NCASE M1: a crowdfunded Mini-ITX case (updates in first post)

slabhatnik said:
Good question, assuming this will be the psu... I thought I'd place it vented out (partially blocked albeit), in an effort to get rid of heat in the case, but I'm no expert on such matters and would also welcome advice either way.
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Isn't the fan on SFX PSU an intake, and heat is exhausted out the vented top?

Either way, I'm planning on placing the fan against the vented side panel (to intake fresh air and exhaust heat out the top, or conversely, to exhaust heat out the side instead of into the case if I'm mistaken on the airflow direction of PSU).

WiSK said:
Absolutely safe to have different lengths yes. Well unless some cables are 20cm, and others are 3 meters, but unlikely in this case.
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Thanks for all the info WiSK, really appreciate it! I'll definitely be referencing some of your posts in the ST45SF-G threads over at OC.net if I decide to do something custom.
 
The PSU fan is configured as intake on most (modern) PSUs. Exiting via the panel the mains plug plugs into. This silverstone is no exception.

Conventionally the psu mounts on a panel with external access to the mains plug, so generally having an exhaust for that side makes sense. It also means there is more air turbulent airflow directly under the fan which helps to cool densely packed components, and why its not as good to reverse the fan direction.


( I shall add to this to say, most modern PSU setups. Previously most designs used a 80mm exhaust as the primary fan, but as we moved toward larger diameter fans, the atx specification did not allow for the exhaust to be bigger than 80mm, and thus it moved to the side panel, maintaining the same airflow direction, but changing to the larger fan as an intake) Thanks for the note AFD
 
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okwchin said:
The PSU fan is configured as intake on most PSUs. Exiting via the panel the mains plug plugs into. This silverstone is no exception.
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It's been a while since I've paid much attention to my PSU, which is an old TR2 with dual fans.. 1 as an intake inside the case, and another as an exhaust by the AC input.

http://th.thermaltake.com/db/pictures/modules/PDT/PDT060207001/200961813414236402.jpg[/I

[quote="JoanTheSpark, post: 1040265788"]Correct.
Though, I wouldn't call it vented [B][I]top[/I][/B] as 'top' is relative, but vented side/panel with the plug/switch in it.[/QUOTE]

Thanks. Yes, I meant vented top, as positioned inside the M1 (or vented rear as mounted in say a Sugo case =)
 
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PLHHSB said:
Is anyone thinking of using a board with onboard mSATA? (like the Zotac H87, ASTock Z77E) - The prices for the mSATA format is coming down. In the UK, amazon has the 480GB mSATA M500 available for ~£207.
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The problem with Msata, is the ~275 read and writes limit. I am planning on getting the ROG mostly because it has a M.2 Port, but that's only if I don't need the wireless. Otherwise I can just throw a 7m SSD on the inside of the front.

My first question in regards to begin building an M1 setup. Half height HDD drives of 1 or 2 TB anyone know of one? I want to get one to put at the very back under the GPU (will be looking for single fan blowers). But I don't like them being tall enough to practically touch the GPU shroud.
 
Most Z87 chipset motherboards have SATA-600 mSATA slots. It was an issue with Z77 and earlier because SATA-600 was not in abundance, but Z87 chipsets have six SATA-600 ports atleast available.
 
I heard the M.2 slot on the ASUS Impact board was limited somehow to the number of PCI-E lanes allocated to it? I didn't find details but heard that the M.2 slot wasn't going to be all that fast.
Does anyone know more about that whole situation? Would a M.2 ssd be a good boot drive for that board?
 
Calling the Impact's M.2 slot "limited" is a teensy little misguided, as it is still almost as fast as SATA-600 (tops out at ~570MB/s) with one PCIe 2.0 lane, good for 500MB/s throughput. M.2 can have up to four PCIe 3.0 lanes, which is about 4GB/sec throughput.

M.2 is definitely good for a boot drive, as it allows less latency.
 
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Will there be m.2 drive's released soon? I see sandisk has the a110 that it is selling to manufacturers but it hasn't been released to the public yet. That looks like a seriously good drive.

After checking newegg I see one 80GB OEM intel 530 m.2 ssd.
 
updawg said:
Will there be m.2 drive's released soon? I see sandisk has the a110 that it is selling to manufacturers but it hasn't been released to the public yet. That looks like a seriously good drive.

