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

ztjio said:
Sadly this is a DisplayLink device and will never be satisfactory for gaming. <snip>

USB 3.1 gen 2 doesn’t have the bandwidth needed to do true DisplayPort high bandwidth video signal, but, Thunderbolt does. So I’d say, if you’re going to watch this portable display market, watch for someone to offer something with Thunderbolt connectivity. That could carry power and displayport at high bandwidth with no need for hacks like displaylink. It’s the only current in-market connection tech that can do it.
Click to expand...

There's no need for Thunderbolt, even. If it's a USB-C connector it could use alternate mode for a true DisplayPort link. Take advantage of USB-PD for power and you have a single-cable, native-performance display.


EDIT: have been searching for detailed specs on the new HP display richiegore linked upthread but can't find anything. Its predecessor (the S140u) certainly is USB 3.0/DisplayLink-based, but I hope this new version does away with that.
 
Last edited:
None of those portable displays have an HDMI or DisplayPort "port" as we know it, and as we would like to have to connect to our discrete GPU in our DAN A4-SFX.

They all use another type of connector, be it USB3.1 or Thunderbolt (with a USB-C connector).

I have both Asus portable displays, one with USB3.1 (MB169B+) connector and one with USB Type-C connector (MB169C+), both of them are very unsuitable for gaming.
Not only are these screens incompatible with the ports on your GPU, but they are slow and don't have the "gaming refresh rate" we'd like to have.

FullSizeRender.jpeg
 
Last edited:
yes those are more like what you need to game, 14m/s response isn't bad. they have been mentioned before, but people forget...
 
sldr said:
None of those portable displays have an HDMI or DisplayPort "port" as we know it, and as we would like to have to connect to our discrete GPU in our DAN A4-SFX.

They all use another type of connector, be it USB3.1 or Thunderbolt (with a USB-C connector).

I have both Asus portable displays, one with USB3.1 (MB169B+) connector and one with USB Type-C connector (MB169C+), both of them are very unsuitable for gaming.
Not only are these screens incompatible with the ports on your GPU, but they are slow and don't have the "gaming refresh rate" we'd like to have.

View attachment 73988
Click to expand...

Have you tried this adapter with the (MB169C+) ?
https://us-store.wacom.com/Product/wacom-link

wacon_cintiqpro16_05.jpg
 
China has a variety of 13", 15" and 17" portable monitors, USB 5V 2A powered, 1080p 60hz IPS HDMI input displays, you can find them on Taobao/Aliexpress. They come at 1/2 to 1/3 the price of Gechic monitors which are way overpriced. Anything with Displaylink shouldn't be considered at all.
 
The Hall of Fame voting is done!

At first I like to thank everyone for being part of this voting!

In total 860 forum members were part of the survey, so the minimum score for a build could be 860 points and the maximum score 4300 points.
Here is a small picture that shows where does the votes come from:


forumeeu93.jpg



Congratulations to the winners. This is the final ranking ordered from the highest score to the lowest:


  1. 3227 points --> JtotheK
  2. 3017 points --> m0nsta
  3. 2864 points --> mbot
  4. 2737 points --> amvoit
  5. 2696 points --> dPunisher
  6. 2690 points --> Rosinbole
  7. 2676 points --> manii
  8. 2537 points --> Renovatio
  9. 2431 points --> cuppens
  10. 2157 points --> Nanook
  11. 2132 points --> CeresPK
  12. 2092 points --> Extraxyz


rankingx0uot.jpg



JtotheK, m0nsta and mbot will get an A4-SFXv2 + Window Kit. Amvoit and dPunisher will get an A4-SFXv1. I will contact you in the next days to get your color choices. Your pictures are now online in the HOF section on dan-cases.com.
Thanks everyone again. Maybe I will make a second HOF round next year so everyone will get a new chance to be in the HOF section.


