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

Mark man just gotta say that video was the most chill unboxing video..
and the photos are beautiful. It would be cool if you were one of those
unboxer/reviewer guys that companies send gear to.. you do quite a pofessional job
And your taste in music is top notch. Great job and thanx for the video/pics

I know this case is pushing the size a bit but would this be alright if you were mostly handling the case yourself? http://www.pelican-case.com/15cawinofo.html
 
AFD said:
Moar! Great vid & beautiful photos, thanks a lot for doing that!


Also, thanks for mentioning the slim slot-load Bluray & DVD deal I posted last week..

If anyone missed that, here's the post with discount codes, pricing & US/Int'l shipping details (hurry up though, DEAL ENDS IN 4 DAYS!)..

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1040314284&postcount=6277
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Hey, that's the one I got for my build.

I am so excited to see everyone getting their NCases! Can't wait to see what happens next, as folks start their own builds!
 
I'm getting very gelatinous over here... I only managed to get a sight of the project after the initial IGG prototype funding was completed and only managed to order one for myself from the actual NCASE site instead of the production IGG funding because it was sold out at the initial 600 units.

Looks like I'll have to settle to hopefully receiving mine around January next year... I guess I can use that time to plan my build even more and hopefully I'll be able to take advantage of cheaper component prices, even grab a pre-loved GTX 780 Ti etc. for cheap :p

Once again, a big thanks to Ncere, wahaha360 and everybody else involved in the project, including to those who've put their monies in support, as well as those haters and detractors.

I feel all warm and fuzzy inside now :3
 
Wonder if anyone can show an image of the GPU and bottom fan clearance. I'm wondering what my options are for the bottom fans, and what I can try to do to keep things quiet. Going to be building my mock-ups of the intake area for experimentation and could do with some more detailed dimensions. Essentially its the issue of slim vs full thickness fans.

If I could have a photo of the back, taken from the inside/front side with a ruler showing the available space from the bottom plate to the PCI slot openings (or even the bottom of the mobo), that would be greatly appreciated.



Be it a photo, or even just measured, some useful dimensions could be

1) case bottom to centre of motherboard mounting bolt.
2) case bottom to PCI mounting plate bolt hole centre
3) case Back to mounting hole of 120mm fan.

And some extra ones that are not as critical, but can be figured out
4) case bottom to bottom edge of motherboard
3) case bottom to centre of PCI slot.


image_zps057edd02.jpg


Thanks in advance!
 
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Thoz said:
Mark man just gotta say that video was the most chill unboxing video..
and the photos are beautiful. It would be cool if you were one of those
unboxer/reviewer guys that companies send gear to.. you do quite a pofessional job
And your taste in music is top notch. Great job and thanx for the video/pics

I know this case is pushing the size a bit but would this be alright if you were mostly handling the case yourself? http://www.pelican-case.com/15cawinofo.html
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Thanks for the compliments. I always wanted to set up a case review site. I never really wanted to review other hardware, just cases. I love the boxes PCs go inside, the guts don't matter that much to me because they don't have that kind of personality.

okwchin said:
Wonder if anyone can show an image of the GPU and bottom fan clearance. I'm wondering what my options are for the bottom fans, and what I can try to do to keep things quiet. Going to be building my mock-ups of the intake area for experimentation and could do with some more detailed dimensions. Essentially its the issue of slim vs full thickness fans.

If I could have a photo of the back, taken from the inside/front side with a ruler showing the available space from the bottom plate to the PCI slot openings (or even the bottom of the mobo), that would be greatly appreciated.

Be it a photo, or even just measured, some useful dimensions could be

1) case bottom to centre of motherboard mounting bolt.
2) case bottom to PCI mounting plate bolt hole centre
3) case Back to mounting hole of 120mm fan.

