Looking for smallest case for ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 GEN3

[thinkmusic]

I'm a new builder and probably went about it the wrong way but I want to find the smallest case I can for my ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 GEN3 motherboard. I have the following other items already:

SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold - Power supply
ZOTAC AMP! ZT-50702-10M GeForce GTX 560 - Video Card
SSD
1 TB hard drive

I'm really not planning on much expansion besides possibly another SSD when the price goes down.

Any suggestions on a small case would be great.

THanks,

Mike

 

[Ubrales]

It's the hardware, especially the motherboard, the video card, and the heatsink that really determine the size of the case you need.

With the high power components that you have selected, I suggest nothing less than a full tower case for good cooling of the CPU as well as good air flow.

Take a look at the Cooler master HAF-X - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119239

Other cases here: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=7&name=Computer-Cases

 

[o1die]

My choice would be this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204037, but you can use any number of similar cases. I like my shiny black htpc case; found it used on craigslist for $30.

 

[thinkmusic]

It's the hardware, especially the motherboard, the video card, and the heatsink that really determine the size of the case you need.

With the high power components that you have selected, I suggest nothing less than a full tower case for good cooling of the CPU as well as good air flow.

Take a look at the Cooler master HAF-X - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119239

Other cases here: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=7&name=Computer-Cases

Thanks for the reply. I understand that I need great cooling and airflow but I'm looking for something a bit smaller than the average that would fit everything and be pretty cool. The other thing I didn't mention was that it would be nice to have something quiet. The Cooler Master HAF-X is 23 inches tall which seems pretty huge.

 

[Ubrales]

Thanks for the reply. I understand that I need great cooling and airflow but I'm looking for something a bit smaller than the average that would fit everything and be pretty cool. The other thing I didn't mention was that it would be nice to have something quiet. The Cooler Master HAF-X is 23 inches tall which seems pretty huge.

Yes! The video card you selected is large. The CPU needs a good after market heatsink. It is better to take these things into consideration now, and prevent future problems with space, high temps, etc.

Even a mid tower case may not be adequate for this type of hardware.

I would suggest a personal visit to some of the computer stores, and look at some of the cases, and the inside dimensions.

 

[thinkmusic]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will check out some cases in person.

 

[thesnappyfingers]

Dude you do not need a full tower for those components, look at the haf 912, coolermaster 690, antec 300 illusion, rosewill challenger.

here is a comparison list of mid towers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583&IsNodeId=1&CompareItemList=7%7c11-119-233%5eDM%2c11-119-197%5esCB%2c11-147-153%5esCB%2c11-129-066%5esCB%2c11-129-042%5esCB&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Type=1&Item=11-119-233

The rosewill is the smallest but not by much, the haf 912 is a great case which offers alot of room to work in.

Storm enforcer, storm scout, and the haf 912 are all very similar cases, they just have different external designs and slight differences.

There are millions of cases if you find one that you kind of like we can help you find others that are similar.

edit. Millions is a large overstatement...

 

[Ubrales]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will check out some cases in person.

MicroCenter, Fry's, CompUSA, have plenty of cases on display. Of the three, the best tech support and service is at MicroCenter.

 

[o1die]

If you get a standard atx case, I also recommend the hardrive cage be facing to the side, so you can remove the hardrives without interference from the heatsink. I also like the plastic lock down levers and front fan to cool the drives.

 

[thinkmusic]

If you get a standard atx case, I also recommend the hardrive cage be facing to the side, so you can remove the hardrives without interference from the heatsink. I also like the plastic lock down levers and front fan to cool the drives.

Thanks, I'll look into that. Any specific suggestions of ones like that?

 

[o1die]

This http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112318 is a good mid priced case with free shipping from newegg.

 

[Silvune]

Here are some of the smallest (high quality) cases I could find in the list that I have created:
Antec Fusion Remote MAX - 445x190.5x452 (WxHxD)
Antec Solo - 206x432x470
Antec Solo II - 205x440x470
Cooler Master Centurion 5 II - 202x440x485
Cooler Master Sileo 500 - 200x432x480
Fractal Design Core 3000 - 200x430x480
Lian Li PC-A05FN - 210x385x500
Lian Li PC-C60 - 445x182x410

I have also checked to make sure that they could fit the graphics card (which IIRC is ~21cm according to the Zotac website).

 

[thinkmusic]

Thank you so much. This is an awesome list!!

 

[thinkmusic]

Best answer selected by thinkmusic.