Cases Low-cost mATX case

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Risky, 28 Jan 2013.

  1. Risky

    Risky Modder

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    What's a good low-cost MATX case these days. I have an old CM Elite but could donate that to another system. I was looking at the Fractal Design Core 1000, but wondered if there are better alternatives.

    It is for a Core 2 HTPC build so won't be too stressed. Tower format works best in the space.
     
  2. GeorgeK

    GeorgeK Swinging the banhammer Super Moderator

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    How low cost is low cost? I'm looking into the same at the minute but want it to be short (both in height and depth) and was looking at the TJ08 (but that's twice the price)
     
  3. Risky

    Risky Modder

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    low as can be. I've used a define mini before but this case isn't on view so much. The question is really what's the best deal at say £35 or less (without PSU)?
     
  4. biojellywobbles

    biojellywobbles Minimodder

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    I can't give you any other recommendations but I've got first hand experience with the Core 1000. It's not bad for the price a few things to be aware of is that the air filter on the front is non removable so you have to take the whole front off in order to clean it. Also there is no space behind the motherboard at all for cables etc so they will have to be shoved in an optical drive bay. The quiet drive mounts are a nice touch especially for a living room PC and the fan at the front is quiet too.

    Overall it's not a bad case I just thought I should point out it's flaws, as long as you won't be cracking it open often or trying to cool gaming graphics cards and stuff it will fare just fine.

    Oh just remembered the side panels on mine were quite stiff and a pain to get off so beware of that also.
     
  5. lancer778544

    lancer778544 Multimodder

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    Last edited: 28 Jan 2013
  6. docodine

    docodine killed a guy once

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    fractal core 1000?
     
  7. Xir

    Xir Modder

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    My, I've been looking for the same thing today :D

    Fractal Design Core 1000
    - Doesn't offer USB3.0 :eyebrow:
    - Supports CPU coolers up to 148mm in height (Not a lot)
    + Supports long Graphical cards
    + looks good

    Sharkoon MS120 / MS140
    + Does have USB3.0
    - Supports CPU coolers up to 145mm in height (Not a lot)
    - supplied Fan is poor (loud and lit blue)
    + Supports long Graphical cards

    Zalmann T1 / T2
    - Doesn't offer USB3.0
    - Gaphical Card maximum 290mm (says Zalman) 270mm (says Caseking.de)
    + Extra cheap :D
    ~ can't find out cooler height, but the case is very thin...

    Aerocool QS200 Lite or Advance
    + Does have USB3.0 (the original QS200 doesn't!!!)
    + Supports CPU coolers up to 168mm in height
    + Supports long Graphical cards

    Cooler Master Silencio 450
    + Does have USB3.0
    ~ Supports CPU coolers up to 155mm in height
    + Supports long Graphical cards
    + silenced
    - looks :D

    There's lots of coolermasters left, but only the Cooler Master Elite 344 has USB 3.0

    Okay looked it up:

    Cooler Master Elite 344
    + Does have USB3.0
    + Supports long Graphical cards
    - Supports CPU coolers up to 148mm in height
    ~ Doesn't say if the intakes are filtered.
     
    Last edited: 28 Jan 2013
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  8. Risky

    Risky Modder

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    That's for the awesome analysis.

    I don't need USB 3 as things stand. The Zalman cases look pretty nice and as it happens a tall case is ideal for me. Will order one.
     
  9. IvanIvanovich

    IvanIvanovich будет глотать вашу душу.

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    nevermind
     
  10. Guest-23315

    Guest-23315 Guest

    The standard of mATX cases has really fallen recently.. I couple years ago there seemed to be loads of attractive ones, both in looks and features, but that seems to have changed of recent... possibly to ITX offering the same power if you're just after one GPU.. weird.
     
  11. Xir

    Xir Modder

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    The ITX boards are a lot more expensive than µATX though (at least for ASUS)
     

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