1_jtothekrmu3s.jpg


2_m0nstaisuq2.jpg


3_mbotj3uar.jpg


4_amvoit6vu3x.jpg


5_dpunisherdnuyr.jpg




With best regards
Daniel Hansen
 
Hey sldr I'm planning on doing the exact build as you, I've got everything BUT the m2 25mm standoff for the a40x10 fan above the m.2 drive. I think I found one online that is the same as yours so I'm gonna go ahead and order them. I would post the link to the website I found them on but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to.. Just gotta wait on my v3 case :0)
 
Nyuha said:
Hey sldr I'm planning on doing the exact build as you, I've got everything BUT the m2 25mm standoff for the a40x10 fan above the m.2 drive. I think I found one online that is the same as yours so I'm gonna go ahead and order them. I would post the link to the website I found them on but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to.. Just gotta wait on my v3 case :0)
Click to expand...
If I’m not mistaken, I think he did away with the standoff’s and tried a different solution. Not sure if it was due to performance or not.
 
Nyuha said:
I know I shouldn't post this here but if anyone is happening to sell their window kit let me know because v2 window kit wont be made to sell alongside the v3 case like I had hoped for my build. Or can some one link me to the buy/sell?
Click to expand...
I think dan posted the blueprints needed to create your own Window kits on the official website
 
Thank you very much for this tutorial I will link it later on the first post in this thread :)
 
Sure, you can even link it on your website if you want - obviously in tye original form
 
dondan

Maybe this is silly question but I ask it :). I found on other forum comparasion of 3Ms and Li-heats risers and I notice that 3M riser has only partial shielding. The question is are there any differences between graphics card inserted direcly into pcie slot in standard case and graphics card inserted into dan case with pcie li-heats and 3m rissrs from heath care point of view when case is used in close to user - 30cm on desk? I assume there are not big differences but still im curious if somebody look into this stuff?

%25E8%258B%25B14.png
 
Last edited:
Hello all, I've been reading this thread for ages and I'm building a system in this case either next month or early July (building with a friend). I was a part of the Kickstarter for v2 of the case from last year. I was wondering if this parts list would be okay, though I also have some questions.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7GHz 8-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - C7 Cu 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($50.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - ROG STRIX X470-I GAMING Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($209.99)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($443.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: HP - EX920 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($189.70 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB SC2 Video Card ($749.99 @ B&H)
Case: DAN Cases - A4SFXV2-S Mini ITX Desktop Case (Purchased For $0.00)
Power Supply: Corsair - SF 600W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($114.88 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A9x14 29.7 CFM 92mm Fan ($15.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A9 PWM 46.4 CFM 92mm Fan ($16.59 @ OutletPC)
External Storage: Western Digital - Elements 4TB External Hard Drive ($95.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $2206.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-20 06:44 EDT-0400

Questions

The Dan Case has 48mm of clearance for CPU coolers, and the Cryorig C7 Cu is 47mm in height. This would result in annoying air turbulence right?

I was thinking of buying the Noctua NF-A9x14 slim 92mm fan to remedy this. The Cryorig C7 Cu cooler is rated to dissipate up to 115W of heat, and the Ryzen 7 2700X is rated at 105W Thermal Design Power (TDP). The Noctua slim fan, however, isn't as powerful. It should still be okay?

The VRMs on the motherboard would be best suited by using an air cooler for the CPU, instead of the Asetek 545LC right? Or should I be okay if I choose the Asetek AIO?

If I eventually get custom cables from CableMod for the system, what would be the perfect length for the cables? I read 150mm for the 24 pin motherboard power, 240mm for the 8 pin EPS cable and 300mm for the PCIe cables. Would this be best?
 
mazadr said:
dondan

Maybe this is silly question but I ask it :). I found on other forum comparasion of 3Ms and Li-heats risers and I notice that 3M riser has only partial shielding. The question is are there any differences between graphics card inserted direcly into pcie slot in standard case and graphics card inserted into dan case with pcie li-heats and 3m rissrs from heath care point of view when case is used in close to user - 30cm on desk? I assume there are not big differences but still im curious if somebody look into this stuff?

View attachment 75305
Click to expand...

dondan There isn't enough voltage at play to provide enough electromagnetism to penetrate human skin past the shielding that's available and through the metal of the case. The only real concern is that other electrical signals could interfere with it's operation, or vice versa, but even still from what I'm seeing it would take a lot of interference before a human would notice.
 
jordan condi said:
Hello all, I've been reading this thread for ages and I'm building a system in this case either next month or early July (building with a friend). I was a part of the Kickstarter for v2 of the case from last year. I was wondering if this parts list would be okay, though I also have some questions.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7GHz 8-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - C7 Cu 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($50.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - ROG STRIX X470-I GAMING Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($209.99)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($443.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: HP - EX920 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($189.70 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB SC2 Video Card ($749.99 @ B&H)
Case: DAN Cases - A4SFXV2-S Mini ITX Desktop Case (Purchased For $0.00)
Power Supply: Corsair - SF 600W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($114.88 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A9x14 29.7 CFM 92mm Fan ($15.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A9 PWM 46.4 CFM 92mm Fan ($16.59 @ OutletPC)
External Storage: Western Digital - Elements 4TB External Hard Drive ($95.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $2206.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-20 06:44 EDT-0400

Questions

The Dan Case has 48mm of clearance for CPU coolers, and the Cryorig C7 Cu is 47mm in height. This would result in annoying air turbulence right?

I was thinking of buying the Noctua NF-A9x14 slim 92mm fan to remedy this. The Cryorig C7 Cu cooler is rated to dissipate up to 115W of heat, and the Ryzen 7 2700X is rated at 105W Thermal Design Power (TDP). The Noctua slim fan, however, isn't as powerful. It should still be okay?

The VRMs on the motherboard would be best suited by using an air cooler for the CPU, instead of the Asetek 545LC right? Or should I be okay if I choose the Asetek AIO?

If I eventually get custom cables from CableMod for the system, what would be the perfect length for the cables? I read 150mm for the 24 pin motherboard power, 240mm for the 8 pin EPS cable and 300mm for the PCIe cables. Would this be best?
Click to expand...

I have the AIO with an 1800X and it keeps the CPU around 43 C idle and any 75-80 C under load. Note, you can't use g.skill tridents with the AIO if you want to close the side panel.

The Asus strix 350-i (b and x are exactly the same, construction and everything unless you plan to use bifurcation, be sure to save a couple bucks on the b) and it doesn't report vrm temps but they get hot. Motherboard temps have exceeded 73 C for me, even with a fan under board. So I would recommend air cooling. Someone a page or two back already passed benchmarks for the cu c7, head back and take a look.

I simply grabbed the Corsair custom sleeved cables amd routing then was very straightforward, see my post on my build by checking my post hosting if you like.
 
Alaberti said:
I have the AIO with an 1800X and it keeps the CPU around 43 C idle and any 75-80 C under load. Note, you can't use g.skill tridents with the AIO if you want to close the side panel.

The Asus strix 350-i (b and x are exactly the same, construction and everything unless you plan to use bifurcation, be sure to save a couple bucks on the b) and it doesn't report vrm temps but they get hot. Motherboard temps have exceeded 73 C for me, even with a fan under board. So I would recommend air cooling. Someone a page or two back already passed benchmarks for the cu c7, head back and take a look.

I simply grabbed the Corsair custom sleeved cables amd routing then was very straightforward, see my post on my build by checking my post hosting if you like.
Click to expand...
I find that setting a fan to blowing cold air towards the motherboard is helpful to cool the motherboard. My slim 120mm fan just get wedged between the AIO block and the case flanges and held securely by the side cover.
 
Nanook said:
I find that setting a fan to blowing cold air towards the motherboard is helpful to cool the motherboard. My slim 120mm fan just get wedged between the AIO block and the case flanges and held securely by the side cover.
Click to expand...

