Designing a new small form factor, Mini-ITX case. We need your suggestions

[GoliathDesign]

Hey guys. I’m Max, the cofounder of Goliath Design.


For the past 12 months we’ve been brainstorming, designing, and engineering a small form factor mITX pc case perfect for any build, and it’s almost here. The Goliath MINI.



Here is what we have so far http://imgur.com/a/ylCSg




We are finishing up the final touches right now. But we want the community’s feedback. Let us know what you think of the MINI. If you can, fill out this survey to let us know what you want in a small form factor case. http://strawpoll.me/5820797


Our website is http://GetGoliath.com and we’re on https://www.facebook.com/GoliathDesignPC/ and https://twitter.com/GoliathDes. We are planning on starting a Kickstarter within the next few weeks. So subscribe on our website to get notified when that happens. (There is also a large twist that hasn’t been revealed yet, so stay tuned!)



Please let me know what you think. I’ll be happy to answer any questions!

 

[dorsetknob]

Some form of integrated carry handles might be a useful inclusion
for transport/LAN parties
otherwise not a bad looking case in Black and Red (Amd Build ??? )
colour option green for the other team build???

 

[GoldenX]

The two frontal usb ports are USB2.0?

 

[GoliathDesign]

Some form of integrated carry handles might be a useful inclusion
for transport/LAN parties
otherwise not a bad looking case in Black and Red (Amd Build ??? )
colour option green for the other team build???

Yes! There will be lots of customization available. And adding handles might be a great addition!

The two frontal usb ports are USB2.0?

We're thinking about 1 USB 3.0 and 1 2.0

 

[cdawall]

Ok this may sound noobish, but why would I buy a mini-ITX case that shares dimensions with a full ATX case? As far as I am concerned that case is substantially to large to be useful in the niche that is mini-ITX. Keep those dimensions and MATX and you have something.

 

[profoundWHALE]

I really like the front. Two USB ports is very convenient, the slot loading Optical drive is very nice, and adds to the premium look.

+1 for handles if you're looking at buyers who do the LAN party. Otherwise, there's not much sense in the handle.

 

[alucasa]

I've been building mini itx rigs for years. Few more years and it will be a decade.

What you have is a performance oriented mini itx case which is just about as big as a small m-atx case. You need to aggressively cut down space. Remove the optical drive space and remove the red lines on front. Either use reinforced plastic shell or use aluminum for premium look and feel.

For CPU cooler, 2U height is fine. Gone are the days where you need 125w cpu to game. 65w i7 cpu will do fine. Use flex or matx PSU to cut down in space even more and use a blower type fan on top to create significant amount of air flow without using too much space and create noise.

 

[GoliathDesign]

Ok this may sound noobish, but why would I buy a mini-ITX case that shares dimensions with a full ATX case? As far as I am concerned that case is substantially to large to be useful in the niche that is mini-ITX. Keep those dimensions and MATX and you have something.

I definitely see what you're saying. Right now I'm talking with some professional engineers who are helping with just this. As for currently why this would be better than a smaller mitx case, it fits a full size psu and up to 13 in graphics cards.

I've been building mini itx rigs for years. Few more years and it will be a decade.

What you have is a performance oriented mini itx case which is just about as big as a small m-atx case. You need to aggressively cut down space. Remove the optical drive space and remove the red lines on front. Either use reinforced plastic shell or use aluminum for premium look and feel.

For CPU cooler, 2U height is fine. Gone are the days where you need 125w cpu to game. 65w i7 cpu will do fine. Use flex or matx PSU to cut down in space even more and use a blower type fan on top to create significant amount of air flow without using too much space and create noise.

First off, thank you very much for the feedback! Right now our main concern is cutting the size down drastically. But part of the case's specialty is the fact that it can support full sized power supplies, so you aren't stuck shelling out a premium for the psu or are stuck with less powerful components. We want the case to be able to accommodate any type of system.

As for the front design, it is supposed to be an led bar that has a customizable pattern. The base case will be completely plain, but we're offering variable designs.

 

[tabascosauz]

I definitely see what you're saying. Right now I'm talking with some professional engineers who are helping with just this. As for currently why this would be better than a smaller mitx case, it fits a full size psu and up to 13 in graphics cards.


First off, thank you very much for the feedback! Right now our main concern is cutting the size down drastically. But part of the case's specialty is the fact that it can support full sized power supplies, so you aren't stuck shelling out a premium for the psu or are stuck with less powerful components. We want the case to be able to accommodate any type of system.

