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Going to AMD: need advice on a SFF chassis

JollyJamma

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Hi everyone

So I’m looking to get a new computer and I’ve basically decided that Intel doesn’t offer the kind of value that makes it worth while and I’d like to go back to AMD.

I’d also like to go back to a small form factor build so I’ll be getting the MSI B450I GAMING PLUS AC (~£120)

It’s a mini-ITX board that can handle a 3950X, so long as there is enough airflow over the VRMs.

That’s where the advice comes in: airflow in a small build isn’t good so I’ll be mating the chassis with some seriously good fans if needs be.

I’ll also be getting a downward firing cooler from Noctua.

Are there any chassis out there that I should really consider?

I’ve done some research already but a ton of the suggested chassis are only available in the States and I’m in the UK.

Edit:

My build so far:

AMD 5700
MSI B450i Gaming Plus
AMD 3600
Seasonic Prime Ultra 650 watt PSU
NANO S Chassis
Hyper 212 Evo Black Edition (if stock cooler doesn’t work out)
 
Last edited:
The corsair 280x looks good for adding lots of fans for air cooling or the meshify c mini or the nzxt h200/h400.

As for y our cooler i just built my ryzen 3600 build in a lian li pc-o11 dynamic where cpu cooler height is limited to 155mm. I put a noctua nh-u9s in and overclocked it this morning. Running 4.2ghz all core at 1.31v and my temps running aida64 doesn't go higher than 60 degrees celsius. I looked at the downdraft noctua coolers you mentioned in your post as well but I'm happy i went with the u9s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Cougar QBX if you can still find one
 
It’s pretty cool but I can’t see a price and I’m guessing it’s expensive.

Will see.
Looks like you will playing tetris with this build......

Really keen to see what you get up to.

As a side note, a build I would be super keen on is a deskmini (for fun).

Desk Mini
 
I'm using that chassis in my away/portable rig (basically, pop it my backpack for flights home and CPT ).
Using a Corsair H60 with 2x ML120 fans in the front to cool a 1800X (95W TDP), overclocked to 4.5GHz. Runs perfectly, but I'm looking to get a lower TDP 3700X for silent running.

Link: HEISENBERG - Portable Rig

I think the Sugo SG13 + Cryorig C7G + 3950X may suit your needs.
 
I'm not sure if the Nano is technically SFF at 25L? I thought the limit was around 20L. Regardless, this is a nice case.

9bia2poz0pzz.png
 
Here's great alternative Low Profile air cooler to the 125W-TDP Cryorig C7G; The 180W Thermalright AXP-100-Full Copper cooler
Should fit in the Sugo SG13 as it's 58mm tall (with fan).
Personally, I'd go with the Cryorig C7G as it can easily sourced locally in SA, and it's less heavy (helps with the weight when traveling)

As for alternative chassis to the Sugo SG13; maybe have a look at the Slinger SM550 & SM560. Both are 11l or smaller.
But pricey compared to the Sugo SG13
 
Here's great alternative Low Profile air cooler to the 125W-TDP Cryorig C7G; The 180W Thermalright AXP-100-Full Copper cooler
Should fit in the Sugo SG13 as it's 58mm tall (with fan).
Personally, I'd go with the Cryorig C7G as it can easily sourced locally in SA, and it's less heavy (helps with the weight when traveling)

As for alternative chassis to the Sugo SG13; maybe have a look at the Slinger SM550 & SM560. Both are 11l or smaller.
But pricey compared to the Sugo SG13

Hey dude

I’m in the UK now, emigrated, so all of the chassis are available and are well priced.

even if I had to use CaseKing.DE over in Germany, it’ll still be available at a reasonable price.

Thanks for the input - I need to pick a chassis and then start from there. PSU next, then screen, RAM, etc.
 
I'm not sure if the Nano is technically SFF at 25L? ]

So I think the Nano is a great option as that little bit more space means you can do a lot more with it.

Yes, you can get a smaller chassis but they aren’t that much smaller and they have huge limitations in cooling and PSU size.

You can do water cooling with the NANO, which is insane.
 
I love the post, been curious about how to approach this myself.
I bought the following, so far:
• 2700x - will be upping this to the 3700 or 3800x in Feb
• ROG STRIX X370-I GAMING (AM4)
• G.Skill 3200 16GB Trident RGB memory
• Corsair H115i RGB Platinum Water Cooler
• NVME 500gb SSD and a 2TB SSD
• EVGA 1070FTW edition - upgrading to 2070 RTX in Jan
Still need to source the high end Corsair fans and controller, that'll come after I've picked the case.

System games pretty well, I am using a 27" 1440p monitor so I will be going with an 2070 soonish.
I am stuck on the case selection.

I picked up a old Phantex MITX case here on Carb to house the MINI build, and although i love the case, i want to buy something smaller.
Pics below with the closed chassis, and then one with removed panels.

What case would be amazing for this build?



 
I love the post, been curious about how to approach this myself.
I bought the following, so far:
• 2700x - will be upping this to the 3700 or 3800x in Feb
• ROG STRIX X370-I GAMING (AM4)
• G.Skill 3200 16GB Trident RGB memory
• Corsair H115i RGB Platinum Water Cooler
• NVME 500gb SSD and a 2TB SSD
• EVGA 1070FTW edition - upgrading to 2070 RTX in Jan

question, have you noticed an increase in performance with all of the game devs taking larger core counts into consideration?

I think the move to the 2070 is a great idea since you game at 1440P.

As for case selection, maybe check out some ITX builds by Jay, Linus, Steve, Kyle and see what chassis they used and if you like the chassis?
 
Yes, the performance is good, core count is making a difference. I will most likely grab the 2070 first before the CPU upgrade as I want more FPS on the 1440p monitor. My rig overall performs quite well though.
I've been watching all of those channels, their builds and their reviews, all very interesting.

This was sort of what I had in mind when i started:
 
@JollyJamma what did decide on?

I called it a day on my 20L Cougar QBX build for now. 2 x 240mm + 1 x 92mm rads

Whats-App-Image-2020-05-27-at-21-13-33.jpg


I got tired of waiting so threw in the last few fittings that worked and a random fill pipe.

I'll clean up the fittings coming into the res when I next have to drain it. Just glad to finally be using it.
 
@JollyJamma what did decide on?

Looooooots of going backwards and forwards between ideas has meant that I'm waiting for the new B550 or X570 Tomahawk to launch.

I need to decide on the motherboard because if I go mITX or ITX or ATX, it leaves me with a chassis option. I can't select an AIO until I get a chassis, nor can I order fans (120mm or 140). I don't know if the latest gen of GPUs will be launched soon so I'm holding off on that too.

So far I've got 16gigs of 3200CL16 Crucial E-Die that'll do 4000mhz no problem (arriving soon), AMD 3300X, TX650M PSU.

I think I'll get the X570 Tomahawk and a Phanteks P400A airflow edition. The Tomahawk is a beast but complete overkill.
 

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