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Unofficial mini-ITX case thread

204K views 670 replies 131 participants last post by  stree 
#1 ·
I'd like to start a thread to compile forum member's favorite mini-ITX cases.


I'll reserved some posts, including this one, to compile people's favorites, etc.
 
#6 ·
So far, I have hands-on experience with two mini-ITX cases.


The first is the Athenatech A1089xx.150 (aka Rosewill RC-CIX-01, aka CFI A8989)

http://www.chyangfun.com/pro04_1_1.asp




Pluses: uses standard desktop components, has a full-size expansion slot, comes with a decent 150W PSU, lots of room above mobo is ODD isn't too deep and is usually $50 or less.

Minuses: somewhat noisy PSU and case fan, ODD door sticks at random and needs slight modding, a bit "cutesy"


Update: the Rosewill RC-CIX-01 does not seem to have the sticking ODD door problem!


The second is the Lian-Li PC-Q07 mini-ITX tower case

http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product...25&ss_index=64




Pluses: takes standard desktop component, including a standard ATX PSU, well-built quality case, inexpensive at $60 and very cool looking (IMHO)

Minuses: opening case requires removing 5-10 tiny black screws, no case fan, once PSU is installed it block CPU cooler, since it takes ATX-size PSUs they are usually overpowered for mini-ITX system, front USB cables are too short to reach H55 motherboard headers (extenders can be found), customer support is in China.
 
#8 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin /forum/post/20008025


This is another one that some people on AVS really like. It takes a full 3.5" hard drive and dvd drive despite its size. The arm mount is removable. The 65 watt PSU is pretty small but for the zacate it will likely work fine.

GIGABYTE GZ-SPIM51-P0B - $61
http://www.platinummicro.com/product...=CAGZSPIM51P0B


Here it is at newegg...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811233060


I'm using one of these and replaced the stock PSU with a Pico-150XT. Plenty of clearance for it and any other Pico-PSU you can find. Coolers are another matter. With Zacate or Atom/Ion MBs there is no problem. But if you want a little extra power, the Thermaltake MeOrb fits with about 2mm to spare. I have an AMD Athlon II 240 running at 3ghz in mine cooled with a MeOrb running at 60% speed. Barely can hear it when the room is silent.


BT
 
#9 ·
I haven't used these cases but they've caught my attention.


Lian-Li PC-Q08

http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product...25&ss_index=64




This case holds 6 x 3.5" HDDs so it would make a very good home / SOHO server case. Like the PC-Q07 is take a standard ODD and ATX PSU. Take out the bottom HDD cage and it has room for a gamer GPU. Reviews are very positive.


____________________________________________________________ _____________


Habey EMC-800 / EMC-600

http://www.habeyusa.com/products.php?id=165




These are what I would call "Mac-mini" style cases. They come with a 120W DC-DC PSU with a 60W AC-DC external adapter. The 800 takes a slim ODD and the specs say a 3.5" HDD but who knows if that is accurate. These would probably be good for a low-power system like Atom or Zacate. There is very little information available on these. They can be found under $70 with the PSU so they could be a good choice for a nettop or low-power HTPC build.
 
#11 ·
A perfect case in my mind is one that 1) would have an IR windows and 2) accept a standard DVD drive (not slim).


If money were not object - I would go all the way to the Wesena ITX2.

http://perfecthometheater.com/perfec...Pictures-2.htm


It gets pricey with the slot BD DVD, power supply and remote.... $329 (yikes).


Also - OrigenAE makes some nice cases, but also gets very expensive. The black M10 looks like a nice unit. But it looks like you need to buy the VFD version to get a remote option....
 
#12 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by StardogChampion /forum/post/20008108


Habey EMC-800 / EMC-600

http://www.habeyusa.com/products.php?id=165




These are what I would call "Mac-mini" style cases. They come with a 120W DC-DC PSU with a 60W AC-DC external adapter. The 800 takes a slim ODD and the specs say a 3.5" HDD but who knows if that is accurate. These would probably be good for a low-power system like Atom or Zacate. There is very little information available on these. They can be found under $70 with the PSU so they could be a good choice for a nettop or low-power HTPC build.

I think you may be on to something here.... the 800 may be a great choice AND you could probably snake/install/rig a small IR sensor behind one of the air holes. I notice newegg has these listed as "server cases".


Not sure if this is cool, but http://www.compsource.com/pdfs/pdf_new/22270.pdf is a link to the owners manual for the box.
 
#14 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Augus /forum/post/20009815


I am looking at this one regular price $56





APEX MI-008


250W PS

standard size drive bays: External 5.25", External 3.5", Internal 3.5"

front ports behind i/o cover panel

11.80" x 8.70" x 5.1"

I use this case (its cheaper than $56) and dremeled out a portion of the 3.5 bay face plate so my USB IR receiver can be inside the case. I removed the CPU fan, mounted the retail heatsink on top of a Silverstone NT07 heatsink and added a 120mm case fan on the side connected to a Zalman fanmate. Most of the time I can leave the fanmate on the lowest setting and still maintain CPU temps in the 36-38 C range. Laptop drive is on top of the DVD drive so airflow is fairly unencumbered.
 
