Reddit mentions of Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Cube Gaming Computer Case Chassis, Interchangeable Side Panels, Black Edition, CA-1B8-00S1WN-00

Not sure at this point, as it's been upgraded and done piecemeal intermittently over the years. I suppose the sum parts in it today would probably be around $800 if I had to guess.

The parts I have aren't available now since they're previous gen (LGA1150 board, i5 4690k, GTX 970 Mini), and people like to gouge online for older parts for some reason unless you're working eBay. But I spec'd out an equivalent, slightly better build with current parts and it comes out to $728:

• https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rgJ3XH (partial, doesn't include mobo, CPU, cooler, or case).
  
• Mobo
  
• CPU (Microcenter will do $30-$40 off the mobo with the Mobo+CPU combo together)
  
• Arctic Freezer 7 Pro cooler (because stock coolers suck)
  
• Thermaltake Core v1 Mini-ITX case ($50 there, but I paid $35 for it, as Amazon regularly has discounts and instant savings on it).
  
  Partpicker build there includes Windows 8.1, which I'm using. Win10 could be had for the same price, but I'm on 8.1 and trying to keep the list relatively equivalent where possible. The build includes a HDD for general storage and a SSD to install the OS on. I actually have two SSDs (one for games, one for OS) and a HDD (general storage and video), but it's mostly overkill I think. I just hate load times. :P

GIGABYTE GA-H270N-WIFI LGA1151 Intel H270 Mini ITX DDR4 Motherboard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2V075M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZMRDAbPJY65RY

Intel BX80677G4620 7th Gen Pentium Desktop Processors https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N59LP5Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_tNRDAb5SCKSHW

Corsair Vengeance LPX 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR4 DRAM 2400MHz (PC4-19200) C16 Memory Kit, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ARGXM0Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1NRDAbF3FWNG7

Western Digital Intenal Hard Drive 320 SATA_6_0_gb 16 MB Cache 2.5" Internal Bare or OEM Drives WD3200LPCX https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0150O7MJM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_tORDAb952BYX4

Re-used a case and power supply but will eventually put it in a rack case. Not as compact as the SG-3100 but it seems quiet to me. In this case at the moment...

Thermaltake Core V1 Black Edition SPCC Mini ITX Cube Computer Chassis CA-1B8-00S1WN-00 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M2UKGSM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OPRDAbJ8H68M4

Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Cube Gaming Computer Case Chassis, Interchangeable Side Panels, Small Form Factor Builds, Black Edition, CA-1B8-00S1WN-00 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M2UKGSM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_jJj0BbNE9V3YD

In the mini-itx build I'm planning, I'm going with the Corsair Obsidian Series 250D Mini ITX PC Case, but I can say the most popular option I've seen people use on this site is the Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Cube Gaming Computer Case series.

Links for you

Corsair: http://www.corsair.com/en-us/obsidian-series-250d-mini-itx-pc-case-refurbished

Thermaltake: https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Core-Gaming-Computer-CA-1B8-00S1WN-00/dp/B00M2UKGSM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1473423516&sr=8-5&keywords=mini+itx+case

However, I see this one from ThermalTake that is inexpensive https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M2UKGSM/?tag=thowisguy-20

A few things to consider:

1. If you get one 8 GB stick of RAM instead of 2 x 4GB you won't have to sell/discard your RAM if you decide to upgrade (using the current Motherboard you could eventually upgrade the processor/GPU/RAM to about twice the current specs just fyi).
   
   
2. Just fyi your bottleneck right now is your video card. You could bump it up to a GTX 970 or R9 390 and it would better match your processor's capability.
   
   
3. Not sure if you are trying to minimize costs, but if you want a really solid ITX case (full disclosure it's on the larger side as ITX cases go) for half the price, I own this and it's great: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M2UKGSM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Thanks again!

