Building with mini itx cases

aaronsharkey

I want to build a pc with a small console like case I haven't decided on the case but something along the lines of http://www.amazon.co.uk/CiT-MTX-005B-Mini-Power-Supply/dp/B008GBUHKI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1378310380&sr=8-2&keywords=mini-itx+case or if I can find a mini bitfenix if its cheap enough http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BitFenix-Prodigy-Mini-ITX-Cube-Case-White-/190852498418?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopComponents_RL&hash=item2c6fb203f2 But I was just wondering what type of problems would I run into will I have to buy smaller motherboard's or gpu's ? thanks

BloodBath

What will the pc be used for?

aaronsharkey

Gaming also could I throw an ssd in there

The Glass Key

No need for a small case then.

aaronsharkey

Yes I know but I want to make a sort of console not a big one

boarsboard

small cases are bad for cooling
if your playing games

aaronsharkey

Throw a few fans on her

Scruff

anandtech has recently done a good few reviews on mini-itx cases and boards that ye might find useful:
http://www.anandtech.com/tag/mini-itx

uncle_sam_ie

They can be awkward to work on and you need to make sure the components will fit. The Prodigy for example can take an AXT size PSU but, a modular one won't fit.

BloodBath

Those small cases aren't meant for gaming pc's. Not that it can't be done but you will limit your specs a fair bit with them as the psu's they come with are usually ****e. They are meant more for htpc's.

I'd go with a matx case so you aren't limiting yourself too much.

If you want something that will still fit under the tv then maybe this? The dimensions would fit nicely into my tv stand anyway.

aaronsharkey

Thanks for all the advice They only reason I like the mini is because of the compact design and I wanted to sell it,plus I don't want it to have amazing specs I was thinking 500 gb hardrive 60 somthing gb ssd a standard motherboard, 1gb amd graphics card, something along the lines of an i3 proceesor may be an amd,

circadian

I'm currently finalising plans to build a mini-itx HTPC that I can game on.

The Bitfenix Prodigy is a handy piece of kit but I get the feeling it's still on the large side (although the handles are easily removed). I've settled on getting a Fractal Design Node 304, it looks neat and has a number of fans in the case. Unless you plan on overclocking etc I can't really see a problem with building a gaming PC in one.

I'm probably going to throw in a bog standard i5 with stock cooling and a 7850 gfx card with a 2tb drive and 128gig ssd. It should fit without much ado and I'm not concerned about cooling but I'll post about that once I actually build the thing.

uberpixie

have a look at the silverstone ft03

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2012/09/28/silverstone-ft03-mini-review/1

Also worth looking at would be the silverstone sugo 08
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2012/09/17/silverstone-sugo-sg08-review/1