New SFF gamers case: presentation and advices

Hi everybody,

On another notes. I know we talked a lot about DA BOX lately. But I wanted to show the bag that's coming your way and see what you think. We used some pretty high quality material. Designed in Italy by an Italian designer. Here are the first pictures of the prototype.

DSC04922rd.jpg

DSC04924rd.jpg

DSC04927rd.jpg

The baby bag for your accessories that goes inside.
DSC04928rd.jpg

The inside of the baby bag.
DSC04930rd.jpg


This is our first prototype. So there are a few defects. But you get the general idea.
I don't want you to think I have been sleeping lately or anything (I mean, in between postings).:D
 
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I really like the bag! You should include straps to hold onto a keyboard outside of the bag. Some keyboards are ridiculously long
 
Still brainstorming on my water cooling idea and would love it if someone could give me these two clearances:
daboxclearance.jpg

Original image from FengPangzi, hope you don't mind! If someone could just quickly give me these two dimensions I would really appreciate it.

The bag looks pretty good, I agree on the inclusion of some way to carry a keyboard, as they are usually longer than our case's 14.6" :) (My saitek eclipse II is 19.6", for example)
 
Still brainstorming on my water cooling idea and would love it if someone could give me these two clearances:
daboxclearance.jpg

Original image from FengPangzi, hope you don't mind! If someone could just quickly give me these two dimensions I would really appreciate it.

The bag looks pretty good, I agree on the inclusion of some way to carry a keyboard, as they are usually longer than our case's 14.6" :) (My saitek eclipse II is 19.6", for example)

If I had a ruler, I'd tell you. I'd estimate 12.5" long, a little less than 8 1/2" inches wide. Using an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper as reference.
 
That bag is pretty nice looking. I agree with the others you should try to incorporate a way to carry a keyboard with it if possible.
 
I'm debating between a m-ATX build with this case and a m-ITX build with a PC-Q08... either way... I think I'l get that bag :D

Just curious what the baby bag is for... mouse?

I think one compartment for the case itself, well protected, and other compartments mainly for cables and whatnot would be fine... maybe bigger pockets that could hold Switches would be nice for those who bring 8port switches/routers to LAN's. But looking at it now I think it's fine as is. One bag for my system, one bag full of the cables and switches, spare mice and headsets etc.
 
The bag looks great.

One suggestion for long keyboard carrying.

Make a thin bag accessory thats over 20 inches long
by a few inches wide. It would have a long zipper on top
and either velcro or clipson the bottom. You may want to
put light padding in the inside of it all around.

When the inside case itself is zipped up at the top, the keyboard bag would
lay on top of it between the straps used for carrying then
secured to it.

I realize it would overhang on two sides, so you could then
wrap the entire case in another larger zipped outside
case overlap. The straps for carrying would be on the
inside case and fish though to the top and outside. If
the outside case overlap is strong enough, you could
pur some zipped pockets on either end for more storage.

Since I dont know the weight or stress points involved
someone would have to figure that into the overall load.


Heres a primitive visual.

---- ---- carrying straps

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- outside case overlap
surrounds the entire setup, with possible zipped pockets inside

---------------------------------------------- keyboard padded bag zipped
longways

keyboard latches to the inside case with velcro or clips
--------------------------------------------------- inside padded case as shown in
picture above

Take this drawing and turn it upside down, for what it would look like.
Wider at the top, smaller at the bottom.

http://www.abcteach.com/basicshapes/images/trapez9.gif
 
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Very nice color and design looks good. My suggestion is to make sure it can fit more than just "Da Box". For example the SilverStone SUGO Bag can hold mini-itx cases and matx cases...everyone I've tested.
 
I'm debating between a m-ATX build with this case and a m-ITX build with a PC-Q08... either way... I think I'l get that bag :D

Just curious what the baby bag is for... mouse?

I think one compartment for the case itself, well protected, and other compartments mainly for cables and whatnot would be fine... maybe bigger pockets that could hold Switches would be nice for those who bring 8port switches/routers to LAN's. But looking at it now I think it's fine as is. One bag for my system, one bag full of the cables and switches, spare mice and headsets etc.

I think you'll be able to fit most micro ATX cases, but I'll check to make sure it is at least SUGO and Q pack compatible. I don't think it will be a problem to fit mini ITX cases.
Our next mini ITX case will fit in it like a charm. Actually, you'll be able to fit 2.
The baby bag is for whatever you'd like to have protected in it. One of the use for it was for high end expensive mouse that you don't want to have floating unprotected.:)

Here is a picture to show you how it opens. It's actually designed so that you can just slide it inside very easily. The entire top parts goes up and leave the bottom compartment wide open.
DSC04922rd.jpg
>>
DSC04931rd.jpg
 
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Good morning,

The custom power cords are being produced as we speak. They will all be tested and rated for 2000W. Hopefully, that will solve any future issues with them, especially because we are using them in our new upcoming mini ITX case.