One last thing. I super love [this] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00M2UKGSM?ascsubtag=hawk-1837867186-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00M2UKGSM&linkCode=df0&pc_redir=T1&tag=hawk-future-20#immersive-view_1468009402987) case. Would this be something I could eventually load with "good" parts?

Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Cube Gaming Computer Case Chassis, Interchangeable Side Panels, Small Form Factor Builds, Black Edition, CA-1B8-00S1WN-00 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M2UKGSM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_X62aBbPBV5R29


Though I have thought of going smaller. This works for now.

Maybe swap the Elite 130 for a case like the Thermaltake Core V1 (http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Core-Computer-Chassis-CA-1B8-00S1WN-00/dp/B00M2UKGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426307728&sr=8-1&keywords=core+v1)?

This ASRock board is very similar to the Asus, it also has the AC WIFI capability (http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-Mini-Motherboards-Z97M-ITX-AC/dp/B00M0QY2H4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426307748&sr=8-1&keywords=Asrock+1150+mini+itx), it also comes in at about $30 cheaper.

The R9 270 will be quite a bit faster than the 750 Ti for only $7 more (http://www.amazon.com/XFX-Double-925MHz-Graphics-R9270ACDFC/dp/B00GN1Y43E/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1426307817&sr=8-4&keywords=r9+270).

A 21.5" monitor like that is fairly overpriced. What about this 24" BenQ (http://www.amazon.com/BenQ-GL2460HM-24-Inch-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00IKDFL4O/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1426307948&sr=1-2&keywords=Benq)?

I've heard great things about the Thermaltake Core V1.

I agree. For this form factor I much prefer the Thermaltake Core V1

its either this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M2UKGSM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3K43QGGKYJ1V3&coliid=IEOHCXP9SHETJ&psc=1



or this: https://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-CULLINAN-Computer-Liquid-cooling-Pre-installed/dp/B01M6TV6PC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1478124702&sr=8-1&keywords=rosewill+cullinan%27&linkCode=sl1&tag=randomfrankp-20&linkId=c985f0780cd9036c86d0b726bab48436

That's awesome man. I just made gaming PCs for 2 friends with similar specs in the mini itx core VI case. Not quite as small as yours, but it has enough breathing room. It is awesome and I'm definitely going the mITX route when I need a new MOBO

https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Black-Computer-Chassis-CA-1B8-00S1WN-00/dp/B00M2UKGSM

I am all about it. The only real loss is dual video cards but that doesn't seem like it ever works out economically anyway.

As everyone else has said, the I7 and 16gb Ram is a bit overkill for gaming. But I will say I went with the 1060 for my friends and it is doing very well. I think it is plenty good for the near future

I've got a Core V1 ITX Case, New in Open Box, Shipped for $45 and I'll throw in a FREE Silverstone PWM Splitter as well as a slim 80mm fan:
https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Black-Computer-Chassis-CA-1B8-00S1WN-00/dp/B00M2UKGSM

Maybe you should try a mini itx case to save some room? This is a cool little case.

For something drawing such little power you could go with a PicoPSU:

http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-80-60W-power-kit

They're super efficient and no fan, I've got one in my HTPC with a Celeron G1610. Then you could pick pretty much any small case that fits your needs without worrying what PSU it comes with. Some nice little ITX cube cases:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H8946JM

http://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-Tek-Mini-ITX-Computer-SG05BB-LITE/dp/B00CKNOVN2

http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Core-Computer-Chassis-CA-1B8-00S1WN-00/dp/B00M2UKGSM

Thank you for caring enough to stick with me in terms of responses. I really appreciate it. :)

I guess I'd like to be able to have a bit of both. Like, I want to be able to turn my graphics up and not have to deal with, like, 20 FPS. I know that, because I'm not putting like $1000 into this, I won't be able to run everything at 60 FPS ultra settings (or even high, in the case of games like Witcher 3) but I would still like to have a solid and strong computer that I can tweak over time. I am also willing to sacrifice graphical quality for FPS, as well. For example, I play Team Fortress 2 at basically the lowest settings on my laptop so that I'll have the highest FPS possible for my computer.

