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

The 2 Panasonic slimline slot-load SATA optical drives they have are the UJ-265 (writes Bluray up to 128GB and DVD/CD) and the UJ-8C5 (writes DVD/CD) - pretty sure both are OEM w/out any software or cables (they do sell combos w/software & cables separately). Before any discounts (if he decides there's enough interest), their current prices are $129 for the UJ-265 and $59 for the UJ-8C5, with free US/48-state shipping on orders over $75 (no idea what their int'l shipping rates are, but they do offer it). I don't even have a ballpark idea as to what kind of discount he'd be willing to offer us, but I'll let everyone know when I find out. Honestly, he's gonna have to offer at least 30% off to even beat the UJ-8C5 that EVGA is selling for $49 with cable (was initially $39), and I'm really not sure if that's enough of a deal to sway anyone, but we'll find out.

AFD said:
Almost forgot myself, lol. I'm down for the UJ-265 Bluray, if the price is right.
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vortaku said:
i am definately interested. i have two slot load ondy dvd buners but owuld much prefer a blue ray! are we sure this will fit?
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Anthony Vu said:
I'm interested. Thanks!
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drklu said:
I am defiantly interested in a bluray optical drive price pending.
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Andorski said:
Mark me down for also being interested in a DVD drive. Maybe even a Blu Ray drive depending on how expensive it is.
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Skott said:
Is that model a BlueRay and a dvd player? If it is I'm def interested. :D Edit: To AFD: Yeah, I'm going to need two optical drives. Forgot I bought two M1 cases.
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Nick0matic said:
I'd be quite interested in a DVD drive, and as said, maybe even a Blu-Ray if it isn't terribly expensive.
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nerdyjem said:
If this would be good for the UJ-265 BDR drive I'd definitely be interested.
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okwchin said:
Blu-ray, OSX compatible (either native, or with straight forward kext/driver install), with a fair price shipped to Australia, and I will be purchasing.
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RideTheNun said:
Me too, me too, Blue Ray drive if they ship to Canada at a decent shipping price.
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s0skey said:
I would also be very interested in this. I've been on the look out for a good drive to buy for my M1, specifically a Bluray drive.
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commander_ said:
Extremely interested. I'll need a DVD drive. :p
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Loxxess said:
I'm interested in the DVD drive
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prototype27 said:
I'd be interested in the Blu-ray drive as well.
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danny.nguyen said:
count me in but need to know the cost of international shipping tp Australia. But I would like the blu ray one otherwise DVD is fine!
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PCMusicGuy said:
I'd be interested in the Blu Ray drive.
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spamhunter said:
Interested in the bluray drive as well, maybe 2.
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ben1680 said:
Count me in for Bluray drive
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jcecil said:
Count me in too, I'm interested, but price is important.
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ajira99 said:
I'm interested in at least one BD drive, but I may pick up a DVD drive as well.
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drklu said:
Anyone else take a look at the 290x's power usage. Holy crap! Also, temps at load reaching 95c in a tiny M1 seems like a terrible idea.
I guess if we water cool this beast that may be a different story entirely.
Cudos to AMD for the price/performance though, pretty impressive in itself. Hopefully this pushes the green team to release a more competitively priced card. One with better efficiency then current cards for us using them in sff systems :) I really want to see this card water cooled but I still believe we would be pushing the poor ST45SF-G 450W to its limits regardless with the 290x.

1382088059a47QS23bNQ_15_1.gif

1382088059a47QS23bNQ_15_2.gif
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Before you get carried away, the target temp of 95c makes NO difference to case temperatures! A card running at 60c with its fan at 40% could expel the same amount of heat back into a case from a card running 95c with a fan at 20%.

A watercooled GPU that has a 40c load temp will still kick out the same heat as the very same aircooled GPU running at 80c. The 95c threshold is AMDs method of balancing noise and power, the same heatdump will occur regardless of reported GPU temp given the same load conditions.
 
AFD said:
The 2 Panasonic slimline slot-load SATA optical drives they have are the UJ-265 (writes Bluray up to 128GB and DVD/CD) and the UJ-8C5 (writes DVD/CD) - pretty sure both are OEM w/out any software or cables (they do sell combos w/software & cables separately). Before any discounts (if he decides there's enough interest), their current prices are $129 for the UJ-265 and $59 for the UJ-8C5, with free US/48-state shipping on orders over $75 (no idea what their int'l shipping rates are, but they do offer it). I don't even have a ballpark idea as to what kind of discount he'd be willing to offer us, but I'll let everyone know when I find out. Honestly, he's gonna have to offer at least 30% off to even beat the UJ-8C5 that EVGA is selling for $49 with cable (was initially $39), and I'm really not sure if that's enough of a deal to sway anyone, but we'll find out.
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I'd be interested in the Blu-ray drive as well.
 
drklu said:
Anyone else take a look at the 290x's power usage. Holy crap! Also, temps at load reaching 95c in a tiny M1 seems like a terrible idea.
I guess if we water cool this beast that may be a different story entirely.
Cudos to AMD for the price/performance though, pretty impressive in itself. Hopefully this pushes the green team to release a more competitively priced card. One with better efficiency then current cards for us using them in sff systems :) I really want to see this card water cooled but I still believe we would be pushing the poor ST45SF-G 450W to its limits regardless with the 290x.

1382088059a47QS23bNQ_15_1.gif

1382088059a47QS23bNQ_15_2.gif
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Welp... :(

Guess the 290X uses a bit more power than I wanted it too... I suppose I could wait for SS's new SFX PSU or go with Nvidia's Maxwell GPUs in Q1 2014...
 
