Small Case + Speed?

**af3** · 06-23-2008, 12:23 PM

Hello. I switched to a laptop because I wanted something that made good use of limited space. I have achieved my goal in that regards, but am limited to what I can upgrade. It is inevitable that I will be using a PC again some day, be it the day my laptop dies or the day it becomes useless to me when the requirements for modern games go through the roof.

I like the way this looks:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...835&CatId=3428

I also like this:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...885&CatId=3428

My question to you is would this case of limited size/capacity keep me from building an overclocked rig?

patriothntr · 06-23-2008, 12:54 PM

You can get some good performance out of these little cases...though there are a couple things to remember...

First, you have very little room for an aftermarket cooler, and you will only have room for one not so huge VGA card. You also have to worry about heat a little more with these, as they are more cramped and usually have less in the way of fans. The venting on the first one looks slightly better...

Just a few thoughts...

**af3** · 06-23-2008, 01:17 PM

Tank-yoo!

The first one looks like a winner to me. Notice on the second one how the expansions have holes... as if they are trying to get all the ventilation they can out of it? I suspect this to be indicative of a poor design. Anyone else?

wrench97 · 06-23-2008, 01:31 PM

I don't think you could get a standard power supply in the top one. I would want to verify the size of the PSU bay as well as the expansion slot size it may only take half height cards limiting what card you could put in it.

**af3** · 06-24-2008, 05:07 AM

Interesting. Do you think this will fit and work in it:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_9600gt.html

I don't mean to have you help me build a system but what board would work better with the 9600? Can anyone tell me about their experience with:
nForce 600 series
nForce 500 series

patriothntr · 06-24-2008, 06:04 AM

I would read reviews on the case if you can and see if people are using that config...the 9600 is shorter than many cards, so there's a good chance...

One warning on nforce boards and PCLOS...I could never get my temps to monitor correctly, which was quite annoying for me. Other than that, I'm running a 650i board now and love it. Other than that I have had no issues with my MSI p6n SLI board in Linux or Windows XP.

wrench97 · 06-24-2008, 12:15 PM

From the powermax Spec page:

FEATURES

230 watts maximum output
Single ball bearing fan design
Built-in voltage overload protection
Support Intel "Pentium 4" and AMD "Athlon XP"
Complies with Intel SFX12V specification
Supports Serial ATA

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: PSLP6100A
Dimensions 5"Wx2.5H"x4"D
Material All metal construction
AC Input 115/230, 3A/2.5A, 60Hz/50Hz
Max Load +3.3@10A, +5@18A, +12@7A, -12@0.8A, +5vsb@2A
MTBF 100K hrs at 25°C ambient conditions
Efficiency 70% Min. at full load
Noise Level Maximum of 32db at 100% system loading
Safety CB, CE, TUV, and FCC

Your not going to be able to get a power supply to fit the case and adequately power that card
I would also read the reviews on the bottom of the link you gave there are not many good ones.

**af3** · 06-24-2008, 12:25 PM

Is there any small case that can handle this card?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...885&CatId=3428
has a 600W PSU...

patriothntr · 06-24-2008, 12:56 PM

How about a case like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133045

06-23-2008, 12:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
af3 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 757 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Small Case + Speed? Hello. I switched to a laptop because I wanted something that made good use of limited space. I have achieved my goal in that regards, but am limited to what I can upgrade. It is inevitable that I will be using a PC again some day, be it the day my laptop dies or the day it becomes useless to me when the requirements for modern games go through the roof. I like the way this looks: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...835&CatId=3428 I also like this: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...885&CatId=3428 My question to you is would this case of limited size/capacity keep me from building an overclocked rig? Last edited by af3 : 06-23-2008 at 12:27 PM.

06-23-2008, 12:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
patriothntr Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 321 OS: XPsp3, PCLOS, other	Re: Small Case + Speed? You can get some good performance out of these little cases...though there are a couple things to remember... First, you have very little room for an aftermarket cooler, and you will only have room for one not so huge VGA card. You also have to worry about heat a little more with these, as they are more cramped and usually have less in the way of fans. The venting on the first one looks slightly better... Just a few thoughts...

06-23-2008, 01:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
af3 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 757 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: Small Case + Speed? Tank-yoo! The first one looks like a winner to me. Notice on the second one how the expansions have holes... as if they are trying to get all the ventilation they can out of it? I suspect this to be indicative of a poor design. Anyone else?

06-23-2008, 01:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,421 OS: XPSP2	Re: Small Case + Speed? I don't think you could get a standard power supply in the top one. I would want to verify the size of the PSU bay as well as the expansion slot size it may only take half height cards limiting what card you could put in it.

06-24-2008, 05:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
af3 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 757 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: Small Case + Speed? Interesting. Do you think this will fit and work in it: http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_9600gt.html I don't mean to have you help me build a system but what board would work better with the 9600? Can anyone tell me about their experience with: nForce 600 series nForce 500 series Last edited by af3 : 06-24-2008 at 05:10 AM.

06-24-2008, 06:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
patriothntr Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 321 OS: XPsp3, PCLOS, other	Re: Small Case + Speed? I would read reviews on the case if you can and see if people are using that config...the 9600 is shorter than many cards, so there's a good chance... One warning on nforce boards and PCLOS...I could never get my temps to monitor correctly, which was quite annoying for me. Other than that, I'm running a 650i board now and love it. Other than that I have had no issues with my MSI p6n SLI board in Linux or Windows XP.

06-24-2008, 12:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,421 OS: XPSP2	Re: Small Case + Speed? From the powermax Spec page: FEATURES 230 watts maximum output Single ball bearing fan design Built-in voltage overload protection Support Intel "Pentium 4" and AMD "Athlon XP" Complies with Intel SFX12V specification Supports Serial ATA SPECIFICATIONS Model: PSLP6100A Dimensions 5"Wx2.5H"x4"D Material All metal construction AC Input 115/230, 3A/2.5A, 60Hz/50Hz Max Load +3.3@10A, +5@18A, +12@7A, -12@0.8A, +5vsb@2A MTBF 100K hrs at 25°C ambient conditions Efficiency 70% Min. at full load Noise Level Maximum of 32db at 100% system loading Safety CB, CE, TUV, and FCC Your not going to be able to get a power supply to fit the case and adequately power that card I would also read the reviews on the bottom of the link you gave there are not many good ones.

06-24-2008, 12:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
af3 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 757 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: Small Case + Speed? Is there any small case that can handle this card? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...885&CatId=3428 has a 600W PSU... __________________ You are currently using 0 MB (0%) of your 7171 MB, what's wrong with you? Last edited by af3 : 06-24-2008 at 12:29 PM.

06-24-2008, 12:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
patriothntr Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 321 OS: XPsp3, PCLOS, other	Re: Small Case + Speed? How about a case like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133045