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

how thick is the aluminum for this case? would love to take a dremel to this and cut out a square and fit an acrylic window for some pretty awesome led set up. im going to get two of these and mod the living hell out of the second one. external watercooling pump and reservoir external slim slot load dvd reader writer and maybe a fighter jet style trigger button for power on the front. frankencase mark 5. the first case will be unmodded gaming/htpc connected to my flat screen
 
rkohliny said:
how thick is the aluminum for this case? would love to take a dremel to this and cut out a square and fit an acrylic window for some pretty awesome led set up. im going to get two of these and mod the living hell out of the second one. external watercooling pump and reservoir external slim slot load dvd reader writer and maybe a fighter jet style trigger button for power on the front. frankencase mark 5. the first case will be unmodded gaming/htpc connected to my flat screen
Click to expand...
The A4-SFX is made out 1.5mm brushed aluminum.
 
Guys, I been following page 138 and I can see your concerns about GPU + SSD bottleneck. This is my suggestion and what I will do. You have to evaluate what's better for you. Next year along with Kaby lake Intel will release Optane storage with the objective to reduce the bottleneck on HDD/SDD. This technology will be faster and with higher densities (at least what I've read), we still have to look for prices next year... Which means for me that I will keep my Samnsung PRO 850 512GB until next year to see the results. In fact I have my Asus Maximus VII Impact ITX and my dear 4790K which I won't upgrade until Kaby Lake, I want to keep the 90W TDP on the CPU, I hope to see at least 6 cores on the same TDP range next year. This year is a good year to upgrade graphics card.
 
crisisv87akd said:
Guys, I been following page 138 and I can see your concerns about GPU + SSD bottleneck. This is my suggestion and what I will do. You have to evaluate what's better for you. Next year along with Kaby lake Intel will release Optane storage with the objective to reduce the bottleneck on HDD/SDD. This technology will be faster and with higher densities (at least what I've read), we still have to look for prices next year... Which means for me that I will keep my Samnsung PRO 850 512GB until next year to see the results. In fact I have my Asus Maximus VII Impact ITX and my dear 4790K which I won't upgrade until Kaby Lake, I want to keep the 90W TDP on the CPU, I hope to see at least 6 cores on the same TDP range next year. This year is a good year to upgrade graphics card.
Click to expand...
No sense to upgrade to Kaby Lake from Haswell. My suggestion is to wait at least until Cannon Lake 10nm. Unless you have a bunch of cash that need to burn.
 
Israel Les Garcia said:
I am currently looking into this case and the M1 for doing my new PC.

Considering thay I would like to use a GTX 1080 and the compacted in the case. Do tou think there will be any overheating or noise issues.

as long as there are no alarming peaks of any kind with default speeds, I am fine.
Click to expand...

dan would say that you will be fine! :)

both M1 and A4-SFX have fans near vents. so when the fans spin up, you will hear them depending on how far your ear is from the fan. but neither case will "overheat". both are safe.
 
Israel Les Garcia said:
Hi there,

I am currently looking into this case and the M1 for doing my new PC. I understand that there is no space on the A4 for waterblocks or AIOs.

Considering thay I would like to use a GTX 1080 and the compacted in the case. Do tou think there will be any overheating or noise issues. That is the only reason I am also looking into the M1.

Not interested into overclocking so as long as there are no alarming peaks of any kind with default speeds, I am fine.

What do you think? Also what would be the most powerful build up within this case without any budget constraints and keeping a steady performance?

Cheers
Click to expand...
If you decide on an Ncase M1 make sure to get either a reference or blower style gpu. If you get an open cooler gpu the CPU cooler will intake the hot GPU exhaust and it'll raise CPU temps.

If you go for a Dan A4 any style GPU will work because the CPU and GPU are compartmentalized so the GPU exhaust from an open cooler GPU won't affect the CPU intake.
 
Is anybody getting the LP53 cpu cooler? I am probably going to just go with the CryOrig C7 as I do not plan to overclock (maybe 4.1-4.2 GHz at most).
 
Israel Les Garcia said:
Thanks mate. I might go for the A4 as I dont think I will be overclocking anything :)

Actually, would be possible to do me a favor and tell me what could be the best build that I could create on the A4 without worrying about budget. I am worried about the parts compatibility and I would prefer to rely on your experience and knowledge.

