How to use the Case Lab

The Case Lab is the core tool on My Mini ITX. It lets you add multiple cases, view them in 3D, and compare outer dimensions when you are downsizing from an ATX tower or choosing between popular SFF shells. Everything runs in your browser; your case list is saved locally so you can return to a comparison later.

This guide walks through adding cases, using the 3D viewer, reading dimension sources, and avoiding common mistakes when planning a build.

Adding cases

The fastest path is typing a case name in the Compare field and pressing Enter. We resolve dimensions from CaseEnd, BuildCores, and structured web sources when available. If a case is indexed, you get outer length, width, height, and often a product image.

You can also paste a retailer or manufacturer product URL to import dimensions from that page. Quick add lets you look up a case without clearing your current compare list, useful when you are shopping and want to test-fit several options in one session.

• Type a case name and press Enter for catalog lookup.
• Paste a product URL to import from that specific page.
• Use Quick add for fast lookups without replacing your list.
• Add custom cases manually when you have verified measurements.
• Reset to default 3 cases anytime to return to FormD T1, Meshlicious, and Terra.

3D viewer controls

Drag to orbit the camera around your case set. Scroll or pinch to zoom. Layout modes change how cases are arranged: spaced places them apart for side-by-side reading; compact tightens the group; single file lines them up for length comparisons; single file compact minimizes gaps.

You can tilt or spin individual cases 90° to match how they sit on your desk, important when comparing sandwich cases that are often photographed in different orientations. Locked view keeps the camera fixed while you reorder the list or toggle layout modes.

• Orbit: drag on the 3D canvas.
• Layout modes: spaced, compact, single file, single file compact.
• Per-case rotation: align cases to the same desk orientation.
• Locked view: freeze camera while editing the list.

Reading the case list

Each row shows display name, outer dimensions in millimeters, and a source note explaining where the numbers came from. Confidence indicators reflect how many independent sources agreed. If two databases disagree, Case Lab may surface a dimension dispute, read both values and verify on the manufacturer sheet.

Lab accent colors help distinguish cases in dense comparisons. You can remove cases individually or clear the entire list. Changes persist in browser storage on this device.

Trust but verify

Dimensions may come from community databases, retailer pages, or automated extraction. Manufacturing tolerances, optional panels, feet, and handles can change real-world size. Always confirm critical clearances on the official spec sheet before purchasing.

If you find an error, share the correction in Community so other builders benefit. Paste the manufacturer link when possible, it speeds up fixes for everyone.

Typical workflows

• Downsizing: add your current ATX case, then add 2–3 ITX targets and compare outer volume in 3D.
• GPU fit: note case outer depth/height, then compare against your GPU’s published length and slot width.
• Shopping: Quick add cases from retailer tabs, then delete losers from the list.
• Share: describe your Case Lab list in a Community post when asking for fit advice.

Next steps

Put what you learned into practice in the Case Lab, browse the ITX case directory, or ask the Community.

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