Seeking Horizontally Oriented Case w/Front Intake Fans

[Billman]

As part of a wall unit, there's an enclosed shelf area where I'd like to put a new gaming build. Call it a cubby hole. The enclosure is 19.5" W , X 19.5" deep X 6.3" high. Sides and back are solid, but both top and bottom pieces of the enclosure have lots of holes to allow air flow.

I'm seeking a case that will fit the cubby hole and also have front intake fans (when horizontally oriented) but everything I'm finding so far is side intakes. (Top exhaust fans would be good, if possible).

Here's a start with an ATX Gaming build currently using the Silverstone GD05 case
https://pcpartpicker.com/user/pshopper/saved/#view=RXMFGX

Obviously, being in a cubby hole, I'm concerned about cooling, but I'm also trying to design it to keep the fan noise down.

Thanks if you can help!

 

[ClockHound]

Going to be a limited choice. Might consider looking at 3U server cases and modding it to use 120mm front intake fans.

Like this iStar: https://www.newegg.com/black-istarusa-d-314e-matx-rf/p/N82E16811165784

The GD05 is probably a better choice than hacking up a server case.

Stuffed into that small cubby hole will ensure higher temps than a normal free-standing case and probably generate more noise to compensate for the temps.

If you could give the cubby hole more height, then a normal mATX case that offers horizontal positioning like the CM QL300 could be an option: https://www.newegg.com/black-cooler-master-masterbox-q300l-micro-atx/p/N82E16811119331
Or the Fractal Meshify: https://www.newegg.com/black-fractal-design-meshify-c-mini-micro-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811352086

 

[Billman]

ClockHound,: Stuffed into that small cubby hole will ensure higher temps than a normal free-standing case and probably generate more noise to compensate for the temps.

I'm handy enough to cut up a case, but I'd rather start with something whole and see where it gets me. Ditto for cutting up the wall unit itself.

I could have gone with an even smaller case, but my feeling was that I could try to control the air flow inside or outside the case, and I've have more luck controlling it inside a case designed to do it. I considered the Thermaltake - Core G3. It has front intakes but no rear fans and the whole point will be for me to get the heat up and back. I'm spending more on quiet case fans and a fanless PSU in hope of addressing the noise created by trying to keep it cool in a small cubby. I'll have 3 120mm intakes, 2 80mm rear exhaust, and a GPU that blows it out the back.

I've been looking for a while and will buy soon. I can't seem to find anything better than the GD05.

Thanks for your feedback just the same.

 

[ClockHound]

Yes, the GD05 does seem the best option for that cubby hole... next to a hole saw. ;-)

Let us know how it goes thermally and acoustically.

 

[aigomorla]

Edit nevermind...

6.3 inches height is going to be difficult.

 

[Billman]

Yes, the GD05 does seem the best option for that cubby hole... next to a hole saw. ;-)

Well, like I said, I've already used a hole saw on the top and bottom shelving of the cubby hole.

Let us know how it goes thermally and acoustically.

Might be a couple weeks, but I'll try and post back. This is pretty close to the final build if anyone's interested:
https://pcpartpicker.com/user/pshopper/saved/#view=RXMFGX