[SOLVED] Smallest matx

Computanoob

Prominent
Mar 6, 2020
53
3
535
Seems to me that Matx cases could be wayyyy smaller. Basically if you removed everything in front of the motherboard ie no drive slots or front panel controllers fans etc you could have a very small case. Maybe even something like 16x9 x 8. Are there any matx cases like this? Basically I want a small case like a micro itx, but I want to be able to use a full size psu and matx board. It's not a high performance rig, just a basic mobo and 1660 super. Doesn't need a lot of cooling or run high end games
 
Solution
I agree with you competely - I also don't need space for 8 HDDs, 360mm radiators etc. Currently, Jonsbo is the best bet. They have a few models that try to minimise the space for mATX similarly to an ITX build.

This one has about the smallest profile you can get - not much bigger than the motherboard:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32717581629.html
It requires the PSU to overlap the motherboard, so you'll need to choose the CPU cooler carefully.

Or if you prefer a taller case that is thinner:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32787489421.html

Or if you are willing to use SFX PSU:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001680759349.html

- Overall, mATX is fairly neglected these days. There really isn't as much...
The size of graphics cards, the ability to hold still common 3.5" mechanical hard drives and the fact that there has to still be at least SOME room inside the case for you to maneuver your hands and for cable management, plus the ability to accommodate standard length ATX power supplies, some of which are far longer than others, are all reasons why you won't generally see micro ATX get much smaller than it is now.

If you want smaller you go mini ITX or some flavor of NUC type device.

Do you already HAVE an mATX motherboard that you are wanting to use or are you just trying to avoid the extra cost for most mITX boards?
 

Computanoob

Prominent
Mar 6, 2020
53
3
535
The size of graphics cards, the ability to hold still common 3.5" mechanical hard drives and the fact that there has to still be at least SOME room inside the case for you to maneuver your hands and for cable management, plus the ability to accommodate standard length ATX power supplies, some of which are far longer than others, are all reasons why you won't generally see micro ATX get much smaller than it is now.

If you want smaller you go mini ITX or some flavor of NUC type device.

Do you already HAVE an mATX motherboard that you are wanting to use or are you just trying to avoid the extra cost for most mITX boards?
Yes I already have, and even when I upgrade I'd rather keep matx performance and low cost. With my current setup and goals there's no reason this shouldn't work. I only use one tiny ssd that could go anywhere even taped on the side panel if it had to, and I don't have any cooling in the front
 
Ok. Well, I understand your desire for this, but unfortunately there is very little chance you're ever going to see anything along the lines of a mini ITX sized enclosure that supports an ATX sized power supply, or other standard hardware. I'll keep an eye open but to get what you want I think you're going to have to either be willing to settle for something a little bigger than what you want, or be willing to go with a smaller power supply and motherboard form factor.

I mean, the bottom line is, most cars on the road should be designed so that they can consistently get 60mpg or more without relying on electricity to do it, and we should be able to since we already had cars that could do 50mpg back in the early 90's, but unfortunately MOST people want cars with larger capacities or more horsepower, so manufacturers have little reason to mass produce those more efficient kinds of vehicles at this time. It's much the same in this case, There simply isn't enough demand for something like what you want for manufacturers to spend the money on R&D, tooling, manufacturing, marketing and materials, not to mention assembly and shipping, for a product that very few people are going to want. Most people wanting something this small are perfectly willing to use mini ITX hardware, so that eliminates the majority of potential people who might even care about this kind of configuration.
 

Computanoob

Prominent
Mar 6, 2020
53
3
535
Ok. Well, I understand your desire for this, but unfortunately there is very little chance you're ever going to see anything along the lines of a mini ITX sized enclosure that supports an ATX sized power supply, or other standard hardware. I'll keep an eye open but to get what you want I think you're going to have to either be willing to settle for something a little bigger than what you want, or be willing to go with a smaller power supply and motherboard form factor.

I mean, the bottom line is, most cars on the road should be designed so that they can consistently get 60mpg or more without relying on electricity to do it, and we should be able to since we already had cars that could do 50mpg back in the early 90's, but unfortunately MOST people want cars with larger capacities or more horsepower, so manufacturers have little reason to mass produce those more efficient kinds of vehicles at this time. It's much the same in this case, There simply isn't enough demand for something like what you want for manufacturers to spend the money on R&D, tooling, manufacturing, marketing and materials, not to mention assembly and shipping, for a product that very few people are going to want. Most people wanting something this small are perfectly willing to use mini ITX hardware, so that eliminates the majority of potential people who might even care about this kind of configuration.
Okay thanks for the realistic answer rather than the typical doubter elitist build crap I see on here

Mod Edit - Language
 
Last edited by a moderator:

deesider

Honorable
Jun 15, 2017
298
135
10,890
Seems to me that Matx cases could be wayyyy smaller. Basically if you removed everything in front of the motherboard ie no drive slots or front panel controllers fans etc you could have a very small case. Maybe even something like 16x9 x 8. Are there any matx cases like this? Basically I want a small case like a micro itx, but I want to be able to use a full size psu and matx board. It's not a high performance rig, just a basic mobo and 1660 super. Doesn't need a lot of cooling or run high end games
I agree with you competely - I also don't need space for 8 HDDs, 360mm radiators etc. Currently, Jonsbo is the best bet. They have a few models that try to minimise the space for mATX similarly to an ITX build.

This one has about the smallest profile you can get - not much bigger than the motherboard:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32717581629.html
It requires the PSU to overlap the motherboard, so you'll need to choose the CPU cooler carefully.

Or if you prefer a taller case that is thinner:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32787489421.html

Or if you are willing to use SFX PSU:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001680759349.html

- Overall, mATX is fairly neglected these days. There really isn't as much demand compared to mITX or full size ATX.
 
I agree with you competely - I also don't need space for 8 HDDs, 360mm radiators etc. Currently, Jonsbo is the best bet. They have a few models that try to minimise the space for mATX similarly to an ITX build.

This one has about the smallest profile you can get - not much bigger than the motherboard:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32717581629.html
It requires the PSU to overlap the motherboard, so you'll need to choose the CPU cooler carefully.

Or if you prefer a taller case that is thinner:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32787489421.html

Or if you are willing to use SFX PSU:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001680759349.html

- Overall, mATX is fairly neglected these days. There really isn't as much demand compared to mITX or full size ATX.
ONLY the Jonsbo (Also available, same model, as Cooltek U3) uses an ATX power supply, and that system, much like some others out there, is actually TOO tight to work in with an mATX board and has cooling problems besides, so if you want to use anything other than a low end CPU and graphics card you are probably going to have thermal issues.
 
Solution