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

This is what we're talking about:

3aGrgp8.jpg


The bottom screws hit the side screws (which are used with the stacking bracket). The rubber mounts are only used on the bottom screws.
 
Umm i got 4 brackets seeing there was only 5 mounting screws maybe they sent 4 so you can double them up?
 
Umm i got 4 brackets seeing there was only 5 mounting screws maybe they sent 4 so you can double them up?
You got two brackets because I asked them to include two brackets. You got 5 mounting screws because I don't know why. The prototypes came with 8, IIRC. Apparently, someone decided to include fewer for some unknown reason.
 
I think you're confused. The rubber soft-mounts are only for mounting the drives to the case. There's no way to use them 'between' the drives.

Lol, yeah I'm always confused.. but I kinda almost get it now.

I was assuming there were bends/brackets on the interior of the case (similar to how the front ODD mount is) and that either a single 2.5" drive or 2 drives w/brackets would mount to that from the side. Didn't realize that the bottom screws/washers were used to mount the drive(s) to the case.

I'm now assuming the bottom 2.5" screw/washer setup slides into the keyholes on the case. If this is correct, couldn't the drive fall out of place if the case was turned upside down (ie, bottom filter maintenance or shipping/travel) or can they be sufficiently tightened from the front?

A closer look at this picture from The_Cheese kinda helped..

m1_front_face.jpg
 
No the rubbers push ageist the side of the holes once the screws are in and done up there not loose there no way they would fall out.
full
 
Uh oh ... my tracking number when refreshed from USPS now shows that it has been archived ... that usually means that it's considered inactive. I was 0025 :(
 
How odd, I am dispatch 26 and mine says it was archived as well -- They indicate this means that there is more information in offline records though, so I took up its offer to make them online. I will report if this brings fresh news.
 
Uh oh ... my tracking number when refreshed from USPS now shows that it has been archived ... that usually means that it's considered inactive. I was 0025 :(

Same here (#26). They better re-activate that shit immediately, as soon as the boat arrives. Tracking number has been near useless so far, so it'd be helpful to at least know when my carrier plans on leaving it in the bushes (or as usual, tries to cram an oversized package in the mailbox).

No the rubbers push ageist the side of the holes once the screws are in and done up there not loose there no way they would fall out.

http://postimg.org/image/uelik2xcb/full/

Gotcha! And thanks for the pic ;)
 
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I documented the problem Overrated mentioned:

3QsODGy.png

The bracket is exactly 2.0mm thick.

D8qrNWh.png

The countersunk screw (even inside the bracket) is exactly 5.0 mm long.

2wUbmfg.png

The mounting pan-head screw is 9.5mm long.

1huuaaX.png

You can see the countersunk screw just barely coming out on the right of that socket, meaning it will have past the other holes' thread. But this is maybe 0.5mm, that's about the thickness of a few sheets of copier paper.

So a solution would indeed be to flip the bracket like Necere said, so the countersunk screws are offset, or maybe use a very thin & tiny shim between the drive and the bracket. I'd also recommend to first install the mounting pan-head screws and then attach the bracket, this will stop the countersunk screws from going in too deep.
 
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So a solution would indeed be to flip the bracket so the countersunk screws are offset, or maybe use a very thin & tiny shim between the drive and the bracket. I'd also recommend to first install the mounting pan-head screws and then attach the bracket, this will stop the countersunk screws from going in too deep.

Thanks for the detailed info. Really like the idea of a making a 0.5 to 1mm thick shim between drive & bracket. I know flipping the bracket makes the most sense, but what fun is that? :D

Definitely not comfortable filing down the screw and ruining it, considering I'll eventually need to find another 3 for a 2nd drive.
 
I documented the ...

Jealous of your ring flash. My photos of the problem are not as clear.

Also jealous of your mitutoyo ;)


An alternative is to simply install a m3 flat washer as a quick and easy shim. Unless the washer is too wide. Need to confirm. Could just use plastic or card stock anyway

I opted to trim down the screws, the pedantic way to do it.
 
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You can ask them if you want the cables shorters, let's say 12cm.

That's my requirements:-

1 x MB 24/20P – 12cm
1 x CPU 4 + 4P – 12cm
1 x PCI-E 6 + 2P – 12cm
1 x PCI-E 6P – 12cm
1 x two (2) SATA III 180˚connectors
1 x two (2) SATA II 180˚connectors

For 1 x slim ODD
http://www.moddiy.com/products/****...ta{47}Power-6Pin%2b7Pin-Integrated-Cable.html

change to below:-
SATA Data: 25cm
SATA Power: 15cm


I am waiting for a reply from moddiy.
 
You can ask them if you want the cables shorters, let's say 12cm.

12cm is very very short, are you sure?

In the SG05 and FT03-mini with the PSU directly over the motherboard and the cable going more or less straight to the socket, the shortest wires I had were 173mm. Longest was 215mm.

The way the PSU is set in the M1, you'll need much more than this.

Nice to know, so is 12cm ideal length?

No, there is no ideal length, it depends on PSU orientation and which motherboard. You really need to measure this yourself, specific to your own build.
 
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Sorry for the confusion.

My motherboard is P8Z77-I. So 12cm seem right. Originally, it was 10cm but 2 extra might be safer. I have a 450 SFX gold.
 
Uh oh ... my tracking number when refreshed from USPS now shows that it has been archived ... that usually means that it's considered inactive. I was 0025 :(

How odd, I am dispatch 26 and mine says it was archived as well -- They indicate this means that there is more information in offline records though, so I took up its offer to make them online. I will report if this brings fresh news.