Specially the GTX 1080 as I would like to buy it this month to start using it :). Not sure which one to buy

Thanks in advance :)
Click to expand...


You can do nearly anything. There exists an X99 board for ITX. The only real limitations are two RAM slots, three 2.5" hard drives, and one GPU. Also there is thermal concerns with X99 but if budget is not an issue you can watercool externally
 
I'm like super torn here.
Is the riser cable user-serviceable? i.e. when I build a new computer and there is a newer riser cable standard needed
I want to buy one for the future... when 4tb SSDs don't cost and arm lol
 
bencho said:
I'm like super torn here.
Is the riser cable user-serviceable? i.e. when I build a new computer and there is a newer riser cable standard needed
I want to buy one for the future... when 4tb SSDs don't cost and arm lol
Click to expand...

yes it's just a cable and it can be replaced. but the current one will be adequate for 5-10+ years, and nobody can promise you they'll be selling a compatible new cable in 10 years
 
Israel Les Garcia said:
Thanks mate. I might go for the A4 as I dont think I will be overclocking anything :)

Actually, would be possible to do me a favor and tell me what could be the best build that I could create on the A4 without worrying about budget. I am worried about the parts compatibility and I would prefer to rely on your experience and knowledge.

Specially the GTX 1080 as I would like to buy it this month to start using it :). Not sure which one to buy

Thanks in advance :)
Click to expand...
This is what my build looks like so far: Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core, GeForce GTX 1080 8GB STRIX - System Build - PCPartPicker
 
Israel Les Garcia said:
Mmm if X99 is going to be problematic to cool down it normally I would prefer to stay with the normal 6700.

What GTX 1080 do you recommend? Maybe the ASUS Strix?
Click to expand...


Not sure if Strix fits. But if it does I think it might be the best option. Can someone clarify this?
 
raazman said:
This is what my build looks like so far: Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core, GeForce GTX 1080 8GB STRIX - System Build - PCPartPicker
Click to expand...

I'm going down a similar path (6700k, Z170, 1080, Cryorig cooler) but I'll probably call it a day with DDR4 2133 RAM and only one 1TB SSD.

What I'm really excited about is I'm going to use this as my opportunity to upgrade my TV to 4k and get an LG OLED65E6P....

If you don't hear from me for a while after that I'm either enjoying my new toys, or my wife has murdered me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: K888D
like this
Does this case have a power light on it anywhere? From a quick glance it seems like no. Does the power button have an integrated light around the rim?
 
Israel Les Garcia said:
I will order the Strix then. What about the motherboard? The ASUS Maxmimus VIII or ASUS Z170i Pro Gaming? or is there anything better?
Click to expand...

If money is really not an issue:

Corsair SF600 SFX PSU - 600 watts
Asus ROG Maximus VIII Impact mITX MB
Intel Core i7 6700K @ 4.0GHz CPU
Cryorig C7 CPU cooler
Corsair LPX Vengeance DDR4 RAM - 2 @ 16GB PC3200 DIMMs
Intel 750-series 1.2 TB 2.5" NVMe SSD
Asus Strix GTX 1080 GPU

And finish it off with a set of custom PSU cables from Ensourced…

With the cost of the chassis & shipping all around, should give you a sweet US$3,000.00 high-end gaming rig…!
 
Boil said:
If money is really not an issue:

Corsair SF600 SFX PSU - 600 watts
Asus ROG Maximus VIII Impact mITX MB
Intel Core i7 6700K @ 4.0GHz CPU
Cryorig C7 CPU cooler
Corsair LPX Vengeance DDR4 RAM - 2 @ 16GB PC3200 DIMMs
Intel 750-series 1.2 TB 2.5" NVMe SSD
Asus Strix GTX 1080 GPU

And finish it off with a set of custom PSU cables from Ensourced…

With the cost of the chassis & shipping all around, should give you a sweet US$3,000.00 high-end gaming rig…!
Click to expand...

Maybe the LP53 cpu cooler w/ a thin fan?
 
Israel Les Garcia said:
I will order the Strix then. What about the motherboard? The ASUS Maxmimus VIII or ASUS Z170i Pro Gaming? or is there anything better?
Click to expand...

I'd wait to buy any hardware, unless you plan on using it now in another enclosure until you get the A4. See Dan's post below. We will not have these in our hands until October (best case) or December (worst case and no pun intended). You never know, there might be better options by then, or better pricing.

dondan said:
case1: Shipment is between Oct. and Dec. 2016. Best case Oct. worse case Dec.
Click to expand...
 