Also, I did some research on case sizes and what fits what, and I saw this case link that fits exactly what I'd like to use/have. I don't want a big tower because I want to be able to take it with me somewhat easily. I want something that's at least somewhat portable.

EDIT: I'm not sure if I said this earlier, but I have a hard drive and a SDD that I can put into it already, so you can subtract/not include that. I also have a valid Windows key, a mouse, and a keyboard. I don't have a monitor but don't include that either because I think I can find one of those pretty easily used.

This two could be a good choice for your needs:

Thermaltake Core V1 ITX

https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Computer-Chassis-Interchangeable-CA-1B8-00S1WN-00/dp/B00M2UKGSM

Thermaltake Core X1 ITX

https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Stackable-Certified-Computer-CA-1D6-00S1WN-00/dp/B00TQI95W6

​

|PART TYPE|PART - ID|AMAZON CANADA PRICING (7/4/2019)|
|:-|:-|:-|
|Case|Thermaltake Core V1 Black Edition SPCC Mini ITX Cube Computer Chassis CA-1B8-00S1WN-00|$60|
|Psu|REUSED: EVGA 850 B2|$100|
|Cpu| AMD YD2600BBAFBOX Processeur RYZEN5 2600 Socket AM4 3.9Ghz Max Boost, 3,4Ghz Base+19MB |$225|
|Gpu| ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1060 Mini, ZT-P10600A-10L, 6GB GDDR5 Super Compact |$300|
|Mobo|ASRock Mini-ITX Motherboard (B450 Gaming-ITX/AC)|$165|
|Ram|G.SKILL F4-3000C16D-16GTZR Trident Z RGB Series 16GB, 288-Pin SDRAM DDR4-3000Mhz (PC4 24000) Desktop Memory|$110|
|SSD|ADATA SU800 512GB 3D-NAND 2.5 Inch SATA III High Speed Read & Write up to 560MB/s & 520MB/s Solid State Drive|$75|
|Fan|Noctua NF-R8 redux-1800, 3-Pin, High Performance Cooling Fan with 1800RPM (80mm, Grey)|$15|

Hahah it's legit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M2UKGSM/

I'm looking to:

• Upgrade my mobo
  
• Switch cases to a MiniCube of some sort
  
  I've used a lot of Asus mobos in the past, i'd probably stick with them. Mine is probably several years old at this point, and USB 3.0 is a big draw for me.
  
  Questions
  
  

1. Which of these 3 cases do you recommend?
   
   Cooler Master Elite 130 - Mini-ITX Computer Case
   
   Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Computer Chassis
   Corsair Carbide Series Air 540 High Airflow ATX Cube Case
   
   
2. Will I have to do a full windows reinstall (The fake full reinstall method etc) because Windows will think it's a whole new brand new PC? Can I simply pull my Windows Serial with an app/utility? I've got so many of those install OEM disks laying around I'm not sure if it's going to be easy to find.
   
   
3. I'm only really looking at having 1 video card, an SSD and maybe a 1TB drive in there, plus the 16GB RAM I already have. Are there any disadvantages to the cube case form factor these days?
   
   
4. What Asus motherboard would you recommend? My processor is the Intel Core i7 920

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-Intel-Skylake-Motherboard-H110I/dp/B0194NENVU/

https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Core-Gaming-Computer-CA-1B8-00S1WN-00/dp/B00M2UKGSM

EDIT: Found pics of the kraken in the case http://au.pcpartpicker.com/b/RczMnQ

Something like this? It's only 13.9 inches tall. Kinda like a cereal box.

Rosewill FBM-01

Here's a cube if you want something more horizontal.

Thermaltake Core V21

We can go even smaller!

Thermaltake Core V1

Thermaltake Core V1