably have settle for rear exhaust.

Anyone know a good gaming HTPC with front mounted intake fans?

There are plenty of cases that may fit the area, but none that I would use for a gaming system without maybe some additional fans outside the shelf blowing air onto the system. Look at HTPC cases.

I get what you're saying, but I'm not yet sure shelf fans are needed and I don't want the extra noise. And, if I did do that, wouldn't I want the shelf fans to suck the air away rather than towards the build? I had an older build in the cubby and at that time I didn't have any air holes in the bottom shelf, only the top. Build never overheated, but the fans worked hard and it was noisier than I preferred during gaming.

I was considering the Mini-ITX Node 202 and someone suggested the Silverstone ATX GD05 to me as well. The Node 202 will fit easily while the GD05 is pretty snug. With the GD05 I'd have air intakes on the sides and exhaust out the back.

Here's a PP list someone helped me with based on the Silverstone GD05. I might switch out the PSU for the fanless titanium seasonic because noise is also a concern.
https://pcpartpicker.com/user/pshopper/saved/#view=kNzvWZ

Node 202
https://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/node-series/node-202

Silverstone GD05
https://silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=241&area=en

 

[Muckster]

The Thermaltake Core G3 is also a unique case that would fit your opening.

Huh. Good find! Maybe. It fits about as well as the Silverstone GD05 I was looking at and it DOES have the front intakes. 310mm is enough room for the 2080 vid card... I'm gonna look more into it right now.
https://support.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002936

Says it's has two 120mm fans in the front which I like very much.

Edit: I've read a few reviews. Not the best marks on noise and cable management. Cooling and noise is a big part of what I'm looking for so maybe this case isn't it, but with those front intake fans, it's on the right track.

 

[tennis2]

On Core G3

1. Its a $60 niche case. Set your expectations accordingly.
2. It's an unusually thin case. Sub-optimal cable management shouldn't be surprising.
3. Noise is mostly due to the quality of stock fans. Since you're in a fairly specialized market here, expect to have to have to spend a bit of money on "extras" to get the system working the way you need it. It also has an open (mesh) front panel which is good for airflow, but doesn't dampen noise.

Have you looked at Silverstones other cases? FTZ-01E for example.

What's your budget?

I presume since you're planning on using an RTX2080 that you intend to use a similarly high end CPU? Don't expect to cool that sort of horsepower quietly/easily in a space this small with sub-optimal airflow into/ around it. Undervolting is your friend.

 

[Muckster]

On Core G3

1. Its a $60 niche case. Set your expectations accordingly.
2. It's an unusually thin case. Sub-optimal cable management shouldn't be surprising.
3. Noise is mostly due to the quality of stock fans. Since you're in a fairly specialized market here, expect to have to have to spend a bit of money on "extras" to get the system working the way you need it. It also has an open (mesh) front panel which is good for airflow, but doesn't dampen noise.

Have you looked at Silverstones other cases? FTZ-01E for example.

What's your budget?

I presume since you're planning on using an RTX2080 that you intend to use a similarly high end CPU? Don't expect to cool that sort of horsepower quietly/easily in a space this small with sub-optimal airflow into/ around it. Undervolting is your friend.

Case budget isn't the issue. I'd gladly pay double the cost of the G3 if I could just fine what works best. Where you clicked to see my vid care, you can also see the cpu, the high end PSU and the total of 5 case fans.

The FTZ-01E doesn't have front intakes, but the bottom to top air flow is interesting. Unfortunately, there's no room for rear fans on this model or the G3. I appreciate the suggestion and will think about it, but I think I'm going to need more than the one exhaust fan.