Need recommendation for microATX case for business build - no PS

[slipperypete]

Howdy,

I need help finding a microATX case without an included power supply for a business build I'm working on. I would like to use a higher quality TFX12V power supply than what is normally included with the cases. If the customer likes my work they may order up to 50, and I really don't want to have to remove and replace that many power supplies. I was hoping for something like the Rosewill R379-M, but haven't had a lot of luck finding something.

Thanks!

 

[Alan G]

Fractal Designs Core 1000? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352032

 

[aigomorla]

budget on the case?

the cheaper the better?
or do you want quality?

 

[JDG1980]

Howdy,

I need help finding a microATX case without an included power supply for a business build I'm working on. I would like to use a higher quality TFX12V power supply than what is normally included with the cases. If the customer likes my work they may order up to 50, and I really don't want to have to remove and replace that many power supplies. I was hoping for something like the Rosewill R379-M, but haven't had a lot of luck finding something.

Thanks!

What kind of price range are you looking at?
The Silverstone Temjin TJ08-E and the Fractal Design Define Mini have both gotten good reviews - they're among the best microATX cases on the market - but they will cost $90-$100 apiece. Both use standard ATX PSUs. The Silverstone has better cooling, but is more difficult to assemble. In a business environment, the Fractal Design Define Mini might be a better bet.

 

[slipperypete]

Thanks for all the replies. I would like to keep the case under $100.

 

[Alan G]

Thanks for all the replies. I would like to keep the case under $100.

If they are going to keep the units for 3-5 years, you should probably go with the Fractal Designs Define Mini. It's a solid case and easy to build in which is a plus if you end up building 50 units (I've used three different FD cases and the layout is great). The price point is just under 100 and maybe if you contact Fractal directly they could quote you a bulk price.

 

[llee]

Have you looked at the Silverstone PS07? It's a SMB version of the TJ08-E that also costs a bit less. There's also the Cooler Master N200 if you're looking for something in a similar price bracket to the Core 1000, aren't OCD about aesthetics, and favor a bottom-mounted PSU.

 

[Zap]

TFX PSU? That limits you to slim cases, plus I don't recall seeing TFX based cases sold sans PSU. I bet you're eying those 80Plus Gold Seasonic made TFX units, amirite?

What parts are going into the systems? What will they be used for? Maybe we can find you another solution.

 

[slipperypete]

I am interested in that Seasonic unit. I think a quality PSU extends the life of a PC.
The PC will be generally used for office (MS Office) apps in law firm. I plan to put an Asus mobo, SSD, DVD, and 8Gb to 16Gb RAM in each.
I also just heard from the client they would like to see a desktop option as well (i.e. not a mini-tower). For this I think the Antec Minuet 350: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129039. I have had Antec PSU in the past and had good luck, but I don't know how they are these days.
Thanks again everyone!

 

[lehtv]

For desktop maybe a miniITX case like fractal node 304?

 

[Zap]

I am interested in that Seasonic unit. I think a quality PSU extends the life of a PC.
The PC will be generally used for office (MS Office) apps in law firm. I plan to put an Asus mobo, SSD, DVD, and 8Gb to 16Gb RAM in each.

I can point you to numerous forum threads regarding failed Seasonic PSUs. :twisted:

IMO a "quality PSU" does not extend the life of a PC.
IMO a "crappy PSU" shortens the life of a PC.

You can choose the absolute best quality and most expensive components, and still experience failures. IMO it is better to have data backups and contingency plans for uptime/repair, rather than spending money on "best quality" and hope it doesn't break for 5 years.

For "MS Office" and general email/web use, I would go with a current Intel dual core CPU, 120GB SSD and 8GB RAM for minor overkill. I don't see how MS Office can use anywhere near 16GB RAM. Do they really need optical drives on all computers?

Antec quality is still reasonable.

Your component/computer choices may depend on a number of factors.
1) Who is responsible for fixing broken stuff? Does the company have in-house IT or a service contract?
2) What is the budget?
3) Where does data reside? Are each computer stand-alone, or is there an Exchange server with roaming accounts? Simple file server?
4) What are the personalities of the people using the computers?

Example choices are:
1) If no service contract and no in-house IT, maybe source name brand business computers which have on-site warranties. Otherwise, maybe continue with your custom built option.
2) Low budget = buy a pre-built. High budget = highest end components (whether custom or pre-built) and even a spare PC for swapping out problem computers.
3) If uptime is needed and there are roaming accounts, a spare PC would be a great idea. Just have all software installed and keep it updated periodically. If a computer fails for any reason (virus, Windows corruption, hardware failure) then swap out the PC and when user logs in, everything is there. Then troubleshoot failed PC without taking up user's time. With a simple file server, not as easy (will have to copy some stuff over from old system) but at least data is safe.
4) This one is a judgement call, and you may have to rank based on importance at company (such as "the boss") and squeaky wheels (someone who complains all the time and gets their way). Do they have a favorite brand? Are they fairly casual and think "broken computer = golf time?" Do they throw fits or get confused if something doesn't work exactly as they think it should?

