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

Good morning guys. I hope you can help me.

I have put the same post in the V3 post, but after several days, looks like this one is more active, besides the question is related to the V4.

I'm going to build a SFF Configuration so I have some mobility with my computer (I love to go to lanparties everywhere :D). The thing is that I want best of breed components for the computer and I don't know if I'm forcing too much, My hopes are the some of you with more experience can enlighten me :)

Case: NCASE M1 v4 Black(no ODD)
Power Supply: Silverstone SX600-G 600W
CPU Cooler: I'm betting for the Silverstone NT06-Pro *
Case Fans: 2 x Corsair SP120 HighPressure
Motherboard: ASUS Maximus VII Impact
Processor: Intel Core i7 4790K
Memory: G.Skill Trident X DDR3 2400 16GB (CL10)*
Graphics Card: GigaByte NVIDIA Geforce 980Ti
Hard Disks: Samsung Pro SSD 512 GB - WD Green 3 TB


Notes: My key problem is the memory high. From what I understand the Silverston NT06 doesn't cover the memory (opposite with the Criorig). The High is 54 mm, the other options are the g.Skill Ripjaws (43 mm) and the kingston hyper x savage (33 mm) but both this options have CL11 instead of CL10. Since I want to move the computer trough airports, I can't use liquid cooling. DO you think the memory I chose is going to be a problem?

Another question would be if you see any problem in general in this configuration.

Thank you all. lets see If I can build this monster :D
 
I think my previous post and linked image may be helpful: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1041797997&highlight=#post1041797997

In the V4 there are two extra motherboard standoffs at the bottom of the case which will interfere with square fans. The ones I used were octagonal. I also had to drill mounting holes for the rear 140 mm fan. Finally, I decided that too much of the bottom panel was covering the area of the fans so I drilled some extra holes.
Thanks! I'm not surprised that the holes had to be drilled to accommodate the second given the surface area of the fan blades.

I don't really want to take a dremel to the case so I think I'll just go for some SP120s instead.

@Necere any scope for dual 140mm (120mm mounting holes) support in the bottom for a future version?

FWIW this is my plan so far:
CASE: v4
CPU: 5820K
CPU Cooler: H100i GTX push-exhaust w/ Asetek Narrow-ILM kit
Motherboard: X99E-ITX/ac
Memory: 2x16GB Vengeance LPX 2666MHz
Storage: M4 256GB (old)
Video Card: GTX 980 Ti ACX+
Power Supply: SX600-G
Case Fan: 2x SP120 High-Perf PWM bottom intake, NF-A9x14 intake at rear
 
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Notes: My key problem is the memory high. From what I understand the Silverston NT06 doesn't cover the memory (opposite with the Criorig). The High is 54 mm, the other options are the g.Skill Ripjaws (43 mm) and the kingston hyper x savage (33 mm) but both this options have CL11 instead of CL10. Since I want to move the computer trough airports, I can't use liquid cooling. DO you think the memory I chose is going to be a problem?

The NT06-Pro covers EVERYTHING. Here you can see an example. It overhangs almost as much as the NH-C14 (like 5 mm less) and it only has 32 mm clearance with a bottom fan. However if it is oriented towards the PSU, I don't think you'd be able to fit a bottom fan anyway because of the Impact daughterboard. In that case you might be okay with 54 mm RAM (the specs say 52 mm, but I'd bet you could still do it). If you orient it down I'd bet you could also fit the 33 mm RAM under a bottom fan, since the cooler is mounted a bit higher than the RAM, but I don't know if it would fit between the daughterboard and the graphics card in this orientation.

Basically the 54 mm RAM only fits if you use top fan only.

EDIT: Here it is mounted over G.SKILL Ripjaws and they confirm that the fan blocks the RAM.

EDIT 2: A 120x15 mm fan would definitely fit. You could get the 33 mm RAM and try it out and if the stock fan won't fit, get a 120x15 mm fan. With a 15 mm thick fan, you'd have the same clearance as an NH-C14 which does fit. At 2000+ MHz frequencies it doesn't really matter if your RAM is CL10 or 11 anyway (you can also overclock your RAM).
 
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It will be nearly impossible for you to get a Corsair H100i GTX to fit. You need the H105 and even that is pretty tight.
 
It will be nearly impossible for you to get a Corsair H100i GTX to fit. You need the H105 and even that is pretty tight.