#15 ·
I have the Silverstone SG05 in my bedroom (with no optical drive). Perfect fit behind the TV so it's totally invisible. There are definitely smaller cases for this form factor, but this has plenty of space to work inside, and a large fan at low rpm keeps it nice and quiet.



I do wish more case manufacturers would add a integrated IR port for SFF and HTPC cases. Not a huge fan of the slim optical drive either, but I don't use an optical drive in this PC, all my content can be streamed from my main machine.
 
#16 ·
I ordered one of these from China (the black one). If I ever get it I'll post some pictures. I have my doubts if it will ever show but it's a good experiment and all it takes to get my money back is to open a dispute with PayPal so at least I am protected there.




I was attracted to the case purely on looks. We'll see what happens. I just wish there were a US distributor of these cases (and lots of other cases I've seen on Asian websites).
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Augus
I am looking at this one regular price $56


APEX MI-008
Less than impressed with this case. Horrible design, imo. PITA.


The PSU is directly on top of the CPU fan and you actually have to wedge it in there to fit if you are using the i3 stock fan which is pretty low profile.
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Emerlin
A perfect case in my mind is one that 1) would have an IR windows and 2) accept a standard DVD drive (not slim).
Hmm, I hadn't even considered an IR window. Are there affordable cases with that option? I don't have size or sound constraints due to location, but for WOW factor showing it off, I'd love the unit to have a Home Theater look instead of a computer look.


thx
 
#21 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin /forum/post/20014075


Less than impressed with this case. Horrible design, imo. PITA.


The PSU is directly on top of the CPU fan and you actually have to wedge it in there to fit if you are using the i3 stock fan which is pretty low profile.

ahh

if i use that case with zacate board, will it be ok?
 
#23 ·
At Fry's they have a $40 mITX case with 300w and I think it looks fine, certainly better than the "cube" type cases you see.

http://www.frys.com/product/6145869







As much as I like the Habey cases, none of they space for expansion. It all has to be based on what you would put in laptops (mini cards) or USB which adds to the clutter.


For $40, I'd say this is pretty good. It has no "feet" so it can't be turned horizontal without covering up a cooling vent. That's easily solved...


That and the InWin Wavy are the only sub-$100 mITX cases I like that have a slot opening. The InWin has Four, not that you would use them all with a mITX board, but at else one additional can be used for extra USB ports, Firewire or eSATA.


Options, Options, Options


Used as a File Server - http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums...ic.php?t=57965


Used as a HTPC - http://www.overclock.net/htpc/835125...tup-wi-fi.html


Sure you can send more and get maybe a better looking case. But I'm driving to build a sub-$300 in parts HTPC and getting the cheapest case possible is important while still remaining stylish and giving me an important expansion slot.


Its either that or a bunch of USB devices...
 
#25 ·
This case caught my eye when it was first released. I figured it would be my de facto nettop case until I read all the Newegg reviews. I am still thinking of giving it a try however.


Antec ISK 100
http://store.antec.com/Product/enclo...5-15170-2.aspx




2 x 2.5" internal drive bays

No expansion slots

Side 100 mm two speed fan with switch controls

Front ports

- 4 x USB 2.0

- HDA/AC'97-compatible audio in/out

Motherboard compatibility: Mini-ITX only

Includes 90 watt internal adapter

- Energy Star Level 5 qualified

- 80 watt DC-to-ATX PCB mounted directly inside case - up to 92% efficient

- Universal Input - works on any 100V - 240V electrical grid

Unit Dimension

- 248 mm (H) x 108 mm (W) x 212 mm (D)

- 9.8" (H) x 4.3" (W) x 8.3" (D)
 
#26 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by StardogChampion /forum/post/20019430


This case caught my eye when it was first released. I figured it would be my de facto nettop case until I read all the Newegg reviews. I am still thinking of giving it a try however.


Antec ISK 100
http://store.antec.com/Product/enclo...5-15170-2.aspx




2 x 2.5" internal drive bays

No expansion slots

Side 100 mm two speed fan with switch controls

Front ports

- 4 x USB 2.0

- HDA/AC'97-compatible audio in/out

Motherboard compatibility: Mini-ITX only

Includes 90 watt internal adapter

- Energy Star Level 5 qualified

- 80 watt DC-to-ATX PCB mounted directly inside case - up to 92% efficient

- Universal Input - works on any 100V - 240V electrical grid

Unit Dimension

- 248 mm (H) x 108 mm (W) x 212 mm (D)

- 9.8" (H) x 4.3" (W) x 8.3" (D)

It'll probably work great for Zacate. Wouldn't use it with normal desktop parts, though.
 
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