I know there are a few options out there, but I was wondering if there is a de-facto favorite case/PS for an i3-540 mini-iTX system with a full size optical drive and one 2.5" hard drive?
The Silverstone Sugo SG05 only takes slimline optical drives, and the Antec ISK300-150 seems to have some serious crowding problems. Does that leave the Lian-Li PC-Q11/Q07 as the main option? Or are there others?
mini-ITX case/PS for i3-540, fullsize Optical and 2.5" HDD?
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ist.martin
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BillyBuerger
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Re: mini-ITX case/PS for i3-540, fullsize Optical and 2.5" H
IN WIN BM650.AD160TBL
I just picked up one of these a month ago. It looked interesting. I haven't been able to do much with it yet but I'm planning on either using it for my HTPC (replacing my Antec NSK-1480) or for a new PC for my in-laws. What I liked about it is it's size. It's pretty shallow and short yet thick enough you could fit a decent heat sink in it. Also, it looked like you could fit a micro-ATX board in there... And you can, but it has to be a shorter one. Ones with only 2 memory slots generally. The PSU would have to be removed and replaced with a picoPSU or something similar and you loose the internal 3.5" and 2.5" drive bay at the bottom. It can fit a slim optical + external 3.5" or a single 5.25" external drive. The full sized optical drive would most likely require a low profile HS as the dive would end up over top of the CPU area. The PSU also seems pretty decent. It has a tiny fan on it but it turns off at low loads and doesn't seem terribly noisy when it was running in the small tests I've done. And it was right in-between my 80plus Seasonic SS-300SFD and 80plus bronze Seasonic SS-350ET in efficiency. Downside are it only has one PCI slot opening even though there's room for a second. As it can fit DTX boards, it seems like it should be there. I could also do without the glossy front that shows off fingerprints.
I just picked up one of these a month ago. It looked interesting. I haven't been able to do much with it yet but I'm planning on either using it for my HTPC (replacing my Antec NSK-1480) or for a new PC for my in-laws. What I liked about it is it's size. It's pretty shallow and short yet thick enough you could fit a decent heat sink in it. Also, it looked like you could fit a micro-ATX board in there... And you can, but it has to be a shorter one. Ones with only 2 memory slots generally. The PSU would have to be removed and replaced with a picoPSU or something similar and you loose the internal 3.5" and 2.5" drive bay at the bottom. It can fit a slim optical + external 3.5" or a single 5.25" external drive. The full sized optical drive would most likely require a low profile HS as the dive would end up over top of the CPU area. The PSU also seems pretty decent. It has a tiny fan on it but it turns off at low loads and doesn't seem terribly noisy when it was running in the small tests I've done. And it was right in-between my 80plus Seasonic SS-300SFD and 80plus bronze Seasonic SS-350ET in efficiency. Downside are it only has one PCI slot opening even though there's room for a second. As it can fit DTX boards, it seems like it should be there. I could also do without the glossy front that shows off fingerprints.
Re: mini-ITX case/PS for i3-540, fullsize Optical and 2.5" H
maybe this?.
3,5 hdd cage - not a big problem i think
navipower - only in russia, i forgot worldwide brand
3,5 hdd cage - not a big problem i think
navipower - only in russia, i forgot worldwide brand
Re: mini-ITX case/PS for i3-540, fullsize Optical and 2.5" H
I have the Q07 and this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811147133
The Q07 has better build quality than the Rosewill which has a few annoying quirks (including having to fiddle with the door for the optical). Both have their virtues, and I think it depends partly on the space where you're trying to use it, since the Q07 is fairly tall. I'm using pico psu's with both.
I also have the SG05, also with a pico which I've fitted inside which is a nice feature, i.e., not having to bother with the external brick. It's also possible to do this with the Q07.
The Q07 has better build quality than the Rosewill which has a few annoying quirks (including having to fiddle with the door for the optical). Both have their virtues, and I think it depends partly on the space where you're trying to use it, since the Q07 is fairly tall. I'm using pico psu's with both.
I also have the SG05, also with a pico which I've fitted inside which is a nice feature, i.e., not having to bother with the external brick. It's also possible to do this with the Q07.
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datapappan
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Re: mini-ITX case/PS for i3-540, fullsize Optical and 2.5" H
I haven't got a real favorite from my own experience, but this looks OK:
Morex 6600B
Also, I guess you've alreadey tried searching at Newegg?
Morex 6600B
Also, I guess you've alreadey tried searching at Newegg?
Re: mini-ITX case/PS for i3-540, fullsize Optical and 2.5" H
The Apex MI-008 reviewed by SPCR might be another option. (I think this brand is sold as Aywun in other parts of the world - at least it seems to be here in Australia).
For a very low noise system, the Q07/Q11 + picoPSU combo with a large tower heatsink would be hard to beat though. I really like my Q07, though I imagine it would be hard to work in with a standard PSU.
For a very low noise system, the Q07/Q11 + picoPSU combo with a large tower heatsink would be hard to beat though. I really like my Q07, though I imagine it would be hard to work in with a standard PSU.
Re: mini-ITX case/PS for i3-540, fullsize Optical and 2.5" H
Thanks guys!
I too am looking for a good SFF case for an i3 or sandy bridge, and you've given me a few more to think about. I was planning on an Antec ISK300-150, but not opposed to slightly large boxes with better cooling potential.
I too am looking for a good SFF case for an i3 or sandy bridge, and you've given me a few more to think about. I was planning on an Antec ISK300-150, but not opposed to slightly large boxes with better cooling potential.