Suggestion for Compact Chassis/Cabinet for my PC

Please advise how small can I can go with a Mid-tower & Mini-tower cabinet that can fit my present system.

I want to go for compact case such as, but not limited to these:

  1. ASUS TUF Gaming GT502 | Gaming Case | ASUS India
  2. H6 Flow | Gaming PC Cases | NZXT
  3. C5 CURVE ARGB - Antec
  4. QUBE 500 Flatpack Black & White Edition | Cooler Master

Here is my current desktop PC photos and its config:

  1. Cabinet: Cooler Master MasterCase H500
    Dimensions (LxWxH): 525x228x502mm (Incl. Panels) || 450x220x445mm (Excl. Panels)

  2. PSU: Cooler Master MWE Gold 1050 Watt V2 ATX 3.0 (80+ Gold)
    Dimensions (LxWxH): 180x150x86 mm

Internals:

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
  • Cooler: Deepcool AK620 Zero Dark 120mm CPU Air Cooler
  • Motherboard: MSI B450 GAMING PRO CARBON AC (MS-7B85)
  • Memory: 32 GB DDR4 SDRAM @ 1600 MHz, 16-20-20-38 (2x Corsair CMG16GX4M1E3200C16)
  • Graphics: GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GAMING OC

Drives:

  1. Intel 660p, 1 TB, NVMe 8 GT/s (Windows Installed)
  2. Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (Backup Drive)
  3. WD Black 2TB HDD, SATA 6Gb/s (Storage)
  4. Crucial P3 4TB SSD, NVMe 8 GT/s (Added later, Storage Extension)
  • Network: Intel Wireless-AC 9260 160MHz + Intel I211AT Copper (Pearsonville) Network Adapter
  • OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Professional (x64)

Get a 10k mobo like MSI B550M Pro VDH WiFi, then it will open mATX options.

Lian Li A3 should fit your existing rig with the mobo upgrade. Do read all its dimensions & check reviews.

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Hope mobile is not a strict requirement because MATX is not small enough to be mobile. But if you’re fine with that then Lian Li A3 is a good choice. For anything smaller than that you will need to go with an ITX motherboard and SFX PSU which will cost quite a bit more.

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matx really doesn’t do justice for mobile pc cases, so I’d advise on going itx. There is someone here who deals on itx boards and cases at reasonable prices. I think you can get them on his site. You’ll only need to change the psu to an sff version and maybe drop the hdd too depending on the itx case.

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Mobile isn’t a priority, I just might move it within my house once or twice every 6 months. I can change the mobo, but not willing to change the PSU or cooler

Thanks for the suggestion but I am not likely to shrink it down to ITX level

My bad. I was assuming it was mostly for a mobile pc you get to carry around due to work or something like that.

Then you can probably go for either the 2nd or 4th option from your list since they both support atx.

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The mention cases are just for reference. I was hoping to hear some other suggestions that you guys might feel are better. In essence, I want a case (Max height/length of 450 mm) that can accommodate my current system without changes (ideally) or with a change in mobo at the most.

Just came across this: Asus TUF Gaming GT502

On further inspection, you might want to go for the lancool 207, the gpu slot is 375mm while the gamemax has 355mm which is a bit tight for your gpu (i think 350mm, from your pic)
You won’t need to make any changes to your current system with either, both have mount/slot for hdd too, depends on how much space you want for your gpu.

This works too. It supports gpu length of 400mm.

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Yes the RTX 4080 GPU is 342 mm, I took the measurements from outside the chassis for idea. Should work fine for most compact Mid-towers, hopefully

Cool. I like the handles for carrying; This is the anchor-point then, onto looking for something more compact.

Here is the shortlist so far:

  1. ASUS TUF Gaming GT502 | Gaming Case | ASUS India
  2. C5 CURVE ARGB - Antec

Look at Ncase M2, case is a bit pricey, and unfortunately the specs for ATX PSU (160mm length max) and CPU cooler height (145mm max) are both below your existing components. But you could look at selling your components and getting the compatible ones for relatively cheap as there is no ITX tax on these.

smallformfactor.in in case you haven’t visited

Found another option - 21 liters - slightly smaller than Lian Li A3

I am not looking for ITX, that’s gonna have major heating/airflow issues with my AAA gaming

Drop the H6 flow or any H series case. I dont know why people dont realise that it has no dust filters and the front mesh is not enough. Not enought for indian conditions with or without air conditioned room.

The most compact ATX case that is available right now is probably Lancool 207. Do not forget to buy an optional dust filter. Buy that case only if the filter is also available to purchase. Many times it goes out of stock so dont buy the case unless the optional filter is available. But this is not an option for you because of the PSU you have. You have plus size ATX PSU and some of these compact cases and compact mATX cases will not fit 180mm PSU.

The C5 and GT502 will but mind you these are not compact cases, The desk footprint is big for these. Height is low but not the desk footprint.

There is Lancool 217 but its not really compact. but it is smaller than your current setup by some margin.

If not these you can opt for one of your selected options. Anything but H6 :sweat_smile:

But do keep in mind the Panoramic cases are not ideal air-cooled cases. The turbulence created by bottom and side fans is not something the front-to-back oriented air coolers like, and those end up running a little hotter than cases with conventional airflow.

Alternatively, instead of changing the board, you can sell the PSU and get a smaller PSU and that will open up the Lancool 207 option.

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I am more confused now than ever. Can anyone suggest a Mid-tower that is smaller/lighter than the current case; ideally maximum height of 450 mm (no restriction in length or depth) and can house my current hardware without any exclusion/replacement. The purpose is a mix of AAA gaming and regular PC usage/office productivity. Budget is upto 20k

I settled for qube 500 flatpack , but was considering li lian A3 and deepcool ch260.

All 3 are good option

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I think I will just settle for Lian Li LANCOOL 207 DIGITAL … anyone using it?