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

[Motaa]

I've waited a year for another production, whats another 3 days if that saves them money?

It's not 3 days, they handed it to USPS last week Monday with expected delivery on Friday? Two weeks to ship within the US?

I'm not blaming Ncase for anything but their selection of shipping carrier. USPS sucked with an order this large.

 

[CHANG3D]

I just unboxed mine. Unfortunately I can't put it together yet as my motherboard is getting exchanged.

 

[wahaha360]

Expected Delivery Day: Friday, October 3, 2014

Why did Ncase use USPS again? UPS or FedEx for the Steambox PLEASE.

Seriously with the amount you guys ship, you'd get a better rate, then you can offer 3 day shipping in the US for a fee. This is just SAD.

Our volume is not enough to get discount via Fedex / UPS to be cheaper than USPS. I don't recall the delivery date, but for West Coast customers, the price was $5+ higher using other services.

Fedex / UPS / Other services look at annual volume, our annual volume is just too low compare to other companies, the sales rep just told us we are better off with USPS at such low volume.

The last quote I got was in July.

 

[ellroy80]

My case (Silver, ODD Slot) arrived today in MKE. Thanks Necere and wahaha360!!! It's great!!!

 

[wahaha360]

UPDATE 2014-9-30: For those experience a wobbling issue with M1 V2, please see this video. For those with panel alignment issues, please see this and this video

UPDATE 2014-9-23: All shipped, tracking info updated on PayPal

Also updated on the first page.

 

[AFD]

For those with panel alignment issues, please see this and this video

Can't tell from the video.. is she using stick-on felt or rubber?

That's a really good idea. I still have a sheet of the stick-on felt (from trying to silence rattles in my car's interior) that I bought at a local craft store.. not sure where to get stick-on rubber, though.

 

[sashi]

Absolutely yes. Traditional emulsion paste between die and IHS is no better than what Intel uses. The big temp advantage from delidding comes from using liquid metal, which is closer to the solder that Intel should have used. I would suggest to read the Delid Club Guide thread on OCN, but it's two thousand pages long now and very hard to find the important tests and comparisons in between the random discussion.

Important to note that while CLU is great under the IHS (nickel to glass), that you shouldn't put CLU under the Apogee Drive II, it gets absorbed into the copper and can harden.

There will be reference 970s coming soon from EVGA, but it's not a hot card anyway, so cards with axial fans should be fine.

So would I get much better temps with CLU? Or would it be a defective pump?

 

[StellaTerra]

So is there any stock left being sold? I would love to buy one!

 

[BaK2BaK]

So would I get much better temps with CLU? Or would it be a defective pump?

Yep, CLU or CLP will give you better temps that makes the delidding worth it.
Hard to tell if your pump is working fine or not before you try liquid metal.

 

[WiSK]

So would I get much better temps with CLU? Or would it be a defective pump?

From what you wrote I can't see any reason the pump is faulty. I suggest not running it at 4500rpm for extended periods, 1500rpm should be sufficient.

CLU under IHS will certainly help with temperatures. Only a thin layer needed. Here's my very messy application. My four year old could have done it neater. But it works fine and still liquid after 15 months.



Edit: here's what I wrote at the time

Previous temp: 68C while folding at 4.2GHz @ 1.112V (single AX120 rad)
Temp after delid: 59C after 10xIBT at 4.5GHz @ 1.24V (single AX120 rad)
CPU-Z validation of max OC: http://valid.canardpc.com/2836887

 

[cowsgomoo]

I'm considering switching to Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 for lower temperatures and better linux compatibility (than AMD). Anyone has any experience with non-reference air cooler with 2x120mm fan intake, expecially for the temperatures?

 

[wahaha360]

Can't tell from the video.. is she using stick-on felt or rubber?

That's a really good idea. I still have a sheet of the stick-on felt (from trying to silence rattles in my car's interior) that I bought at a local craft store.. not sure where to get stick-on rubber, though.

She bought a sheet of foam with adhesive on one side. It's about 1.5mm thick, if you press down on it, it will go down to <0.75mm.

 

[sashi]

From what you wrote I can't see any reason the pump is faulty. I suggest not running it at 4500rpm for extended periods, 1500rpm should be sufficient.

