SnakeManJayd
n00b
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2011
- Messages
- 20
Hi.
I'm wanting to build a micro-ATX build at the beginning of 2012 (or whenever ivy bridge comes out).
I am really fond of the Shoe-Box style case, as in SilverStone SG07 or the Armor A30.
I really want to stay away from tower builds and have more of a LAN box.
Here are the specs that I would like.
So far I have been unable to find anything with all of these.
I have come close with two cases, but neither are ideal.
Thermaltake Armor A30.
Lan Gear Da Box 100 Blackheart
Also, the lan gear case is a lot more expensive than the A30 and is more difficult to get hold of outside the US.(I will be in the UK when building this rig)
So that is what I have come up with. Is there a case that will check all the boxes and will be available in the UK?
The build is only next year, so if you know of a suitable case that is on it's way, that would be great too.
Also I am fairly handy, so don't mind a bit of mod'ing to get it to fit my specs.
Thanks in advance.
Jayd
I'm wanting to build a micro-ATX build at the beginning of 2012 (or whenever ivy bridge comes out).
I am really fond of the Shoe-Box style case, as in SilverStone SG07 or the Armor A30.
I really want to stay away from tower builds and have more of a LAN box.
Here are the specs that I would like.
- Shoe-Box/LAN-Box style
- 4 expansions slots for potential dual graphics.
- USB 3.0 and audio jacks on front, with USB 3.0 Header connection to Mother Board
- Space for Full ATX Power supply (to potentially power 2 Graphics cards))
- Space for full sized 5.3" optical drive
- Space for at least one HDD and one SSD
- Headroom for proper cooling like Noctua NH-C14 (i.e. 130 mm clearance) OR space on case for corsair H60
- Proper Case ventilation
- The Case should look decent
So far I have been unable to find anything with all of these.
I have come close with two cases, but neither are ideal.
Thermaltake Armor A30.
- It is the right style
- Has 4 expansion slots
- This case is great as it has 1 USB 3.0 that will leach off of the IO port on the back, but with the help of this in the external 3.5" bay, I would have 3 USB 3.0 ports available on the front.
- Supports full ATX Power supply
- Has space for 2 x full sized 5.3" optical drives
- Space for 2 HDD's and 2SSD's
- Small Headroom for cooler. The best you'll get in is a Scythe Big Shuriken
- The case is not very well ventilated. The top fan is partially blocked by the PSU, the back fans are tiny and the front fan is partially blocked by HDD bay
- This case looks like a tank, so that is a plus
Lan Gear Da Box 100 Blackheart
- It is the right style
- Has 4 expansion slots
- Only USB 2.0 and on top of that have heard not happy things about the audio jacks
- Supports full ATX Power supply
- Has space for 1 x full sized 5.3" optical drives
- Space for 2 HDD's OR 4SSD's (I'm not sure on this, I think each 3.5" bay can fit 2 x 2.5" drives if not occupied by a 3.5" drive)... BUT... Saw here that the HDD's stick out and the cables may interfere with the Graphics card
- Large Headroom for big Coolers, have also seen the Corsair H50 being used in this case
- The case seems really well ventilated and has lots of room for extra fans
- The case looks OK. Not nearly as cool as the A30, but still a decent looking case
Also, the lan gear case is a lot more expensive than the A30 and is more difficult to get hold of outside the US.(I will be in the UK when building this rig)
So that is what I have come up with. Is there a case that will check all the boxes and will be available in the UK?
The build is only next year, so if you know of a suitable case that is on it's way, that would be great too.
Also I am fairly handy, so don't mind a bit of mod'ing to get it to fit my specs.
Thanks in advance.
Jayd
Last edited: