Hutzy XS — Ultra Compact Gaming Case (<4L)

[Sebbie]

i vote A, cleanest look of them all

 

[Jen]

B is my vote

 

[Hahutzy]

if I got creative with double sided tape, is there anywhere I could possibly stash another SSD without blocking airflow? Maybe on top of the PSU?

Sadly no. There isn't enough height for it there or else I would have mounted 1 there too.

 

[Hahutzy]

Thanks for the prelim responses, I created the new poll: Which Vent Hole design do you prefer?

Here's some more shots of each design at different angles:

 

[Boil]

But when can we order a chassis…?!? ;^P

 

[Hahutzy]

But when can we order a chassis…?!? ;^P

When it's ready (soon™?)

I'm as anxious as anyone else to see the community get their hands on the XS, it has to meet my standards first though

 

[QuantumBraced]

Are the screws for the side panels 6-32? If so, thumbscrews can be used (you can get dozens for $10 on Amazon), which are much more convenient for regular cleaning and access to the components.

Sadly no. There isn't enough height for it there or else I would have mounted 1 there too.

I see. Hm, I'm looking at the pictures -- there seems to be about 7-8mm between the end of the motherboard/graphics card and the back wall. I assume you left that for cable management. Could an SSD be crammed in there if one put their mind to it? Clearly there can't be support for that, but I'm wondering if it's physically possible.

It's a bit of a shame that there's actually a bit of empty space on the GPU side, but sadly it can't be used for anything.

 

[Boil]

Thinking about the PSU for this chassis…

Hoping you are coordinating / working with iFreilicht on the FSP 500w Platinum PSU…?!?

And thinking about the (hopefully) custom wiring harness from the factory for same…

Since you could only fit a single SSD in with the FlexATX PSU, I propose the following for the wiring harness:

(1) 20+4 pin MB
(1) 4+4 pin CPU
(1) 6+2 pin GPU
(1) SATA

None any longer than need be to reach the appropriate sockets on the various components, somewhere between 15cm to 30cm I would think…?

A super shorty 10cm cable for the SATA…?

Sleeved, or…? If not individual sleeving (that would drive cost up), then single-sleeve / black mesh 'tube' for each main bundle, but definitely black underlying wires…!

 

[Hahutzy]

Are the screws for the side panels 6-32?

They are M3, which you could still get thumbscrews for. However, the panels have countersunk holes because I want to use countersunk screws for a flush surface after fastening.

I see. Hm, I'm looking at the pictures -- there seems to be about 7-8mm between the end of the motherboard/graphics card and the back wall. I assume you left that for cable management. Could an SSD be crammed in there if one put their mind to it? Clearly there can't be support for that, but I'm wondering if it's physically possible.

From the end of the middleboard to the front of the case, there is around 6.8mm of space. This is the same clearance between the end of the motherboard to the front of the case.
I mean, I do see a world where someone could find a 7mm SSD that was thinner than it claims, and that could be crammed into the front using super thin double-sided tape, with super low profile cables running out sideways.
Do I recommend trying? No, not really.

There is space left in the front not because it was meant for cable management, but because the case supports up to 177.8mm length of GPUs (exactly 7 inches wall-to-wall).
The space left in my particular build is because the GTX 970 from Gigabyte is only 168mm long.

Thinking about the PSU for this chassis…

Hoping you are coordinating / working with iFreilicht on the FSP 500w Platinum PSU…?!?

And thinking about the (hopefully) custom wiring harness from the factory for same…

Since you could only fit a single SSD in with the FlexATX PSU, I propose the following for the wiring harness:

(1) 20+4 pin MB
(1) 4+4 pin CPU
(1) 6+2 pin GPU
(1) SATA

None any longer than need be to reach the appropriate sockets on the various components, somewhere between 15cm to 30cm I would think…?

A super shorty 10cm cable for the SATA…?

Sleeved, or…? If not individual sleeving (that would drive cost up), then single-sleeve / black mesh 'tube' for each main bundle, but definitely black underlying wires…!

Yup, we've been talking about it. iFreilicht has something interesting cooking up in terms of cabling.

 

[iFreilicht]

Thinking about the PSU for this chassis…

Hoping you are coordinating / working with iFreilicht on the FSP 500w Platinum PSU…?!?

And thinking about the (hopefully) custom wiring harness from the factory for same…

Since you could only fit a single SSD in with the FlexATX PSU, I propose the following for the wiring harness:

(1) 20+4 pin MB
(1) 4+4 pin CPU
(1) 6+2 pin GPU
(1) SATA

None any longer than need be to reach the appropriate sockets on the various components, somewhere between 15cm to 30cm I would think…?

A super shorty 10cm cable for the SATA…?

Sleeved, or…? If not individual sleeving (that would drive cost up), then single-sleeve / black mesh 'tube' for each main bundle, but definitely black underlying wires…!

If you're interested, you might want to consider answering the wishlist poll in the first post here.

 

[Boil]

Yup, we've been talking about it. iFreilicht has something interesting cooking up in terms of cabling.

Cool beans…! Any elaboration on the cabling…?

If you're interested, you might want to consider answering the wishlist poll in the first post here.

Already done…!

 

[Primoz]

Has any pricing ballparks been mentioned yet? This case looks quite nice.

 

[QuantumBraced]

They are M3, which you could still get thumbscrews for. However, the panels have countersunk holes because I want to use countersunk screws for a flush surface after fastening.


From the end of the middleboard to the front of the case, there is around 6.8mm of space. This is the same clearance between the end of the motherboard to the front of the case.
I mean, I do see a world where someone could find a 7mm SSD that was thinner than it claims, and that could be crammed into the front using super thin double-sided tape, with super low profile cables running out sideways.
Do I recommend trying? No, not really.

There is space left in the front not because it was meant for cable management, but because the case supports up to 177.8mm length of GPUs (exactly 7 inches wall-to-wall).
The space left in my particular build is because the GTX 970 from Gigabyte is only 168mm long.

Thanks so much for the quick and comprehensive reply! I think most thumbscrews would cover the hole anyway, so it won't matter if it's regular or countersunk. But this leads me to my next question -- what is the screw length, including the countersunk head? Do you use the same M3 screws everywhere in the case? (well, except for motherboard standoffs). Might be too early for such questions, but I am a thumbscrew fanboy (if there is such a thing) and I put them on everything, I think they would look quite sick on the Hutzy XS actually, may even get a different color to accent.

 

[Boil]

I know I probably asked before, but what PCIe riser cable are you currently using, and what one do you foresee using in a potentially shipping product…?

Length, shielded, etc. …?

I know the 3M ones are the Holy Grail, what is the consensus on the Li-Heat model…?

I would rather see a higher overall cost of the chassis to include a quality shielded cable; or, a lower costing chassis that requires the end user to source their own cable…?

 

[iFreilicht]

Cool beans…! Any elaboration on the cabling…?

Nothing is set in stone yet, but we will be able to offer modular SATA and PEG connectors on short (5-7cm) cables. We're working out the exact lengths to fit both the Hutzy XS and the Brevis S and will consider other configurations as well.
While it's not as nice as having modular connectors directly in the front, it will make installation into the Hutzy XS much easier.

 

[CHANG3D]

To answer the new poll, I pick A. I would be fine with C. But definitely not B.

 

[Hahutzy]

Has any pricing ballparks been mentioned yet? This case looks quite nice.

No, I have not worked out a price yet. The cost is still in fluctuation depending on the components and manufacturing I lock into.

what is the screw length, including the countersunk head? Do you use the same M3 screws everywhere in the case? (well, except for motherboard standoffs).

You need around 3.2mm total length to secure the side panel to the core's flange (1.6mm in thickness for both). The countersunk screws I'm using have a total length of ~5.5mm
I use the same hardware wherever possible. So most things are secured by M3, except for the power supply, which come standard with 6-32 threads unfortunately.

I know I probably asked before, but what PCIe riser cable are you currently using, and what one do you foresee using in a potentially shipping product…?

I'm trying to source a PCIe riser that's shielded but is also affordable. I do not think that a $50+ PCIe cable is worthwhile. Especially so when I still haven't ran into issues in testing with a unshield cable..

The length is I'm using is 30cm, although a 26-27cm cable is more ideal. But no one makes them with a weird length like that.

 

[Boil]

Nothing is set in stone yet, but we will be able to offer modular SATA and PEG connectors on short (5-7cm) cables. We're working out the exact lengths to fit both the Hutzy XS and the Brevis S and will consider other configurations as well.
While it's not as nice as having modular connectors directly in the front, it will make installation into the Hutzy XS much easier.

Would a 7cm cable be long enough to reach the connector on the GPU…? You would be going from below the MB to almost the top of it, accounting for the lateral distance & the curve to bring it back to the GPU power connector, so I would think about 20cm…?!?

I dunno… !!! ;^p

I'm trying to source a PCIe riser that's shielded but is also affordable. I do not think that a $50+ PCIe cable is worthwhile. Especially so when I still haven't ran into issues in testing with a unshield cable..

The length is I'm using is 30cm, although a 26-27cm cable is more ideal. But no one makes them with a weird length like that.

Li-Heat has a 250mm black shielded cable for about 50 bucks…

Li-Heat PCI-E Gen 3.0 Ribbon flexible Riser Cable - Black

Thermaltake also has some shielded PCIe riser cables, but I am not a huge Thermaltake fan (after reading about how they have blatantly ripped off Case Labs products, down to purchasing a unit to totally copy)… The 'redeeming' quality of the Thermaltake cable is the pricing, which is about 30 bucks…? But it may be a bit too short; you need what, at least 250mm, yeah…?

As I said earlier, I would rather pay more for a chassis that includes a high-quality shielded cable, or less for a chassis where I source my own cable…

Thanks guys…! REALLY looking forward to how this chassis sorts itself out…!!! The three major issues I wonder about are; the PSU/cabling, the temps for the M.2 SSD (both for 'standard' SATA III & NVMe drives), and the PCIe riser cable… Everything else looks spot on for a very nice high quality ultra compact mITX-based (MB AND GPU) gaming rig…!!!

MSI H170i Pro AC MB
Intel i5 6500 CPU
Noctua NH-L9i HSF
16GB G.Skill NT Series 2400 DDR4 RAM
Samsung 250GB 850 Evo M.2 SSD
EVGA GTX 1060 SC

 

[iFreilicht]

Would a 7cm cable be long enough to reach the connector on the GPU…? You would be going from below the MB to almost the top of it, accounting for the lateral distance & the curve to bring it back to the GPU power connector, so I would think about 20cm…?!?

I dunno… !!! ;^p

I answered your question here, it seems like the more appropriate place.

 

[Hahutzy]

I tried on the HDPLEX with the build today, and took some shots of different configs that the XS can be built as:

1) Normal CPU+GPU+Flex setup with 1x SSD

2) Replace Flex with DC-DC supply, and you get space for 1x 9.5mm + 2x 7mm drives

Note the screwed-in lid to cap off the Flex connector cutout (it's black because the case will be black)

External power brick plugged in to test fit the plug-in cutout

3) Put the Flex back in, replace the GPU with a 3.5" HDD for a NAS build

 

[QuantumBraced]

So the case will come standard with a FlexATX PSU and custom-length cables, but one will have the option to get it without a PSU if they wanted to install DC-DC?

 

[Hahutzy]

So the case will come standard with a FlexATX PSU and custom-length cables, but one will have the option to get it without a PSU if they wanted to install DC-DC?

Yea, the FlexATX option will be an opt-in.

 

[KawaiiLover92]

Do you think a mini gtx 1060 wil fit?

 

[Hahutzy]

Do you think a mini gtx 1060 wil fit?

Yes, mini 1060s will fit, including:

Zotac 1060 Mini
EVGA 1060 GAMING
EVGA 1060 GAMING SC
Gigabyte 1060 ITX

 

[Hahutzy]

I will be revving up to contact manus to make the second prototype.

To recap, here's the results of the 2 polls:
vent poll 2
vent poll

It will be with the Hex pattern, as it leads by a fair margin in the poll, and it was my personal favorite as well out of the 3.

