Looking for a small case...

[johnnferguson]

What's the smallest, good looking case I could fit this build into?

CPU:Intel Core i7-3770 3.4GHz Quad-Core ProcessorP ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard:ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 MotherboardP ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory:Crucial Ballistix sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 MemoryP ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard DriveP ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card:EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video CardP ($175.66 @ Newegg)
Case:Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower CaseP ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply:SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power SupplyP ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive:Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD WriterP ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System:Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)P ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1002.13
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-16 15:24 EDT-0400)

Thanks

 

[Emelth]

What is this build being used for?

You want the parts to fit in a Micro case correct?

 

[johnnferguson]

What is this build being used for?

You want the parts to fit in a Micro case correct?

It's being used for autocad, photoshop etc (i'm going to design school). Don't know much about computers or cases. Someone suggested this build and I like the idea of making my own computer - it's seems good value for money. Ideally I'd just like something in a relatively small case.

 

[Emelth]

I still dont know if you want an Micro ATX Mini-Tower (this is smaller than a Mid Tower) or a Mini ITX Tower (this is the smallest of all PC cases)

 

[johnnferguson]

I still dont know if you want an Micro ATX Mini-Tower (this is smaller than a Mid Tower) or a Mini ITX Tower (this is the smallest of all PC cases)

Would I have to change any of the parts for either the micro or the mini? I would like a mini but considering this is my first build, it would probably be easier in a Micro. What are your thoughts?

 

[marshallbradley]

There are some very solid, good looking and easy to build in mini ITX cases out there, and all that would require changing would be the motherboard from ATX to an mITX one. For the mATX you'd also have to change from an ATX to a mATX motherboard.

Here's a good mITX motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157311

And here's a decent mATX one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157303

All of the below cases are mITX:

Check out for example the Bitfenix Prodigy: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345016

SilverStone also make some very nice mITX cases, that aren't as tall: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163208

Here are YouTube reviews so you can get some idea of size: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGYatxJzaBI and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EkhTN2wVc8

The 2nd one is a little bit more expensive, but comes with a solid power supply so you won't have to get one separately.

EDIT: To answer your question it wouldn't be any harder in the mini ITX than the micro ATX, since most components are installed while the motherboard is outside of the case anyway. As long as it's a decent case, the difficulty will be the same, only the size/expandability which will be slightly different.

M

 

[johnnferguson]

There are some very solid, good looking and easy to build in mini ITX cases out there, and all that would require changing would be the motherboard from ATX to an mITX one. For the mATX you'd also have to change from an ATX to a mATX motherboard.

Here's a good mITX motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157311

And here's a decent mATX one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157303

All of the below cases are mITX:

Check out for example the Bitfenix Prodigy: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345016

SilverStone also make some very nice mITX cases, that aren't as tall: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163208

Here are YouTube reviews so you can get some idea of size: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGYatxJzaBI and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EkhTN2wVc8

The 2nd one is a little bit more expensive, but comes with a solid power supply so you won't have to get one separately.

EDIT: To answer your question it wouldn't be any harder in the mini ITX than the micro ATX, since most components are installed while the motherboard is outside of the case anyway. As long as it's a decent case, the difficulty will be the same, only the size/expandability which will be slightly different.

M

Thanks, that was really helpful. I like the second one - but would I have to change the optical drive from my original build? it seems like it needs a slim drive.

 

[marshallbradley]

Oh yes, you're right of course! Good spot. I was thinking about the Prodigy's normal drive. So you need a normal drive for the Prodigy and a slim one for the SilverStone.

M

 

[johnnferguson]

Oh yes, you're right of course! Good spot. I was thinking about the Prodigy's normal drive. So you need a normal drive for the Prodigy and a slim one for the SilverStone.

M

Thanks, any suggestions for a good, slim drive?

 

[marshallbradley]

This one would work just as well as the one in your current build: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106385&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

You probably need a slimline SATA adapter as well though.

M

 

[johnnferguson]

This one would work just as well as the one in your current build: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106385&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

You probably need a slimline SATA adapter as well though.

M

I think I'm going to go for the samsung http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812162024

What SATA Adapter/cable would I need to connect it to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157312

Thanks

 

[marshallbradley]

You haven't linked the DVD drive you're talking about.

If it's the OEM one though, this is what you'll need: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200470

Full sized SATA cables are usually included with the motherboard.

M