Micro ATX (Portable gaming rig)

[bthizle1]

I created a thread about the possibility of building a mini itx gaming rig, and then taking the money I have left over to buy a cheaper laptop, instead of just buying a $1,000 plus gaming laptop. However I´m not really a big fan of the mini itx set up. So, I´m looking at the possibility of building a micro ATX gaming rig for say around $700-800 (I have no OS). That would be portable enough to put in a backpack and take as a carry on in a plane. Would this be possible? What kind of dimensions and weight am I looking at? Also, if it is really worth it I suppose I could up my budget to say $850, maybe $900. I suppose that it´d be pretty upgradable as well, at least much more upgradeable than a laptop.

I mostly play RPG¨s and strategies. Esepcially the Total War series, including the new one that will be released in Sept. Rome II.

Any advice-possible builds are greatly appreciated.

 

[giliara]

I created a thread about the possibility of building a mini itx gaming rig, and then taking the money I have left over to buy a cheaper laptop, instead of just buying a $1,000 plus gaming laptop. However I´m not really a big fan of the mini itx set up. So, I´m looking at the possibility of building a micro ATX gaming rig for say around $700-800 (I have no OS). That would be portable enough to put in a backpack and take as a carry on in a plane. Would this be possible? What kind of dimensions and weight am I looking at? Also, if it is really worth it I suppose I could up my budget to say $850, maybe $900.

I mostly play RPG¨s and strategies. Esepcially the Total War series, including the new one that will be released in Sept. Rome II.

Any advice-possible builds are greatly appreciated.

You should see if you can fit this case in your backpack it is the smallest Micro-ATX case that can fit height graphics cards. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108191

 

[bthizle1]

I would think so, it´s only 13 inches in height, and 11 long, with some 6 in width. Now the question is how much more or less would a gaming set up in this wiegh? And would it be fine in regards to cooling etc...because this is a micro ATX case, but it´s dimensions really seem to me more like a mini.....

Also, the PSU doesn´t really look too impressive.

By the way many thanks for the responce. Anyone care to help me put together a build for this case?

 

[giliara]

Here is a full build http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1etFY.
Probably no more then 15 pound 20 tops. If you every went to school that is nothing to carry in your backpack.

 

[tiny voices]

Here is a full build http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1etFY.

The stock 300w PSU is low quality trash. It will NOT be running that system.

 

[giliara]

Here is a full build http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1etFY.

The stock 300w PSU is low quality trash. It will NOT be running that system.

There is a 450 (80 plus) in custom parts by Silverstone.

 

[tiny voices]

Didn't see that. Should run the system just fine. not much room for upgrading the GPU in the future but what do you expect with a case like this.

Looks solid to me.

 

[giliara]

Didn't see that. Should run the system just fine. not much room for upgrading the GPU in the future but what do you expect with a case like this.

Looks solid to me.

Yeah I am thinking of making a similar build. In Win honestly makes good cases that no one else does, but they have crap PSUs. Also you might want to think of drilling some holes where the graphics card fan is as this case has no fans, grills, or mesh.

 

[bthizle1]

Not much room for upgrading the GPU in the future? That´s one of the reasons I´m considering going with a micro ATX instead of a laptop. Is for the ability to upgrade in the future if needed. Although I suppose if I put say a radeon 7970 or something along those lines (would it fit?) than it should be more future proof than the laptop I´m considering buying (the sager np8230 with the mobile GTX 770m GPU).

EDIT:

Plus I´m reading really bad reviews in regards to the cooling abilities of this case on newegg. There wouldn´t happen to be a case similar to this one in size but with good cooling? Being as I plan on doing quite a bit of intense gaming, that´d be pretty important.

 

[giliara]

Not much room for upgrading the GPU in the future? That´s one of the reasons I´m considering going with a micro ATX instead of a laptop. Is for the ability to upgrade in the future if needed. Although I suppose if I put say a radeon 7970 or something along those lines (would it fit?) than it should be more future proof than the laptop I´m considering buying (the sager np8230 with the mobile GTX 770m GPU).

As long as the GPU is near the same dimensions as the one listed it should fit fine.

 

[bthizle1]

Would the 7970 3 GB fit in that case? And more importantly would there be good cooling for such a GPU in that case (as I´ve been reading negative reviews in regards to that on newegg? No other cases similar to this one in size, but with better cooling capabilities?

 

[tiny voices]

You will need to find a higher wattage (good quality) PSU which will fit. That will be your problem.

 

[bthizle1]

What about the possibility of another case that has better cooling capabilites? Even one that is a bit bigger should still be able to fit in a mid sized backpack. I plan on doing alot of gaming, and would like a fairly nice GPU to future proof the PC, so cooling will be very important.

