EggXpert

I plan on purchasing an Antec 300 case and a Xigmatek HDT-S1283 /w the retention bracket kit . If the case is 8.1 inches wide, and the heatsink is 6.25 inches tall (I think -- I picked the biggest dimension from the newegg specifications), that leaves me with about 1.85 inches to spare. Not much.

 If a 120mm side fan is roughly an inch wide, in theory I would be able to put one in if I wanted, but how much more space is lost due to the motherboard and other thicknesses? Will I encounter any major problems if I go with these two items?

 Thanks

Depending on what CPU you're using, you could always go with the baby brother XIGMATEK HDT-S963 92mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail

which still get s great temps, http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2271&page=5 , obviously not as cool as the 1283. Your best bet though would be the Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120mm "Core Contact Freezer" CPU Cooler for a small case (referring again to the Frostytech benches.)

Penewah!

Another 'cool' cooler that can be used, which will definitely fit in the case is a Scythe Ninja Mini.

I think about that sunbeam. Newegg doesn't have any dimension information, though. I should say the cpu I will be using is the q6600. I want to be able to OC to at least 3.0.

Edit: and I'm open to other nicely cooled atx mid tower suggestions under $85~ that will fit the s1283. But, I don't like hot colors, or anything that looks like an alien space craft, or side windows, or giant wedges on the top (antec nine hundred)

Hmm just noticed this case:

cooler master RC-690-KKN1-GP. A full 8.4 inches wide. Think I found the answer?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

fiatpandas:

I think about that sunbeam. Newegg doesn't have any dimension information, though. I should say the cpu I will be using is the q6600. I want to be able to OC to at least 3.0.

Edit: and I'm open to other nicely cooled atx mid tower suggestions under $85~ that will fit the s1283. But, I don't like hot colors, or anything that looks like an alien space craft, or side windows, or giant wedges on the top (antec nine hundred)

Per manufacturer website dimensions are:  125L x 104W x 155H  (mm)

http://www.sunbeamtech.com/PRODUCTS/cooler/Core-ContactFreezer.html

prtuc2:

CM 690 is large enough to fit any graphic cards and heatsink inside, since I have one.  My thermalright ultra extreme 120 cooler is about 160.5mm tall and still have about 1cm-2cm space between the side panel and the heatsink.

Yea I decided on the CM 690. The amount of 120mm fans you can install is pretty amazing.

fiatpandas:

prtuc2:

CM 690 is large enough to fit any graphic cards and heatsink inside, since I have one.  My thermalright ultra extreme 120 cooler is about 160.5mm tall and still have about 1cm-2cm space between the side panel and the heatsink.

Yea I decided on the CM 690. The amount of 120mm fans you can install is pretty amazing.

You can put up to 7 fans inside the case, but 4 case fans probably yields the best result. 

My placement of fans

1 intake (change to high cfm fan) CM fan comes with the fan is weak up to 1200rpm only.

1 rear

1 on the bottom near the psu as intake

1 on the lower side panel as exhale.

Putting one behind the motherboard is good idea, but only works with 92mm fans which I don't have.