NCASE M1: a crowdfunded Mini-ITX case (updates in first post)

All good points. I was guessing that the LED "cover" was separate from the actual metal heatsinks underneath. Apparently, that is not the case.

The old NH-C14 is so rare. It's too bad you couldn't use it with your motherboard of choice. I take it, that the cooler won't fit in any other orientation either?

Nope. If it points upward (the heatpipes in a downward position) it will stick out the top of the case. If the heatpipes are to the right you can only use one module of RAM and it will hit the wall where the 92mm fan would sit and still be 2-5milimeters to big to fit there. And point it downwards (the heatpipes upward) it will block the usage of the PCI-E port. So I another case it can be done with this cooler and MoBo combo, but not in this if you want to use the PCI-E.

Bummer, I guess the only real solution is for you to step up to the newer & shinier Noctua NH-C14S...!

You can just send that useless C14 my way...

;^p

Am thinking of trying a C14S. I should fit (barely) - as it the heatpipes are bent in a higher degree and protude less from the base - but it means putting the PSU in ATX mode and such and using a smaller 15mm thick fan, which does not provide nearly the amount of air. The C14 _SHOULD_ be better than the C14S (relative to noise) in the NCase from all the data I have seen.. But not by much. But some are still debating whether this is true or not.

But not giving this puppy away ;-P

Nanook has a build log on SFF where he is using a 9900k and Strix Z390 in a Ghost S1. He removed the VRM heatsink in order to install a Noctua NH-L12, he said the VRM temps were fine while using a top down cooler. He later changed to a 240mm AIO and the VRM temps went really high. With the Noctua C14 you should be fine with removing the VRM heatsink. You already have the motherboard and the cooler, just try it and see.

Oh wow. Interesting. I have seen buildzoid and such talk about the amount of heat the VRMs put out and it is not a lot, and they are made to work in a hot enviroment. What I am thinking about is the long term effect of removing this and how my warrenty is affected (by removing the heatsink). And my conclusion is that it is easier to just use the ASRock board instead, as I cannot conclude anything about the other part as I have no data on that matter.

But interesting none the matter.. Will look into it. Thanks!
 
Nanook has a build log on SFF where he is using a 9900k and Strix Z390 in a Ghost S1. He removed the VRM heatsink in order to install a Noctua NH-L12, he said the VRM temps were fine while using a top down cooler. He later changed to a 240mm AIO and the VRM temps went really high. With the Noctua C14 you should be fine with removing the VRM heatsink. You already have the motherboard and the cooler, just try it and see.
With the L12, I was running the motherboard and CPU at Intel stock failsafe (95w regular, with 23 seconds of 210w boost), it does get a temperature spike up to 80c, but back down to 60s.
With the 240mm AIO, I starting playing with overclocking, and can confirm how power hungry the 9900K can be, drawing lots of power (ie heating up the VRMs), and putting out lots of heat. With my setup, the AIO radiator was below the motherboard, and it was dumping hot CPU air onto the VRMs. I think that could have been the reason why the Z390i throttles the VRM to keep them alive...

Back to SmootyPoody 's point - I look forward to seeing how your C14 fits with the Asrock board, and how temps are. I am interested in moving to the Asrock board as well :)
 
Am thinking of trying a C14S. I should fit (barely) - as it the heatpipes are bent in a higher degree and protude less from the base - but it means putting the PSU in ATX mode and such and using a smaller 15mm thick fan, which does not provide nearly the amount of air. The C14 _SHOULD_ be better than the C14S (relative to noise) in the NCase from all the data I have seen.. But not by much. But some are still debating whether this is true or not.

But not giving this puppy away ;-P

I am prepping to test the C14 vs C14S. Should have a write up on the results as soon as Noctua gets me the fan clips. They said it could take up to 14 days rip.
 
...Back to SmootyPoody 's point - I look forward to seeing how your C14 fits with the Asrock board, and how temps are. I am interested in moving to the Asrock board as well :)

I get the board on monday (tomorrow (saturday) if I am lucky). Will report back. But should fit.

I am prepping to test the C14 vs C14S. Should have a write up on the results as soon as Noctua gets me the fan clips. They said it could take up to 14 days rip.

Nice. Be aware there are many factors when testing such a thing :) The fact that the PSU needs to be moved in another confirguraton is just one of the things that can influence the results.
 
I get the board on monday (tomorrow (saturday) if I am lucky). Will report back. But should fit.



