DAN A4-SFX: The smallest gaming case in the world

dondan said:
Today I got my Cooltek Lp53 and Silverstone SFX-L 500W v.1.1.
The Cooltek should be 5-7°C better as the Noctua.
Click to expand...

Are you using a different fan?

The height of the cooler + standard fan is 53mm which is higher than the 48mm limit you specify in the first post.
 
i said it back when this was being discussed before and i say it now as well,
my vote goes to screws
normal ones, only use hex/torx if it can sit flush to the case which i dont think its possible
for these reasons:
-smaller case, not by much but as it has been increased 3 times already
-as top already has screws why not make it on the side panel as well. Ncase has push pins on all panels if i am not mistaken
-lip on the back can be removed as it is not needed. Case looks already very long seeing the prototype pictures. removing that lip wil make it at least appear smaller
 
busterben said:
-lip on the back can be removed as it is not needed. Case looks already very long seeing the prototype pictures. removing that lip wil make it at least appear smaller
Click to expand...
I agree as well. At least make the lip 50% smaller.


Everyone talking about screw preferences. You guys could always just buy them after. I've changed my Ncase screws to my liking. Some hex, torx, made of aluminum, titanium, etc.

dondan said:
Today I got my Cooltek Lp53 and Silverstone SFX-L 500W v.1.1.
Click to expand...
Is it really a V1.1? Would like to know!
 
busterben said:
-smaller case, not by much but as it has been increased 3 times already
-as top already has screws why not make it on the side panel as well. Ncase has push pins on all panels if i am not mistaken
-lip on the back can be removed as it is not needed. Case looks already very long seeing the prototype pictures. removing that lip wil make it at least appear smaller
Click to expand...

All good points. I had forgot that the top already has screws. If screws on the top are inevitable then yeah adding them to the side probably isn't a huge deal. Removing the wings would be nice too.

And yeah the bulky/blinged out screws should definitely be an "aftermarket mod", with the ones that come with the case being flush and as subtle as possible to conform with the minimalist style.
 
I vote pushpins. I'm not a fan of the lian li's with screwed on panels... and I have a lot of lian li cases at home.
 
Definitely for screwing concept as I mentioned in my previous post... We should go for the screws and get them flush with the panels as Lian Li is doing.
And if we remove the extensions, we just get something just perfect... Except USB port... ;)
 
sschella said:
Except USB port... ;)
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You said it :(
Perfection is overrated anyways :p

Edit: on a more serious note, I think the USB 3.0 cable would just cause an extra mess inside -being so darn stiff- and only for one port, but I guess the front panel choice is a done deal :(
 
I've been watching this thread for a long time but decided to finally post on the screws/push-pins debate. Have any of you used a Lian Li case with screws before? Screwing on the panels will almost definitely result in some warping and it's likely to also leave an unsightly mark as well. The M1 proved how effective the push-pin system is. It leaves it with such a clean look. Adding another 1.4 mm in order to get rid of the bends in the front seems like a perfect solution. Are you really going to notice 1.4mm? No, not at all. I suppose a poll will be necessary, but my interest will be greatly diminished if the clean look of the case, and ease of panel removal, are sacrificed.

I'm also on the team that would forego the use of any USB port on the front for the sake of aesthetics. Dondan, is a V2 likely or will this be the only chance to get your wonderful case? It would be great to have V2 be without the USB port for those of us who would prefer it be left out.

Also Dondan, still interested in your feedback on the 500W SFX-L v1.1, as I know I'm not the only one who is still debating between the SFX-L and SFX form factor. How is the noise? Same problems as reported in v1.0?

Anyway, thanks for all your hard work Dondan! Looking forward to this case.
 
have you read through the mcase thread(s), andonbrandon?

some warping on the panels, broken off clips, visible mark on the outside where the pins are attached were all reported. Not that the whole thread was full with it but it takes much more finess to handle those panels. It's pretty and clean indeed but has its quirks as well.

if all dondan could ask lian li to ship some extra screws to keep everyone happy
 
Warping is pretty much inevitable for monolithic flat panels (Aluminium or otherwise), regardless of attachment mechanism. It's impossible to avoid without using reinforced laminated/composite panels , adding stamping or bending to increase rigidity, or both (e.g. the P18x series' Aluminium-faced-plastic panels, with a stamped Aluminium inner reinforcement layer).

