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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: katushkin on Mon, 01 September 2014, 21:56:31

Title: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: katushkin on Mon, 01 September 2014, 21:56:31
I'm looking to downsize my old gaming PC. Currently it's in an NZXT Phantom case which is ****ing massive and impractical.

The build is about 3 years old, and the main size constraints would be that I have a Rampage III Extreme MOBO and a massive 6950 GPU. I also need space for 1 SSD and 4 HDDs as it is going to be used for storage and watching of films/TV shows. I would like the case to be as small (and as cheap?) as possible, and am willing to swap out the GPU if I need to (thinking of you dorkvader). It doesn't need to look good/cool/#SWAG but that would be a bonus too.
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: Badwrench on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:12:54
Nuff said.  Lian Li PC A05   :thumb:

As long as your PSU isn't longer than 165mm, you should be good to go. 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112331 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112331)
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: CSCoder4ever on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:13:24
I'm guessing this is a full tower phantom vs the Phantom 410 mid tower?

Corsair Carbide 200R and the Fractal Design Core 3000 look like good options. Sure they're not totally #SWAG, but nothing a couple LED Fans can't fix! :p
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: engicoder on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:18:42
For something a little different, take a look at the Corsair Carbide Air 540 (http://www.corsair.com/en-us/carbide-series-air-540-high-airflow-atx-cube-case)
Its a ATX compatible cube style case so its short but wide.
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: nubbinator on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:19:37
For something a little different, take a look at the Corsair Carbide Air 540 (http://www.corsair.com/en-us/carbide-series-air-540-high-airflow-atx-cube-case)
Its a ATX compatible cube style case so its short but wide.

So much wasted space in that case though.
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: The Mad Professor on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:25:24
For something a little different, take a look at the Corsair Carbide Air 540 (http://www.corsair.com/en-us/carbide-series-air-540-high-airflow-atx-cube-case)
Its a ATX compatible cube style case so its short but wide.

So much wasted space in that case though.

Given that it's designed for maximum airflow, I believe that's a feature.
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: Novus on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:26:43
Lian li ;)
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: katushkin on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:26:58
Nuff said.  Lian Li PC A05   :thumb:

As long as your PSU isn't longer than 165mm, you should be good to go. 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112331 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112331)

I can't find any Lian Li cases in the UK that aren't either Micro ATX or stupidly expensive :( But thanks though.

I'm guessing this is a full tower phantom vs the Phantom 410 mid tower?

Corsair Carbide 200R and the Fractal Design Core 3000 look like good options. Sure they're not totally #SWAG, but nothing a couple LED Fans can't fix! :p

Yeah, It's the full tower Phantom. An absolute beast.

Those two do look pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. Both about £50 and should be just enough for what I need. I don't think the missus will be happy me ordering another PC case, but I need to do some maint on the inside of my old rig anyway and this would be the perfect excuse.

For something a little different, take a look at the Corsair Carbide Air 540 (http://www.corsair.com/en-us/carbide-series-air-540-high-airflow-atx-cube-case)
Its a ATX compatible cube style case so its short but wide.


I was thinking of something a different shape. I like the look of short, stocky cases, but like nubb said, there would be a lot of empty space in there, and I'm looking to downsize rather than just change the look, and I'm not too worried about airflow
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: Novus on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:31:01
When you say downsize - Is the weight of the case itself an issue for you?
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: Badwrench on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:31:26
Nuff said.  Lian Li PC A05   :thumb:

As long as your PSU isn't longer than 165mm, you should be good to go. 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112331 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112331)

I can't find any Lian Li cases in the UK that aren't either Micro ATX or stupidly expensive :( But thanks though.

I'm guessing this is a full tower phantom vs the Phantom 410 mid tower?

Corsair Carbide 200R and the Fractal Design Core 3000 look like good options. Sure they're not totally #SWAG, but nothing a couple LED Fans can't fix! :p

Yeah, It's the full tower Phantom. An absolute beast.

Those two do look pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. Both about £50 and should be just enough for what I need. I don't think the missus will be happy me ordering another PC case, but I need to do some maint on the inside of my old rig anyway and this would be the perfect excuse.



Oops, didn't notice the UK location.  I have used both the 200R and the Fractal 3000 and much prefer the Corsair of the 2.  The Fractal is decent, but it feels flimsy compared to the 200R. 
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: katushkin on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:40:19
I might have to measure my 6950... If it's too big for these cases then I may have to either suck it up with the huge case or go for a full upgrade (smaller mobo, GPU, new CPU) as I'm not sure how well new GPUs will work with my old mobo.

Sigh, I can see my money just floating away...
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: FrostyToast on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:52:35
Node 804 gives you sufficient space to work in, lots of fan mounts and storage bays. It also has noise dampening material and isn't a bad looker either
Title: Re: Looking to downsize old gaming PC - case ideas?
Post by: katushkin on Mon, 01 September 2014, 22:56:18
Node 804 gives you sufficient space to work in, lots of fan mounts and storage bays. It also has noise dampening material and isn't a bad looker either

Oooo that's pretty....

That is REALLY nice. It fits GPUs up to 320mm long.

ITS ONLY MICRO OR MINI ATX D: GRRRRRRR

Edit 2: I'm frustrated at not being able to downsize this enough. I'm going to lock this until I can justify spending more money. Thanks for all your help guys.