SENTRY: Console-sized gaming PC case project

We're trying to simplify things with the screws:
1) external screws will definitely be black hex screws for the sake of the looks - those are magnetic as they were in the units sent to Linus
2) Internal screws may end up being all Phillips screws and as it happens we've shipped Linus hex screws for internal use that were stainless steel and it's not working with magnetic screwdrivers. We're going to keep that in mind and fix that.

Do not over complicate things. If the screws you send aren't stainless... will they rust? IMO screws not being magnetic is nitpicking at its finest. It would be on my "0 fucks given" list. Heck, it isn't like this is a super huge case that you can't turn around and move a bit until the screw goes out. In super big, massive, heavy cases then yeah, non-magnetic screws are a problem because if they go in they are a pain to get out. But here? Not something I would spend a second to fix, because it doesn't need fixing. On the other hand, if you use aluminum screws you will wreck the threading with ease; if the screws are steel but not stainless they will rust and... welp, these two issues are far far far bigger than the stupid "non magnetic" thing.

Another thing if you are happy with the hex screws would be to... include a proper wrench for them. But anyway, if the thing that worries you the most is this then you should be pretty happy overall as the product is borderline perfect.
 
We're trying to simplify things with the screws:
1) external screws will definitely be black hex screws for the sake of the looks - those are magnetic as they were in the units sent to Linus
2) Internal screws may end up being all Phillips screws and as it happens we've shipped Linus hex screws for internal use that were stainless steel and it's not working with magnetic screwdrivers. We're going to keep that in mind and fix that.
It would be nice to see hex or Torx heads used throughout. Phillips-head gets to be used by everyone because everyone uses Phillips-head, so we're stuck with screws designed for deliberate torque cam-out in an application that no longer exists (mass production with non-torque-controlled power tools), and today just means the screw heads strip out during assembly with hand tools.
 
Quick question, would using a mechanical drive cause any vibration or issue in the case? I'm thinking I'd do an m.2 ssd plus a 2tb mechanical for bulk storage and was wondering if you guys recommend hdds or is it recommended to use a ssd
 
I'm using 1TB HGST 7K1000 and it doesn't vibrate. It's one of the advantages of added weight to the case :)
 
Quick question, would using a mechanical drive cause any vibration or issue in the case? I'm thinking I'd do an m.2 ssd plus a 2tb mechanical for bulk storage and was wondering if you guys recommend hdds or is it recommended to use a ssd

Nope. We didn't notice any problems with mechanical drives. As i remember, Saper is using HDD in his SENTRY, and i'm using a 1 x SSD + 1 x HDD, and this combination works great. SENTRY is made of galvanized steel so it is a little bit heavier than when it would be made of aluminium, so the additional weight damps many types of vibrations, which could occur in aluminium cases.
 
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I'm using 1TB HGST 7K1000 and it doesn't vibrate. It's one of the advantages of added weight to the case :)

Nope. We didn't notice any problems with mechanical drives. As i remember, Saper is using HDD in his SENTRY, and i'm using a 1 x SSD + 1 x HDD, and this combination works great. SENTRY is made of galvanized steel so it is a little bit heavier than when it would be made of aluminium, so the additional weight damps many types of vibrations, which could occur in aluminium cases.


Awesome. Thanks. I figured the steel body would mitigate any problems but someone on Reddit asked me and I just wanted to make sure.

Can't wait to order it. Thanks guys!
 
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giv plea
 
Well this project caught my attention after seeing the video posted on Youtube...well is the project moving forward? :)
 
Well this project caught my attention after seeing the video posted on Youtube...well is the project moving forward? :)

Of course it is!

They're just making final tweaks to the design - check this page and the last two for details and estimates as to release.

The case Linus reviewed was their most polished draft; they wanted his critique before production runs, so that they could fix anything he happened to find wrong with it.

Speaking of:

Saper, Zombi, any chance we could get some early numbers? What kind of subscription jump did you get after vessel and now from youtube?

I'm particularly curious to know what percentage of views went and subscribed.
 
Saper, Zombi, any chance we could get some early numbers? What kind of subscription jump did you get after vessel and now from youtube?

I'm particularly curious to know what percentage of views went and subscribed.

I think it is probably too early for such counting but after 40 000 of views on yt (3-4 hours) of Linus video online, we added more than another 1000 of subscribers to our mailing list. What is more, our website provider is experiencing some DDOS-ing, because of such a big number of viewers, so some people are having problems with getting to our website. Lets wait few days and we will provide more accurate information.

