Need Help Finding Small Case

[rycliff]

Hello,

This is my first post and I am looking for some guidance.

The purpose of this build is to have a powerful, no-compromises work computer that I can take anywhere. It needs to feel very snappy and fast, and smoothly run a 4k display for Windows 10 and internet, but not for gaming.

Here are the criteria:
1. Size: As small as possible. Console sized or smaller. Must fit in book bag.
2. Motherboard: Mini-ITX
3. Powerful full-wattage CPU, no compromises on speed
4. No graphics card
5. No hard drives except m.2

I like the Dr. Zaber Sentry, but it's difficult to get. Additionally, since I plan to rely on onboard integrated graphics, I think I could go even smaller. I do not want the Intel NUC because the processors are not powerful enough.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks.

 

[cleveland]

http://www.mini-box.com/M350-universal-mini-itx-enclosure

I personally own one of these and can grant you: it's the most portable case that's also easily accessible on market.

 

[smitty2k1]

I know you said mITX, but why not look at the STX platform like the ASRock Deskmini? They fit full wattage CPUs...

 

[rycliff]

I know you said mITX, but why not look at the STX platform like the ASRock Deskmini? They fit full wattage CPUs...

The STX platform looks great. My big problem is that I don't see a lot of motherboards in that size. And I would want to install the latest and greatest Intel i7 cpu (like the intel i7-8086k).

I don't mind the case a little bigger to fit a proper cpu cooler. But I guess what I'm looking for doesn't seem to exist: something in the smallest package possible with no gpu or bulky hard drive that's not m.2, but willing to sacrifice on size for purposes of proper cooling for a top end cpu.

http://www.mini-box.com/M350-universal-mini-itx-enclosure

I personally own one of these and can grant you: it's the most portable case that's also easily accessible on market.

I may end up going with this option since there do not seem to be many (or any) modern motherboards in the mini STX size. At least by going with a mini ITX, I can use the PCI slot for an Intel Optane 905P. That advances the build's objective of being as fast and "snappy" as possible while also as small as possible.

Although, I am not a fan of a non-standard PSU. I'm ok with an SFX or SFX-L. But I don't even know how to install power on a case that requires an external power block.

 

[namseng]

If you're OK with having an external power brick..

Wesena ITX4-V3 is pretty small and could fit a Noctua L9i.

 

[namseng]

Or this..

https://www.geeekstore.com/shop/geeek-a20-mini-itx-case/

 

[rycliff]

Wesena ITX4-V3

Nice looking case. I really need to learn how to install an external psu power brick on a computer with a normal motherboard.

 

[cleveland]

Although, I am not a fan of a non-standard PSU. I'm ok with an SFX or SFX-L. But I don't even know how to install power on a case that requires an external power block.

That's the kind of info you should offer ahead to narrow the suggestions you'd receive...

Here are the criteria:
1. Size: As small as possible. Console sized or smaller. Must fit in book bag.
2. Motherboard: Mini-ITX
3. Powerful full-wattage CPU, no compromises on speed
4. No graphics card
5. No hard drives except m.2

Also, i don't think a SFX case would fit in your criterias.

 

[guru_SF]

I personally had used before the which I highly recommend " M350 Universal Mini-ITX enclosure" easy to find every where for very good price , also the troubleshooting service is widely assessible that's an important point to consider too, but before going further check in your present location stores .
Regards

 

[namseng]

Nice looking case. I really need to learn how to install an external psu power brick on a computer with a normal motherboard.

It's actually super easy. You should be able to find it on this forum if you lurk around. There are a few brands.. HDPlex, PicoPSU, and G-Unique

 

[Vlad502]

I don't mind the case a little bigger to fit a proper cpu cooler. But I guess what I'm looking for doesn't seem to exist: something in the smallest package possible with no gpu or bulky hard drive that's not m.2, but willing to sacrifice on size for purposes of proper cooling for a top end cpu.
Although, I am not a fan of a non-standard PSU. I'm ok with an SFX or SFX-L.