CLU under IHS will certainly help with temperatures. Only a thin layer needed. Here's my very messy application. My four year old could have done it neater. But it works fine and still liquid after 15 months.



Edit: here's what I wrote at the time

I'm getting the pump rmaed because when I plug in the 4pin the pump doesn't report anything to the motherboard, the rpm says n/a and it's not even running

 

[djskinnyb]

Tracking changed from Pre-Shipment info sent to USPS to:
Arrived at post office Ames, IA
Sorting complete
Out for delivery

All this morning from 5am-6am.

 

[Janne]

Mine arrived to Finland today. USPS tracking still says "September 24, 2014 , 8:01 am
Arrived at Sort Facility".

So yeah, bit laggy when it comes to tracking.

 

[noobzilla]

Still hoping to get mine delivered today. Sept 30 delivery date (today), but the last update was Sept 23 in NJ. I'm so excited and can't wait anymore :O

 

[drklu]

Still no updates to my tracking info, located on the west coast US so i would imagine I will be one of the last ones to receive tracking.

 

[Urelure]

Finally here. Updated Spreadsheet.

Perfect condition. No panel or wobble issue.

I LOVE IT!!!

 

[noobzilla]

Anyone here from CA have their USPS tracking updated or M1 delivered already?

 

[noobzilla]

Update: M1 just arrived in my town and delivery date changed to Wednesday instead of today. Trying to figure out if I can just pick it up at the USPS store. I need to drop off a package anyway.

 

[elitekills999]

First post! I JUST received my m1 silver best case i ever owned, too bad I won't have my build done anytime soon

 

[Siba]

Some bad news for me, MSI GTX 970 gaming 4g + EK Thermosphere does not fit in the case - the thermosphere sticks out 2mm.

Also, what software do people normally use to monitor temps? Currently using HWMonitor, but I'm a bit skeptical that the readings are accurate, they show the GPU at 31c idle/barely moves under load, when my cpu hangs around 37c idle / 55-60 load

 

[adlsrf]

Finally assembled mine. Used the SFX 600W power supply, ASRock H97M-ITX, Zotac Amp GTX 680, Core i5-4590S with Cooler Master GeminII M4 heatsink/fan and 2x4GB G.Skill Eco (1.35v) DDR3-1600 ram. 3.5" WD 2TB Black hard drive mounted in cage with a 2.5" SSD for caching mounted on the front.

I didn't put in any intake/exhaust fans. The video card doesn't even leave any room for a 12mm thickness 120mm fan on the bottom, it's just barely too wide. I think I might mount it (Scythe Slipstream Slim) on the side next to the hard drive cage. Not sure if I should put in a little exhaust fan in the back. It's so cramped that it'd be tough to reach the motherboard's chassis fan plug. It's already a mess of wires that I squeezed into the case.

Temps are okay, video card is as hot as it was in my old cramped TJ08E micro-ATX case where it was sitting flush with a Sound Blaster Z in front of it, so with the vent holes on the bottom of this case it would be fine. The CPU stays cool, haven't put it through strenuous testing yet. I don't like the way this cooler mounts but I had limited choice for a lightweight air cooling solution that was better than stock.

One question though, how and where do I put these mesh grills? I feel like there should've at least been some kind of diagram to show how it assembled, probably would've saved me an hour.

I use HWMonitor to check temps myself.

 

[Mackan]

Received my M1 case today, here in Sweden. Looks flawless to me, no wobble. Still waiting for my extra Silver Panel Kit though, I guess it too should arrive any day now.

 

[luggedsteal]

Hey Siba out of curiosity, were u able to get the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4g to fit without the waterblock?

 

[Siba]

Hey Siba out of curiosity, were u able to get the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4g to fit without the waterblock?

I didn't try, the heatsink was off before I put the card into the case - would not have fit alongside the pump in my setup

 

[mbondPDX]

Just got an update that my case left the USPS facility in WA. Shouldn't be too much longer now!

 

[Urelure]

So i sat down to place an order at demcflex for filters, but figured it would be a good idea to sort out the airflow first since best choice of bottom filter would depend on wether or not i put fans in the bottom of the case.