Nice. Be aware there are many factors when testing such a thing :) The fact that the PSU needs to be moved in another confirguraton is just one of the things that can influence the results.
If it does, I might migrate my whole build back to the M1. C14S + Accelero III. The works. :)
 
Nice. Be aware there are many factors when testing such a thing :) The fact that the PSU needs to be moved in another confirguraton is just one of the things that can influence the results.

I really don't want to move the PSU around. I wonder how much flak people would give me for keeping it in the atx position.
 
I really don't want to move the PSU around. I wonder how much flak people would give me for keeping it in the atx position.
I think that as long as the tests are as “apples to apples” as possible.
 
I really don't want to move the PSU around. I wonder how much flak people would give me for keeping it in the atx position.

Well, if you are testing the C-14 & Accelero combo without twin 120mm fans on the side bracket does an injustice to the proper 'Big Air' configuration...
 
Well, if you are testing the C-14 & Accelero combo without twin 120mm fans on the side bracket does an injustice to the proper 'Big Air' configuration...

Yes it would. But since I don't have another A12x15 fan on me and don't want to buy another one specifically for this test then I guess the C14S will go into it with a handicap.
 
Yes it would. But since I don't have another A12x15 fan on me and don't want to buy another one specifically for this test then I guess the C14S will go into it with a handicap.

I am talking C-14, you are talking C-14S...

I think they should be set up as is best for each, so there will be variables...

But regarding the C-14 classic Big Air configuration, two 12x25 fans would be required on the side bracket, and the SFX PSU in the proper place on the side...

C-14S would require the SFX PSU in the ATX position for mounting a bottom fan on the CPU heat sink & 12x15 fans on the side bracket for its best config...?
 
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Impressed with the accelero but still looking for quieter, I picked up a Strix 2080 to try out since the reviews all raved about its noise level. After removing the front audio, usb, and flipping the power button I massaged it into the M1. Taking it out proved to be a bit more challenging, though when I wised up and removed the entire front io/power button panel things were much easier. Props to the designers for that area, super easy to remove that stuff.

There’s definitely not much wiggle room, but it fits in just fine once it’s in there. At the lowest point I measured about 11mm, so you’re not going to be mounting any fans underneath.

I didn’t test exhaustively, but the cooler in this card definitely does it’s job. Temperatures climb slowly and the fan curve is pretty reasonable about if the box. And even at high(er) fan speeds, the tone isn’t too obnoxious. One of my fans, though, has (to me) a very obvious grind/hum/vibrate. I can hear it at any fan speed, and can feel it when I put my hand on the card in the right spot. I tossed the GPU in a mid tower to verify there wasn’t anything odd in my M1 setup and it’s still there. I can’t see anything impeding the fan though I didn’t remove the shroud. It’s a real shame, because it looks pretty great in the chassis.
 

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Impressed with the accelero but still looking for quieter, I picked up a Strix 2080 to try out since the reviews all raved about its noise level. After removing the front audio, usb, and flipping the power button I massaged it into the M1. Taking it out proved to be a bit more challenging, though when I wised up and removed the entire front io/power button panel things were much easier. Props to the designers for that area, super easy to remove that stuff.

There’s definitely not much wiggle room, but it fits in just fine once it’s in there. At the lowest point I measured about 11mm, so you’re not going to be mounting any fans underneath.

I didn’t test exhaustively, but the cooler in this card definitely does it’s job. Temperatures climb slowly and the fan curve is pretty reasonable about if the box. And even at high(er) fan speeds, the tone isn’t too obnoxious. One of my fans, though, has (to me) a very obvious grind/hum/vibrate. I can hear it at any fan speed, and can feel it when I put my hand on the card in the right spot. I tossed the GPU in a mid tower to verify there wasn’t anything odd in my M1 setup and it’s still there. I can’t see anything impeding the fan though I didn’t remove the shroud. It’s a real shame, because it looks pretty great in the chassis.

Pull the shroud & fans (oh, and cut off a few tabs here & there, no big deal) & place a pair of Noctua 12x25 PWM fans (attached to the GPU fan headers) underneath set to exhaust...

Big Air 4 Lyfe...!!!
 
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A few pages back another user tried this, but couldn’t get it to work. Similar to the EVGa ultra cards, the heatsink has little metal tabs for the shroud to screw into. They appeared to be soldered on, and there wasn’t enough clearance for the fans in exhaust. That user did find that there was just enough room when the fans were flipped to intake, though.

I actually already had a 2080 I snagged for “cheap” (slightly below msrp). I picked up an accelero fitted used card, so I’m just going to mount it to the other 2080 and return the Strix. What I really need is 1080ti/2080 performance…at 2070 TDP. Maybe next year.
 