CknSalad said:
Maybe the LP53 cpu cooler w/ a thin fan?
Click to expand...

Was thinking about that if I can figure out how to mount a 120mm on there. If so, then I'll probably go with a 150mm noctua with 120mm mounting holes -- though this all depends on part clearance on whatever motherboard I end up buying in the fall. (Waiting for Kaby Lake, currently on Ivy Bridge)
 
bAMtan2 said:
yes it's just a cable and it can be replaced. but the current one will be adequate for 5-10+ years, and nobody can promise you they'll be selling a compatible new cable in 10 years
Click to expand...

Cool. I wasn't sure if it was bolted in permanently.
I agree and now with 30 hours left, I'm super itching to pick up one >__<

One really cool thing would be getting some type of conversion to reuse the GPU space for (2) 3.5" HDDs (or just HDDs in general) for a sweet HTPC.
 
Maybe silly but this is my first time as a kickstarter backer. :)

So what happens tomorrow?

Kickstarter will take money from our credit cards ?
And i presume after that we would be asked where to deliver it?
 
Rorschach said:
Maybe silly but this is my first time as a kickstarter backer. :)

So what happens tomorrow?

Kickstarter will take money from our credit cards ?
And i presume after that we would be asked where to deliver it?
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's usually what happens.
 
I think the evga and MSI cards have 3 displayports, and the asus has only 2.

Israel Les Garcia said:
What GTX 1080 do you recommend? Maybe the ASUS Strix?
Click to expand...

in my opinion, the most efficiently-sized GPU cooler will use the extra space which dan has provided in his design. the side panel holes in the current design run extra high too.

video cards with extra space in this dimension include the EVGA FTW ACX (not plain ACX), and the MSI cards.

furthermore, I do wonder if the heatsink fin orientation will affect performance in A4-SFX. the EVGA FTW fins run vertically ( https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2016/06/evga-gtx-1080-ftw-acx-3-100668058-orig.png ), which may mean more air pressure at the top of the case near the top vent. the MSI fins run horizontally ( http://imagescdn.tweaktown.com/cont...ce-gtx-1080-gaming-8g-totally-silent_full.png ), which may mean more pressure at the rear bracket vent.

that said, I did find one review which shows the MSI cooler to be quieter. ( http://hexus.net/media/uploaded/2016/6/d69e1adc-1881-4c88-b0e0-0ef1b832dfdb.png )

if I was buying a video card today, I would buy the quietest, and then I would underclock it until it was even quieter.

dan has said that the MSI might fit, so I look forward to the first person who does fit it! ;) maybe modified right-angle power cables will be necessary...
 
Hey all,

I would love for one of you geniuses to do a layover of the MSI/ASUS/EVGA 1080 cards "inside the case" so we can see how they matchup with the air vent holes on the side of the case.

Any of you willing to please give it a try?

Thanks,
 
Israel Les Garcia said:
As you say, I was thinking on using the GTX 1080 on my Alienware Aurora R3 from a few years ago, while I wait for the new case. However, after bAMtan2 comment, not sure if I should buy the Strix. Dan said that it fits and that it is a bit tight. I wouldnt like the case to bend or sth like that.
Click to expand...
He never said the case will bend.
 
1 minute left!

Edit: Congratulations on a successful kickstarter campaign, Dondan! I've been watching this case for a while now and have never been as excited for a case as I am now! Thank you for your hard work, I can't wait for this to be in my hands.
 
Fyi, my cc declined the charge and made me confirm the transaction was legit (amazon cc). Also recieved an email for KS saying they will auto retry the pledge. Just thought people should be aware in case they have a similar issue.
Congrats dondan !
 
Can't wait to receive mine and start customizing it!
Congrats on the successful campaign; can't wait to see future models!
 
Yeah! Congrats. Now we wait for Kickstarter to transfer that money into your business account.

P.S. Still eagerly waiting for the linus video.
 
drklu said:
Fyi, my cc declined the charge and made me confirm the transaction was legit (amazon cc). Also recieved an email for KS saying they will auto retry the pledge. Just thought people should be aware in case they have a similar issue.
Congrats do
Click to expand...
same here but I authorized it. I don't remember giving my address. Was it just our billing address they will use?
 
EgumbkS.jpg


I feel honored :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top