Overview of mini-ITX for HTPC Chassis (Part 2)

In the previous review, I considered only cases that can be found and bought at retail and without much hassle. For some reason I didn’t like any of them. So in this review we will focus on buildings, which we cannot buy (except for one) so far, but we really want to. The models were again chosen according to my taste, which may not coincide with yours.


')
The main quality for this review, I chose the appearance. Thus, a huge number of ribbed aluminum cases with passive cooling, brutal cube-like matte cases and similar flat cases did not get here. I really liked the details that give the case individuality, for example - small LED screens and drives with slot-loading.

Well, I decided to refuse TTX under each case due to the dreary transfer of data into the table.

List of participants:

1. NesteQ MS550
2. Thermaltake LM100 Mini
3. OrigenAE M10
4. Nexus Psile 10A
5. Ark Tech PI-01
6. Antec Mini Skeleton-90

NesteQ MS550

This body just seemed stylish to me, although there is nothing particularly phenomenal about it. It takes not much space, it has a vertical stand (although it looks funny on the stand). Light-emitting diodes of pleasant colors, including blue ... although it seems to me that it does not hurt the eye.



The case is made of steel and aluminum, but for some reason the manufacturer does not provide information on the exact weight of the device. It seems to me that the weight fluctuates around 1.5 kg.



Inside, according to tradition - a place for a thin optical drive and a 2.5 ”hard drive. On the front panel, too, everything is standard, but instead of a second USB port, an SD card reader is installed. Comfortable rubber feet give stability to the body.

Behind the hill, the baby costs $ 130 .

Thermaltake LM100 Mini

It would be strange if such a manufacturer as Thermaltake, did not have in its arsenal of cases under the mini-ITX size. There is a whole series of housings for all types of HTPC and styles, and you can look at it here . I chose the smallest and most modest representative of this family.



Upscale build quality, a large display on the front panel, walls of "uncouth" aluminum, and the console also comes with it. The construction without equipment weighs 4.35kg and is cooled by a pair of 50mm fans operating at 4000 rpm. They promise that their noise is below the bar at 28 dB, but according to the test results, they cool down mediocre ...

Inside, nothing new - a compartment for slim-optics and a compartment for a 3.5 ”hard drive. On the front panel, in addition to the standard sound and USB ports, FireWire also appeared. Behind there is space for an expansion card and a 200W power adapter built-in Flex-ATX.

Solid case in the style of Thermaltake, well, for good money, of course. Only here I am not ready to give $ 299 for a case under HTPC.

OrigenAE M10

Small cute case with slot-loading and LED screen. Simple, tasteful and aluminum. Comes with an infrared receiver and a Philips rc153 remote. Everything is good, only now the search for a slot-loading optical drive can take quite a long time. The case comes in two colors - black and silver.



The kit also comes with an external power supply for 150W. On the back wall there is space for one expansion slot, and inside you can hide one 2.5 ”hard drive. The case is cooled by a 60mm fan and weighs about 3kg.

For the company also give a remote control.

It is worth this handsome $ 299 . Although I would rate it at 200 ...

Nexus Psile 10A

I already showed this case. From the silver version, it seems to me, it smells a little bit like apples. The main feature of the case is an intricate internal layout system in which the optical drive and 3.5 ”hard drive are located below the motherboard and use the entire case as a cooling radiator.



Interestingly solved the issue of active cooling. The fan is mounted on two guides and, if necessary, moves inside the case. On the back there was a place under the expansion slot. The U-shaped cover can be plastered with something colorful to give your HTPC its own unique style. It seems like a fan makes a noise no louder than 18 dB, but it's hard to believe.

Oh, and by the way. In the kit, in addition to an external power supply unit, a optical drive is also supplied for 150W.

In Europe, the body can be found for about $ 319 .
It is necessary that someone gave it to me ...

Ark Tech PI-01

Relatively nice cube-like body. Oh yeah, I said that there would be no cuboid ... I just wanted to make an exception for it, because the PI-01 has a side window and a fan with blue backlight. I myself certainly not a fan, but I know many fans of blue LEDs ... In the night, they are especially beautiful. =)



A full 5.25 ”optical drive and a 3.5” hard drive fit inside. Power supply - internal, SFX 300W. One expansion slot is present. On the front panel, everything is standard.

Nothing remarkable, but it costs only $ 50 .

Antec Mini Skeleton-90

I just could not get past this case, even though it can be found in our retail. Housing for those who constantly have the side wall of the system unit. A nice open stand emulation for your HTPC. This building is the younger brother of big Skeleton, but it is not inferior to it functionally.



At the very top is the fan, under it - the motherboard. At the bottom - everything else. Namely, the optical drive bays, two internal 2.5 ”hard drives and 2 3.5” drives. I don’t know where full-size hard drives will fit, but Antec boldly states this. I leave it on their conscience.

Included is a large 150mm backlit fan, a small 70mm fan, an external power supply for 90W. On the back wall there is a place for a low-profile expansion card.

You can find a handsome man in our retail for 5000r ( $ 160 ).

comparison table

Characteristics / Models	NesteQ MS550	Thermaltake LM100 Mini	OrigenAE M10	Nexus Psile 10A	Ark Tech PI-01	Antec Mini Skeleton-90
Price	130 $	$ 299	$ 299	$ 319	$ 50	5000r ($ 160)
Material	Steel, Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Steel	Steel
Compartments	1x 2.5 ", 1x slim-5.25”	1x 3.5 ", 1x slim-5.25”	1x 2.5 ", 1x slot-5.25”	1x 3.5 ", 1x slot-5.25”	1x 3.5 ", 1x 5.25”	2x 2.5 ", 2x 3.5", 1x 5.25 ”
BP	60W Ext	200W int	150W Ext	150W Ext	300W Int	90W Ext
Expansion slots	-	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x low profile
Dimensions	210x310x55	125x242x306	240x106x252	225x225x191	324x203x178	275x295x310
Weight	?	4.35kg	3kg	?	?	2.5kg
Additionally	-	remote control	Philips rc153 remote control	DVD-RW drive, screwdriver set	-	-

With these buildings you can assemble a really beautiful media center. Unless not with PI-01, he is here ... for the company.
Personally, I damn like Psile, but it is expensive and too big. M10 is a worthy alternative, but as it seems to me, with mediocre ventilation. Skeleton is a great option, but at night it will glow brightly and die the death of the brave in an unequal battle with my cat.

In general, while I lick at Psile ... And then we'll see.