Best, Most Compact MATX case for 2016(Q1)

[macs_forever]

What is the tightest quality MATX case out there? I thought Fractal or Silverstone made a super-compact case but I can't find it any more.

 

[Sennen]

There are a couple of Bitfenix cases - the Phenom Micro-ATX and Prodigy M. The Kimera Industries Nova looks interesting but isn't available yet.

I'm looking at the Silverstone TJ08-E - not really compact but a good layout.

 

[nobodynose]

I'm not sure what you consider "compact", but if you're considering a Bitfenix M, you might also want to consider the AeroCool Cube: http://www.aerocool.us/ds/ds_black.html (it comes in a variety of colors - I'm partial to the neon green). Dimensions are 16.18"H x 10.43"W x 15"D (411mm H x 265mm W x 381mm D). Available at Amazon for $106 - $136, depending on color: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KZHLZIO/

 

[Going Bald]

Fractal Design Define Mini - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...tal_design_define_mini-_-11-352-011-_-Product

 

[trs96]

What is the tightest quality MATX case out there? I thought Fractal or Silverstone made a super-compact case but I can't find it any more.

This is about the smallest and lightest mATX case available. Take a look at this video demo.

http://youtu.be/0jLoQT7vmfo

 

[macs_forever]

This is about the smallest and lightest mATX case available. Take a look at this video demo.

http://youtu.be/0jLoQT7vmfo

Yeah, Looks good. I'd like one a little smaller. SFX power supply with dual 80mm fans would make it shorter, thinner.

I need one that will fit as a carry-on on an airline. My Lian-Li PC-TU200 works, but with only 1 slot on the ITX motherboard, it's too limited. The alternative would be to reconfigure the 12TB array to eliminate the internal RAID card. If I do, I can just stick with the ITX motherboard with 2 ESATA ports and the drives configured as RAID level 50.

Right now I have a MATX file server and the PC-TU200 as my workstation. I'd love to reduce down to 1 mac.

 

[nobodynose]

Here's a smaller one - I used to have this case (I gave it away as a PC for my nephew), and it is very small at 12.70"H x 5.50"W x 10.80"D w/o front panel. It uses an SFX power supply. My only complaint about it is that it can be quite cramped inside, and things can get pretty warm in there, especially if you put an optical drive in it. Newegg is out of stock, but you can still get one for a decent price ($78 with shipping, INCLUDING a 300W PSU) on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JDRYJ8A/

 

[macs_forever]

Here's a smaller one - I used to have this case (I gave it away as a PC for my nephew), and it is very small at 12.70"H x 5.50"W x 10.80"D w/o front panel. It uses an SFX power supply. My only complaint about it is that it can be quite cramped inside, and things can get pretty warm in there, especially if you put an optical drive in it. Newegg is out of stock, but you can still get one for a decent price ($78 with shipping, INCLUDING a 300W PSU) on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JDRYJ8A/

Found this version on newegg -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA25V31B4616&cm_re=BK623-_-11-108-092-_-Product. Looks like a lot of DYI work for fan implementation. Need a bigger PS for the old 6870 video card.

I wish I weren't so tired (yet busy). I'd like to break out the milling machine and build my own. It needs to be tough, light, and small with a handle on top. basically a stretch PC-TU200. I'd make one just large enough. If I ever build one, people will hate it because it would be tailored to specific memory, heatsink, etc. No wiggle room for different choices. maybe buy some G5 cases for scrap metal.

 

[macs_forever]

Here's a smaller one - I used to have this case (I gave it away as a PC for my nephew), and it is very small at 12.70"H x 5.50"W x 10.80"D w/o front panel. It uses an SFX power supply. My only complaint about it is that it can be quite cramped inside, and things can get pretty warm in there, especially if you put an optical drive in it. Newegg is out of stock, but you can still get one for a decent price ($78 with shipping, INCLUDING a 300W PSU) on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JDRYJ8A/

Found a video. That is a small case. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdLe0ama8MQ

 

[nobodynose]

Found a video. That is a small case. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdLe0ama8MQ

It's actually very well-designed and well-built - as long as you aren't stuffing too much into it. I used mine for quite a while before I outgrew it. I don't know if you read about it, but it's an Intel reference design ("Mt. Jade") for the partitioned cooling system. Here's a link to In Win's website with more info: http://www.in-win.com.tw/Corporate/en/goods.php?act=view&id=BK623