Downscaling & need AM4 ITX mobo with 2 x M2 nvme on front of board?

I'm seriously considering moving my system from ATX to mini-ITX for desk real estate reasons.
It will mean I'll have to ditch my permanently installed backup HDD (but I do have a separate caddy if needed) and one of my SSD's (not thrilled about that) and move from 64GB to 32GB memory - just trying to work out if that will be an issue. What's best way to check memory utilization?

The main issue I am coming across is locating a suitable mini-ITX mobo. I need one for AM4 wit DDR4 memory, with 2 (or ideally 3) m2 nvme slots. I need to have two on the front off the board (as in some cases nvme drives mounted on back of board can get too hot in small cases)

My existing system
Case: Lian Li Lancool II Mesh C Performance
Mobo: Gigabyte x570 aorus master mobo
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
RAM: 64GB DDR4:
(2x16G) G.Skill 3200Mhz Ripjaws V RAM PN F4-3200C16D-32GVK
(2x16G) G.Skill 3200Mhz Aegis F4-3200C16D-32GIS
GPU: Asus Strix 3090 OC 24GB
PSU: Corsair RM1000x
SSD1: 2TB ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro PCIe M.2 SSD Drive PN ASX8200PNP-2TT-C
SSD2: 2TB Samsung 970 Evo Plus M.2 NVMe MZ-V7S2T0BW
SSD3: 2TB ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro PCIe M.2 SSD Drive PN ASX8200PNP-2TT-C
CPU cooler: Noctua DH-15S chromax black cooler
Case fan: 2x140mm front, 1 x 120mm rear


As for new SFF cases - I'm looking at the Fractal Terra or FormD T1

 

I am pretty sure the only ITX AM4 board to have two front-facing M.2 slots isn't actually ITX at all mate - it was the DTX Crosshair VIII Impact.
Good luck - rare as hen's teeth, and you need to accommodate the extra little bit of length into your case. I don't believe it will fit in the Terra, I have no idea on the T1.

I just throw a heatsink on the back M.2 - never had an issue yet

 

I had a rear facing M.2 SSD with a slim heatsink in my Sliger S620 - it basically rested against the case but it was fine. It was an WD SN850x which is not the hottest SSD but not cooler either. As juzz said you probably don't have any choice in the matter!

 

Lot of money invested in that box already and you've got.it.just how you want it, no external drives required etc

I'd be looking at a way to retrofit a hutch orbelevated under desk space for my machine at that point

Or bite the bullet for a full sale and start again with what you require in the course of upgrading to a new platform with itx / size at the forefront of your buying decisions. Also at some expense, but if you're going to spend the money to do this, you're already accepting that changeover won't be cheap and there will be a fair bit of work to sell select parts, buy select parts, put it all together etc.. I think a fresh system and perhaps considering a small, quiet nas for data storage and some form of redundancy will be a more meaningful and satisfying changeover for you.

Also consider a larger single NVME rather than worrying about multiple. Again, at some cost though.

Just spit balling over here, just throwing out thoughts

 

Thanks. I was considering the FormD T1 (even though the Terra looks a bit nicer) as it's a tad bigger but also could be a case to use for an updated build when the time comes.
I'll keep an eye out and if I can get an AM4 mobo and T1 case at a decent price then may just do it then.

 

I already had an NR200 but life decided I didn't even have room for that on my new desk. It now sits in the networking closet and I stream using Apollo to my Surface Pro on my desk. SP is using WiFi so it glitches sometimes, but if you can do full wired it'd probably be a pretty bloody good experience. Benefit now is I can also stream to my TV and phone (even when out and about due to WireGuard).

 

Haven't checked those cases but you might end up having to downsize both the PSU and the CPU cooler if they don't fit. Also had AM4 ITX with rear NVME & heatsink without any problems so would recommend this to broaden your options if you stick to this path.

 

There is a lian li tu150 downstairs if you want one vladtepes ...

But you could also go bigger ... some say it is better... there is also a couple of Enthoo Pro II cases down there, just build 2 systems in the one case and have 10x 3.5" drives etc etc

Probably some sff psu's down there to if you went the tu150 route..

 

Move to AM5 if you seriously need the desk space.