Update.. Delivery was quick!

C14 + ASRock Z390 Phantom gaming ITX/AC fits!.. Well. Just. :p Seem like some engineers/designers/marketing did their job properly (contrary to ASUS), or just pure luck. But it sits right up against it. Its not pushing on it and its not leaning on it. Just chiiling 1 µm from the VRM heatsink :sorry::happy:

4R5fttN.jpg
 
Tried searching and came up with nothing. Anybody know of a water distribution plate for the M1? Custom or otherwise?
 
Tried searching and came up with nothing. Anybody know of a water distribution plate for the M1? Custom or otherwise?
Only know of the m1 res by frozenq. You could drill out and thread some more holes in a vrm cooler if you have the tools, I guess.
 
Update.. Delivery was quick!

C14 + ASRock Z390 Phantom gaming ITX/AC fits!.. Well. Just. :p Seem like some engineers/designers/marketing did their job properly (contrary to ASUS), or just pure luck. But it sits right up against it. Its not pushing on it and its not leaning on it. Just chiiling 1 µm from the VRM heatsink :sorry::happy:

View attachment 127813
I'm a real big fan of AsRock products for the price. Used to go gigabyte and Asus mainly.
 
Do any of you have experience with the Sapphire Pulse Vega 56 in the M1? It has a rather unique cooling system, with a mini (nano) PCB yet a large sized heatsink. The big advantage is that the front fan is blowing through the heatsink, upwards, and the hot air isn't trapped in the GPU compartment, as is so often the case in the M1.
I have this GPU built in right now, and I'm wondering what the best airflow route would be. Currently I have the side panel as intake, and a Noctua U9S (horizontally) pointed towards the rear as exhaust. Part of the hot air from the GPU gets expelled via the CPU cooler, so the CPU is getting pre-heated air. Reversing this however would mean losing the dust filter. Any experience somebody would like to share?
 
Do any of you have experience with the Sapphire Pulse Vega 56 in the M1? It has a rather unique cooling system, with a mini (nano) PCB yet a large sized heatsink. The big advantage is that the front fan is blowing through the heatsink, upwards, and the hot air isn't trapped in the GPU compartment, as is so often the case in the M1.
I have this GPU built in right now, and I'm wondering what the best airflow route would be. Currently I have the side panel as intake, and a Noctua U9S (horizontally) pointed towards the rear as exhaust. Part of the hot air from the GPU gets expelled via the CPU cooler, so the CPU is getting pre-heated air. Reversing this however would mean losing the dust filter. Any experience somebody would like to share?

No experience, but ideas...?

I would strip the shroud & fans & drop a couple of Noctua 12x25 fans below (attached to the GPU with a 4-pin>VGA adapter & set to exhaust)...

You want the fans on the GPU as close to the heat sink as possible, but depending on the gap you may need to DIY a bit of ducting between the fans & the floor of the chassis...

The 'pass-thru' portion of the heatsink should allow fresh air from the fan on the front slot of the side bracket to, well, pass thru...
 
Anyone running a 2-slot 2080ti in their M1? I've got an X99 12-core Xeon e5-2676v3 + MSI GTX 980 Ti setup that's been great to me over the last 3 years running on the silverestone SFX 600w PSU and wondering about fitment, cooling, and power concerns with this setup if I go with a 2080Ti this Christmas. Was looking at MSI, EVGA (non 2.75 unless it fits!), or the straight up FE card. Is anything a straight drop in and enjoy?

Since my 980Ti wasn't a blower it lived in the ~80C range on stock cooling. I tended to keep the side panel off my case while gaming because it was noticeably cooler. Never did solve that issue but didn't mind it very much - it was only an issue for prolonged gaming sessions. CPU is under a Noctua NH-C14 and the heatsink has always been barely warm to the touch even after overnight encoding work.
 
Hi guys,

I finished my new build today so I also did a bench for you for the 9900K in the M1.

Here's my setup:
- Asrock z390 phantom gaming-itx/ac
- i9 9900K
- Noctua U9S (two A9 fans on the cpu heatsink)
- Third Noctua A9 on the back of the case as exhaust
- Noctua NF-A12x25 as intake on the side for the case
- Vega 64 with aftermarket cooler morpheus ii
- Two Noctua 120mm X 15mm slim on the bottom of the case as exhaust

So a total of 6 fans to try to cold this beast.

I'm still trying some settings to do a small undervolt and this is not final. CPU was stable at around 76C after 5 minutes of Aida64

View attachment 117366

Benlehot

Might we see some pics of the build, especially the clearance of the morpheus II & the fans on same; please...?!?