And some extra ones that are not as critical, but can be figured out
4) case bottom to bottom edge of motherboard
3) case bottom to centre of PCI slot.

image_zps057edd02.jpg


Thanks in advance!
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I can do that. Check back later today, I'll try to get those up after lunch.
 
trick_m0nkey said:
This is probably one of the best crowd funded projects I've ever seen.

Like, real, actual products are arriving to people's doorsteps earlier than expected. The finished product is clearly glorious.

Necere and wahaha, you guys members of genmay?
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Yup. Its terrific that cases are getting to their ownes BEFORE announced. Its awesome that they gave us a worst case sceneario (not accounting for disasters :D ), but lets just hope mine gets here soon :cool:


PcZac said:
I can't wait to see multiple M1's lined up with completely different configurations.
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Well, I don't think the configurations can be "completely" different. In Z77 we just have around 2-4 boards available.... then, for each board, there are only just a few compatible cooling configurations.

So, the VGA will be different, but chances are the M1 systems will be far more similar than any other case build ever.

PS: since, for instance, we will all (90%, probably more) be using an SFX psu... and we just have like 1 model of those :D Also, SSD's. I know I'll put at least 1, provided the other two I have are dead (hope not!). HDD? 1 or none.
 
prava said:
Well, I don't think the configurations can be "completely" different. In Z77 we just have around 2-4 boards available.... then, for each board, there are only just a few compatible cooling configurations.
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I count 12 Z-Boards ... and some might opt for a AMD or Intel H/B or other board ;)

Gigabyte GA-Z77N-Wi-Fi
MSI Z77IA-E53
Zotac Z77-ITX Wi-Fi
ASRock Z77E-ITX
ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe
EVGA Z77 Stinger

MSI Z87I
Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI
ASRock Z87E-ITX
ASUS Z87I-Pro
ASUS Maximus VI Impact
EVGA Z87 Stinger
 
And depending on where you are, a minor difference
ASUS Z-87I-Deluxe (with wireless ac as opposed to n spec)


@ M4rk - Thanks!!! It will give me something to think about while waiting for my case. Expecting december, maybe january, but the optimistic me expects early Dec, and the very optimistic me expects late november since wahaha360 said 90% of cases were at the post office waiting for delivery, or already out!



@prava
It would seem the biggest variations could be as follows, in order of significance?

1) Water cooled, or Air cooled
a) Water H220
b) Custom Loop
c) variations of other AIOs

2) GPU
a) Blower Cooler
b) Top Down cooler

3) HDD options
a) 3.5" in the mix
i) Floor
ii) Side
b) 2.5" (SSD and platter) anywhere

4) Fan layout - Airflow pathways - floor intake, side intake or outlet?

5) Mobo choice - relatively minor in the sense that its just a matter of the location of the CPU and connections.

6) PSU - as stated, mostly SFX, and for that, a single option!. I guess whether its facing in or out.
 
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okwchin said:
Be it a photo, or even just measured, some useful dimensions could be

1) case bottom to centre of motherboard mounting bolt.
2) case bottom to PCI mounting plate bolt hole centre
3) case Back to mounting hole of 120mm fan.

And some extra ones that are not as critical, but can be figured out
4) case bottom to bottom edge of motherboard
3) case bottom to centre of PCI slot.
Click to expand...
This should cover most of the dimensions you're looking for:



PCI slots are 20.32mm center-to-center.

The case was designed to fit a 25mm thick fan (or HDD) under a two-slot GPU, so that's pretty much all there's space for.
 
Gonna go get some coke cans and stick 'em in the refrigerator in a few minutes. Just got my set the way I wanted it.

 
Necere said:
This should cover most of the dimensions you're looking for:

PCI slots are 20.32mm center-to-center.

The case was designed to fit a 25mm thick fan (or HDD) under a two-slot GPU, so that's pretty much all there's space for.
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Thanks!! These are the drawings I'm after :)
[edit] looks as though you actually took dimensions specifically for me!! THANKS!!


