Cases that are 16 inches and under.

[TruenoICE]

Hello everyone, I've just started buying parts for my 1st PC build and I have come upon a minor issue. The place where I have my PC is just a little over 16 inches tall, so the size of the case I can have under there is limited. Originally I was looking into this case, http://www.apevia.com/productsInfo.asp?KEY=X-Sniper2-BL ; however, since the case is too tall, it wouldn't work. I am looking into getting another desk, as the desk i'm currently using is a dinky little thing, but in case getting another desk is not a possibility for some time, I would like to ask what cases are out there that look pretty cool, primary color being black and blue or black and white or white and blue, and has potential for great ventilation, along with being under 16 inches as the title states. I appreciate to all who contribute and thank in advance.
Here's my build to check for compatibility: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/TruenoICE/saved/YXhBD3

 

[Darkbreeze]

What is your case budget?

 

[Darkbreeze]

This is the best short case that supports full size hardware and motherboards currently available under 100.00 that I'd be likely to recommend. I have built two systems for clients with this case and it's extremely flexible in regard to hardware and cooling options.


Cooler Master HAF XB EVO

http://www.coolermaster.com/case/lan-box-haf-series/haf-xb-evo/


Out of stock most places, but available here. NCIX is trustworthy and I've ordered many thousands of dollars worth of hardware and components from them:


http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=91868&vpn=RC%2D902XB%2DKKN2&manufacture=COOLERMASTER&promoid=1356

 

[Darkbreeze]

If you plan to overclock since you have an unlocked CPU selected you will need a Z97 motherboard of good quality. The PC Mate is not of sufficient quality to thermally support stable overclocking.

I'd go with Windows 8.1 rather than 7 as a lot of newer hardware does not have native support in Windows 7 and you may find it troublesome trying to find drivers that work well with it. If you don't like the metro screens of Windows 8, which I don't, you can install Classic Shell, which is free and returns the start menu and desktop to the Windows 7 style while retaining the hardware support of the newer OS.

I also changed your PSU to a better unit. The EVGA Supernove NEX units are not on par with the B2, G2, P2 and V series units made by EVGA. You really only need a 650w PSU for this configuration, but if you have plans to add a second card later you will want to get one with a much higher capacity. The 750w model leaves you some headroom for overclocking, but probably not enough to also add a second card for crossfire.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($123.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $48.88)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO ATX Desktop Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1051.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-26 05:18 EST-0500




If you have no intentions in overclocking then this would make much more sense:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus H97-PLUS ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($95.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $48.88)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO ATX Desktop Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $986.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-26 05:17 EST-0500


I also threw in an R9 290 which has an extra GB of VRAM over the 280X and is only five bucks more as well as MUCH better motherboards on both versions. The second version has an H97 board which cannot be used to overclock and does not support SLI but does support AMD crossfire if you wish to add another card later.

 

[TruenoICE]

Hello and thank you for the great suggestions. I sincerely apologize not answering any sooner. I have been in school all day and haven't been able to get online. Anyway, I do like your suggestion and to answer, I am not planning on overclocking my system anytime soon, but I may some time in the future. Also there is no budget for the case as this is only a possibility, since I may just go with the original case along with getting a bigger desk. Though I may get this case, which I really do like, and may just get another small table to extend my current desk. As for the parts list, I do appreciate the suggestion of the R9 290 and Windows 8.1, and may get both. However, I would like to keep my build black and blue themed, so I would like to ask if there is a motherboard that is good for overclocking while still being black and blue (or black and white). Finally as for the PSU, how much wattage would you suggest if I were to add another R9 290 and overclock my CPU? Sorry if I'm asking a lot; since this is my first build, I would like it to have great potential so I don't have to worry about completely overhauling my computer in the future as much. Again, I thank you for all these suggestions.

 

[Darkbreeze]

If you think you might add another card later, I'd highly suggest going with a Z97 board since the Crossfire support on H97 is limited to x4 on the second card. This will increase the budget a bit, but not that much.

I really doubt you'll be likely to need more firepower than a 290x, so it's probably a better option to just get one now rather than have to buy a 1000w PSU and then end up not getting a second card later. It's around twenty bucks more for the 290x over the 290. A second GPU and a bigger PSU would run you about 350.00 more.

This has a blue and black themed Z97 motherboard and can be overclocked. IF, at some point down the road you wanted to add another card, you could. But you WOULD need a bigger PSU.

Maybe do it like this.:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $48.88)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290X 4GB DirectCU II Video Card ($309.40 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO ATX Desktop Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1105.10
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-26 19:31 EST-0500


That's only 1043.00 after rebates.

 

[TruenoICE]

Again I apologize for not responding any sooner. I figured that I may as well be patient and get the best for my buck; which is why I am now choosing this http://pcpartpicker.com/user/TruenoICE/saved/YXhBD3 . It's far beyond of what I had originally wanted to spend on ($600-$700), along with the case being a bit too big to fit under my desk, but I'll find some way to make it work. I do appreciate all the suggestions and may still use that case you suggested for future builds if I get into building PC for family and maybe friends. Once again, I apologize for the delayed responses, and I thank you for your help.

 

[Darkbreeze]

No worries at all. That's a nice build and you'll be very happy with it, no doubts there.