Which Vega 64 is used, a reference blower design...? And which of the additional cooling bits were used from the Morpheus kit...?

Thanks...!

Circling back around to this, as I have a few more questions...

The third A9 fan, is that mounted on the exterior of the chassis (it does not seem like there is room for two 25mm thick fans between the CPU heat sink & the rear inner wall of the chassis)...?

The temps you show look good, but I see the GPU was not really tested/stressed at all; what temps are you seeing while running a stress test on the GPU...?

And might we see some temps with both the CPU & GPU being stressed...?

And for all & any interested, Newegg has the Morpheus II GPU heat sinks back in stock...
 
Hey Necere and wahaha360
Not been here for a while but what are the chances of an NCASE M1 v6?
Maybe with front USB-C ports, perhaps?

Or is the NCASE M1 v5 really the last of it's type now?

P.S. Any chance we can update the front page with a RTX 2080 compatibility list, please?
 
Got a accelro extreme 3 for christmas! Will be having to replace the cooler on my 1080ti sc2.

Where is the best place to get noctuas at a good price?
 
Hey Necere and wahaha360
Not been here for a while but what are the chances of an NCASE M1 v6?
Maybe with front USB-C ports, perhaps?

Or is the NCASE M1 v5 really the last of it's type now?

P.S. Any chance we can update the front page with a RTX 2080 compatibility list, please?


I'd like to know about this to.
- Hoping for a wider Ncase M1 to fit 165mm cpu cooler's like the NH D15S
- Enabling wider gpu cards aswell
- hdd activity led shining below the case as shown by someone who modded it, would look great aswell.
 
I'd like to know about this to.
- Hoping for a wider Ncase M1 to fit 165mm cpu cooler's like the NH D15S
- Enabling wider gpu cards aswell
- hdd activity led shining below the case as shown by someone who modded it, would look great aswell.

Seriously doubt M1 v6 would have such changes...

If so, it wouldn't really be a v6, more like a v1 of the M1+...

But if we ARE making overall dimension changes:

35mm additional height would allow 25mm thick fans with the Morpheus II GPU heat sink & would allow dual 120mm x 25mm fans up top to exhaust...

I realize this would leave too much space if using an Accelero III GPU heat sink & 25mm thick fans...

So maybe a removable floor on the chassis that has fastening points for two positions that are 5mm apart...?

5mm additional width would allow for dual 120mm x 25mm fans on the side bracket when using the forthcoming revised NH-C14 series CPU heat sink...

So, 35mm more height & 5mm more width gives us a volume that is just under 15 liters & improved cooling overall...

We can dream...
 
But it won't be the same case anymore, also there are a few cases out there who are already slightly bigger

I guess changing the USB ports and lights would be the most plausible for a v6
 
Yall are describing a different case altogether.

From what I have read, the v6 would address issues like the gpu mounting points stripping over time. I think the idea was to make that piece modular for easier warranty replacement. I'm not on the inside so I have no idea for sure, but I'd be willing to bet that if there is a V6, it would be minor QOL improvements just like V2-5.

Got a accelro extreme 3 for christmas! Will be having to replace the cooler on my 1080ti sc2.

Where is the best place to get noctuas at a good price?

Can't really go wrong with Amazon and the prime shipping on a pair of A12X25's. I recently made the switch from the previous flagship NF-F12's and the difference is night and day. The A12's are so much more quiet even at higher RPM 's. Too bad they look terrible.
 
Are there any existing cases similar to what’s being described (20-30mm wider, room for top slim or full fans) but otherwise having the layout of the M1?
 
Anyone paint or otherwise change the color of their silver M1? I have a silver V4 but am sort of pining to make it black these days to match the rest of my setup. I'm assuming from the factory it comes black anodized if you choose that, but do I have any options on the silver to reliably go black?


:edit: Ah, looks like the black panel kit is available and 80 bucks. I'll probably just grab them rather than trying to DIY it.
 
Anyone paint or otherwise change the color of their silver M1? I have a silver V4 but am sort of pining to make it black these days to match the rest of my setup. I'm assuming from the factory it comes black anodized if you choose that, but do I have any options on the silver to reliably go black?


:edit: Ah, looks like the black panel kit is available and 80 bucks. I'll probably just grab them rather than trying to DIY it.

I recently picked up a black panel kit for my silver M1 v4 and couldn't be happier. This is a great and relatively inexpensive way to update the look of your system. The ability to switch between a silver or black system when I want is pretty unique to the M1 I think.
 
