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

Mastaba said:
How did you managed to fit the pump with two 240mm rads?
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I cheated. I mounted the pump and reservoir on the outside back of the case.

I checked the CPU waterblock. It seemed as if if was sitting on one of the capacitors near the CPU socket. I repositioned it and now under full load it does not go as high as before, but still 80°C.
Also fascinating: When starting the computer and running Prime95, temps go from 30 to 80 and when I stop after a short time, it goes fairly fast back to the mid 30s. But when gaming for two hours temps are at 50°C and only go down very slowly. Does that tell me, that the CPU block can't transfer the heat to the coolant very well?
 
darrpara said:
Has anyone here done a comparison between GPU/Case temps with a reference GPU and multifan GPU (e.g. reference 980 vs an EVGA 980 or something)? I'd been considering only reference/blower GPUs but I know they are typically louder and also hotter than non reference cards.
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Non-reference, open cooler GPUs do tend to run cooler and quieter than reference/blower GPUs, however the trade off is that they do not exhaust much/any of their own hot air, unlike blower cards. In a bigger case (or any case with sufficient case fans to set up good intake-exhaust airflow) this isn't typically a problem, however in the M1 the exhaust from an open cooler card can get trapped in the lower section of the case, which results in recycling the hot air. It also causes the rest of the components in the case to run hotter. That's not to say open cooler cards can't work - plenty of people have used them in the M1. Just be aware of the trade offs, and consider lower TDP cards when possible. For these reasons I generally recommend blower cards, and would steer people away from AMD (they have higher TDPs, and their blowers are poor quality compared to nvidia's Titan-style cooler). But something like an open cooler GTX 970 will run well enough.

Mastaba said:
About AIO integration i saw the Swiftech H220-X which seems to be shorter than the predator, does it fit the M1?
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The integrated pump/res on the H220-X rad won't fit in the M1. It's a good idea to check the google docs spreadsheet before posting on the forum when you have questions like these.
 
That silverstone PSU 'chirp' or 'chopping' sure is a bother, I also heard a coil wine earlier that was wayyyyyyy louder than it should be. Really hope the corsair psu fixes some of these problems.

einmannbude said:
I cheated. I mounted the pump and reservoir on the outside back of the case.

I checked the CPU waterblock. It seemed as if if was sitting on one of the capacitors near the CPU socket. I repositioned it and now under full load it does not go as high as before, but still 80°C.
Also fascinating: When starting the computer and running Prime95, temps go from 30 to 80 and when I stop after a short time, it goes fairly fast back to the mid 30s. But when gaming for two hours temps are at 50°C and only go down very slowly. Does that tell me, that the CPU block can't transfer the heat to the coolant very well?
Click to expand...

I'll take a swing at this, I'm just assuming here based on what I think might be happening. In some cases, I think you've got the right idea. There is a small metal plate that will soak up the heat that the CPU is giving off, because it's small it depends on the water to cool it off to keep the CPU cool. Because you're rapidly going from idle to 100%, it takes a while for the water to pass enough current over the metal block on the back of the CPU. I also assume this is because both the water in the water cooler as well as the metal block connecting to the cpu that it's not directly transferring the heat, like you'd see in a large air cooling block (more metal "connected" directly to the CPU).
 
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ILikeVoltron said:
You were absolutely correct, I took a look at some pictures and saw people were mounting it 90 degrees counter-clockwise to what I had pictured there. After I did that, I was able (with some difficulty) slot in the GPU. You really don't have much clearance on the PSU cables, but it works. I also put in a 120mm fan on the bottom of the case but I'm struggling to figure out what else to do for cooling, do people have luck moounting a 80mm fan on the rear for exhaust?
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A slim 92mm is the best compromise for the back panel. The noctua 92x14mm is what I have installed and it works great. Ideally a 25mm thick fan would be much more effective. The Noctua doesnt move anywhere near as much air for the same RPM as its thicker counterparts, but it does remain quieter, and is practically silent at double the rpm of its counterparts, maintaining silence upward of 700-1000 rpm which helps. What I really enjoy is the PWM capabilities permitting lower rpm idles, extending fan life and reducing dust.
 
einmannbude said:
I cheated. I mounted the pump and reservoir on the outside back of the case.

I checked the CPU waterblock. It seemed as if if was sitting on one of the capacitors near the CPU socket. I repositioned it and now under full load it does not go as high as before, but still 80°C.
Also fascinating: When starting the computer and running Prime95, temps go from 30 to 80 and when I stop after a short time, it goes fairly fast back to the mid 30s. But when gaming for two hours temps are at 50°C and only go down very slowly. Does that tell me, that the CPU block can't transfer the heat to the coolant very well?
Click to expand...

