motherboard - Smallest Micro ATX Case Possible?
2014-07
haziz
What is the smallest possible off the shelf Micro ATX case? The ability to install a 3.5 inch HD is important but I do not intend to install an optical drive and don't need the slot. A fairly thorough search leads mostly to fairly large cases which defeats the purpose of a relatively small motherboard. For reference I would regard this case as still too big.
djechelon
I assume you want to build your own Micro-ATX case, for instance in order to create a small car computer, which is a thrilling idea to me. If you were asking for the smallest commercial case available at shops, this question would have been closed.
First and most important, you didn't disclose your space constraints in the question. While I still believe that the question, as is, is a low-quality subjective question, I'll try to give you an answer.
Computer hardware is based on standard sizes for components. Any component you can remove on your custom design may help you save space. In a few words you have to install: a motherboard, a PSU (unless... see later) and a hard drive.
OK, since you don't need PCI/x cards you can save lots of depth according to the case I just saw on your link. At the current time, we are trying to make your case be as deep as the metal plug plate (I don't know its exact name), which is provided by each motherboard vendor to match the mobo's specific connector layout (PS2, VGA, etc.) and has a fixed size. If we can go no deeper than this we saved lots of space.
Problem 1: PSU. PSUs are standard. Unless you build your own or have an external power source with 24 rails, which is very difficult but feasible on a car design, you must install a commercial PSU that returns to the standard depth of the case. In case you remove PSU from its seat, you also save height of your case (let's keep in mind the one you linked).
Now hard drive. You need just one... OK. If you are ok with a SSD which is generally smaller it's time to think about where to place it. Perhaps you need to build your case with a special HDD slot on top, parallel to the motherboard plane. This assumes again you don't use PCI/x cards. This time the total length of the case matches the motherboard's, but perhaps you need very little more depth to host the HDD with sufficient space.
Problem 2: heatsink. How high is that? Since it's perpendicular to the mobo's plane, it adds depth to the case. Don't forget it. Use the smallest heatsink you can find.
Thoughts
I am unable to provide you with exact dimensions of the smallest case human mind can design. I have tried to provide you some hints on how to design it. Unfortunately I believe your question is still too subjective. I have tried to answer but again my answer is subjective too. I'm not deleting it because my advices could be considered valuable.
Kaveh
check here, those are one of the smallest cases in ITX and Micro ATX form factores.
STTR
Chassi: Morex Cubid T1610 178x178x38 mm
Motherboard: Intel D945GSEJT
uIBX-200-US15WP, PCIe Mini Card slot
Front I/Os :
1 x HDMI 1 x VGA 2 x USB port 1 x Audio & Speaker Jack Rear I/Os 2 x USB port
COM 1 (RS-232) COM 2 (RS-232) COM 3 (RS-422/485)
1 x RJ-45 LAN by Realtek RTL8111E GbE
HDD 2.5"
Audio Realtek ALC662 HD Audio codec Line-out and mic-in audio jack
Display 1 Analog CRT up to 1920x1200 for Cedarview-M, support CRT hot plug
Display 2 HDMI up to 1920 x 1080
Embedded OS: Microsoft® WES7E, Microsoft® Windows® XP Embedded, Microsoft® CE 6.0
kevyn
I currently have an ASUS Rampage II Gene M-ATX board with i processor in my HTPC. I would like to begin using watercooling mainly to keep the noise levels down, but also to overclock in the future.
The biggest problem is the case size, and I wondered if anyone knew of any good kits that would fit inside the antec fusion:
Please note - that isn't my actual machine, but an example of the fusion case. It has 2x 12mm fans on the right side of it, and some space above the DVD drive on the lower left.
I'm a noob to watercooling, so a complete kit would probably benefit me! and I'm trying to keep the costs down...
Keck
If watercooling breaks the budget, there are other ways to reduce noise.
Monitor temps or consider purchasing a fan controller to turn off or slow down the pair of 120mm fans. If they are the same as the antec 120mm in my case, it isn't the quietest out there and they connect directly to the power supply rails, so they arn't dynamically turned down.
Good alternatives for low cost would such as some of the scythe brand fans:
I don't know if you're using stock intel heatsink like the photo, but passive heatsinks can work very well, especially with the airflow from the side fans. I've had excellent cooling and very very quiet operation off my Xigmatek s1283.
Ensure your fans are connected to the motherboard headers, and use fan-control software to spin down the fans when not necessary. Most processors can also lower clock rates to maintain cool temperatures.
TomB
Wow. Water cooling in that small a case is going to be tough.
As I see it you have two routes.
If you don't want to modify the case you will need to find a kit that has the pump and radiator external to the case.
This unit has high praise on lots of sites: http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/Product%5FRead.asp?idx=183
It is available here: http://www.xoxide.com/zalman-reserator-1-v2.html
Another Zalman product that seems to be well received: http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/Product%5FRead.asp?idx=185
If you don't mind some cutting and drilling, a unit designed to fit in a 2u 5.25 fitting could be adapted to your needs. Or something like this: http://www.xoxide.com/coolit-pure-cpucooler.html Thin radiator that will be easy to stick somewhere.
Lots of products out there. http://www.overclockercafe.com/ has a very active forum of folks that would love to help you develop a custom solution to your problem.
Dan Neely
If you want something with a smaller footprint than the zalman suggested by TomB, the swiftech H2O 220 Compact or H2O 120 Compact with a Rad Box (the 220 kit includes one) are options as well. The pump is combined with the CPU block, the resivoir with the radiator, and the radbox allows them to be mounted on the back of the case at the location of a 120mm fan. I ultimately bought a larger case but used an earlier version of the swiftech kit with a radbox for about a year and a half. Unless you buy and heavily overclock a high TDP chip the smaller 120 kit will be sufficient.
The only gotcha is that since your case doesn't appear to have a 120mm fan on the back you might need to buy some additional tubing to make all your connections.