Micro-ATX Cases - Shoebox Showdown
by Joshua Buss on January 2, 2007 12:40 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Final Words
Smaller and smaller cases are sure to come through our labs as customers clamor for ever more stylish and hidden computers to fit into their homes and offices, and it's nice to say that for the most part, we're still seeing improvements from our perspective. All three cases we looked at here were great examples of putting an emphasis on quiet computing, but in their own right each unit brings a unique offering which deserves recognition.
Priced at an affordable $90, the Ultra MicroFly appealed to us just as much as the Aspire X-QPack, for many of the same reasons. The included 400 watt power supply is beefy enough for most SFF builds, and the noise levels and temperature performance are right up there with some of the very best. If you want to use a different full-size ATX PSU, you can get the case only for as little as $50. The case isn't constructed to the same tolerances as the more expensive models, but for the price paid the quality doesn't disappoint. We have a feeling the option of having the benefits of the Chenming and Aspire layouts without the windows on the sides will become a popular choice for many people.
Available for as low as $100 online, the Antec Aria remains popular probably for its most obvious characteristic: its diminutive dimensions. Such a small size comes with a few tradeoffs, including additional heat and cramped working conditions inside, but nothing says portability like a full-fledged computer that can fit in any decent-sized backpack (we tried). It also includes a power supply powerful enough for its application, and stayed quiet even when heavily loaded. For frequent LAN attendees and recording technicians on the go, the attractiveness of the Aria could be hard to beat.
At the other end of the spectrum is the Rolls Royce of small form factor computer cases, the $275 Qmicra from PC Design Lab. Combining best-in-class manufacturing with a smart layout design, the Qmicra is really the case modder's dream-come-true for a micro-ATX build. Save for the smallest of minor complaints, most of which have already been addressed by the proactive, customer-focused company, the case has hardly anything to complain about besides its luxurious price tag. Considering the fact that the Qmicra doesn't come with any power supply or case fans, its pretty obvious that the market for the case won't be huge and will include mostly enthusiasts very well versed in case design and willing to spend the extra time, effort, and money to build their portable dream machine. On PCDL's website images of modded cases can be found of all varieties, from windows and lights to minimalist designs with stealthy drive bezels made from the aluminum of the drive bay covers. Currently the website allows for a custom configuration of the case for options like thumbscrew and fan grill colors, but the only finish available is a black powder coat which would of course look fairly different from the brushed silver finish on our review sample. You can check all of this out at PCDL's website.
It's great to see variety, and even better to see great values in different price segments regardless of the product type - but for the case industry as a whole, and particularly SFF cases, things are definitely on the right track. Much appreciation should go out to all three units' manufacturers.
Smaller and smaller cases are sure to come through our labs as customers clamor for ever more stylish and hidden computers to fit into their homes and offices, and it's nice to say that for the most part, we're still seeing improvements from our perspective. All three cases we looked at here were great examples of putting an emphasis on quiet computing, but in their own right each unit brings a unique offering which deserves recognition.
Priced at an affordable $90, the Ultra MicroFly appealed to us just as much as the Aspire X-QPack, for many of the same reasons. The included 400 watt power supply is beefy enough for most SFF builds, and the noise levels and temperature performance are right up there with some of the very best. If you want to use a different full-size ATX PSU, you can get the case only for as little as $50. The case isn't constructed to the same tolerances as the more expensive models, but for the price paid the quality doesn't disappoint. We have a feeling the option of having the benefits of the Chenming and Aspire layouts without the windows on the sides will become a popular choice for many people.
Available for as low as $100 online, the Antec Aria remains popular probably for its most obvious characteristic: its diminutive dimensions. Such a small size comes with a few tradeoffs, including additional heat and cramped working conditions inside, but nothing says portability like a full-fledged computer that can fit in any decent-sized backpack (we tried). It also includes a power supply powerful enough for its application, and stayed quiet even when heavily loaded. For frequent LAN attendees and recording technicians on the go, the attractiveness of the Aria could be hard to beat.