If you can't load sentry website, please try again after few minutes. Sorry for inconvenience.
 
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We don't want to limit the size of the first batch but at the same time our subcontractor may want to limit initial run depending on the quality terms to limit their risks.
 
I think it is probably too early for such counting but after 40 000 of views on yt (3-4 hours) of Linus video online, we added more than another 1000 of subscribers to our mailing list. What is more, our website provider is experiencing some DDOS-ing, because of such a big number of viewers, so some people are having problems with getting to our website. Lets wait few days and we will provide more accurate information.

If you can't load sentry website, please try again after few minutes. Sorry for inconvenience.

Seems awfully promising at least. :)
 
Philips screws suck, do not listen to him on that point. The torx revolution is coming here in america with GRK and SPAX getting larger shelf space at the big box stores.


I have to half agree with this. I find with smaller screws (where there isn't enough material to keep its strength) the Torx screws are better. Just today I partially stripped two phillips screws just putting them in a fan.
 
Just watched Linus' review and google searching for the case brought me here :)

Looks really nice and clean, especially in that matte white.

I've got my HTPC in a Silverstone SG05 BB Lite case with a little mini ITX board, 750ti and a silverstone 450 sfx. This thing looks like it would be a really stylish upgrade to throw all that into.

A noctua NH-L9i cooler wiil fit I assume? I don't think I've got the factory cooler any more.
 
Yeah, it should fit without problem. We haven't checked it physically but it's the one that we're showing in configuration tool as working in both motherboard layouts.
 
Linus mentioned that a flower type cooler is much better at cooling motherboard and nearby components. What's the best flower type cooler that can fit in this case?
 
Are we looking at Q1 2017 or what?
well its finished. The assignment goes to the contractors, and the dr. zaber "scale up" starts. First units ship a month, well maybe two, later. happyness

it shouldnt be that long, or am I wrong ?
 
Wow the case looks great in that video. I've been following the project for a while but I've just renewed my interest!
 
The review landed on youtube:

I subscribed to your list and would definitely be interested in purchasing the case.

Only comments I have is backing up the rest of the HForum folks here who say to keep the torx screws please, as a IT guy Philips are just too easy to strip and aesthetically they look cheap on most builds.

I'd also like to ask that you offer a color matched white stand with the white case, that'd be my first choice, but if there's only a black stand available I'd end up going with black.

I've also seen various vent holes in the case where it'd be neat to see a little more modern pattern than just the standard holes, whether is the small star wars style line cuts or the staggered triangle style holes seen in some of the newer cases or video card vent patterns.

It'd be great to see this available in the next month too, I've been wanting to do a new build before November, the Ncase M1 has been tempting, but really like the form factor you've gone with and the more industrial design.

Cheers.
 
I'm new to the thread, but interested in the concept. I've just watched the video on the first page and it's really quite noticeable how much time is spent putting in screws. Can I suggest that for your next project or a revision of this case, you spend some time minimising that aspect? Plastic clamps and latches for internal components and magnetic (? - see Lian Li's SFF cases) holders for case panels are obvious starts.
 
I'm new to the thread, but interested in the concept. I've just watched the video on the first page and it's really quite noticeable how much time is spent putting in screws. Can I suggest that for your next project or a revision of this case, you spend some time minimising that aspect? Plastic clamps and latches for internal components and magnetic (? - see Lian Li's SFF cases) holders for case panels are obvious starts.
The problem with doing clips and plastic is that it adds space, lowers rigidity, and doesn't have any real benefit. Having a side panel means that attaches to an internal chassis, which adds thickness, weight, complexity, and more parts. This would also add cost. This is the smallest case that holds a full size graphics card and to do that some sacrifices have to be made, but for those that are looking forward to popping my PC in a backpack, I'm going to be happy with the rigidity of a steel frame held together with screws.
 
Sorry if this has been asked before but would it be possible to fit an 120mm AIO cpu cooler where the SFX PSU fits, if It were replaced with a pico PSU such as HDPlex 250w? Just curious!
 
I'm new to the thread, but interested in the concept. I've just watched the video on the first page and it's really quite noticeable how much time is spent putting in screws. Can I suggest that for your next project or a revision of this case, you spend some time minimising that aspect? Plastic clamps and latches for internal components and magnetic (? - see Lian Li's SFF cases) holders for case panels are obvious starts.