I am 100% sure this have been covered more than once already but trying to search for it in this huge thread is almost impossible:
I don't see a good way of mounting the bundled filters on the outside-bottom of the case when having fans in the inside fastned through the same holes. Am I missing something?

 

[noobzilla]

Whoa what a turn of events. USPS changed it from Wednesday delivery to Out for Delivery !! I rarely ever get this excited !!

 

[AFD]

Also, what software do people normally use to monitor temps?

HWMonitor, RealTemp, AIDA64, Speccy.. some of my HWMonitor temps seem a little off, for some reason.

 

[Hanakuso]

My case is out for delivery! (Los Angeles area)

 

[Motaa]

Silver v2 ODD delivered today in Austin. USPS gets a bonus point for that. But still negative for slow slow slow processing.

TONIGHT WE BUILD.

 

[noobzilla]

Please note that the top and side filters can also be installed on the inside of your case.

Was just looking for this info. Thanks.

I'm glad side, bottom, and top filters can be ordered without having to go through custom orders. Is there any free shipping for CA? I was about to check out for $35+ but the shipping cost pretty much kills it for me ($50 total).

 

[WiSK]

Is there any free shipping for CA? I was about to check out for $35+ but the shipping cost pretty much kills it for me ($50 total).

DemciFlex is based in South Africa: two oceans and ten thousand miles from California. Fifteen bucks postage is cheap, considering

 

[noobzilla]

DemciFlex is based in South Africa: two oceans and ten thousand miles from California. Fifteen bucks postage is cheap, considering

Oh daym! Did not even bother checking that. I just assumed it was a U.S. company or at least they have a warehouse here XD

P.S. THE CASE ARRIVED !!! OMG !! I'm about to drown the whole world with my tears of joy ;')

Will post pics in an hour or two.

 

[WiSK]

Oh daym! Did not even bother checking that. I just assumed it was a U.S. company or at least they have a warehouse here XD

You know the DemciFlex NCase M1 filter set is also available at FrozenCPU and PerformancePCs as well. But it seems shipping from NY / FL is similarly priced as from another continent!

 

[backfeed]

Also, what software do people normally use to monitor temps?

I tend to use HWiNFO64 most of the time.

 

[backfeed]

I don't see a good way of mounting the bundled filters on the outside-bottom of the case when having fans in the inside fastned through the same holes. Am I missing something?

If the fan screws are long enough you could screw them in partially, leaving enough height/depth to snap the bundled filter into position.

But I recommend the Demciflex filters anyway; they are superior in every way.

 

[jmor1960]

You know the DemciFlex NCase M1 filter set is also available at FrozenCPU and PerformancePCs as well. But it seems shipping from NY / FL is similarly priced as from another continent!

It seems that the that DemciFlex has different filters than the ones you buy at FrozenCPU or PerformancePC. The former has the one piece filters that are 250x120mm, while the latter carry the 5 piece set that have the 120x120mm filters. Not sure why they have different ones, but the longer filters do no have space for the screws.

Also, South African Post Office is on strike, so nothing is leaving out of South Africa.

 

[Necere]

One question though, how and where do I put these mesh grills?

I am 100% sure this have been covered more than once already but trying to search for it in this huge thread is almost impossible:
I don't see a good way of mounting the bundled filters on the outside-bottom of the case when having fans in the inside fastned through the same holes. Am I missing something?

The included filters are attached by screwing them in with the fans, inside the fan bracket and/or on the bottom of the case. The metal grilles are mounted the same way and are useful if you need to keep cables away from the fan blades, or if you're using the Demciflex filters on the side (they can get sucked in slightly and rub the fan hub).

It seems that the that DemciFlex has different filters than the ones you buy at FrozenCPU or PerformancePC. The former has the one piece filters that are 250x120mm, while the latter carry the 5 piece set that have the 120x120mm filters. Not sure why they have different ones, but the longer filters do no have space for the screws.

The square 120mm Demciflex filters are the 'official' ones I designed for the case, along with the 80mm filter for the Silverstone SFX PSUs. The other filters were someone else's custom order that a few people wanted so they had Demciflex offer them. You're correct that they don't leave room for the screws, which is why mine aren't designed that way.