At the other end of the spectrum is the Rolls Royce of small form factor computer cases, the $275 Qmicra from PC Design Lab. Combining best-in-class manufacturing with a smart layout design, the Qmicra is really the case modder's dream-come-true for a micro-ATX build. Save for the smallest of minor complaints, most of which have already been addressed by the proactive, customer-focused company, the case has hardly anything to complain about besides its luxurious price tag. Considering the fact that the Qmicra doesn't come with any power supply or case fans, its pretty obvious that the market for the case won't be huge and will include mostly enthusiasts very well versed in case design and willing to spend the extra time, effort, and money to build their portable dream machine. On PCDL's website images of modded cases can be found of all varieties, from windows and lights to minimalist designs with stealthy drive bezels made from the aluminum of the drive bay covers. Currently the website allows for a custom configuration of the case for options like thumbscrew and fan grill colors, but the only finish available is a black powder coat which would of course look fairly different from the brushed silver finish on our review sample. You can check all of this out at PCDL's website.
It's great to see variety, and even better to see great values in different price segments regardless of the product type - but for the case industry as a whole, and particularly SFF cases, things are definitely on the right track. Much appreciation should go out to all three units' manufacturers.
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jmke - Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - link
Do you have a picture of your test room? 15dB (I guess A weighed) seems awfully low :)JoshuaBuss - Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - link
It is very low.. in our old location we couldn't get any lower than 23 dB and now we're further away from the highway. All I know is that's what my new meter says if everything is silent and the dogs next door aren't barking.JoshuaBuss - Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - link
Whoa, I'm sorry.. it was supposed to be 18 dB. Updated.KayKay - Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - link
I built a machine for my brother using the Ultra microfly and it is a great case. The deciding factors for this was the ability to accept a Full-Size Power supply and the removable motherboard tray. They make this in several colours, as well as clear-sided versions. A small box with the ability to put some powerful components in it! 3800x2 with a 7600GT, this thing runs super quietCuriousMike - Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - link
I *just* built a machine three days ago using the Aria (NSK1300) as the basis; I just wanted something smaller than a tower case. I didn't see the review mention the case as being the NSK1300--- the Aria (IIRC) was all black. The case you reviewed is identical to the NSK1300.My build included a Frys X2 4200 "EE" combo deal with ECS C51GM motherboard.
The retail box AMD fan must have been running full tilt all the time (3000rpm sound right?)... it was the noisiest in the case. The CPU would reach 70' under Prime95 load within about 20 minutes, idleing at around 50'.
I replaced the stock HSF with a Zalman CNPS8000, which was reviewed poorer than the 7000 used in this review. The 8000, at anything other than it's lowest fan setting, is as loud as the AMD retail unit; at it's lowest fan setting, it *just* beats the cooling capacity of the stock HSF; running around 50' idle, and 69' with Prime load.
With the 8000 at full RPM, it only knocks a few degrees... 67'. The machine runs hot.
I used a evga 7600GTS and put a zalman 7000 GPU cooler on it (using the slowest fan setting); that made it go from idleing around 54' to 48', and running ATITool for 15 minutes, stock fan was 71', zalman brought it down to 65'.
With the current fan setup, the machine is tolerable noise wise. It's nowhere near silent.
The NSK1300 is cramped... almost impossible to route cables neatly.
It's pretty slick removing all the panels and the drive cage.
Myrandex - Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - link
I have the Lian Li PC-V300 and given its popularity with this crowd, I would have loved to see it included in there. I look forward to finishing the article as it is great so far.JoshuaBuss - Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - link
There are still a few more mATX cases on deck to be looked at soon.. hopefully the V300 will be one of them too.tayhimself - Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - link
I can't for the life of me find a good uATX motherboard with decent overclocking features for a core2 chip. I would like to build a uATX system but I havent gone with one because of the motherboards.Staples - Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - link
Unfortunately, good motherboards are not made in this size or even micro ATX for that matter. There are some decent P965 boards made in micro ATX sizes but the best ones are all in full sized ATX.JarredWalton - Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - link
µATX, uATX, mATX, and micro ATX are all the same thing. (u is the abbreviation used for mu a lot of the time - m already being taken by "milli" and most people not want to bother with the special symbol µ.)