Mini ITX project: Announcement / debate

I haven't talked much about it because we have been working on resolving the technical issues with DA BOX. But it is moving along.
In order to offer the best possible product, we have decided to change a bit our development approach. We noticed we had quite a few suggestions to improve DA BOX, and we'd like to have all of these suggestions taken into account for our next mini ITX project.
This is why we decided to create a BETA test of the product. This is what I'd like to discuss with you and see what you think.
Here is how we are thinking to make it work:
We would select 6 candidates that will receive the case, starting with the first/second prototype. They will pre-purchase the case with a deep discount, and will own the final product.
After they receive each prototype, they will make a list of suggestions and improvements. And then ship back the case so that they can receive the new improved ones. They will keep testing it until they get the final product. Shipping will be all paid for.
I don't know if it has been done before. But it should be interesting.
You'll end up with a very nice mini ITX case for cheap.
 
Hey mattinv, any chance of a peek at the mini ITX case design?
Hi Groats,
We will start posting some pictures when we get the first prototype done. Not before because we have big plans for it and we'd like to keep it under the radar for a while. But we are ready to start prototyping.
The only thing I can tell is that if you are looking for the ultimate mini ITX case, this is it. And I have no doubt you will love the design.
 
Matt, could you shed some more details on the mini ITX prototype beta?
I may be interested as I have a couple of mITX motherboards and several hard drives (3.5" and 2.5") along with both standard optical and slim drives.
 
Matt, it seems my question has been lost, maybe you can answer it for me? Just need those two dimensions above, in post #1045. Also, are the overall dimensions listed on the website still accurate? Thanks.
*edit* MJZ, saw your post but would appreciate something a bit more exact. Less than 8.5" seems way off, since the case is 11.4" wide. I cant believe those two support pieces are 1.5" each, to be honest visually from various pics I was estimating a bit more than 10", which is critical because I need 9.8" clear. But thanks anyway! (and if you are right then I have to scrap my project :()
 
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width appears to be 10.03125 and length is 12.78125. these were taken from the edge of the lip, so you have a bit more room than that.
 
Silentbob343 - THANK YOU! That is precisely what I needed. And I'd much rather have a 'worst case' edge of lip measurement as you have provided, as it still ensures I have room to do what I wanted. Looks like you got yourself some nice digital calipers ehh? :p
 
Silentbob343 - THANK YOU! That is precisely what I needed. And I'd much rather have a 'worst case' edge of lip measurement as you have provided, as it still ensures I have room to do what I wanted. Looks like you got yourself some nice digital calipers ehh? :p

Oops, yes what was I thinking. I meant to say the width is little less than 11.5" depending on how you measured. :) Around 10" sounds right if you are measuring from inside edges.
 
Good morning,

The custom power cords are being produced as we speak. They will all be tested and rated for 2000W. Hopefully, that will solve any future issues with them, especially because we are using them in our new upcoming mini ITX case.

Mini ITX project: Announcement / debate

I haven't talked much about it because we have been working on resolving the technical issues with DA BOX. But it is moving along.
In order to offer the best possible product, we have decided to change a bit our development approach. We noticed we had quite a few suggestions to improve DA BOX, and we'd like to have all of these suggestions taken into account for our next mini ITX project.
This is why we decided to create a BETA test of the product. This is what I'd like to discuss with you and see what you think.
Here is how we are thinking to make it work:
We would select 6 candidates that will receive the case, starting with the first/second prototype. They will pre-purchase the case with a deep discount, and will own the final product.
After they receive each prototype, they will make a list of suggestions and improvements. And then ship back the case so that they can receive the new improved ones. They will keep testing it until they get the final product. Shipping will be all paid for.
I don't know if it has been done before. But it should be interesting.
You'll end up with a very nice mini ITX case for cheap.

Matt,

Interested in taking part in this beta as I will be building a new HTPC this month with a Zotac MITX board.
 
Mattinev, I don't know if that's going to fit in the overhead compartment of a plane. It may if you slide it in sideways, but with heavy tower heatsinks, I'm squeamish about transporting my rig while on its side, especially during landings. I do like the color scheme. The other thing is having a wheeled assembbly for when you have to travel 1/2 a mile from one end of the terminal to the other.
 
Matt,

I am not a pro builder by any means but I am willing to help out if you need people. I will be building a HTPC within a few months. Let me know more details if you need help.
 