Here's the newest renders!






Let me know if you have any angles you want for more renders!

 

[KazeoHin]

I will be revving up to contact manus to make the second prototype.

It will be with the Hex pattern, as it leads by a fair margin in the poll, and it was my personal favorite as well out of the 3.

Here's the newest renders!






Let me know if you have any angles you want for more renders!

You made the right choice. That looks sexy.

 

[14001]

Cable harness length is 25cm which is the perfect length for GPU 8pin connector (Motherboard 8pin can be however, vary depending on model 15cm with a 10cm extension cable would be more optimal) and 24pin is perhaps a little too long for the Hutzy XS (15cm would be ideal, again perhaps with a 10cm extension for motherboards that require it)

iFreilicht What is the noise output of the FSP500 in comparison with the SSP300? As my current one outputs a buzzing noise, even at idle. Although I'm unaware if its a peculiarity with flex atx power supplies or not.

 

[iFreilicht]

iFreilicht What is the noise output of the FSP500 in comparison with the SSP300? As my current one outputs a buzzing noise, even at idle. Although I'm unaware if its a peculiarity with flex atx power supplies or not.

Unfortunately I don't know yet, as I need to implement a -12V rail before I can run my current setup from that PSU. I will post results on the thread about the FSP500, so make sure to follow that

A buzzing noise isn't normal, though. My SSP300 is pretty quiet at idle, you can only hear the fan whoosh quietly. I've heard that PSUs can exhibit this and that it will fade after a few hours of use, but don't quote me on that.

Cable harness length is 25cm which is the perfect length for GPU 8pin connector (Motherboard 8pin can be however, vary depending on model 15cm with a 10cm extension cable would be more optimal) and 24pin is perhaps a little too long for the Hutzy XS (15cm would be ideal, again perhaps with a 10cm extension for motherboards that require it)

We're working it out, don't worry. Again, take a look at the thread about the FSP500 to stay in the loop about the cable length discussion. I know most will want to use it in the Hutzy XS, but it's confusing for new people to look at the PSU thread and not get all the information from it.

 

[Hahutzy]

What is the noise output of the FSP500 in comparison with the SSP300? As my current one outputs a buzzing noise, even at idle. Although I'm unaware if its a peculiarity with flex atx power supplies or not.

I can also say that buzzing sound is not normal at idle for the SSP300.

 

[Hahutzy]

Finally ran into a snag recently with the riser cable.

I managed to patch my Win7 install disc so that it installs on Skylake.

Everything runs and boots fine, until the Nvidia display driver is installed for my GTX 970.

After that, every boot results in a black screen.

In safemode it displays everything fine. I suspect the cable isn't actually supporting the PCI-E 3.0 16x, causing the 970 to not communicate properly.

So as Boil urged, I'm looking into getting a different riser.

 

[Artemis2307]

will a delta flex 250w with 17A 12V rail enough for a 1231v3 undervolted and a GTX670 DCUII mini undervolted?
+ 16GB ram, 1 SSD and 1 HDD
here is the product
Hahutzy sorry to ask but can you provide the skp file? I plan to build my custom project based on the Hutzy, for personal use of course

 

[Artemis2307]

I just did some research and I think it'll be sufficient, given that the HDplex with 16A 12V rail can support a GTX970

//oh and one important question: the noise of the flex
is it tolerable? or r9 290 hair dryer level of noise?
and is it noisy at idle or webbing?

 

[iFreilicht]

At idle or low loads, even the SSP-300SUG is very quiet, pretty much every FlexATX PSU is. At maximum load it's problematic, and the SSP300 does get very loud. I never heard an r9 290, but I would imagine them to be similar in noise, I don't find it tolerable at all. This is only the case with articial stress tests, though. When gaming normally, my ITX GPU is quite a bit louder than the PSU, so the custom version of the FSP500-50FSPT, which is planned to be included with this case optionally, will be even quieter.

Friendly reminder to fill out the survey if you didn't already.