As mentioned, there is a fan under the board. Helps, but this AM4 board still runs toasty. Having an 8 core processor in such a small space gives few favors here.
 
cowsgomoo2 said:
China has a variety of 13", 15" and 17" portable monitors, USB 5V 2A powered, 1080p 60hz IPS HDMI input displays, you can find them on Taobao/Aliexpress. They come at 1/2 to 1/3 the price of Gechic monitors which are way overpriced. Anything with Displaylink shouldn't be considered at all.
Click to expand...

I have recently got a 17" 4K portable display from Taobao. It's got mini-HDMI and mini-DP ports, and even does FreeSync. That's probably the top of the line one they do for about 400USD; There's smaller and/or lower-resolution ones that are significantly cheaper. I can post a few lines about my experience with the display if there's interest.
 
sdfewfe said:
I have recently got a 17" 4K portable display from Taobao. It's got mini-HDMI and mini-DP ports, and even does FreeSync. That's probably the top of the line one they do for about 400USD; There's smaller and/or lower-resolution ones that are significantly cheaper. I can post a few lines about my experience with the display if there's interest.
Click to expand...
I just checked and there's a 17" HDR 120hz 1080p monitor on Taobao now.
 
Alaberti said:
I have the AIO with an 1800X and it keeps the CPU around 43 C idle and any 75-80 C under load. Note, you can't use g.skill tridents with the AIO if you want to close the side panel.

The Asus strix 350-i (b and x are exactly the same, construction and everything unless you plan to use bifurcation, be sure to save a couple bucks on the b) and it doesn't report vrm temps but they get hot. Motherboard temps have exceeded 73 C for me, even with a fan under board. So I would recommend air cooling. Someone a page or two back already passed benchmarks for the cu c7, head back and take a look.

I simply grabbed the Corsair custom sleeved cables amd routing then was very straightforward, see my post on my build by checking my post hosting if you like.
Click to expand...
Ah okay so maybe the new Cryorig cooler would be suited better for the Dan Case
 
sdfewfe said:
I have recently got a 17" 4K portable display from Taobao. It's got mini-HDMI and mini-DP ports, and even does FreeSync. That's probably the top of the line one they do for about 400USD; There's smaller and/or lower-resolution ones that are significantly cheaper. I can post a few lines about my experience with the display if there's interest.
Click to expand...

cowsgomoo2 said:
I just checked and there's a 17" HDR 120hz 1080p monitor on Taobao now.
Click to expand...

Recently saw this 15.6 portable monitor from AIO, 1080, 60Hz, 5ms with USB Type C for under $200.
 
I wait for my 330W Dell PSU for my final statement and this will arrive this week. I also got a new HDPlex 400W and this sample works perfectly and stay cool. In some cases I get reboots (indicator for a not strong enough PSU) because my current 240W unit isn't stong enough.
 
rfarmer said:
Recently saw this 15.6 portable monitor from AIO, 1080, 60Hz, 5ms with USB Type C for under $200.
Click to expand...

Alexreffand said:
That's usb though, no hdmi or displayport. It's useless for gaming on a desktop pc.
Click to expand...

That monitor is native. It does not require DisplayLink drivers. It's using either DisplayPort or HDMI (most likely the former) and connecting through the USB-C port, but not communicating over the USB protocol.

It would be perfectly fine for gaming.
 
dglow said:
That monitor is native. It does not require DisplayLink drivers. It's using either DisplayPort or HDMI (most likely the former) and connecting through the USB-C port, but not communicating over the USB protocol.

It would be perfectly fine for gaming.
Click to expand...

The only way this could be true is if it housed the USB-C -> DisplayPort adapter inside itself. Now show me even one single gaming GPU that has a USB-C connector that will work with an adapter and also supports powering the device it connected to.

Such adapters are not bidirectional. So even if there is some obscure gaming GPU that supports this setup, 99.999% won’t.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top