 

[tiny voices]

The PSU in that unit is complete junk. Likely makes no more than 350w total.

 

[bthizle1]

Yeah, I was going to edit my responce as I realized that just after. Any other recommended cases though? That could be relatively as portable, but with decent cooling?

 

[bthizle1]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811237026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Something like this case. It appears to be roughly the same size as that In WIN, only a small bit larger, and quite a bit cheaper. Any opinions? Or is it not even worth it putting together a $900 gaming PC in this case....?

Although apparently the PSU slot is only 5¨ so if I want to put my own in (which I would) most won´t fit....

 

[giliara]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811237026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Something like this case. It appears to be roughly the same size as that In WIN, only a small bit larger, and quite a bit cheaper. Any opinions? Or is it not even worth it putting together a $900 gaming PC in this case....?

Let me look for more cases.

 

[giliara]

Found this video card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121768, it will defiantly fit in the case and hopefully it means there will be more mini cards like this you will be able to upgrade to. Also that case seems fine.

 

[bthizle1]

But would it be foolish to put a $900 or so gaming rig into a case like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811237026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Also, from the reviews it looks like I might have some trouble installing a new PSU, something about the slot size....?

 

[tiny voices]

Build a mini ITX rig based on a bitfenix prodigy. IT will allow a full size PSU and has great cooling. It is a bit larger than these cases but still very portable. It will also accept HUGE graphics cards. Something like cards up to 11 inches long.

 

[giliara]

But would it be foolish to put a $900 or so gaming rig into a case like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811237026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Also, from the reviews it looks like I might have some trouble installing a new PSU, something about the slot size....?

Most of the review say the case is "perfect" and the only problem is the power supply.

 

[bthizle1]

Build a mini ITX rig based on a bitfenix prodigy. IT will allow a full size PSU and has great cooling. It is a bit larger than these cases but still very portable. It will also accept HUGE graphics cards. Something like cards up to 11 inches long.

Why do they call it a mini itx than, if it´s really on par with a micro ATX? Can it fit all the same hadware as a micro set up (ie. mother board, GPU, etc...? Also, do you really think this could fit into a backpack and be used as a carry on on a plane?

But would it be foolish to put a $900 or so gaming rig into a case like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811237026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Also, from the reviews it looks like I might have some trouble installing a new PSU, something about the slot size....?

Most of the review say the case is "perfect" and the only problem is the power supply.

Right, so I´d take the PSU out and add a new one, however somebody mentioned it not being the proper size for the majority of PSU´s or something along those lines....any idea?

 

[tiny voices]

Build a mini ITX rig based on a bitfenix prodigy. IT will allow a full size PSU and has great cooling. It is a bit larger than these cases but still very portable. It will also accept HUGE graphics cards. Something like cards up to 11 inches long.

Why do they call it a mini itx than, if it´s really on par with a micro ATX? Also, do you really think this could fit into a backpack and be used as a carry on on a plane?

But would it be foolish to put a $900 or so gaming rig into a case like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811237026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Also, from the reviews it looks like I might have some trouble installing a new PSU, something about the slot size....?

Most of the review say the case is "perfect" and the only problem is the power supply.

Right, so I´d take the PSU out and add a new one, however somebody mentioned it not being the proper size for the majority of PSU´s or something along those lines....any idea?

It will be difficult to find a decent wattage PSU from a reputable manufacturer in that size.

 

[giliara]

Build a mini ITX rig based on a bitfenix prodigy. IT will allow a full size PSU and has great cooling. It is a bit larger than these cases but still very portable. It will also accept HUGE graphics cards. Something like cards up to 11 inches long.

Why do they call it a mini itx than, if it´s really on par with a micro ATX? Also, do you really think this could fit into a backpack and be used as a carry on on a plane?

But would it be foolish to put a $900 or so gaming rig into a case like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811237026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Also, from the reviews it looks like I might have some trouble installing a new PSU, something about the slot size....?

Most of the review say the case is "perfect" and the only problem is the power supply.

Right, so I´d take the PSU out and add a new one, however somebody mentioned it not being the proper size for the majority of PSU´s or something along those lines....any idea?

I just found this case it looks awesome http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112408&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= Lian Li makes high quality cases. Also any SFX PSU will most likely fit in the TOPOWER case.

 

[tiny voices]

9.84" x 15.91" x 14.13" those are the dimensions of the bitfenix prodigy. Will it fit in a backpack? no. Will it fit in a duffel bag yes.

It will give you the ability to use a regular size PSU and use large GPUs. Its going to let you build a much better system.