AFAIK the main issue is tubing rigidity + the lack of swivel barbs on the head unit isn't it? The one reddit user who accomplished it mentioned it was like the side fan bracket was almost spring-loaded. Someone else mentioned running a V3/V4 build with the GTX in this thread but that user appears to be MIA.

To be frank, I really don't think many people have tried to put the GTX in there. I'll figure it out. I have some plans for making the tubing less stiff before it goes inside the case.

I didn't go with the H105 mainly because I'd rather finagle with getting the H100i GTX to fit than deal with such a needlessly thick radiator for running fans at ~900RPM.

EDIT: Oh snap, it seems the H100i GTX also has 2-3" more tubing than the prior models (14.5" vs. 11.5" or 12.5" on H105, some difficulty from which is mentioned here).
 
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The NT06-Pro covers EVERYTHING. Here you can see an example. It overhangs almost as much as the NH-C14 (like 5 mm less) and it only has 32 mm clearance with a bottom fan. However if it is oriented towards the PSU, I don't think you'd be able to fit a bottom fan anyway because of the Impact daughterboard. In that case you might be okay with 54 mm RAM (the specs say 52 mm, but I'd bet you could still do it). If you orient it down I'd bet you could also fit the 33 mm RAM under a bottom fan, since the cooler is mounted a bit higher than the RAM, but I don't know if it would fit between the daughterboard and the graphics card in this orientation.

Basically the 54 mm RAM only fits if you use top fan only.

EDIT: Here it is mounted over G.SKILL Ripjaws and they confirm that the fan blocks the RAM.

EDIT 2: A 120x15 mm fan would definitely fit. You could get the 33 mm RAM and try it out and if the stock fan won't fit, get a 120x15 mm fan. With a 15 mm thick fan, you'd have the same clearance as an NH-C14 which does fit. At 2000+ MHz frequencies it doesn't really matter if your RAM is CL10 or 11 anyway (you can also overclock your RAM).

Thank you very much for the answer and the examples. I suppose I wont risk it then and go for the kingston.
 
@Necere any scope for dual 140mm (120mm mounting holes) support in the bottom for a future version?
No. Aside from the two extra standoffs Qrash mentioned, there's not quite 140mm between the three pairs of plastic clips on either side that hold the side panels. Also if you look towards the back, a square frame 140mm fan would be pushed up by the screws that secure the feet. The round-ish style 140mm fans with 120mm mounting holes are the only ones that will really work.
 
No. Aside from the two extra standoffs Qrash mentioned, there's not quite 140mm between the three pairs of plastic clips on either side that hold the side panels. Also if you look towards the back, a square frame 140mm fan would be pushed up by the screws that secure the feet. The round-ish style 140mm fans with 120mm mounting holes are the only ones that will really work.

That was what he was asking for. He's talking about 120 mm mounts spaced further apart and more vent holes.
 
That was what he was asking for. He's talking about 120 mm mounts spaced further apart and more vent holes.
Reading comprehension failure, my bad :p

So the issue there is if you look at the bottom the slots for the screws are already right up against the feet. Any further back and the screw heads (anti-vibration mounts) would be between the case and the feet. Doable, maybe, so long as they aren't too thick. But it's inelegant and a very niche use. That's what modding is for though, right?
 
So the issue there is if you look at the bottom the slots for the screws are already right up against the feet. Any further back and the screw heads (anti-vibration mounts) would be between the case and the feet. Doable, maybe, so long as they aren't too thick. But it's inelegant and a very niche use. That's what modding is for though, right?

Yes, I ran into this problem with my slim 140 mm fans. The mounting holes were so close to the holes for the rear feet that I had to remove the feet first in order to attach the fans. I used Noctua anti-vibration mounts (posts?). When I tried to reattach the case feet the head of the Noctua mounts caused the foot to be crooked. My solution was to add a soft blue rubber anti-vibration grommet (for hard drives) between the case and the case feet. I cut a notch out of the grommet to accomodate the head of the fan mount. This allowed the feet to remain level as they were reattached to the case. I think I had to use slightly longer bolts to attach the feet with the grommet in place.


 
Thank you very much for the answer and the examples. I suppose I wont risk it then and go for the kingston.

If you wanted DDR3 2400 @ CAS 10 there's also this Mushkin Enhanced Redline kit, but I cannot find the height specifications anywhere. The pictures certainly make it look shorter, but that can be deceptive, however the green pcb w/ red heatsinks is quite ugly (imo).