 

[Artemis2307]

I bought the Delta Flex 250
with my setup it's very quiet on idle
all games runs fine, no hiccup, no fps drops, PSU isn't too hot, GPU fan is louder than PSU fan (that's a surprise). GPU powertarget is only 80 of course, can do 100-110 but I don't want to strain the PSU too much

but oh god the coil whine... it's even so much louder than the r9 290/furyX coil whine, but fortunately it ony whine at loads and it's not that noticable at normal circumstances insde the case

\

the flex have no PCIE 6+2 and only 1 MOLEX so that clutter is all the adapters (4) to get it to work

 

[QuantumBraced]

I don't understand how they can make tiny MXM GTX 980 desktop cards, yet no company will release a short 980 or a 1080 PCIe card. It's clearly possible. You don't need HBM2 to make it happen.

 

[pendragon1]

I know right!? have you seen this yet? look at how tiny everything is!

 

[CknSalad]

If only Intel would create a standard motherboard that supports MXM desktop graphics cards, sodimm ram, and desktop cpu. I doubt it will happen anytime soon since they are pushing the NUC devices and most recently mini-STX. Maybe, just maybe if Hahutzy's XS sells well and gains a lot of media press and attention of the big-name forums, companies like Silverstone in particular would push Intel to consider this form factor. We would need to see more 500w FLEX-ATX psus though. :/

 

[Aircoookie]

If MXM became mainstream, flexATX PSU would, too. Sadly it is unlikely to happen since 99% of Intel's (shrinking) target group is not interested in trying to shave off milliliters of their case volume like we are in this sub...

 

[CknSalad]

If MXM became mainstream, flexATX PSU would, too. Sadly it is unlikely to happen since 99% of Intel's (shrinking) target group is not interested in trying to shave off milliliters of their case volume like we are in this sub...

To be honest, I do not know how much smaller it would get while being able to power and cool an undervolted i7 6700k (turbo-boost off) as well as a gtx 1070/1080 desktop mxm card. Noise also becomes more of an issue to me. I wonder if 3-3.5L DIY/custom cases would be possible if Intel were to actually support such a standard.

 

[QuantumBraced]

Honestly, there's no need to go MXM for a desktop system. It'll be difficult to cool -- the machine Linus tore down has a 120mm AIO and is larger than the Hutzy XS by almost 2 liters. And where MXM 980s have been put in laptops (e.g. in Sager machines), they've been running really hot and thermal throttling, with all system fans running on max while gaming (really loud). Also, those 17" "laptops" are 5.9 liters in volume, again almost 2L larger than the Hutzy XS. They do have monitors, but the price, noise, and custom parts are definitely not worth it, plus you'd probably want an external monitor and peripherals anyway.

So MXM is not really worth it or practical for building a compact desktop machine with off-the-shelf components, b/c you'd need a beefy heatsink to cool 180W anyway, it would be difficult to design a space-efficient case for it, you wouldn't save that much space anyway, and you wouldn't have space on an ITX board for MXM without sacrificing lots of consumer/enthusiast features. Maybe if you put it on the back of the board, but at that point we're talking about a custom machine, not a one-size-fits-all with off-the-shelf components. MXM is great for low to medium-end low-powered cards for laptops. But it proves it's possible to fit the highest-end desktop graphics on small PCBs.

Honestly, the Hutzy XS is already 4L... I can barely fathom that it's less than 1/3rd the size of an M1. You need a monitor+keyboard/mouse anyway, which with the Hutzy XS would be ~ 80% of the volume of your system. If you need to go smaller, you should just get a low-powered laptop. Actually, I'd love to see some kind of an ultraslim portable monitor+keyboard combo, to be used with ultra small desktop machines like the Hutzy XS on the go...

So there's no need to go MXM, and there's no need to go SODIMM (unless it's an X99 board). We just need a company brave enough to make a short 1080. There may not be a lot of demand for it, but if it's only a single product on the market, it will sell well. Think of the ASRock X99E-ITX/ac. There isn't much demand for X99 on ITX, but because it's the only product available, I imagine it's sold well. And there's a lot more demand for a short 1080 than for an X99 ITX board. FlexATX also needs to enter the consumer market with a large fan option... I'll end my dreaming here.