[Help] The best case without GPU use

[blin]

Hi guys,

I need your help, I'm going crazy because I cant find what I want and I hope you can help me.

I want to build a SFF PC (as small as possible) but I'm not going to use GPU.

The hardware I want to use is:
CPU: i7 6700 (no K)
Motherboard: Anyone Mini-ITX
RAM: 2x8GB
HDD: 1 x SDD and 1 x 3,5" or 2,5" (Depends on the case)
PSU: the best for the case I'll choose.
Cooler: I don't have any idea of what is good for no OC.

So my doubts are that if I'm not going to use the GPU I don't need the cases witch gives priority to the GPU space and leaves less room for the CPU cooler and PSU.
Because I think that it will make better airflow if its separate the CPU and PSU (Because some of them have the PSU on top of the CPU cooler).

I'm not a hardcore user but I will use VM's, so maybe I don't need a super CPU cooler and the PSU above is a good option.
And if you recommend me cases with the GPU slot I don't have any problem because maybe in the future I will install one.

So, as you can see I'm very lost with all the options available, I'm not a gamer so I prefer a quiet machine.

Thanks you very much and I hope you can help me.

 

[ignsvn]

Well, since this is SFF forum, then why not this one:

https://smallformfactor.net/reviews/cases/wins-chopin-concerto-black

Comes with a built in PSU. No GPU slot tho

Edit:

There are other cases as well, such as
- Silverstone SG13 (supports full height GPU, 2x slot thickness)
- Antek ISK 300 (supports half height GPU, also 2x slot)
- And other custom project cases such as NCase M1, S4, Dan Case, etc.

 

[Phuncz]

Also look into the LogicSupply cases, they have excellent solutions for non-GPU SFF builds: http://www.logicsupply.com/uk-en/products/components/cases/mini-itx/ (change country on the website if you're not in the EU)

 

[K888D]

I would second the InWin Chopin, great little case, I built up a system with an i7-6700 and a Noctua NH-L9i, it ran practically silent under normal usage.

 

[blin]

Thank you everyone, I'm checking all the options you gave me.
More recommendations will be welcome!

 

[Faya]

Hello!
Check the Luna Design cases:
http://luna-design.org/en/
They are supporting desktop processors up to 65w
First version (2015) made with aluminium.
Second version of that case made with plastic (will be avaliable 26 september).
All theese cases supports only Thin Mini-ITX motherboards.

 

[ignsvn]

If you like the In-Win Chopin, here's a video of a guy building in In-Win BQ-660. Same layout with Chopin but with slim optical drive slot.


(Chopin is basically a BQ-660 with metal plates around it, which covers the optical drive slot)

If I recall correctly, in BQ-660 you can only put 1 x 2.5" SSD + 1 x ODD, or 2 x 2.5" SSD. However it seems that he manages to put 2 x 2.5" SSD + 1 x ODD.

Have fun building!

 

[jeshikat]

First version (2015) made with aluminium.
Second version of that case made with plastic (will be avaliable 26 september).

Welcome to the forum!

Looking at their website it's the other way, the original version was plastic and the upcoming 2016 version is machined aluminum.

 

[Stevo_]

Everything you need

http://mitxpc.com/proddetail.php?prod=MX500-80W

 

[Faya]

Welcome to the forum!

Looking at their website it's the other way, the original version was plastic and the upcoming 2016 version is machined aluminum.

Thanks!
Its very interesting forum. I will try to make some compact case in nearest future.

About Luna Design case. Developer in his blog said that all ventilation holes placed on the bottom side, including hot air output. And in first aluminium version his has a some problems with heating of whole case. So he made a decision to make a new version of case with a plastic.

 

[jeshikat]

That blog post is from last year though. So I guess they were able to solve the problems with the aluminum version because the pre-order page clearly says the 2016 version is aluminum.

 

[Faya]

Aibohphobia, you right, sorry for my mistake (

I told about prototyping in 2015, but in 2016 this case made with aluminium:


BTW, this case goes with built-in CPU cooling system and built-in PSU

 

[jeshikat]

Aibohphobia, you right, sorry for my mistake

No worries! It's a bit confusing since they went from aluminum to plastic and now back to aluminum.

 

[QinX]

I remember seeing a kickstarter topic for it on [H] that unfortunately didn't make it. Glad to see they are pressing on. Is the 2015 version to be found anywhere?

 

[jeshikat]

I've never seen the 2015 version posted anywhere but I haven't specifically looked for it either.

The new 2016 version looks really nice and I'm tempted to get one but I have enough projects going on already.

 

[Faya]

I remember seeing a kickstarter topic for it on [H] that unfortunately didn't make it. Glad to see they are pressing on. Is the 2015 version to be found anywhere?

You can find it in their online-shop for 76$

 

[blin]

Ok, thank you very much guys for the help.

With all the recommendations I'm in love with the Chopin but I don't like the no 3.5" HDD space.

So now I'm looking for an alternative.
I prefer the rectangular cases tower type (not the flat ones like a DVD player)
I've been looking the Raijintek metis http://www.raijintek.com/en/products_detail.php?ProductID=17 but I don't like the idea of the PSU taking air from the CPU cooler http://techicize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/METIS-BUILD-91.jpg

Also the Cooltek/Jonsbo U2 http://www.cooltek.de/en/jonsbo/u-series/90/u2?c=269 I also have doubts about refrigeration.

With the "Cube" cases, that I don't like so much, I've selected:
Silverstone SG13 http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=536 and Cooler Master Elite 110 http://www.coolermaster.com/case/mini-itx-elite-series/elite110/
But I don't like that the few space it leaves for the CPU heatsink http://www.hardocp.com/image.html?image=MTM5NjgyOTc2M3F1UXM2TUZBMGlfMl8zX2wuanBn
The THERMALTAKE Mini-ITX Core V1 http://www.thermaltake.com/Chassis/Mini_Case_/Core/C_00002373/Core_V1/design.htm solve this problem but it has a lot of wasted space http://cdn.pcpartpicker.com/static/...84e.9984f09b821bc8dcad3c233c443887da.1600.jpg http://cdn.pcpartpicker.com/static/...ced.e28c1456a09ffef7205bfd344a896dda.1600.jpg

Yes, I'm super confused!
Could you bring me some light please?

The idea is to mount a working and everyday use pc as small as possible (not an htpc) with an i7 (6700 no K), so I think I need good cooling under heavy use.

 

[Kmpkt]

Out of curiosity, why the need for 3.5" HDD (other than slightly lower cost)? It's essentially going to be 1/3 of the volume of your total build if you go that way and as I think you must realize because of that most of the options you're looking at are designed specifically to exclude 3.5" for that reason.

Just my two cents, but you're really limiting yourself here.

 

[blin]

I want to install a 3.5" instead of a 2.5" because of the better performance, for the same price I double the capacity and I get a better HDD quality, moreover I work with encrypted disks and I need better quality/durability.

I want to have a SSD and a 3.5" (I count that the life span of the SSD will be limited because of the encryption)

 

[K888D]

The Silverstone ML05/06/09 can mount a 3.5" drive in the multi function bracket, it can also take 4 x 2.5" drives at the same time. Only limitation to fitting a 3.5" drive is that you will need to use a very low profile cpu cooler such as the Zalman CNPS2X.