The Kingston HyperX Savage is much better looking (imo), but CAS 11 and they actually list their dimensions on the data sheet.
 
If you wanted DDR3 2400 @ CAS 10 there's also this Mushkin Enhanced Redline kit, but I cannot find the height specifications anywhere. The pictures certainly make it look shorter, but that can be deceptive, however the green pcb w/ red heatsinks is quite ugly (imo).

They are about 37 mm. The PCB is standard height (30 mm), the heatsink adds just over 5 mm.
 
Posted in the Asrock X99E-ITX thread, but probably of interest here too as this is crammed in a M1...

The Noctua C14 can be adpated with the Narrow ILM brackets for some reasonable air cooling for X99.

Excuse the poor quality phone pics, but here are some shots:

1.jpg

2.JPG

3.JPG

4.JPG
 
What a build! Looks like maximum performance with minimum noise. You may consider changing the bottom fans to exhaust like Phuncz and Cowsgomoo. What are your side fans?
 
Just wanted to note I received my V4 steel fan bracket + magnetic fan filter. It fits perfectly on my V3 case in both positions (upper and lower).
 
Thanks for posting those pictures csd, very useful information as I am considering a similar build. Are the narrow brackets available from Noctua, or a different source? I'm assuming they would also work with the "S" model of the C14?

Which Noctua coolers are people generally using in the NCASE? It looks like the C14 may be the most popular. I see the maximum allowable height without a fan is 130mm. Are most people installing the heatsink fan, or just relying on fan mounted to the side bracket? I'm guessing there isn't room for both.
 
Thanks for posting those pictures csd, very useful information as I am considering a similar build. Are the narrow brackets available from Noctua, or a different source? I'm assuming they would also work with the "S" model of the C14?

Which Noctua coolers are people generally using in the NCASE? It looks like the C14 may be the most popular. I see the maximum allowable height without a fan is 130mm. Are most people installing the heatsink fan, or just relying on fan mounted to the side bracket? I'm guessing there isn't room for both.
I have both "heat sink" and side panel fans
 
Thanks for posting those pictures csd, very useful information as I am considering a similar build. Are the narrow brackets available from Noctua, or a different source? I'm assuming they would also work with the "S" model of the C14?

Which Noctua coolers are people generally using in the NCASE? It looks like the C14 may be the most popular. I see the maximum allowable height without a fan is 130mm. Are most people installing the heatsink fan, or just relying on fan mounted to the side bracket? I'm guessing there isn't room for both.

The problem with the C14S is that it's too tall for a 25 mm top fan.

The C14 has room for a 120 mm bottom fan and a top fan mounted to either the heatsink or the side bracket.
 
The problem with the C14S is that it's too tall for a 25 mm top fan.

Wow! I wouldn't have noticed the 10-12mm height difference. Thanks for the tip.

Now to debate between the masochism of trying to get a H100i GTX in there or just ordering a C14 and having a good time...
 
I have a C14 and I am having a pretty good time. Join the club, there's free drinks and such.
Only problem: If you have a SFX PSU you'll need a smaller fan for the bottom fan with max. 13mm height I think.
 
Another option used by a few people here is the Scythe Kabuto II.

Ah, never mind. I forgot you were using the Asrock X99 motherboard. Carry on!
 
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Scythe seems interesting but X99 in the Ncase has only a few confirmed options:
Anything Narrow-ILM (Dynatron, Noctua i4, et al)
H80i/H100i (and other Corsair AIOs with the same head unit provided washers are used)
Asetek AIOs with their Narrow-ILM kit
Cooler Master Seidon 120V
EK custom loop with their Narrow-ILM bracket
NH-C14 with their i4 mounting kit

Provided any cooler with a compatible mount from above meets clearances of the side bracket and PSU of course (nevermind tubing concerns for AIOs)
 
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It will be nearly impossible for you to get a Corsair H100i GTX to fit. You need the H105 and even that is pretty tight.
Fine, I yield!:p
CASE: v4
CPU: 5820K
CPU Cooler: NH-C14, SP120 Hi-Perf PWM at bottom and TY-140 on side bracket (exhausting out side)
Motherboard: X99E-ITX/ac
Memory: 2x16GB Vengeance LPX 2666MHz
Storage: M4 256GB (old)
Video Card: GTX 980 Ti ACX+
Power Supply: SX600-G
Case Fan: SP120 Hi-Perf PWM + TY-140 at bottom intake, NF-A9x14 exhaust at rear
Need to figure out the fan situation for the remaining 120mm space on the side bracket next to the PSU. It'll definitely be exhaust of course, just not sure which model.
 