After checking newegg I see one 80GB OEM intel 530 m.2 ssd.
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Curious about this as well, I would love not having to mount and run cabling for a normal ssd.
There are some on ebay
 
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i dont understand. is the mSSD supposed to go under that ROG cover or is it supposed to stick out the back of the case? i dont like the idea of it sticking out the back of the case at all.
 
ekuest said:
i dont understand. is the mSSD supposed to go under that ROG cover or is it supposed to stick out the back of the case? i dont like the idea of it sticking out the back of the case at all.
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I think it would look similar to this if I'm not mistaken.

I
 
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drklu said:
I think it would look similar to this if I'm not mistaken.

http://i1.mercrt.fd.zol-img.com.cn/g3/M0A/02/09/Cg-4WFIK-jKIdWZ1AAC-yyybsbwAAKzfgDzbuIAAL7j401.jpg[/I[/QUOTE]

ok that's what i was hoping, just couldnt find any pictures like that. thanks!
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ekuest said:
smartass. ;) i did a google image search but all i saw were stock photos of the board without an mSSD.
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Just giving you a hard time, yeah I had to dig for a bit. It's a shame not more of these available. Good luck with the build :D
 
FinnishNerdmare said:
Hey guys, will Asus Matrix Platinum fit?
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I would have to double check but if memory serves me right (and it's become apparent that it is not). You can't have a long 3 slot card. The cutout at the front to allow for long card only starts level with the second slot. Someone probably knows without searching the thread what the limit is for a 3 slotter, but eye test wise I would say it's to long.
 
Topweasel said:
I would have to double check but if memory serves me right (and it's become apparent that it is not). You can't have a long 3 slot card. The cutout at the front to allow for long card only starts level with the second slot. Someone probably knows without searching the thread what the limit is for a 3 slotter, but eye test wise I would say it's to long.
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Its a pitty. Not only is it long its wide too 7970 Matrix is 11.2 " x 5.5 " x 2.5 " Inch. It says following for M1 gpu support:

Rear exhaust cards recommended.
Max length: 12.5" (slots 1 & 2), 11" (slot 3)
Max width:
-For cards up to 11.5" in the first or second slot: 5.5" (4.7" at the PCIe power connectors)
-For cards up to 12.5" or cards in the third slot: 4.4"

The card looks alot narrower at the 3rd slot if I read this correctly? Is there still any hope?

I
 
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It seems that I have just missed the preorder in sep. I am really very very interested in the case. I wonder if there is any way I can still get one in January. Or when will you guys organize another preorder?? Thanks a lot!
 
linton3721 said:
Anybody know? Please answer me...
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Nobody knows yet, dude.
Necere and wh360 have said with almost 100% certanity that this is a one-time only production. But we will just have to wait and see.
You might have a chance to grab one off ebay though.
 
FinnishNerdmare said:
Its a pitty. Not only is it long its wide too 7970 Matrix is 11.2 " x 5.5 " x 2.5 " Inch. It says following for M1 gpu support:

Rear exhaust cards recommended.
Max length: 12.5" (slots 1 & 2), 11" (slot 3)
Max width:
-For cards up to 11.5" in the first or second slot: 5.5" (4.7" at the PCIe power connectors)
-For cards up to 12.5" or cards in the third slot: 4.4"

The card looks alot narrower at the 3rd slot if I read this correctly? Is there still any hope?

http://www.asus.com/media/global/products/ZzCcDbGzmG3crxBK/UrgLdxPXvSBIj3Md_500.jpg[/I[/QUOTE]
Crap you know I missed the one thing that seals the fate of this card even more then a tight fit. The height of the card. It sticks out like almost an inch and a half from the top of the plate. This case fits the PCIe spec. I know there is some wiggle room but that is way to high.
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I have spoken to a friend who purchased 2 cases with the intent to sell one. I believe he plans on selling his silver model that has both top panels, but i would say watch ebay. He says he will do a bidding on it. And no, he does not have a [h] account, i recommended it to him. Probably january whenever he receives it.
 
Hi there; long time lurker, first time poster.
I have some pictures here of un-boxing...