My vote is for screws. It's simplifies panel manufacture, increases case rigidity (panels become load bearing and reduce frame warping), and with such a very small case you are unlikely to be regularly opening it to swap components and not simultaneously be pulling everything out to refit (as there's simply not much in the case to start with).
 
Hello guys, I found a solution that should be good for everybody.

I use a mix out of screws and pushpin technology.
You mount the sidepanel with pushpin and fix it on the bottomside with screws.

The advantages are:
- You will not see screws
- Clear fitting and best hold

panelh4omp.jpg


About the SFX-L v.1.1 question, I don't know if this is a newer version.
 
@Dondan, I like your new design suggestion.

I personally do like the push pin solution and thought it worked great with the M1. Dondan's hybrid suggestion seems like a good compromise to me.
 
I don't know, this version only prevents misalignment, the screws would actually apply the force from the side, that would be more stable. Also it only secures the bottom side, the top still could wobble a tiny bit.
 
Yes I know but this is only possible with stamping the case. I must order 5000 cases for doing it.
 
Or can we try in another way... We prepare the case to accept screws and pin interface.
Then, we do diversity on the side panels... With pins or for screws.
During the order, we decide the variant (screwing or pins side panels).
I know that variant increase cost too but I guess it can be another way called...flexibility ;)
I am personally 100% for screwing concept. Visible but small screw is always OK for me when stiffness and fit and finish are good.
But some people are fine for pins. So...
 
Sorry but I really want to offer only one version. Theoretically I can offer thousand different versions , one USB, two USB, USB + audio, no USB, side panel screwed, side panel with pin, front with bend, front without bend, side panel with window s.o. You see the list would be very big. I can't please everybody and I think the actual solution is very good.

The main problem of the screws is not the lost time for open the case, the main problem is, that the screws itself loosing there black painting after some openings.
 
What's the solution now for the front panel?
It looks like you're adding bends to the frame ;)
 
I think the last version is a good compromise. :)
Seems like it would add more to the cost though? They'd have to bend the panel in the bottom and drill more screw holes in both the panel and case.
I just want an A4. I'm not so worried about the tiny details :D
 
I like the way these changes are coming along, there are compromises for both parties, none favoring over another. I still find the flanges on the back of the case to be a little off-putting, has there been any thought to shortening them or removing them, Dondan?
 
Question... What do you think about magnet attachment for the side panel and we keep the new lower screws? Asrock M8 is doing that and it looks good.
 
dondan said:
The main problem of the screws is not the lost time for open the case, the main problem is, that the screws itself loosing there black painting after some openings.
Click to expand...

NZXT use thumbscrews with a washer of some kind. Making it a captive one would be even better.
 
I know it's wishful thinking, but you wouldn't happen to be ahead of schedule, would you? Also would you happen to have a rough estimate of the cost of the case now that you figured out the cheaper risers will work just as well? :)
 
dondan said:
Hello guys, I found a solution that should be good for everybody.

I use a mix out of screws and pushpin technology.
You mount the sidepanel with pushpin and fix it on the bottomside with screws.

The advantages are:
- You will not see screws
- Clear fitting and best hold

panelh4omp.jpg


About the SFX-L v.1.1 question, I don't know if this is a newer version.
Click to expand...

Awesome!
 
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sschella said:
Or can we try in another way... We prepare the case to accept screws and pin interface.
Then, we do diversity on the side panels... With pins or for screws.
During the order, we decide the variant (screwing or pins side panels).
I know that variant increase cost too but I guess it can be another way called...flexibility ;)
I am personally 100% for screwing concept. Visible but small screw is always OK for me when stiffness and fit and finish are good.
But some people are fine for pins. So...
Click to expand...

Yes, this is a great idea, maybe some kind of module design... I can't put this into words :(
 
dtallon13 said:
Yes, this is a great idea, maybe some kind of module design... I can't put this into words :(
Click to expand...

When words fail, I use images :p

The bottom represents the case

KrhMcqS

http://imgur.com/KrhMcqS

And the top represents the side

8mu8G83

http://imgur.com/8mu8G83

The two modules on the left can be screwed into the case and side panel accordingly, screws would be designed to hide themselves in the module like a set screw.

I'm not sure if the satisfaction of both parties would justify this idea's impact on the cost.
 
Hi guy's the A4-SFX will have only a small count of quantities maybe 300-500. So I have not the options like other case resellers if they build 10000 cases. So it is impossible to use special custom parts. I must use a technology of LianLi they used in an other case before.
But I must say, the magnetic idea of the M8 is really cool.
 
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