narrow computer case

[bbig119]

My boss gave me permission to get a new computer. I could save myself some trouble and just pick out a dell, mac or something, but I’m interested in building something myself. I’ll get to the components I’m looking at for this in a minute for anyone interested, but the main purpose for posting this question is that the space the cubby I want to place this computer is narrow, not much bigger than 7 inches wide.

I’ve found narrow cases, which may work, but most are very narrow and provide proprietary power supplies of questionable quality. Thing is, most towers I’ve seen are close to or greater than 8 inches wide, but my origin X11 is well less than 7 inches (tall in this case), so I know cases exist that will accept a full size power supply and full height pci cards in an upright position must exist, I’m just having trouble finding many.  This is an example of what I’m trying to find, [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119195]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119195[/url]

I’m looking to put an Intel I5 760
8-16 GB or ram
60-120 GB SSD
1 TB drive
ATI 4x or 5x series card

In addition to everyday desktop usage, I’ll be doing image processing with microscope data, photoshop, and data processing. We use a program called imageJ, freeware and it eats up ram. I see no reason for a high end video card. I’m trying to keep the cost around $1500 which is what a higher level imac would cost which is what others in the lab have.

Thanks

[mikinho]

You’ll have a tough time finding a case in the desktop computer market.  Myabe 2-3 years ago you would have but with the advances in mini-ITX and the Core i3i5 most manufacturers have shifted to either mini-ITX or micro-ATX with low profile cards.

There are some higher end HTPC enclosures that work but depending on how much height and depth you have to work with just about any server chassis would work. 

One rack unit is 1.75 inches, so 1U, 2U, 3U and even 4U chassis would fit in your 7 inch requirement.  You can limit that to 2U, 3U or 4U based on your full size power supply requirement.

I would look at 3U shallow myself.  Something like [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129051]Antec Take 3[/url].

[bbig119]

There isn’t a hard requirement for a full sized power supply, but the space I have is big enough to accommodate a full height pci slots and atx power supply. It just seems like getting something more narrow with a proprietary PSU would specialize this case more than I need and limit any upgrade possibilities for later.

Can the rackmount chassis, like the one you linked stand upright?

[mikinho]

While most rack mount cases can have the rack ears removed, typically 4 or 5 screws, the Take 3 doesn’t appear to have removable, at least from the photos.  I would e-mail their support.

At my old job I wanted to use a rack mount server I had as my primary desktop but I didn’t have the room for it either.  I don’t know if this would work for you but what I did was install a small hanging rack below my desk: [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816129038]StarTech RK319WALLV 3U 19in Steel Vertical Rack and Wall Mountable Server Rack[/url].  It isn’t appropriate for heavy servers, its typical use case is network and other shallow rack gear but a shallow case works as well.

[img width=650 height=520]http://uk.startech.com/media/products/rk319wallv/Large/RK319WALLV.Elarge.jpg[/img]

I had the 3U version installed under my desk.  I also have a 4U wall mounted in my closet for my networking gear.  Sorry I can’t be more helpful in terms of your original request.

[bbig119]

thanks for the help. I like your idea, but it won’t work for me in this case. I’ve looked through a bunch of cases at newegg and found some that will definitely work. I’ll remeasure the space again tomorrow– if this space is bigger than 7 inches, I’ll have even more cases to pick from. I’m a fan of Antec cases, and all of their tower like cases are at least 8 inches wide with the exception of a couple that use tiny power supplies.

I don’t have to put the computer in this little cubby, but its free space. If I put it on the desk, then I either have to get smaller LCD screens or lose desk space. So its advantageous to try and find a case to fit in that space, but not to the point where it greatly hinders the functionality (current or future).

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