The box it came in:
m1_box-1.jpg

Peek inside and the accessory box:
m1_open_acc.jpg

Silver panels:
m1_silver_panels2.jpg

More silver panels:
m1_silver_panels.jpg

Silver front bezel:
m1_silver_bezel.jpg

Here we go!! The actual M1:
m1_front_bezel.jpg

And from the back:
m1_back.jpg

How's about a nice beauty shot?
m1_front_beauty.jpg
 
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AFD said:
Beautiful, thanks! Any apparent issues, or does everything look good?
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So far, the only things I see that distinguish this from a line-made case is that it has some tool marks where screws were unscrewed and rescrewed for testing. It is a beautiful case and really shows the thought and care put into the design.

AFD said:
This! Is this prototype #3, or have the 1st batches off the assembly line started shipping already??
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This is prototype #000 from what it says on the back.
 
Easy guys. Product line units have not started shipping yet. Say it with me... DELIVERY END OF JANUARY... LOL :D

Welcome to the Forums, The_Cheese
 
Oh, and yes... I was the guy that bought the prototype. It's really nice, and they sent a set of silver panels along with the black case.

More pictures...
Inside:
m1_interior_oblique.jpg

Head on:
m1_interior_headon.jpg

Inside of side panel:
m1_business_side.jpg

Left side, head on:
m1_left_headon.jpg

Left/rear quarter:
m1_left_oblique.jpg
 
Skott said:
Easy guys. Product line units have not started shipping yet. Say it with me... DELIVERY END OF JANUARY... LOL :D

Welcome to the Forums, The_Cheese
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Lol, how'd you know I was freaking out, diving for my credit card, to finish ordering parts?

It's totally feasible that Lian Li has completed a few dozen cases already, and the logistics company is just shipping them out as they arrive. Probably won't happen that way, but it could. Delivery by end of January '14 is worse-case scenario (unless something gets totally fouled up), so we may (or may not) start seeing them before then.

Anyway, wanted to say thank you Cheese for your contribution and that I'm totes jelly on your proto M1 case, congrats! ;)


EDIT: And thanks for the additional pics! Trying hard to keep my pants on w/all this filthy nerd porn :D
 
Thank you guys for such a warm [H] welcome! I've been reading the page but not participating in the forums since about 2005. I used to post on the Virtual Hideout forums back around 2004, and way, way, way back in the day (1998 to 2001) on AMDZone.

I am more than happy to post pics! Now I need to go dig in the spares cabinet to see if I have anything to put into this beautiful new case!
 
The_Cheese: If you don't mind, I have a few questions for you. 1. Could you post pics with the silver panels on? 2. How does the case feel? Like, how heavy does it feel, how solid is it, etc.

Thanks so much! Enjoy your case!
 
The_Cheese said:
Thank you guys for such a warm [H] welcome! I've been reading the page but not participating in the forums since about 2005. I used to post on the Virtual Hideout forums back around 2004, and way, way, way back in the day (1998 to 2001) on AMDZone.

I am more than happy to post pics! Now I need to go dig in the spares cabinet to see if I have anything to put into this beautiful new case!
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You are most welcome!

tumblr_m9lst8LuEQ1qecfy1.gif


Also, congrats on being the first to own this masterpiece. I really look forward to seeing what you stuff it with!
 
Robertmarcus said:
I have spoken to a friend who purchased 2 cases with the intent to sell one. I believe he plans on selling his silver model that has both top panels, but i would say watch ebay. He says he will do a bidding on it. And no, he does not have a [h] account, i recommended it to him. Probably january whenever he receives it.
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Hi, man. Will you please tell me your friend's email, so I can contact him directly. cheers.
 
rajeeves asked so politely I couldn't say no, so here are some pix with the silver panels on.
Head on:
m1_front_silver.jpg

Beauty shot from the left:
m1_frontleft_q_silver.jpg

Left-rear quarter:
m1_backleft_q_silver.jpg

Right-rear quarter:
m1_backright_q_silver.jpg

And the right side:
m1_frontright_q_silver.jpg

Even the top:
m1_top_silver.jpg


The case is very light in weight (as should be expected from an aluminum case) but is VERY rigid structurally. If I had to say something negative about it, the worst I could say is that the side panels seem somewhat easy to bend, if you aren't careful with them.
 
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