compact case recommendations

[Fat Tone]

Hi

I need to build a couple of office systems that have to be particularly discreet because of the room they are going in. I'm looking for case suggestions that are compact and quiet, and will take the usual components. Will probably go for core i5 system with integrated gfx, a SSD drive, DVD-RW and memory card reader.

I'd rather avoid anything proprietary and all-in-one solutions.

Thanks

Tony.

[TransformX]

Antec Sonata

[Fat Tone]

Thanks, but that is really just a modest midi-tower. That might do but I'm looking for something smaller if poss.

[TransformX]

http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?Family=Mjg4

[TransformX]

http://www.coolermaster.co.uk/product.php?category_id=3587&product_id=6623

[Jammrock]

If you want to go mini-ITX small you can go with ChenBro.

http://usa.chenbro.com/corporatesite/products_detail.php?sku=79

SilverStone has some good stuff too.

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=SG05&area=

You'll pay a slight premium for the good really small cases, as they are a niche, but there are some good ones out there.

[UtwigMU]

Look into Lian-Li:
mATX http://lian-li.com/v2/en/flashpage/v354/
mini ITX http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product...25&ss_index=64

[VJ]

There are interesting m-atx boards; which will also allow you smaller case. Remember the current issues with SandyBridge; so if it will be a socket 1155 you'd better wait...

Lian Li has nice options; and very good built quality.
If you go mini-ITX, then Fractal Design Array R2 mini looks good too; not sure about their bigger cases.

[Umfriend]

Shuttle SFF cases?

[Mehen]

I just had a Fractal case show up with the plastic on the front smashed to bits during shipping.
Antec fans are prone to dying - stay away unless you wanna replace the fans right away.
Lian Li is good, although the aluminum is usually quite thin.
Coolermaster is generally quite good for the money. Not Lian Li quality, but pretty rugged.
Silverstone is awesome.

[Fat Tone]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Will report back.
I see there are some capable mini-itx mobos that take the core-i processors and look quite tempting.

[Jammrock]

You have two worries with mini-ITX. 1) you only get a single expansion slot. 2) your power is very limited. Some, not all, mini-ITX use DC bricks instead of traditional PSUs so you're limited to about 250W total and can only use on board power (no PCIe power connectors for video cards).

Just something to be aware of. Oh, and no socket 1155 mini-ITX boards are out yet.

[VJ]

Yes there are: http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_I...CNB&templete=2
This link/site might be interesting if you opt for the miniITX route: http://www.itxgamer.com/tools/compare/

The LianLI Q08 allows for a normal PSU to be used; it also allows for double slot videocards; I think the FractalDesign also has these things.
Personally though, I think that pricewise there will be very little difference between a mini-ITX based system and an mATX system: same CPU, memory, drives, maybe same PSU and the mini-ITX cases are not much cheaper. There is less room for expansion (just one slot, although some also have might have a miniPCIe in addition and some come with wifi - which is convenient if you need it), so you really should be sure that you have the size constraints.