Ye I am more and more thinking it could be an issue with my motherboard. My old one died last year and since then I had to use a kinda cheap itx board (Asrock B75M), just because it was the only one I could find and atleast it was a completly new board with guarantee. But it shows that it really struggles with my 2600k at times, has some weird bugs and cant really utilize everything anyways... Well if I could find a asus z77 itx anywhere I would switch but I guess I will just use this one until I upgrade (maybe skylake dunno yet).

Will try to test a different power supply and see but I really have the feeling it is indeed the mobo.

You guys helped me a lot so far, thanks!

So a little update: I switched the powersupply and it is not the culprit. So I guess I got unlucky with my motherboard :/
 
The problem with the C14S is that it's too tall for a 25 mm top fan.

The C14 has room for a 120 mm bottom fan and a top fan mounted to either the heatsink or the side bracket.

Thanks for pointing that out. Unfortunately the C14 has been discontinued and replaced by the C14S, however it looks like the C14 is still available at a few online retailers.
 
Posted in the Asrock X99E-ITX thread, but probably of interest here too as this is crammed in a M1...

The Noctua C14 can be adpated with the Narrow ILM brackets for some reasonable air cooling for X99.

Excuse the poor quality phone pics, but here are some shots:

Out of curiosity, can you still fit the 3.5" HDD cage in with that cooler? Your build is basically exactly what I'm hoping to do, hopefully with my two HDD's in too.
 
Thanks for pointing that out. Unfortunately the C14 has been discontinued and replaced by the C14S, however it looks like the C14 is still available at a few online retailers.

I think the C14 supply will last for some time as availability of the C14S is not really worth mentioning. Amazon doesn't even have stock of the C14S and Newegg doesn't even have it listed, nevermind the fact that where it's available it's $15 more expensive than it was purported to be.

Nonetheless, the "outgoing" C14 is certainly the X99 M1's air cooler of choice given the height difference.
 
I think the C14 supply will last for some time as availability of the C14S is not really worth mentioning. Amazon doesn't even have stock of the C14S and Newegg doesn't even have it listed, nevermind the fact that where it's available it's $15 more expensive than it was purported to be.

Nonetheless, the "outgoing" C14 is certainly the X99 M1's air cooler of choice given the height difference.

I think you're right, but I just ordered one from Amazon to be sure. Noctua is sending the mounting brackets, but they will take a while to show up from Europe.
 
Scythe seems interesting but X99 in the Ncase has only a few confirmed options:
Anything Narrow-ILM (Dynatron, Noctua i4, et al)
H80i/H100i (and other Corsair AIOs with the same head unit provided washers are used)
Asetek AIOs with their Narrow-ILM kit
Cooler Master Seidon 120V
EK custom loop with their Narrow-ILM bracket
NH-C14 with their i4 mounting kit

Provided any cooler with a compatible mount from above meets clearances of the side bracket and PSU of course (nevermind tubing concerns for AIOs)

AquaComputer will also make you a Narrow ILM bracket for their coolers, if you ask nicely :)

Mine's arrived and is awaiting the rest of my WCing parts:

IMG_6392.jpg
 
Posted in the Asrock X99E-ITX thread, but probably of interest here too as this is crammed in a M1...

The Noctua C14 can be adpated with the Narrow ILM brackets for some reasonable air cooling for X99.

Excuse the poor quality phone pics, but here are some shots:

4.JPG

Is that a prolimatech mk-26 cooler on your titan x?
 
Yep - Accelero Extreme IV. Works a charm too - can overclock to 1400 and keep the temps reasonable:)

Hey csd,

Does the 3.5" HDD cage fit with the C14 installed?

Sorry to pester, you're running my exact setup I plan to build soon and compatibility isn't listed on the spreadsheet.
 
I hate those under-side mounted mSATA / m.2 slots. I' rather have something on a riser like the Maximus Impact. They could even have the m.2 slot opening upwards so you mount the drive vertically instead of flat on the board.
 
I agree about having M.2 drives on the back of a motherboard. I prefer to have these drives on top where I can direct some airflow onto them.

I've seen a couple of new motherboards that have a double M.2 connector so that the two M.2 drives would be stacked on top of each other (like pancakes). Why not have them vertical or laying on their long side and parallel like RAM modules?
 
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