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    Recommendation on mini itx cases.

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    • N
      nicolaj
      last edited by

      I've looked at MS-Tech CI-110, LC Power LC-1400mi, Chieftec UNI Series UE-02B, Spire PowerCube SPM210B. Cheap, but i'd like something with a passively cooled psu. I intent on installing a single pwm controlled fan just in case things get hot.
      Got any recommendations for mini itx cases ?

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      • bingo600B
        bingo600
        last edited by

        I like my Antec ISK600 cabinet
        http://store.antec.com/isk-series/isk600.html

        A bit pricey but nice volume & silent fan , rubberdampened hdd mounting , cable mgmt. and other goodies.
        Have the airflow for a passive cooled unit.
        Nice looking too.

        Note - PSU is extra

        /Bingo

        If you find my answer useful - Please give the post a šŸ‘ - "thumbs up"

        pfSense+ 23.05.1 (ZFS)

        QOTOM-Q355G4 Quad Lan.
        CPUĀ  : Core i5 5250U, Ram : 8GB Kingston DDR3LV 1600
        LANĀ  : 4 x Intel 211, DiskĀ  : 240G SAMSUNG MZ7L3240HCHQ SSD

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        • N
          nicolaj
          last edited by

          Looks nice, but also kinda big. I've been looking at those cases with build in passively cooled psu, but those don't seem to support addon cards.

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          • J
            jbhowlesr
            last edited by

            @nicolaj:

            I've looked at MS-Tech CI-110, LC Power LC-1400mi, Chieftec UNI Series UE-02B, Spire PowerCube SPM210B. Cheap, but i'd like something with a passively cooled psu. I intent on installing a single pwm controlled fan just in case things get hot.
            Got any recommendations for mini itx cases ?

            I have my build in one of these cases. I use the VESA mount and attached it to the wall by my smart panel.

            http://store.antec.com/isk-series/isk110-vesa.html#

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            • N
              nicolaj
              last edited by

              @jbhowlesr:

              @nicolaj:

              I've looked at MS-Tech CI-110, LC Power LC-1400mi, Chieftec UNI Series UE-02B, Spire PowerCube SPM210B. Cheap, but i'd like something with a passively cooled psu. I intent on installing a single pwm controlled fan just in case things get hot.
              Got any recommendations for mini itx cases ?

              I have my build in one of these cases. I use the VESA mount and attached it to the wall by my smart panel.

              http://store.antec.com/isk-series/isk110-vesa.html#

              I've looked at one of those extra small cases, but none of them supports an addon card, so the dual pcie nic i have can't be installed. Right now i'm leaning towards buying http://www.spire-corp.com/computer-cases/powercube-210-spm210b-300w-pfc/

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              • P
                P3R
                last edited by

                Not the most common but i've got two of these. Not very good locking if that's important for you but cheap, sturdy and lots of ventilation so when tucked away out of sight as it is for me it works very well. I have the optional brackets for wallhanging on one as well.

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                • N
                  nicolaj
                  last edited by

                  @P3R:

                  Not the most common but i've got two of these. Not very good locking if that's important for you but cheap, sturdy and lots of ventilation so when tucked away out of sight as it is for me it works very well. I have the optional brackets for wallhanging on one as well.

                  That actually looks like a very attractive option, but it does not appear to be available in my country. 41€ isn't cheap either considering it doesn't come a psu. But nice case for pfsense none the less.
                  What kinda psu does it take?

                  Edit: they ship international but it's just as expensive as the case.

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                  • M
                    mattlach
                    last edited by

                    I built my most recent one with a PicoPSU and M350 case combo from MiniBox.

                    That thing is tiny.

                    Been very happy with it.Ā  They also gave higher power PSU's if you need them

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                    • P
                      P3R
                      last edited by

                      @nicolaj:

                      41€ isn't cheap either considering it doesn't come a psu.

                      When I looked (4 years ago) it was the cheapest small and well ventilated case that accepted expansion cards (I think that was one of your requirements) that I could find in the EU.

                      The only one that was cheaper was this one, that I bought for my third build. But that isn't as well passively ventilated and to keep it cool I have the ventilation from a NAS blowing directly at it.

                      What kinda psu does it take?

                      One of the motherboards have DC in but for the other I use a PicoPSU. PicoPSUs are tiny and can be used in almost any small chassis.

                      Edit: they ship international but it's just as expensive as the case.

                      Too bad for you. I was lucky enough to have a reseller in my country. Have you searched for a local reseller?

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • N
                        nicolaj
                        last edited by

                        @mattlach:

                        I built my most recent one with a PicoPSU and M350 case combo from MiniBox.

                        That thing is tiny.

                        Been very happy with it.Ā  They also gave higher power PSU's if you need them

                        Not bad, seems like a nice case to work with. But it doesn't look like it support addon cards.

                        @P3R:

                        Too bad for you. I was lucky enough to have a reseller in my country. Have you searched for a local reseller?

                        Yeah, it's not available at all. Maybe i will be able to find them on ebay in the future.
                        This is not available either but also looks like a nice option, not pretty but functional. http://inpc.com.ua/data/dd61.html

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                        • C
                          cpcnw
                          last edited by

                          For UK check these

                          https://www.novatech.co.uk/products/novatech-mini-itx-mini-cube-case-black/yy-c401black.html

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                          • N
                            nicolaj
                            last edited by

                            Not bad and looks decent too.

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                            • D
                              DeLorean
                              last edited by

                              Many years back there was a nice HTPC case from Hiper, i think that was what you are looking for.
                              Size of a DVD-player and with space for a addon card (risercard needed).

                              https://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2005/02/22/hiper_media_chassis/1

                              Another option is the Fractal Node 202 Mini-ITX HTPC case :
                              http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/Fractal-Design-Node-202-Mini-ITX-Gaming-PC-Case-FD-CA-NODE-202-BK-/332041893086?hash=item4d4f3d34de:g:kSUAAOSw4GVYNdeB

                              Grtz
                              DeLorean

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                              • W
                                whosmatt
                                last edited by

                                I have my tiny ESXi build in an Antec ISK 310-150.Ā  I suspect you'll have a difficult time finding a case with a fanless PSU and an expansion slot.Ā  I also have a MythTV frontend diskless build in a Minibox M350 with a PicoPSU.

                                I don't love the Antec box, but it was what I could get on short notice and does allow for my low profile NIC.

                                If you really wanted to silence something like that you could just rip out the included PSU and use a PicoPSU and a beefy external 12V supply.

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                                • N
                                  nicolaj
                                  last edited by

                                  Yeah, i've been looking at pico psu's. And those seem like a good alternative for low power machines.

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