So I'm kind of annoyed by my nice yet relatively large Fractal Design Define R4. I've decided I'm switching to a microATX motherboard, upgrading my power supply, and changing my case. I'm keeping everything else the same.
This is my current build (minus the things I'm changing):
- CPU: Intel i5-3570K
- GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW
- RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series (2 x 4GB)
- SSD: Samsung 840 Pro
- HDD (2): WD Caviar Black, WD Caviar Green
The motherboard I have currently chosen is the ASUS Maximus V Gene. If there's another good choice feel free to post it! I want to be able to support all of the above as well as a future sound card.
It seems that there are a lot of cases that will fit the bill. All I really care is that it will be smaller than my current case, which is 523 x 232 x 464 mm, or, 20.6 x 9.1 x 18.3 inches. I've looked on Amazon and Newegg at least to browse cases, but having no experience except picking up the Define R4, I'd like your opinions.
Thanks for your (hopefully incoming) help, guys.
So I'm kind of annoyed by my nice yet relatively large [url=www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=99]Fractal Design Define R4[/url]. I've decided I'm switching to a microATX motherboard, upgrading my power supply, and changing my case. I'm keeping everything else the same.
This is my current build (minus the things I'm changing):
- CPU: Intel i5-3570K
- GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW
- RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series (2 x 4GB)
- SSD: Samsung 840 Pro
- HDD (2): WD Caviar Black, WD Caviar Green
The motherboard I have currently chosen is the [url=www.amazon.com/Asus-MAXIMUS-GENE-Intel-Motherboard/dp/B007RIFJPY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2M4MVN1KKLMU7&coliid=I3U8DK1YSV63UJ]ASUS Maximus V Gene[/url]. If there's another good choice feel free to post it! I want to be able to support all of the above as well as a future sound card.
It seems that there are a lot of cases that will fit the bill. All I really care is that it will be smaller than my current case, which is 523 x 232 x 464 mm, or, 20.6 x 9.1 x 18.3 inches. I've looked on Amazon and Newegg at least to browse cases, but having no experience except picking up the Define R4, I'd like your opinions.
Thanks for your (hopefully incoming) help, guys.
corsair 350d is really good and currently $40 after mir
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=h5RpRhLOEeOCfs66uOKJ7Q0_eHDh3_irO_0_0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16811139020&cm_sp=
tbh though you'd just be downgrading your comp by doing this
Friotbh though you'd just be downgrading your comp by doing this
Is it because the mobo isn't as good? I have an ASRock Z77 Extreme4 right now. But I'd be fine with trading a little bit of power for something that's smaller.
I've been eyeing that Corsair 350D, thanks for the suggestion.
[quote=Frio]tbh though you'd just be downgrading your comp by doing this[/quote]
Is it because the mobo isn't as good? I have an ASRock Z77 Extreme4 right now. But I'd be fine with trading a little bit of power for something that's smaller.
I've been eyeing that Corsair 350D, thanks for the suggestion.
Not downgrade in performance, but overall as you're really just losing expansion slots. Also switching to matx only sheds around 3-4 inches in a case assuming it's not for htpc builds, so I'm not sure if its worth dropping $200+ for a smaller form factor.
Not downgrade in performance, but overall as you're really just losing expansion slots. Also switching to matx only sheds around 3-4 inches in a case assuming it's not for htpc builds, so I'm not sure if its worth dropping $200+ for a smaller form factor.
Silverstone TJ08-E (W x H x L: 8.27in x 14.7in x 15.1in) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163182&Tpk=tj08-e
TJ08-E I currently have and the cooling is great. lots of room for cable management. It's also really compact and has a nice clean front brushed aluminum finish. You can fit big air cpu coolers and even do water cooling as u please. Only real nitpick I have is that installing hard drives is not as intuitive as others.
Silverstone SG09/SG10: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163237 Smallest matx at 23 liters.
Lian Li V-354: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112300&Tpk=lian%20li%20v354 If you really like two led front fans and brushed aluminum.
I used to have a really good mid tower, Antec 1100. I just went with the general consensus among PC builders that "ATX" or "mid-towers" were the only way to go for PC gaming. Switching to the Silverstone TJ08-e was a substantial difference in size. With only one gpu and possibly an internal audio card for future upgrade (I use an external DAC instead), I don't miss ATX at all besides 3-4 expansion slots and maybe a few less usb ports.
I feel like matx should be the standard for gaming cases as tech gadgets have trended towards smaller/mobile, while mid-towers and full towers can still exist for the hardcore multi GPU, water-cooling enthusiasts. The desktop/DIY PC market would be in a lot better shape if there were more matx and itx choices.
Silverstone TJ08-E (W x H x L: 8.27in x 14.7in x 15.1in) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163182&Tpk=tj08-e
TJ08-E I currently have and the cooling is great. lots of room for cable management. It's also really compact and has a nice clean front brushed aluminum finish. You can fit big air cpu coolers and even do water cooling as u please. Only real nitpick I have is that installing hard drives is not as intuitive as others.
Silverstone SG09/SG10: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163237 Smallest matx at 23 liters.
Lian Li V-354: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112300&Tpk=lian%20li%20v354 If you really like two led front fans and brushed aluminum.
I used to have a really good mid tower, Antec 1100. I just went with the general consensus among PC builders that "ATX" or "mid-towers" were the only way to go for PC gaming. Switching to the Silverstone TJ08-e was a substantial difference in size. With only one gpu and possibly an internal audio card for future upgrade (I use an external DAC instead), I don't miss ATX at all besides 3-4 expansion slots and maybe a few less usb ports.
I feel like matx should be the standard for gaming cases as tech gadgets have trended towards smaller/mobile, while mid-towers and full towers can still exist for the hardcore multi GPU, water-cooling enthusiasts. The desktop/DIY PC market would be in a lot better shape if there were more matx and itx choices.
The cheaper ones:
[url=www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352032&Tpk=Fractal%20Design%20Core%201000]Fractal Design Core 1000[/url]
[url=www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119274&Tpk=cooler%20master%20n200]Cooler Master N200[/url]
I have the TJ08b-e and I love it :)
I have the TJ08b-e and I love it :)