As for the front design, it is supposed to be an led bar that has a customizable pattern. The base case will be completely plain, but we're offering variable designs.

Tell me, Max, how does this case distinguish itself from the likes of the RVZ01? As far as I can tell, it is a nice case, but there's nothing that would offer any incentive to buy this over something like the RVZ01. Can you give us some numbers for CPU cooler clearance and volume?

In my current case, ATX is also a possible choice; that doesn't make it a viable choice over SFX. The placement of the PSU means that even for modular PSUs, cable routing can be a bit daunting, especially in the immediate vicinity of the PSU. Do you intend to offer any solutions in this department?

@alucasa A 125W CPU is not necessary for gaming, but I'm not going to sacrifice my 4790K + D9L for the sake of fitting it in a small ITX case. As far as I can tell, this case adopts dimensions that are not too far off of a compact ATX case. The SG08, Metis and M1 prove that a case can be very compact and accommodate the likes of the D9L and U9S at the same time.

I'm not trying to bash your ideas, just trying to offer some positive criticism and seek clarification. I think it's great that more small businesses are getting into the compact ITX market. I would love to see this case make it, big time; after all, the more the merrier. This is the first time I've seen an prototype case that allows the HDDs to stay cool and in the direct path of airflow.

 

[alucasa]

Silverstone is my preferred SFF case company, and they have a lot of history when it comes to SFF cases.

Just see for yourself.

http://www.silverstonetek.com/product_case.php?tno=0&case=c_sff&area=en

SG06 is probably the best one in terms of size and how powerful you could make it that is as tiny as few cans of pops. My current build in system spec can go into SG06.

 

[cdawall]

I definitely see what you're saying. Right now I'm talking with some professional engineers who are helping with just this. As for currently why this would be better than a smaller mitx case, it fits a full size psu and up to 13 in graphics cards.

What is the market share that would prefer a full atx PSU vs an SFX like the SG05-B uses at the cost of size? SFX powersupplies are available into the 600w realm which could power literally any single card setup available.

and way allow up to a 13inch card when they norm is dropping in size?

 

[PLAfiller]

I find the lack of a handle disturbing I like small cases with a purpose. You can't be everything and the market is very crowded, so I really enjoy when a SFF case has a specific purpose. Then I immediatelly know if it is for me or not.

 

[GoliathDesign]

Tell me, Max, how does this case distinguish itself from the likes of the RVZ01? As far as I can tell, it is a nice case, but there's nothing that would offer any incentive to buy this over something like the RVZ01. Can you give us some numbers for CPU cooler clearance and volume?

In my current case, ATX is also a possible choice; that doesn't make it a viable choice over SFX. The placement of the PSU means that even for modular PSUs, cable routing can be a bit daunting, especially in the immediate vicinity of the PSU. Do you intend to offer any solutions in this department?

I'm not trying to bash your ideas, just trying to offer some positive criticism and seek clarification. I think it's great that more small businesses are getting into the compact ITX market. I would love to see this case make it, big time; after all, the more the merrier. This is the first time I've seen an prototype case that allows the HDDs to stay cool and in the direct path of airflow.

I think the biggest thing is that our case will be fully customizable. Think of Nike's shoe-designer.

We want to offer the same experience. So all colors, led designs, materials, windows, handles, etc. will be fully customizable. No other case maker has this.

Since we're still prototyping and don't have final models, I can't offer any precise measurements. Though there are about 4 inches of room above the cpu.

The case opens up with a lot of room to route cables. So this shouldn't be too large of an issue.

Thank you very much for your thoughts!

What is the market share that would prefer a full atx PSU vs an SFX like the SG05-B uses at the cost of size? SFX powersupplies are available into the 600w realm which could power literally any single card setup available.

and way allow up to a 13inch card when they norm is dropping in size?

This is definitely something we'll have to think about moving forward. It seems like we can either have a small size but require more "obscure" parts, or a larger size but that fits standard sized components.

 

[cdawall]

This is definitely something we'll have to think about moving forward. It seems like we can either have a small size but require more "obscure" parts, or a larger size but that fits standard sized components.

I just see no reason for a full size powersupply. Even using some of the least efficient components available the SG05B can handle a fully top end build with water cooling using just a 450w in a smaller case.

If you want to keep this large form factor it had better allow for a 2x120mm radiator with push/pull fans, while still allowing for the disk drive to be installed.

 

[cdawall]

Just as an idea for what you can do with the substantially smaller SG05-B

Changed a couple of things up. Managed to fit a 38mm ultra kaze in with the new radiator.