Looking at the pelican cases, wow pricey, but really really nice, especially in yellow. Whats crazy though is that getting such a case in australia is looking to be $300-400, both through US and local sources. This is prohibitively expensive, especially when I could have 2 NCases for the same expenditure... Will have to look for padding for my backpack, or make another bag.
 
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Necere said:
You can use them without the side bracket though, as I did when I attached the filter directly to the C14's top fan.
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That makes it very difficult to have a second fan pointed directly at the psu.

Necere said:
Yeah, I emailed Demciflex the other day, still waiting back for a response. Hopefully we can get a custom order page for you guys to use.
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That would be super. I'm sure they would go for it. Do you also plan a demciflex filter for the bottom section and one for the back outlet in case we use it as an intake?
 
Hi everybody. Apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere - if so, please point me to it.

I was only recently made aware of this case. I _WANT_ to order it!!! And a buddy of mine wants to pick up one as well. Any info as to when the 2nd round of orders can be made?

Thanks for any info on this.

Regards
Sooth
 
Sooth said:
Hi everybody. Apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere - if so, please point me to it.

I was only recently made aware of this case. I _WANT_ to order it!!! And a buddy of mine wants to pick up one as well. Any info as to when the 2nd round of orders can be made?

Thanks for any info on this.

Regards
Sooth
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I know of several people who will be selling theirs on ebay for auction in the coming months. As far as a 2nd round, i doubt you will be seeing one anytime soon
 
Hey Necere, this is as close as I could get to your render!



With vignetting:



Reference image:



Okwchin, do you still need those internal photos after Necere posted the schematics?
 
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Robertmarcus said:
I know of several people who will be selling theirs on ebay for auction in the coming months. As far as a 2nd round, i doubt you will be seeing one anytime soon
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If anyone wants to sell it, let me know :) I have been eyeing the Maximus VI mITX for my next system.

I wasn't sure if Lian Li and/or the project originators/designers would continue to produce this case beyond the initial order, since it would not require a new set up.
 
So will the black versions be produced first and then the silver ones or are both produced at the same time ? :D
 
grazina said:
That makes it very difficult to have a second fan pointed directly at the psu.
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That's true.

grazina said:
That would be super. I'm sure they would go for it. Do you also plan a demciflex filter for the bottom section and one for the back outlet in case we use it as an intake?
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Hadn't planned on one for the rear 92mm. I wouldn't think there'd be too many people using it as an intake.

As for the bottom, not sure yet. The ones designed for the side will fit on the bottom as well, but it's a bit less than ideal since there are a few places where the frame overlaps one of the many holes on the bottom. I have an alternate design for the bottom, but it's a lot more complex and has some thinner sections, which I'm not sure they'll be able to do:



I haven't heard back from them yet -- we'll just have to wait and see what they say about it.

M4rk said:
Hey Necere, this is as close as I could get to your render!
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Lol... good job guys. How about another? My quickie edit:





milkcow said:
So will the black versions be produced first and then the silver ones or are both produced at the same time ? :D
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Production is already done -- it's just waiting for shipping now.

As far as production order - I would assume that all the parts are manufactured more or less concurrently. The difference between black and silver comes down to which panels get attached during final assembly, so I don't think production order means much.
 
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My M1 arrived yesterday and is already up and running beautifully! :D

I'm in Switzerland too so there's definitely a pattern. Paid about $30 in custom taxes as expected.
I know it has been said before but... it's so light! Nevertheless it feels very sturdy and shines with quality from every angle.
Thanks Necere and Wahaha for materializing our dream case.
 
So those of us in the US can expect December or January depending on how low we were on the que? Maybe being in vermont will let me get my case sooner since I bet I am the only one in my state getting one of these cases :p
 
Psynt0 said:
My M1 arrived yesterday and is already up and running beautifully! :D

I'm in Switzerland too so there's definitely a pattern. Paid about $30 in custom taxes as expected.
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I asked w360 about it and he said there were a handful of countries where air shipping was the only option from Taiwan. So you guys got lucky :)

voklskier4452 said:
So those of us in the US can expect December or January depending on how low we were on the que? Maybe being in vermont will let me get my case sooner since I bet I am the only one in my state getting one of these cases :p
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I don't personally know what the shipping timetable looks like, but if I had to guess I'd think they'll be showing up this month and next. Like w360 said though, it's going to depend on the customs in each country.
 
