Small Form Factor Buyers’ Guide

Closing Thoughts

Our last buyers’ guide focused on nettops with small footprints, low power consumption, and relatively impotent computing capabilities. This guide conveys a fuller range of SFF system abilities, from inexpensive general computers to high-powered, higher-priced gaming rigs. There really are a wealth of options for smaller computers if you’re willing to give them a shot.

I’ve been a long time SFF enthusiast, and the evolution of this niche market has been intriguing. When I started building computers a decade ago, the SFF system didn’t really even exist, aside from homebrewed rigs that required extensive user modification. There was an SFF fad in around 2004 where Shuttle and other companies started making proprietary designs with custom cases, motherboards, and power supplies, but reliability proved suspect (just ask Jarred about his SFF experiences). Today, system builders now have a large selection of SFF cases, mini-ITX motherboards, low-power CPUs, and 2.5” HDDs/SSDs that really open the door to anyone interested in a smaller system.

Of course, you don’t have to go that small if you don’t want to. The micro-ATX form factor is one step up from mini-ITX and offers quite a bit more in the way of expansion options. The cases and motherboards are larger, but with the added size come fewer restrictions on components and cooling, and mATX cases can be easier to work with if you’re willing to increase your system’s footprint.

If you’re interested in other ideas or help, be sure to check out our SFF sub-forum, where there’s plenty of discussion on mini-ITX components. If you have any questions or comments, our comments section is available as always. What experiences—good and bad—have you had with mini-ITX? Do you feel mini-ITX is preferable, or is the added flexibility of micro-ATX better? Perhaps you feel both are too limiting and that mid-towers are still the best overall choice for long-term reliability. Let us know what type of system size you prefer and why, and we’ll look to address those markets with future buyers’ guides.