During your long gaming session, the water is warming up slowly. By the end you have saturated the fluid so that it is all much warmer. The CPU block is doing its job just fine but the heat is not being transferred out of the fluid via the radiator as fast as it could be, so perhaps try:
1) fitting a second fan to the radiator;
2) fitting a higher-flow fan;
3) using a thicker radiator.
 
okwchin said:
A slim 92mm is the best compromise for the back panel. The noctua 92x14mm is what I have installed and it works great. Ideally a 25mm thick fan would be much more effective. The Noctua doesnt move anywhere near as much air for the same RPM as its thicker counterparts, but it does remain quieter, and is practically silent at double the rpm of its counterparts, maintaining silence upward of 700-1000 rpm which helps. What I really enjoy is the PWM capabilities permitting lower rpm idles, extending fan life and reducing dust.
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Yea, I already had the 80mm on order and it was too late by the time I figured out it was going to be too thick. My next order will be the 92mm, does it fit the rear easily, or with pegs or something? I'll poke around this thread and see if I can see somebody else using it.
 
ILikeVoltron said:
Yea, I already had the 80mm on order and it was too late by the time I figured out it was going to be too thick. My next order will be the 92mm, does it fit the rear easily, or with pegs or something? I'll poke around this thread and see if I can see somebody else using it.
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The Noctua fan comes with their signature chocolate brown soft rubber mounting plugs (pegs?), but I used screws to fasten mine.
 
einmannbude said:
Also fascinating: When starting the computer and running Prime95, temps go from 30 to 80 and when I stop after a short time, it goes fairly fast back to the mid 30s. But when gaming for two hours temps are at 50°C and only go down very slowly. Does that tell me, that the CPU block can't transfer the heat to the coolant very well?
Click to expand...
I would try other benchmarking apps, Prime95 uses AVX which unnaturally loads the CPU causing much higher temps than you'll ever see in real use. Don't these CPUs thermal-throttle around 85°C ? So if it does hit 80-90°C, this might be happening. So try to test something like AIDA64 Burnin Test or just encoding a video in HandBrake to avoid this and see what happens. 50°C during gaming is normal, depending on the game entirely. Some games don't make my fans spin up more, audibly.
 
Qrash said:
The Noctua fan comes with their signature chocolate brown soft rubber mounting plugs (pegs?), but I used screws to fasten mine.
Click to expand...

Same, I just mounted it with the metal screws. I figure the rubber feet it already has plus the low RPM will keep it quiet enough.

Anybody know what the options for a 3.5" drive + fan on the bottom of the case are? It looks like you can just squeeze a 120mm fan + drive, but cabling and mounting of the drive is a huge PITA. I can't find a good space to use the rubber grommets to mount and get even the angled SATA power cable to fit. That and I ordered a reverse angled SATA cable.
 
Phuncz said:
I would try other benchmarking apps, Prime95 uses AVX which unnaturally loads the CPU causing much higher temps than you'll ever see in real use. Don't these CPUs thermal-throttle around 85°C ? So if it does hit 80-90°C, this might be happening. So try to test something like AIDA64 Burnin Test or just encoding a video in HandBrake to avoid this and see what happens. 50°C during gaming is normal, depending on the game entirely. Some games don't make my fans spin up more, audibly.
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A few stress tests compared
No, they throttle around 95-100 C. At least my Haswell does.
 
Thank you for all your answers.

Hermit2001 said:
1) fitting a second fan to the radiator;
2) fitting a higher-flow fan;
3) using a thicker radiator.
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Assuming you mean push-pull configuration with point 1) - there is no room for that. Also not for a thicker radiator. Well the side radiator would be a bit thicker, but I like to use quick disconnectors and the one between CPU block an side radiator is almost touching the PSU. I thought static pressure optimized fans are meant to be used for radiators. I use the slim fans at the bottom radiator as intake and also the side fans as intake and measured by my hand holding above the case, there is a fair amount of air coming out.

Phuncz said:
I would try other benchmarking apps, Prime95 uses AVX which unnaturally loads the CPU causing much higher temps than you'll ever see in real use.
Click to expand...
I see. I noticed the difference in temperatures between gaming and Prime95. I feel comfortable with the 50°C with GTA 5. I just was concerned about future games that might use CPU more than this game does, well knowing that the CPU will never be under the synthetic load like in Prime 95.

