Log SMALLEST ATX CASE : CERBERUS-X (Complete build log)

[MarcParis]

Well, "only 1 gen5" doesnt sound too bad, because cooling of Gen 5 m2 is such a big PITA alreay. But the implementation of the 3x m2 design feels rather .. loveless and disinterested. Like: "Well, we did say we gotta do this for AM5 a year ago, but .. ugh, do we really HAVE to do this? What, bossman says we have to? Oh man! Yeah, whatever."

I'm currently looking more into mATX again, as there seem to be quite a few good options with similar specs, but less tradeoffs.

What I still find to be harsh irony is: USB4 seems to be almost exclusive to ATX boards - considering the fact that this type of IO would be much more useful for ITX and small form factor ..

cu, w0lf.

About Gen 5 m.2 drives I would agree about their excessive heat generation for the 1st models...till 2024. Recent models (9100 Pro, SN8100) are WAY better, cutting almost by 2 the power consumption versus early generation. I would say that Gen 5 mainstream time has just started.
USB4, for AMD, remains a niche feature...as you mentionned, mostly focused on ATX and very few mini ITX MB. On Intel 200, it is mainstream as the USB4 controller is embedded inside the CPU directly. It is expected that AMD will follow this thread on Zen 6+ generation with compatible motherboard.

On that mATX topic: Have you seen this one? Asus Rog Strix B850-G Gaming Wifi - comes with FOUR m2 slots, and none of them are like half-hearted 2x. They repurposed the additional PCIe slot to achieve this, but at the end of the day, one probably could just use an adapter if one really required that particular slot for extension cards, eg. the one on the back.

cu, w0lf.

Related to micro ATX motherboard, you are right, there is high potential...but that is the not the market trend. I was on MATX back to 2008 then moved to mini ITX then back to ATX (since Zen). MATX is blocked between the ATX & Mini ITX form factor. Customers that want best size will pick up Mini ITX. Customers that wants full features will pick ATX.
On top of that MATX cases are not so smaller compared to ATX. First, ATX MB cases starts around 15L-23L ...a similar size to MATX...whereas Mini ITX can squeeze till 7L with a dedicated GPU.
At last, MATX motherboards are not great, either in terms of choice or features. The Asus Rog Strix B850-G is pretty nice, but no USB4, no offset of the 1st PCIe port (like on ATX), gen 4 m2 (except the only connected), no bifurcation. The ATX Asus B850E strix is beating it by far...but it is bigger and more expensive. The current MATX trend is to go to cost efficiency market...but the mini ITX & especially ATX are also doing the same.

 

[milesvw]

How would a Jiushark JF13K Diamond fit?

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Smallest mATX I know is 5L. True, it only works as APU with either external brick or AC/DC adapter stuff, but it's totally doable. More approachable options sit between 7 and 10L, allowing for LP GPUs etc. Prime example for this would be the Silverstone ML11.

If USB4 is the goal - whyever that would be - Gigabyte got you covered, there is the X870M Aorus Elite, albeit only 2 m2 slots.

I've just ordered myself the MSI B850M Mortar, which is a good intermediate board, with 3 m2 slots, optional "old" wifi antenna choice, and 2x PCIe slots, one being a regular x4, not just x1. No USB4, but the need for it is mostly negated by the rest of features.

 

[MarcParis]

How would a Jiushark JF13K Diamond fit?

I looked at it. Most probably it is compatible but the assembly mechanism is just...terrible..

Smallest mATX I know is 5L. True, it only works as APU with either external brick or AC/DC adapter stuff, but it's totally doable. More approachable options sit between 7 and 10L, allowing for LP GPUs etc. Prime example for this would be the Silverstone ML11.

If USB4 is the goal - whyever that would be - Gigabyte got you covered, there is the X870M Aorus Elite, albeit only 2 m2 slots.

I've just ordered myself the MSI B850M Mortar, which is a good intermediate board, with 3 m2 slots, optional "old" wifi antenna choice, and 2x PCIe slots, one being a regular x4, not just x1. No USB4, but the need for it is mostly negated by the rest of features.

Ahah smallest case size can be crazy. I remembered a 3L for an ATX MB...but that's all..
Nice board this B850M Mortar, 5G network, 2*gen5x4 m.2 + 1*gen 4x2 m.2.
What type of usage would you dedicated it?

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

I looked at it. Most probably it is compatible but the assembly mechanism is just...terrible..

Ahah smallest case size can be crazy. I remembered a 3L for an ATX MB...but that's all..
Nice board this B850M Mortar, 5G network, 2*gen5x4 m.2 + 1*gen 4x2 m.2.
What type of usage would you dedicated it?

My main system was and always is a workstation, so its main tasks are gonna be CPU-intense work (primarly audio editing / processing, web development, graphic processing, graphic design).

I am happy to say I'm fully gonna use ALL of the m2 slots, and luckily, those are, at least on the spec sheet, not sharing any lanes with each other, esp. not with the GPU. But even if they were, my GPU is just Gen 4, so it should be all good.

cu, w0lf.

 

[MarcParis]

It should be all good!

 

[NickO]

Hello! I've been working on a similar build and this has been a great resource, very inspiring. I've basically got it finished now except for the gpu, which I plan to replace with a 5080 Super when they become available. The 3050 will be used as a dedicated PhysX card.

 

[MarcParis]

Hello! I've been working on a similar build and this has been a great resource, very inspiring. I've basically got it finished now except for the gpu, which I plan to replace with a 5080 Super when they become available. The 3050 will be used as a dedicated PhysX card.

Nice setup.
Your airflow has some possible optimizations..
The front fan seems useless and the C14S fan should be as exhaust, especially when you will get your RTX 5080 Super exhausting 400W of heat.

 

[NickO]

Nice setup.
Your airflow has some possible optimizations..
The front fan seems useless and the C14S fan should be as exhaust, especially when you will get your RTX 5080 Super exhausting 400W of heat.

Thanks! I originally had the C14S fans as exhaust but when I switched them to intake my temps dropped by 5-10 degrees. The 3050 (Palit KalmX) uses passive cooling so having the front fan does seem to make a difference while gaming. I'll have to reevaluate once I get the 5080 Super.

 

[MarcParis]

Thanks! I originally had the C14S fans as exhaust but when I switched them to intake my temps dropped by 5-10 degrees. The 3050 (Palit KalmX) uses passive cooling so having the front fan does seem to make a difference while gaming. I'll have to reevaluate once I get the 5080 Super.

Fully agreed on your assessment!

On top if your GPU is passive, you can try a fan bracket also, but I don't if you would have enough space as you have some other expansion cards..