Psynt0 said:
My M1 arrived yesterday and is already up and running beautifully! :D

I'm in Switzerland too so there's definitely a pattern. Paid about $30 in custom taxes as expected.
I know it has been said before but... it's so light! Nevertheless it feels very sturdy and shines with quality from every angle.
Thanks Necere and Wahaha for materializing our dream case.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure you can't get away without posting pictures, specs, etc. ;)
 
Psynt0 said:
My M1 arrived yesterday and is already up and running beautifully! :D

I'm in Switzerland too so there's definitely a pattern. Paid about $30 in custom taxes as expected.
I know it has been said before but... it's so light! Nevertheless it feels very sturdy and shines with quality from every angle.
Thanks Necere and Wahaha for materializing our dream case.
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wahahahaha ... so excited :D

I wasn't on any early shipment list so I wonder how long it will take :D
 
it sounds like the people that got theirs early are landlocked countries. Finland is not. Sorry to ruin your chances.
 
voklskier4452 said:
So those of us in the US can expect December or January depending on how low we were on the que? Maybe being in vermont will let me get my case sooner since I bet I am the only one in my state getting one of these cases :p
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Not the only one man... I'm in North Danville...waiting just like you....... can't wait!
 
slabhatnik said:
Not the only one man... I'm in North Danville...waiting just like you....... can't wait!
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Well damn I didn't think anyone else would have a penchant for high quality SFF cases in VT. If you are ever in burlington bring your M1 over and we can compare builds. :D
 
Sooth said:
If anyone wants to sell it, let me know :) I have been eyeing the Maximus VI mITX for my next system.

I wasn't sure if Lian Li and/or the project originators/designers would continue to produce this case beyond the initial order, since it would not require a new set up.
Click to expand...

The ones going to ebay will be done as bidding most likely. Expect to pay more than original price if that happens. Its a one run limited production case so its unique and probably never done again.
 
Anyone from Aussie land got theirs yet? Or are we expected to get them last? As is usually the case (no pun intended) for anything that needs to make its way to Australia...
 
Just want to thank Wahaha360 and Necere for their hard work on this case.
I receive my case today and would put pictures up but my phone too crappy to take pictures (Iphone 3g)

Country: New Zealand
Serial number: 0183
 
Spoke to the Postal Office, shipping order is messed up - they are shipping ASAP / whenever there is space. This is the best way to ensure people get their M1s before 2014.

I told the postal office over and over again to follow my shipping order, I guess that's lost in translation. :eek:
 
Eu2bt said:
Just want to thank Wahaha360 and Necere for their hard work on this case.
I receive my case today and would put pictures up but my phone too crappy to take pictures (Iphone 3g)

Country: New Zealand
Serial number: 0183
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Hey bro, whereabouts are you in NZ? I'm in Wellington so hoping mine won't be too far away either :D

Were you on the early shipping priority list?
 
supersnail said:
Hey bro, whereabouts are you in NZ? I'm in Wellington so hoping mine won't be too far away either :D

Were you on the early shipping priority list?
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I'm from Hamilton and just got mine today too.
Serial number: 0182

Slightly annoying is the fact I got sent a black one when I ordered silver. It's not a big problem and I'm not going to waste time and money sending the case back to Taiwan, but the way they're being shipped might mean other people also get the wrong coloured case too or I could have just been unlucky and it could just be a one off mistake.

That brings me to this question (I haven't read all 330 pages so don't know if this question has been asked before). Could there be a possibility of selling the silver panels on their own at some point?
 
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