Silverstone ML09 (and ML06-E)
7 liters case with SFX support and CPU cooler to 70mm height (Noctua NH-L12S)

 

[Glint]

Based on your original post and prioritizing size, here's my suggestion:

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/H110T-CSM/
https://ark.intel.com/products/97129/Intel-Core-i7-7700K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_50-GHz
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...2152&cm_re=ddr4_sodimm-_-20-232-152-_-Product
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LVYKF5Y/?tag=theminutiae-20
this over the 120w power supply: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...re=alienware_power-_-16J-001J-00499-_-Product

I do have some reservations regarding the suggested cpu cooler in its capability to cool the 7700k, but I imagine that the ventilation of the silverstone case will overcome the challenge presented by the relatively small surface area of the cpu cooler. There are other options available that are sub 30mm which could be considered as well. If you're feeling adventurous and know your way around a dremel tool... then you could do a case mod which allows the silverstone PT13B-120 to accommodate this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009VCAJ7W/?tag=theminutiae-20 which would be totally worth it.

You could also try this vendor: https://luna-design.org/dnk-h

However, I would suggest that you source the internals yourself if you chose this pc case instead. Simply because cpu/mobo etc. is overpriced imo if sourced from them. Furthermore, I would probably opt for a lower TDP processor instead of the 7700k (as already suggested on the website) because the Luna appears to have poorer ventilation than the silverstone PT13B-120 at a glance.

Now if money is not a limiting factor, and despite the use-case not involving gaming... I would also consider this : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CZ4C63S/?tag=theminutiae-20

Hope this helps!

 

[el01]

If you're willing to sacrifice a bit, you can opt for a smaller case such as the Streacom F1C Evo (which has a bit of a cooling issue). Or, wait for this: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/sapphire-amd-ryzen-v1000-apu,37408.html and then shove it into some sort of custom/other case STX case.

 

[DarekLogic]

I know you mentioned that you weren't interested in NUC, but the reasoning was that they weren't powerful enough. Just thought I'd offer this as a possible alternative - https://www.logicsupply.com/nuc8i7hxk.

 

[chx]

The Hades Canyon is an awesome machine but OP is looking for "Powerful full-wattage CPU, no compromises on speed" and "No graphics card" aka doesn't care about GPU speed and the Hades Canyon spends quite a few of the precious watts it can dissipate on the integrated (sort of) Vega GPU.

What OP wants is the ASUS Prime H310T motherboard , the Dynatron K199 fan and the INT-TX482-1U chassis but it's not available any more so the Silverstone PT13 will need to do. This can deal with a 95W CPU in the smallest physical space possible. I have not promised it will be quiet at full load. I have not. Reminds me of a poem by Allen Ginsberg for Carl Solomon. But it will deal with it.

 

[Glint]

Nice motherboard suggestion! That completely slipped my mind... and I second the notion that the dynatron will not be quiet. That was why I suggested noctua LH9i and case mod haha...

I guess I just projected my own desires on the OP with the Hades Canyon pc...

 

[el01]

Nice motherboard suggestion! That completely slipped my mind... and I second the notion that the dynatron will not be quiet. That was why I suggested noctua LH9i and case mod haha...

I guess I just projected my own desires on the OP with the Hades Canyon pc...

lol it's fine... It's personally my dream to own that motherboard...
What would be really funny was if Noctua made a 80mm edition of their NF-A14-industrialPPC-3000-12V fans (https://noctua.at/en/products/fan/industrial) and someone slapped one onto the Dynatron...

(EDIT: On the Sapphire motherboard, I'm very very doubtful about cooler mounting. The area around the socket for a cooler has holes oriented in a square configuration, which is hella weird...)

 

[chx]

There are not many standalone 1U solutions rated for 95W. AFAIK this is the only one. OP's challenge is sizable because 95W is beginning to smell like a server where we take a bank of 20-25mm thick 40mm fans spinning at 7000 rpm or so, slap a heatsink on the CPU and let it blow.

 

[Vlad502]

Most Thin-ITX motherboards working with power adapter only (no need DC ATX PSU)
Look this case too: Project Thin-X case: Super small, super flexible

What OP wants is the ASUS Prime H310T motherboard , the Dynatron K199 fan and the INT-TX482-1U chassis but it's not available any more so the Silverstone PT13 will need to do. This can deal with a 95W CPU in the smallest physical space possible.

This motherboard comes with standart I/O shield allowing better CPU heatsink to use in case like M350