We don't believe in a plastic clamps or similar types of plastic mounting. Sentry isn't a toy. If someone wants a toy, he should buy a pc case from some of existing pc-case manufacturing companies. We aren't one of them so we wanted to make a product we would be proud of. Do You remember when your parents bought a fridge or washing machine 20 years ago? Probably it's still working. Try to buy something like this today. When you will need a new one? After 5 years?
We are a manufacturer of heavy industry machines. Every design we make is calculated for many years of work in unpleasant environment. We wanted to keep things that way, so we even added high quality stainless steel screws to our PC case (which Linus didn't like for magnetism issues). To compare the way how we design our typical products in contrast to most pc-cases manufacturers, think about a car and a tank. We're definitely not a car designers :)

I think i made it clear. We want to give you a case which we won't be ashamed of.

Once again: IF you want a toy-pc-case, then buy it from a producer who is doing PC cases for living. It will be cheap, easy to build, with many plastic stuff and you will be afraid to put it in a car trunk with other heavy baggages. For us, sentry is a hobby project, but designed in a way you shouldn't be disappointed.
 
Once again: IF you want a toy-pc-case, then buy it from a producer who is doing PC cases for living.

Hehe. Actually, I had the corporate-class machines from Dell and HP in mind there. These concentrate on making it easy for the corporate IT guy (who used to be me) to work on them. Their plastic and metal clamps are very secure and their corporate PCs are far from toys.
 
Hehe. Actually, I had the corporate-class machines from Dell and HP in mind there. These concentrate on making it easy for the corporate IT guy (who used to be me) to work on them. Their plastic and metal clamps are very secure and their corporate PCs are far from toys.
Still not the target market
 
Wonder how stable it is, if a heavy gpu is on top. Really want to order that case.
 
Many people, who are writing to us, are asking if SENTRY can be a good solution for frequent travelling. I just came back from my business delegation connected with my daily work with wind turbines, and while staying at hotel, i made some photos of my current RIG which i'm using during such trips. Here they are:

nAdYaIS.jpg


Ny44Rkx.jpg


I'm using our $10, 17-18'' laptop bag which we showed in our gallery. SENTRY is so small, that i'm able to pack it with 19'' ACER LCD with it's stand (disassembled ofc, but still all parts packed in the bag), a small-size keyboard, mouse and all needed cables. My headphones unfortunately didn't fit (there always has to be some limit :))

Maybe next time i will try to pack everything in a backpack. We'll see.
 
I'm joining the Torx screw club. Just bought a Torx set and I want to use them on something other than my chair. Plus the name is cool.
 
Many people, who are writing to us, are asking if SENTRY can be a good solution for frequent travelling. I just came back from my business delegation connected with my daily work with wind turbines, and while staying at hotel, i made some photos of my current RIG which i'm using during such trips. Here they are:

nAdYaIS.jpg


Ny44Rkx.jpg


I'm using our $10, 17-18'' laptop bag which we showed in our gallery. SENTRY is so small, that i'm able to pack it with 19'' ACER LCD with it's stand (disassembled ofc, but still all parts packed in the bag), a small-size keyboard, mouse and all needed cables. My headphones unfortunately didn't fit (there always has to be some limit :))

Maybe next time i will try to pack everything in a backpack. We'll see.

Okay, that's pretty bloody impressive.

I wish there were an ideal monitor for travel like that. The inflatable projector monitor is cool, but way too expensive for what it is.
 
There are some mobile screens on the market now like ASUS MB169B+, dunno if it's what you'd want from the screen though.
 
There are some mobile screens on the market now like ASUS MB169B+, dunno if it's what you'd want from the screen though.

I've seen several like this that are "portable USB powered monitors". So they're usb "powered" but does that also mean the display signal is carried over USB? Like in a USB to hdmi display-link converter (which have horrible lag). The screen is run by the display link driver on the cpu, not the gpu. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004AIJE9G/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1474323554&sr=8-10&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=usb+to+vga&th=1&psc=1

For example, this AOC monitor is using display link over USB
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B010...sb+monitor&dpPl=1&dpID=51rrq0CCQ3L&ref=plSrch

I would totally get a portable monitor if it was USB powered but connected via hdmi or display port. I'm amazed none are available, I guess they assume the average consumer can't deal with more than one cable to connect a screen.

As far as I know the only thing that comes close to this is a "field monitor" often used with DSLR cameras and video cameras. I imagine they have horrible contrast and input lag, also they are rarely larger than ~9 inches.

Edit: what you would need for a proper, gpu rendered, portable monitor is this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B018...6_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=portable+monitor
Not cheap! But it's one of the few I've seen that connects via hdmi rather than USB.
 
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