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

Here we go.

Test setup:
i7-7700K @ 4.5 GHz, Delidded
CPU/PSU fans fixed at 1800 RPM
NVIDIA TITAN X (Pascal) --> this card is essentially a reference GTX 1080 Ti
EVGA GTX 1080 Ti FTW3

Test configs:
View attachment 25942

Results:
View attachment 25943

Conclusion:
NVIDIA's default fan curves are so conservative that they limit the GPU boosting of their cards quite a bit. But even at 50% fan speed, the blowers are way too loud. Custom GPU coolers by AIB partners are so much quieter that I'd still recommend them despite the fact that they increase system temps by a significant amount.

Thanks for sharing that! I'd also like to add that based on my own anecdotal evidence, I am finding that using a lower fan speed (more quiet fan profile) reduces the CPU temps a little under gaming loads. This is kinda consistent with your results too. Just thought I'd throw my experience in as well.

With my FTW3, when I ran 100% fan speed during benchmarking, vs running the quiet fan profile, the difference in CPU temps with synthetic loads was at least 5 degrees C. The difference in boost clocks (no manual OC) between the 2 fan speeds was just 20mhz. IMO, a worthwhile tradeoff for the overall quieter and cooler (for the CPU) setup. The GPU can handle a few extra degrees of temperature
 
My build on this awesome case!

pfwGjsq.jpg


Specs and build log:
http://www.disfrutadelcastigo.com/2017/05/pc-gamer-2017.html

Cheers!
 
What happens if you overclocked the cpu to 4.3 GHz or 4.4 GHz? I guess with the I/O shield on, seems like 4.2 GHz is the optimal clockspeed to run at.
My intention of this test series was/is to show the differences between the coolers and configurations at the very same specifications. As every chip is different and every delid creates different temperature gains my numbers at overclock will have very little meaning for somebody else. But the differences in delta should be universal and meaningful to others. So if you want to improve your cooling and are running one of the coolers in my list you can look up the difference a change of configuration will make and decide, if it is worth the effort.
 
the people in this thread are doing excellent work testing different configurations! efficiency matters, and heat produced in one place affects components in other places. lower clocks, voltages, and temperatures make these chips run better and that means a quiet case under load.

this case is so space-constrained that I continue to suggest the most efficient components you can get. (for me that means stock clocks undervolted. save money buying normally-clocked stuff, and then spend those savings on the biggest heatsinks possible! :) ) but dan's design is so great that you don't need to sacrifice performance.

here's an example of power-per-FPS with an undervolted 1080ti from reddit: https://abload.de/img/perfperwattgqkx9scxwa.jpg -- undervolting increases power efficiency by some 30%. so while the FPS may change a little (or not at all), the power changes a LOT, which in turn helps the case stay quiet, and prevents other components from throttling too.

Here we go.

Test setup:
i7-7700K @ 4.5 GHz, Delidded
CPU/PSU fans fixed at 1800 RPM
NVIDIA TITAN X (Pascal) --> this card is essentially a reference GTX 1080 Ti
EVGA GTX 1080 Ti FTW3

Test configs:
View attachment 25942

Results:
View attachment 25943

Conclusion:
NVIDIA's default fan curves are so conservative that they limit the GPU boosting of their cards quite a bit. But even at 50% fan speed, the blowers are way too loud. Custom GPU coolers by AIB partners are so much quieter that I'd still recommend them despite the fact that they increase system temps by a significant amount.


Thanks for sharing that! I'd also like to add that based on my own anecdotal evidence, I am finding that using a lower fan speed (more quiet fan profile) reduces the CPU temps a little under gaming loads. This is kinda consistent with your results too. Just thought I'd throw my experience in as well.

With my FTW3, when I ran 100% fan speed during benchmarking, vs running the quiet fan profile, the difference in CPU temps with synthetic loads was at least 5 degrees C. The difference in boost clocks (no manual OC) between the 2 fan speeds was just 20mhz. IMO, a worthwhile tradeoff for the overall quieter and cooler (for the CPU) setup. The GPU can handle a few extra degrees of temperature
 
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Learn something new every day... Is there a large benefit to not installing the IO shield?
From what I have seen, people are able to clock their skylake or kabylake cpus to 4.4 GHz or 4.5 GHz due to that. Personally I am gonna just install the I/O shield as 200 mhz is not really worth it in a small case like this. I am more curious to the clock speeds people can hit with the Ryzen 1700 when more mini-itx AM4 boards come out.
 
Check the spreadsheet if you are curious. Hope this helps. On a more important note, seems like a fan-duct with the Noctua cooler is the most optimal performance and cost wise for the cpu?

If I was to buy everything right now I think i'd go with 7700k delidded at stock speeds, L9i with fan-duct, 92mm case fan as intake, and 1080ti SC2. It sounds like temps should be okay with that setup.
 