Can't really go wrong with Amazon and the prime shipping on a pair of A12X25's. I recently made the switch from the previous flagship NF-F12's and the difference is night and day. The A12's are so much more quiet even at higher RPM 's. Too bad they look terrible.
Turns out I ended up with nf12s, for Christmas, is the a12 a noticeable upgrade?
 
Hey Necere and wahaha360
Not been here for a while but what are the chances of an NCASE M1 v6?
Maybe with front USB-C ports, perhaps?

Or is the NCASE M1 v5 really the last of it's type now?

P.S. Any chance we can update the front page with a RTX 2080 compatibility list, please?

I'd like to know about this to.
- Hoping for a wider Ncase M1 to fit 165mm cpu cooler's like the NH D15S
- Enabling wider gpu cards aswell
- hdd activity led shining below the case as shown by someone who modded it, would look great aswell.

Seriously doubt M1 v6 would have such changes...

If so, it wouldn't really be a v6, more like a v1 of the M1+...

But if we ARE making overall dimension changes:

35mm additional height would allow 25mm thick fans with the Morpheus II GPU heat sink & would allow dual 120mm x 25mm fans up top to exhaust...

I realize this would leave too much space if using an Accelero III GPU heat sink & 25mm thick fans...

So maybe a removable floor on the chassis that has fastening points for two positions that are 5mm apart...?

5mm additional width would allow for dual 120mm x 25mm fans on the side bracket when using the forthcoming revised NH-C14 series CPU heat sink...

So, 35mm more height & 5mm more width gives us a volume that is just under 15 liters & improved cooling overall...

We can dream...

Yall are describing a different case altogether.

From what I have read, the v6 would address issues like the gpu mounting points stripping over time. I think the idea was to make that piece modular for easier warranty replacement. I'm not on the inside so I have no idea for sure, but I'd be willing to bet that if there is a V6, it would be minor QOL improvements just like V2-5.
Yeah, changes to the size of the chassis aren't under consideration. Any revisions made in future versions will be aimed at improving the existing design in small ways - both for the end user and from a manufacturing perspective.
 
Yeah, changes to the size of the chassis aren't under consideration. Any revisions made in future versions will be aimed at improving the existing design in small ways - both for the end user and from a manufacturing perspective.

Any time scale for v6?
It has been a while...
 
Yeah, changes to the size of the chassis aren't under consideration. Any revisions made in future versions will be aimed at improving the existing design in small ways - both for the end user and from a manufacturing perspective.

I feel like the bottom section under the GPU is wasted space. An optional MB mount/tray to allow GPUS to literally lay on the floor of the M1, while giving space for a top mounted 240 rad would be a great "add-on" or "optional" item. IMO, this is the ONLY thing I personally think could improve the Ncase design. Adding this reconfiguration option could also potentially support the sales of the acrylic window side options as you would no longer need the side vents with a top mount....

I have seen only maybe 1 or 2 others do this, and for a man of your skill, would require minimal extra manufacturing /design/added cost.
 
Any time scale for v6?
It has been a while...
Not yet.

I feel like the bottom section under the GPU is wasted space.
Is it though? You're certainly not the first person to say that. On the contrary, with 2.5 slot cards becoming the norm, I'd say it's more useful now than ever. Consider all those Accelero builds that wouldn't be possible without it.

Also the front I/O limits the GPU length to ~279mm at the bottom of the case, so moving the GPU down into that area would significantly limit the number of different aftermarket cards the case could support.

An optional MB mount/tray to allow GPUS to literally lay on the floor of the M1, while giving space for a top mounted 240 rad would be a great "add-on" or "optional" item. IMO, this is the ONLY thing I personally think could improve the Ncase design. Adding this reconfiguration option could also potentially support the sales of the acrylic window side options as you would no longer need the side vents with a top mount....

I have seen only maybe 1 or 2 others do this, and for a man of your skill, would require minimal extra manufacturing /design/added cost.
So the issue with that is there's only ~25mm below the GPU, which means only 25mm could be added to the top. That plus the small clearance already at the top is still short of enough space for even a slim rad+fans. The only reason it works on the bottom is because you can effectively reduce the GPU to single slot with a full cover waterblock.
 
Can anyone suggest a gtx 2070 that will fit into the m1 easily? Thanks!

Nvidia FE. Zotac, MSI and Asus all have reference style coolers that will fit no problem. EVGA XC Gaming, MSI Ventus (avoid the other MSI as they are too tall), there is a Gigabyte 3 fan at 280mm that should fit no problem. PNY Gaming and Zotac Gaming should fit easily.
 
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