Small cases with fanless PS? SG05 or Bitfenix Prodigy

[mfeller2]

I am considering down-sizing my "gaming PC" from a full-size tower to something physically smaller. Looking at the Silverstone SG05 or Bitfenix Prodigy, based on the reviews.

Question: I have a Seasonic 460W Fanless power supply (Seasonic SS-460FL2) and a Sapphire AMD 6850 graphics card. I would like to re-use these. I expect that Fanless PS + higher-end graphics will be an issue squeezing into a smaller case, but will it be too much of an issue?

I would have to buy a new CPU/Motherboard/RAM for the mini-ITX form factor.

The power supply is also 160mm.



Thanks!

 

[Termie]

The SG05 requires an SFX power supply, so your Seasonic won't work.

The Bitfenix Prodigy is actually a very large ITX case, and it should accommodate the Seasonic without issue. The video card isn't a problem either.

If you want something in between, the Cooler Master Elite 130 is a very good choice. It fits full-size power supplies as well as large video cards, while being much closer in size to the Sugo 05 than the Prodigy. The only issue is that it does rely on the PSU fan to a certain extent for exhaust purposes, so it might not be ideal with your fanless PSU.

A final option, although your 160mm PSU will be a very tight squeeze, is the Fractal Node 304, which places the PSU sideways in the front of the case. I'd read up on it to see if it will work - it may depend on the length of your video card, which shares space with the PSU cable connectors in the front corner of the case.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I have both cases actually ... my SG05 is my main gaming PC, and my prodigy is my server ... i've got 6 2TB drives in it. I've got 4 SSD's in my SG05, 680GTX all running on that 450W and has no problems...while gaming it only darws about 280W or so.

This is my build on it:

http://vivithemage.com/2012/10/silv...77-i-deluxe-noctua-nh-l12-the-itx-mini-beast/

I am still building up my prodigy ... waiting on the raid card and some other stuff, but the prodigy is huge compared to the SG05.

If you want some comparisions you could always google it, but the prodigy is kind of large for an ITX imo....but I wanted it for the smallish factor, and I can throw 6+ drives in it.

Your Seasonic 460W will be fine if it is not modular, I have read modular adds too much length and is a PITA to cable in a prodigy.... I picked up a 140mm seasonic to throw in it.

 

[lehtv]

Fanless isn't recommended with Prodigy since the unit sits directly below the motherboard. It would risk overheating the motherboard.

If you want to reuse the X460, I'd recommend Cooler Master Elite 130 mini-ITX case. It supports longer graphics cards than the SG05, it supports standard length ATX power supplies. The PSU is mounted on the top part with a mesh above for heat to rise out. The PSU can be installed in the normal orientation or upside down; for your unit, only upside down is recommended, i.e. open side up.

 

[QueBert]

for the MB thing, the Prodigy M is an mATX version of the case that's the exact same size but the MB mounts vertically like a normal case.

 

[mfeller2]

Looking at the Silverstone SG05, the graphics card length has to be less than nine inches.

Not sure if my current card is that small. So... I will have to upgrade everything if I go this route.

Question...It seems the AMD R9 270 seems to be at the right point offering the same or better performance vs. the old 6850. The 270 is a "150W" card.

Is the SG05 w/ 450W SFX power supply sufficient to handle this and an 85W or less intel i5/i7? Again, should I be concerned about cooling?

 

[Termie]

Looking at the Silverstone SG05, the graphics card length has to be less than nine inches.

Not sure if my current card is that small. So... I will have to upgrade everything if I go this route.

Question...It seems the AMD R9 270 seems to be at the right point offering the same or better performance vs. the old 6850. The 270 is a "150W" card.

Is the SG05 w/ 450W SFX power supply sufficient to handle this and an 85W or less intel i5/i7? Again, should I be concerned about cooling?

Yes, the SG05 w/ 450W SFX power supply is more than sufficient to power a quad-core and an R9 270.

By the way, the 270 is about 50% faster than an HD 6850, so it's definitely a significant upgrade. Just be careful - many 270 models are over 9" long. You can actually fit a 9.5" card into the SG05 if you work at it, but 9" is an easier fit.

 

[Biggu]

IMO, get the SG05. The prodigy is a decent case but their customer service is absolutely horrible..