Small case for micro-ATX build without video card nor HDD - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wilson__
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2025, 04:45:55 pm
content: I tried and failed to find a small case. Most designed for massive video card emitting 150 watts heatAny idea of small and light-weight case for all-in-one motherboard. M.2 NVMe SSD and on-board video, wifi and ethernet. No video card. No HDD.May be a case with motherboard in horizontal position. May be 5 to 8 litres size. Just need a bit of height (says, 3 inch 90mm) for the CPU heat sink and fan.Core i5 mid-range CPU, 45 watts TDP, peak 150w. Total 260 watts. May be a power supply rated at 500 watts for some safety margin.This video is ITX-sized motherboard. I need a slightly bigger micro-ATX sized case in similar layout as this video.Many thanks

author: abeyer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2025, 08:28:18 pm
content: Quote from: Wilson__ on January 12, 2025, 04:45:55 pmNot terribly helpful, but I did look around for similar with not a lot of luck finding many choices that I liked... the style of case you're looking for is far more common in the itx form factor. (or the various NUC style designs, but those tend to be proprietary and not a standard motherboard form factor.)Fractal Design has some smallish and well made cases that take matx, though all of their smallest ones are itx.https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/?size=small-compact

author: Wilson__
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 07:37:07 am
content: update: Mini-ITX instead of ITXYes, thanks for head upMini-ITX is industry standard size motherboardFLEX is standard sized power supply that goes into Min-ITX caseMini-ITX cases can have one or two slots for video card. I found case with one video slot and can leave it un-used. Cannot find a case with zero video slot

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 09:56:43 am
content: If expandability is not necessary, MiniPC is a good option.18:37btw, do you already have the motherboard on hand?

author: Wilson__
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 12:58:38 pm
content: Quote from: squadchannel on January 13, 2025, 09:56:43 amYes, mini PC is very nice for business office use case. Cost is fair for fast CPU and lot of memory.They are for office desk where load is short peak (open a document is 1 second peak load) or medium load for video conference or video playing.Larger case with bigger fans are need for business server handling constant high load. May use same chip as the mini pc, just bigger heatsink, more fins and bigger fan, bigger case.I am trying to assemble using case at 7 litres size using STX sized power supply. Intel CPU 65 watts (154W peak) TDP. Total 220 watts and ASUS advise using 550 watts power supply.4 litres, holding as hardare, seem a bit tight and need FLEX s-ze power supply.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 04:23:48 am
content: Quote from: Wilson__ on January 18, 2025, 12:58:38 pmTake a look at 1U rack server PSUs and cooling hardware. I built a gaming PC in a DVD player case once.

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2025, 02:38:15 pm
content: Something like thisCiT S8-13?

author: Wilson__
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2025, 09:33:54 pm
content: Thanks for forum input, may be I can plan for mini-ITX size with SFX size power supply. It is a bit bigger and should be easier for fanned air flow. Can mount two 80mm fans at side. Optionally 120mm fan at top but that reduces CPU cooler height allowance.https://www.silverstonetek.com/en/product/info/computer-chassis/ML05/

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 27, 2025, 05:29:36 am
content: Would a thin client work? They are generally regular PC's shrunken down. You can have them with or without hard drives, although they will typically include onboard video (VGA/HDMI/DP) as standard. You can pick up second hand ones readily on ebay etc...