Here is one possible component selection for the computer itself, assuming it will be custom built.
-OS of choice, likely something such as Win7 Pro 64-bit
For familiarity sake.
-dual core socket 1150 CPU
-Thin ITX socket 1150 motherboard with Q87 chipset
These use external power bricks like a notebook does. Q87 supports Intel AMT (important if larger company so you can easily remote in for assistance).
-Thin ITX case that VESA mounts
Zero footprint!
-mSATA SSD
-8GB SODIMM
These are likely supported by most thin ITX boards.

Such a setup will leave just keyboard, mouse and monitor on the desk, while featuring ability to remote into the system for troubleshooting even outside of Windows.

Another possible setup.
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
dual core socket 1150 CPU
any 1150 ITX motherboard
any 2.5" SSD
any normal slim optical drive
Antec ISK 300-150

This setup would be a mini PC, which can be used as a tower or desktop, and which has an optical drive. Cost should be reasonable. Antec covers PSU with a 3 year warranty.

 

[smitbret]

FD Define Mini and a Corsair CX430 will get you in under $150 without any discounts and if you watch Newegg discounts are frequent on both. I've got both and other than the Define Mini being maybe a little larger than you may realize, that would be a really solid, quiet setup.

 

[lehtv]

I don't think the CX430 is the best choice in terms of longevity, they only come with 3 year warranty and have mediocre caps. I'd rather back down on the case a bit and get a Capstone 450W with 7 year warranty and Gold efficiency

 

[smitbret]

By the time the caps become an issue, the tech will be outdated and the PSU will probably be the last of the issues he'll be dealing with, especially if he's talking about 50 units.

 

[Cerb]

Have you looked at the Silverstone PS07? It's a SMB version of the TJ08-E that also costs a bit less. There's also the Cooler Master N200 if you're looking for something in a similar price bracket to the Core 1000, aren't OCD about aesthetics, and favor a bottom-mounted PSU.

I do like that case, but 50 builds would be quite time consuming, compared to a FD Define, and the strength of the case is pretty low until it's finally assembled (making mistakes while trying to quickly build would risk damaging the case, while the parts are being installed, and that risk goes up a lot when you're pipe-lining many builds). For 5 PCs, I think it would be good, but 50, I'm not so sure. For the same reasons, I would generally avoid the standard tower NSKs from Antec.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Why microATX instead of miniITX for a business build? Not many business systems need anything that isn't on a typical miniITX motherboard today.

MicroATX is just bigger and more cumbersome. Going miniITX gives you much better ability to set the system on the desktop rather than the floor. If you don't need an optical drive, even better.

 

[lehtv]

By the time the caps become an issue, the tech will be outdated and the PSU will probably be the last of the issues he'll be dealing with, especially if he's talking about 50 units.

I don't see any reason not to make the chance of having to deal with PSU issues even lower by extending the warranty and improving the quality

 

[piasabird]

http://www.directron.com/min210kkr300.html
This is a fairly new MATX case with USB3. It has a power supply but you can put any SFX power supply in there you want. It looks like a standard size SFX power supply. This is one area where it seems all the cases have power supplies and many of them are not standard sizes.

If you want a more boxy standard case Antec has some inexpensive MATX cases. Probably every company out there makes a box-like MATX case that can take an ATX power supply. Sometimes you have to really squeeze in the MATX motherboard even taking out the drive cages.

You could go with a standard looking box like style for cheaper:
http://www.directron.com/vsk3000e.html
$23.95

It is getting easier to find nice looking Mini-ITX case than an MATX case.

 

[Zap]

I do like that case, but 50 builds would be quite time consuming

50 builds in ANY case would be quite time consuming. I haven't found size to have much impact on how long it takes to build a rig. It is more case design which impacts ease of assembly.

If you are concerned about build time, why don't you just buy pre-builts? You can find some cheap configuration on a business model, and just swap out the HDD for SSD. You should also finish one OS/driver/updates install and then deploy it to the others with the help of Sysprep.

http://www.directron.com/min210kkr300.html
This is a fairly new MATX case with USB3. It has a power supply but you can put any SFX power supply in there you want. It looks like a standard size SFX power supply.

It uses a TFX power supply.

 

[Cerb]

50 builds in ANY case would be quite time consuming. I haven't found size to have much impact on how long it takes to build a rig. It is more case design which impacts ease of assembly.

That's kind of the point. The PS07 and TJ08-e can be put together very cleanly, but not without some planning and care in routing cables before they are plugged in, typically.

I would either go w/ prebuilts, or go right into Mini-ITX, were it my task.