I am sure this is happening to everyone. It has taken so long to get here they are turning off the lights.
 
Shouldn't you be able to report this to USPS and get damages since it is insured? Or would it be wahaha360 who reports it since he mailed the package? Then the money can be used to exchange the replacement front.

This brings up the question about how the exchanges will work. Wahaha360 can you explain how you are planning to handle this? For example are you expecting returns of the damaged parts, or are you just going to send out replacements? Who reports the problem with USPS, and who claims the insurance money for damages? Since we paid for the shipments, but w360 did the shipping this is unclear to me and probably others. It looks like there is a time period claims are allowed and they require original packaging and photos and possible delivery to the nearest post office for inspection for the claim.

Seeing it was only the front dented wouldn't a replacement front panel be easier and faster to send out to him?

I would think so. W360 is handling that, though.

W360 we need clarification on how you plan to deal with replacement parts. Those of us who get ours last don't want to be out of luck if we need something replaced. If the USPS needs proof of insurance (receipt) as well as pictures of damage and original packaging, that will require both you and the receiver be involved in the claim. Can you let us in on the instructions and what we need to do?
 
I'm thinking of going down this road the only problem i have is you cant fill it out side the case or test for leaks two how the hell do you connect the tubes with these lengths? I guess you could always test it with the board disconnected,

e7xw9l.jpg

B1ijMl.jpg
 
Sorry for the confusion.

My motherboard is P8Z77-I. So 12cm seem right. Originally, it was 10cm but 2 extra might be safer. I have a 450 SFX gold.

I respectfully suggest waiting until you get the case and components, then measure it using string or spare wires :)
 
As for the screw length problem being a smudge too long... I'm no engineer or anything, but can't you just grind/sand off that extra length? maybe mark them with a dot to remind you they are not regular length
 
Shortening the screw by 1mm will solve all the issues, and have a negligible effect on the ability for you to tighten the screw down sufficiently. It is visible because the black finish is removed and you have a silvery surface.

The tricky thing is holding it for grinding, the thing is soo small and difficult to grip onto.
 
If you would want to grind it down one millimeter, I'd recommend putting them in a strip of metal with holes, like the bracket. But the ones supplied with the Ncase is to pretty to ruin ofcourse. That way you can vise it down on a wood board or use clamps.
 
Big enough for a small nut on the end? Put nut on, clamp down, dremel end off. Preserve threads + give something to hold on to.
 
Uh oh ... my tracking number when refreshed from USPS now shows that it has been archived ... that usually means that it's considered inactive. I was 0025 :(

I am sure this is happening to everyone. It has taken so long to get here they are turning off the lights.

Welp, I spoke too soon ... maybe the archiving was a "good" thing because it showed up unannounced this morning and USPS updated itself a few hours later!
 
I plan on selling mine once it arrives. I wonder if anyone else is planning to do the same?
 
Welp, I spoke too soon ... maybe the archiving was a "good" thing because it showed up unannounced this morning and USPS updated itself a few hours later!

Well that is a good thing. You are in Washington state correct? If so that means there is hope yet for those of us on batch 26. Four days for delivery to Washington state means we might get ours by next Saturday too. I sure hope.
 
I plan on selling mine once it arrives. I wonder if anyone else is planning to do the same?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure everyone is :D

Actually, a couple folks are. Keep the price somewhat "reasonable" and you'll make some nerd incredibly happy this Christmas! Even if they plan to make more later on, I wouldn't sell mine for even a grand. $10 or $15k, maybe.. but of course, no one in their right mind would pay that - so problem solved, lol.
 
I plan on selling mine once it arrives. I wonder if anyone else is planning to do the same?

My guess is you will start a mini stampede of people waving cash at you and yelling, "I want it! Take my money!" :D
 
Can anyone tell me about this cpu cooler that may fit with Impact?

http://www.thermalright.com/html/products/cpu_cooler/axp-200r.html

Yeah, I was researching that same cooler for fitment with the different ASUS boards earlier this year, and strongly decided against it.

The AXP-200 will not fit the Impact in any orientation at all, without leaving the confines of the ITX mobo (ie, it will either hang over the top probably blocking the M1's top cover, or it will block the GPU slot, or hit the back of the case). Can't remember 100%, but you may be able to install it like the C14 with overhang encroaching into the HDD rack area *IF* it doesn't hit against the PSU.

The geniuses at ASUS & Thermalright had this exact combo on display during the announcement of the ROG Impact for several systems.. none of which fit properly, and none of which were inside an actual case. You can see some of them here..

chinese.vr-zone.com/66499/first-rog-itx-mobo-maximus-vi-impact-show-at-computex-06042013

It's incredibly lame that TR even made a special ROG version of the AXP-200 (LINK) for the Impact, and they couldn't figure out how to design the cooler to fit that board properly. I would've bought one, otherwise.

The only orientation that might fit the M1 is this (which may interfere with HDD rack and/or PSU)..

Asus_rog-c.jpg


EDIT: Acck. After going back and looking through the pics from the VR-Zone link above, that collab was just a whole new level of fail. ITX gaming systems without GPU, one with the GPU mounted on the backside of the mobo, the ROG-version AXP-200 overhanging in multiple locations. Truly amazing show of derpitude going on there.
 
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Thanks AFD for your reply. I wholly agreed with you and I cannot fathom why TR made one for Impact if they knew how to design but obviously not.

I have Noctua NH-L9i on my asus Z77 deluxe and the problem is the cable management, especuially the USB 3.0 cables and HD audio plugged near the GPU *facepalm* lol.
 
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