If I was to buy everything right now I think i'd go with 7700k delidded at stock speeds, L9i with fan-duct, 92mm case fan as intake, and 1080ti SC2. It sounds like temps should be okay with that setup.
Yeah, sounds like the most optimal performance wise. 200 mhz more is not really all that worth it in a small case like this. I am more interested though for the Ryzen 1700, if this cooling setup would hold true.
 
Yeah, sounds like the most optimal performance wise. 200 mhz more is not really all that worth it in a small case like this. I am more interested though for the Ryzen 1700, if this cooling setup would hold true.

What makes you lean towards the Ryzen?
 
What makes you lean towards the Ryzen?
More cores and the fact newer games are really starting to make good use of multi-threading and more cores. Doom 2016, BattleField 1 multiplayer, Crysis 3, Prey 2017 come to mind. Plus from what I have seen, Ryzen is neck and neck with Intel at 1440P gaming. If you are gaming at 1080P and have a high hertz monitor, i7 7700K probably is the better option for now as older games like DOTA2, GTA V, run better.
 
More cores and the fact newer games are really starting to make good use of multi-threading and more cores. Doom 2016, BattleField 1 multiplayer, Crysis 3, Prey 2017 come to mind. Plus from what I have seen, Ryzen is neck and neck with Intel at 1440P gaming.

Interesting, I wonder how Coffeelake will compare.
 
Interesting, I wonder how Coffeelake will compare.
I am waiting for that. I might even wait for the Ryzen refresh which is rumored for next March. CPU and GPU hardware has been really interesting finally ever since Ryzen was released.

From the rumors, coffeelake i5 will be 6c/6t and i7 will be 6c/12t. The clockspeeds are unknown really. It depends if Intel is willing to cut down a bit on their integrated graphics. It is typically harder to overclock CPUs with more than 4c/8t.
 
I am waiting for that. I might even wait for the Ryzen refresh which is rumored for next March. CPU and GPU hardware has been really interesting finally ever since Ryzen was released.

From the rumors, coffeelake i5 will be 6c/6t and i7 will be 6c/12t. The clockspeeds are unknown really. It depends if Intel is willing to cut down a bit on their integrated graphics. It is typically harder to overclock CPUs with more than 4c/8t.

Oh man, I dunno if I can wait that long. I'm going to be restless enough just waiting for the a4 v2 to ship.
 
I am waiting for that. I might even wait for the Ryzen refresh which is rumored for next March. CPU and GPU hardware has been really interesting finally ever since Ryzen was released.

From the rumors, coffeelake i5 will be 6c/6t and i7 will be 6c/12t. The clockspeeds are unknown really. It depends if Intel is willing to cut down a bit on their integrated graphics. It is typically harder to overclock CPUs with more than 4c/8t.

By the time the case gets shipped (January 2018), Coffee Lake should be out so best to wait for that or the Ryzen refresh!
 
By the time the case gets shipped (January 2018), Coffee Lake should be out so best to wait for that or the Ryzen refresh!
I already have my Dan A4 v1. Just not really in a rush to build it since I have an Ncase M1 build with a GTX 670 and oc'd i7 4770k, which is still holding up with newer games surprisingly.
 
Uhhh 9 more hours.. Which sold more silver or black? I still can't decide :nailbiting::nailbiting::nailbiting:

In my opinion black looks cooler but silver is much less visually intrusive in a room and also looks amazing. I like the way parts of it look white and almost disappear when the light falls on it different ways... I bought the silver.
 
Orders will be limited to one reward per kickstarter account. If you need more rewards you have to create a second kickstarter account.
 
I think with the first kickstarter run, the blacks oversold the silvers by a little, but there was plenty of time to buy either..just buy the one you like most (difficult choice, i understand, they both look great)
 
Uhmm I haven't used kickstarter till now. When will my card be charged? Right away when I back the project or how many months after? And I might go with black and sport a stealth look. Gonna name it "Nighthawk" :shame::shame::shame:
 
Dan just wondering will the serial be random or the faster i get in the lower the serial nukber will be??
 
jenosmaverick

Rewards & the Campaign Process
Orders will be limited to one reward. Only a second Kickstarter account will give you the option to gain further rewards.

  • First select a reward.
  • If the Kickstarter campaign is successful, Kickstarter will charge the money from you. Please make sure your credit card is valid. German backers can also pay via SEPA direct debit. In some cases, you may need to contact your credit institute to authorize the charge.
  • Before we place the order with Lian Li, you will get a special Kickstarter form. With this form, we collect your address data and your choice of color for the product.
  • After the production is done, we will start shipping.

CLOUDZZ

Every A4-SFX v2 will feature a sticker with a production number. It will not be possible to reserve a number. :)
 
dondan As far as I understand the kickstarter price is 230€ plus shipping when do you pay shipping/ is there a calculator for that. Also is there a possibility of a black version of the front panel connector? I mean as a possible accesory/stretch goal
 
Oh I can't wait for the kickstarter to finally start... 37 minutes to go :D

dondan, Will there be any early bird offers?
 
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