Phuncz said:
Don't these CPUs thermal-throttle around 85°C ?
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Mine also did not throttle until now. In Prime95 it stayed at the boost clock of 3.9GHz.
 
Man, this thread gets larger each and every time I come back into it. Awesome to see it, actually.

Also, quick thing, how many other people have super-large GPUs in their NCase? I just got the Sapphire Tri-X, and after a little bit of confusion (I had bought it since Microcenter lists it as seven inches (Absolutely not seven inches:https://goo.gl/photos/cP54WiMmpRJiHcg37)), I managed to fit it in pretty neatly.
 
I have two Sapphire Tri-X cards in my main atx rig and they are very long GPUs. LOL
 
I tried many times, but I was unable to checkout using my Paypal account when buying from the official website. This really sucks. Does the country of my shipping address need to match my Paypal account country? I have an US paypal account, but I have to ship it elsewhere.
 
rakall said:
Good one!:D
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But even in jest, I'm interested. I've seen some mATX lookalikes for the NCase (think there was one on /r/battlestations a while back), and I just really love the general vibe that it has. Though I do love SFX too much to leave.
 
Skott said:
Now we just need reviews.
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This x 100! The real question is did corsair do any better of a job on this than silverstone! Somebody a page back posted they had one on order. I imagine it'll take a few weeks before we have enough reviews to know if they are better.
 
I received my case ;)
this thing is beautiful!

The only part I have is a noctua c 14.
I think I am going to take my time for this built. I might wait for pascal.

I will order the corsair psu 600W

question, can someone link me the post for the duster filers?
I can t find it again. I would like to order the fullset ahead.

also are they a compound for the CPU that is really good?

Thanks ,
 
ranix said:
question, can someone link me the post for the duster filers?
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Do you mean the demciflex filters? Search

ranix said:
also are they a compound for the CPU that is really good?
Click to expand...
I always go with the thermal compound that comes with the CPU cooler. Usually the temperature difference when using different thermal compounds is so small, that it is not worth it to buy it separate. I have even seen a video on youtube where they used ketchup or tooth paste with similar results.
 
yes i was speaking about those filters.
there was a post with the exact dimensions needed for the ncase. and that we had to order them wuth magbet or something like this.
not so sure has i read it like 2 months ago.

regarding thermal compound, I got the message ( but I will not use ketchup).

On a side not, ketchup might be ok the first day but i am sure after a couple of week the difference will be real between ketchup and a good thermal compound ;)
 
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ranix said:
there was a post with the exact dimensions needed for the ncase. and that we had to order them wuth magbet or something like this.
Click to expand...
The link I provided takes you directly to the already specially-made-for-M1 set of filters. No need to care about the size or the magnets. It will just fit.
 
oh great!
opening it from my. phone d id not have the same result .

thanks a lot. Going to order them today!
 
Just today got my NCASE M1 v5, and boy am I pleased with the quality of it!

I have one question though does anyone know if Gigabyte 980 TI xtreme gaming, fit in this case? I know that G1 fits, seen tons of pictures. Here is comparison of dimesions of aforementioned GPU's. Sadly there is no information in the spreadsheet about it :/

Thanks for any answers whatsoever.
 
So my modifications to the M1 have gone a bit further...
Perspex window now installed.
As the GPU can dump rather a lot of heat into the case I have made a duct to draw it away from the SSD's and other components. It is then dumped directly out of some slots cut into the front panel.

Ncase M1 - modified
 
Hermit2001 said:
So my modifications to the M1 have gone a bit further...
Perspex window now installed.
As the GPU can dump rather a lot of heat into the case I have made a duct to draw it away from the SSD's and other components. It is then dumped directly out of some slots cut into the front panel.

Ncase M1 - modified
Click to expand...
Very nice. But it looks like the bottom of the glass has a thin hole in it. Where the glass doesn't completely cover the hole. Is that on purpose?
 
Hermit2001 said:
So my modifications to the M1 have gone a bit further...
Perspex window now installed.
As the GPU can dump rather a lot of heat into the case I have made a duct to draw it away from the SSD's and other components. It is then dumped directly out of some slots cut into the front panel.

Ncase M1 - modified
Click to expand...

whats the point of the big chunk missing from the front panel?
 
Vytautas said:
Just today got my NCASE M1 v5, and boy am I pleased with the quality of it!