Matt, it seems my question has been lost, maybe you can answer it for me? Just need those two dimensions above, in post #1045. Also, are the overall dimensions listed on the website still accurate? Thanks.
*edit* MJZ, saw your post but would appreciate something a bit more exact. Less than 8.5" seems way off, since the case is 11.4" wide. I cant believe those two support pieces are 1.5" each, to be honest visually from various pics I was estimating a bit more than 10", which is critical because I need 9.8" clear. But thanks anyway! (and if you are right then I have to scrap my project :()

Sorry about that. Must have missed it.
From the picture you sent, the exact dimensions are:
Blue line: 11.2"
Red line 13.8"
I hope this helps.
 
Matt, could you shed some more details on the mini ITX prototype beta?
I may be interested as I have a couple of mITX motherboards and several hard drives (3.5" and 2.5") along with both standard optical and slim drives.

Hi Everybody,
Here is the specification of the first prototype.

Dimensions: 11.85 (long) x 9.28" (wide) x 5.97" (tall) (same volume as SG05)
100% aluminum
Power supply: compatible ATX
Motherboard: compatible mini ITX
1 slim DVD drive bay
Fans: 2 x 120mm + 2 x 80mm (excellent cooling)
Compatible with video card as long as 11.6" (PCB) (so a bit more for the entire card lengh). It looks like it might be compatible with some 5970 in the future.
Compatible with fairly tall heatsinks: 5.5" (must be tested for clearance)
1 x 3.5" hard drive bay
2 x 2.5" hard drive bay
(1 hard drive for storage, 2 SSD for speed)
Smooth lines design. Glossy paint + 2 shades. Custom colors.:)

It is purely gamer oriented but I will personally use one as HTPC because of its good look.:D
 
Matt, I would be very interested in testing the ITX box. I have a mobo, drives, opticals, PSUs, and vid cards to try.
 
Hi Everybody,
Here is the specification of the first prototype.

Dimensions: 11.85 (long) x 9.28" (wide) x 5.97" (tall) (same volume as SG05)
100% aluminum
Power supply: compatible ATX
Motherboard: compatible mini ITX
1 slim DVD drive bay
Fans: 2 x 120mm + 2 x 80mm (excellent cooling)
Compatible with video card as long as 11.6" (PCB) (so a bit more for the entire card lengh). It looks like it might be compatible with some 5970 in the future.
Compatible with fairly tall heatsinks: 5.5" (must be tested for clearance)
1 x 3.5" hard drive bay
2 x 2.5" hard drive bay
(1 hard drive for storage, 2 SSD for speed)
Smooth lines design. Glossy paint + 2 shades. Custom colors.:)

It is purely gamer oriented but I will personally use one as HTPC because of its good look.:D

Awesome, can't wait!
 
Here's my attempt at cable management. i know it sucks. if anyone has suggestions please tell. I tried to route all the wires underneath the optical drive because there's space between that and the PSU. I used the 3 pin fan attachments because using model would require another wire attached to the PSU. I tried to flip the hard drive so that the connectors would be facing the 92mm fan cause i mounted mine in the front.

Matt: When should we expect the new front bezel, etc...?

DSC000662.JPG
 
I'd be interested in the beta testing for the Mini-ITX case, I've been doing a lot of Mini-itx stuff and am probably going to move my next system into one.

I was looking at the PC-Q08 from LianLi... bit bigger but packs a lot of stuff too.
 
Thinking about buying one of these. However I am confused as to the difference between the original and the "blackheart". Is the window the only difference?
 
I really like the bag! You should include straps to hold onto a keyboard outside of the bag. Some keyboards are ridiculously long

size it for a G15 and you'll be fine. Bonus point is you can also design a bag for my G25, my G13, and my G35's. yeah, i know.... /gear whore
 
That Racing wheel would make it quite difficult to pack into. It'd be a challenge, maybe just stow it separate from your case
also:
Line the interior or your bag with lead. This would make it easier to travel through customs.
 
I line my bags with Plutonium. It's the only way that I can generate the 1.21 Gigawatts that I need for my daily commute to 1985.
 
Can't wait to hopefully get one of these in the UK. Have been told end of feb though (they are looking for a retail seller in the uk) :(
And they wont be able to do a red interior :( lol
 
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USPS finally delivered my case. Overall it looks good other than the faceplate issue. Have yet to check the power cord since I still don't have all my parts.

Also looking forward to the mITX case. I have a SG05 now as my main but will likely hand it down and use either the blackheart or this as my main.
 
Hi everybody,
We are still waiting to receive a sample of the new faceplate to confirm production. But it will hopefully happen pretty soon.
I will also keep you posted on the progress being made on the Mini ITX case and the new power cords.
 
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