I have one question though does anyone know if Gigabyte 980 TI xtreme gaming, fit in this case? I know that G1 fits, seen tons of pictures. Here is comparison of dimesions of aforementioned GPU's.
Click to expand...
It looks like it should fit, based on the dimensions and pictures. The PCIe power connectors are recessed, so that shouldn't be a problem. The only potential issue might be the rear corner of the PCB which could interfere with the side panel clip, but it doesn't appear to be nearly as tall as the ASUS Strix cards, so there's a decent chance it will fit without having to mod anything. Take a look at the detailed GPU size restriction drawing for reference.

No Hands 55 said:
whats the point of the big chunk missing from the front panel?
Click to expand...
It's an extra exhaust port. That looks like a Titan Z, which is a dual GPU blower design where half the exhaust comes out the front of the card. Normally in the M1 that would get trapped behind the front panel.
 
Lazer1337 said:
Very nice. But it looks like the bottom of the glass has a thin hole in it. Where the glass doesn't completely cover the hole. Is that on purpose?
Click to expand...

Thanks! There's no hole though- that's either a reflection of the nvidia badge on the aluminium or light visible through the rear vents.

Necere said:
It's an extra exhaust port. That looks like a Titan Z, which is a dual GPU blower design where half the exhaust comes out the front of the card. Normally in the M1 that would get trapped behind the front panel.
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Yes, it happens to dump all its heat normally right onto my SSD's. I have an ODD installed and a H100i, so had to make a custom slimline bracket to get 2 SSD's in near the PSU.

When its finished and I strip everything to install the 700W SFX-L I will add extra images of this mod for anyone interested.
 
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My case is due to arrive tomorrow (having paid the UK customs duties online last night) - only issue is the lack of an SFF PSU! I see scan.co.uk are taking pre orders for the Corsair SF450 which has an anticipated arrival date of 18th March. Has anyone else placed an order for either of the new Corsair PSUs?
 
Yeah, I've looked at that image, for quite some time :)

Do you think I need to think of some way to support that card? It is very long - will it bend down? Maybe you have dealt with such things, I'm noob at this stuff...
 
PaperLawyer said:
My case is due to arrive tomorrow (having paid the UK customs duties online last night) - only issue is the lack of an SFF PSU! I see scan.co.uk are taking pre orders for the Corsair SF450 which has an anticipated arrival date of 18th March. Has anyone else placed an order for either of the new Corsair PSUs?
Click to expand...
My SF600 should be here tomorrow. I'll take some pictures if anyone is interested.
 
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PaperLawyer said:
My case is due to arrive tomorrow (having paid the UK customs duties online last night) - only issue is the lack of an SFF PSU! I see scan.co.uk are taking pre orders for the Corsair SF450 which has an anticipated arrival date of 18th March. Has anyone else placed an order for either of the new Corsair PSUs?
Click to expand...

Awesome. My case arrived today having paid U.K. customs online yesterday as well (£23.62!). It's so tempting to just buy the SX600 and finish my build, but like most I'm waiting to see what the Corsair SF450/600 bring to the table before I invest in a new PSU.

On a side note. It amazes me that my M1 which shipped from Taiwan arrived without any damage, yet my CPU which had to come all the way from Bolton to Brighton arrived damaged (GG Royal Mail). Anyway it really is a fantastic case and worth every single penny.
 
Hermit2001 said:
Yes, it happens to dump all its heat normally right onto my SSD's. I have an ODD installed and a H100i, so had to make a custom slimline bracket to get 2 SSD's in near the PSU.
Click to expand...

Unless they are 12.5 mm SSDs (if those exist), you didn't have to.

hg11l8hl.jpg
 
Wow, this is an incredible thread which just gave me the gut to go for a build after a couple of months of research and 15 years of laptop... (n)
So I guess, thanks a lot!

I am expecting this beauty in its 5th version to arrive soon with the following :

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600
Cooler : Noctua NHL12
Mobo : Asus Z170I PRO GAMING
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-2400
SSD: Crucial BX 100 500GB
GPU: Asus GTX mini (or a blower, not yet decided)
PSU: Silverstone SFX600
Fans : 2 Noctua - 1*NF F12 and 1*NF A9

Nothing really fancy here but a good (re)start before maybe some overclocking in the next couple of years.

I am very impressed of what some can achieved regarding airflow versus hot gear, things have definitely changed :eek:
This is the only thing I still don't know yet where to go, mini VGA or blower for safety (endless discussions!)

Anyway thanks for all the advises in this thread!
Cheers
 
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