AFD said:
Just an FYI, for anyone planning to add an optical drive to their M1..

I've been speaking with Brian at Digistor (an authorized Panasonic dealer) about slot-load DVD & Bluray drives for the M1, and he may be able to offer a discount coupon for Hardforum members if there's enough people interested in purchasing from them (though, I'm sure that will largely depend on how good of a discount he's willing to offer). They're US-based, but also offer international shipping, and they are in good standing w/the BBB and have excellent feedback.

If anyone's interested, I'll be sure to post more details if he decides to offer any deals for us.

media.nl
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count me in but need to know the cost of international shipping tp Australia. But I would like the blu ray one otherwise DVD is fine!
 
The Panasonic UJ265 can be purchased new/OEM on eBay for US $94 which includes shipping. I got mine a few days ago. FWIW, I've already burned two 50GB discs and ripped one blu-ray movie, and it worked perfectly. I'm excited to install it in the M1!
 
commander_ said:
Welp... :(

Guess the 290X uses a bit more power than I wanted it too... I suppose I could wait for SS's new SFX PSU or go with Nvidia's Maxwell GPUs in Q1 2014...
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Yeah we're definitely going to want at least a 500 watt PSU to power a 425 watt monster that is the 290X....I really hate to plan my build on theoretical tech that hasn't come out yet...
 
VincentHanna said:
Before you get carried away, the target temp of 95c makes NO difference to case temperatures! A card running at 60c with its fan at 40% could expel the same amount of heat back into a case from a card running 95c with a fan at 20%.

A watercooled GPU that has a 40c load temp will still kick out the same heat as the very same aircooled GPU running at 80c. The 95c threshold is AMDs method of balancing noise and power, the same heatdump will occur regardless of reported GPU temp given the same load conditions.
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Carried away, that seems a bit harsh? I was just pointing out the two things that turned me away from the 290x in this enclosure. It's just my personal preference, I don't want my card running that hot. I would have to increase the fan speed to lower that. That would increase noise. I would just rather get a 780ti (or Maxwell) that doesn't run that hot (hopefully). Not that any of this matters given the card uses 421w at load and the psu I'm going to use outputs 450w (maybe a bit more). The 290x is just impractical IMO unless you were able to down clock it, then what's the point because it would likely not best the 780 at that point.
go with Nvidia's Maxwell GPUs in Q1 2014...
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I just picked up a cheap ($265) gtx 680 2gb that I'm going to use in the mean time and wait for Maxwell, since I have my sig rig that can utilize it after I get a new card.
 
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drklu said:
Anyone else take a look at the 290x's power usage. Holy crap!
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I personally am not worried because:
- it's "wall-socket Watts", meaning atleast 10% more than demanded from the PSU
- it's the entire system
- it's an overclocked system:
1382088059a47QS23bNQ_5_1.gif
 
Phuncz said:
I personally am not worried because:
- it's "wall-socket Watts", meaning atleast 10% more than demanded from the PSU
- it's the entire system
- it's an overclocked system:
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Alright so at 421w - %10 = 379w. Yeah that probably would work. I didn't realize there was such a difference between the socket and the psu. Are you concerned with operating temps?
 
Phuncz said:
I personally am not worried because:
- it's "wall-socket Watts", meaning atleast 10% more than demanded from the PSU
- it's the entire system
- it's an overclocked system:
1382088059a47QS23bNQ_5_1.gif
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x2, I am confident that the 450w SFX will run the 290x + i7 haswell, no problem.
 
extide said:
x2, I am confident that the 450w SFX will run the 290x + i7 haswell, no problem.
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Yeah that would be a really sweet system, I'm glad to see amd pushing NV. Is anyone else going to wait and see what NV's response is? Or you guys just going to pick up a 290x?
 
VincentHanna said:
Before you get carried away, the target temp of 95c makes NO difference to case temperatures! A card running at 60c with its fan at 40% could expel the same amount of heat back into a case from a card running 95c with a fan at 20%.
Click to expand...
The power does. 53Watt more power draw, means 53Watts more heat to ditribute.
And also the temperature/fan speed does, especially a blower design card like the R9 290x as the heat in this case isn't transported out of the case.
 
drklu said:
Alright so at 421w - %10 = 379w. Yeah that probably would work. I didn't realize there was such a difference between the socket and the psu. Are you concerned with operating temps?
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I'm not worried, it seems like a capable blower-fan. The GPU is basically getting it's own heat zone because it will suck cool air from the bottom vents and blow it out the back.
 
drklu said:
see what NV's response is? Or you guys just going to pick up a 290x?
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the news and rumor sites all seem very confident: R9 290 NDA lift Oct 31st (next Thursday) nvidia will drop prices on GTX 780, and a GTX 780 Ti will be introduced mid-late November. Perhaps 780 Ti priced slightly above 290X and standard 780 priced a little below?

It's possible AMD with come up with a competing or compatible solution, but for now G-sync looks like an extremely compelling feature in favour of nvidia. Input lag has always been a PITA and screen tearing on Linux is a big problem, so G-sync might be a huge benefit for Steam OS? On the other hand 4K users may still prefer AMD, or anyone who thinks Battlefield with Mantle will be their main gaming fix for the foreseeable future
 
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trick_m0nkey said:
Yeah we're definitely going to want at least a 500 watt PSU to power a 425 watt monster that is the 290X....I really hate to plan my build on theoretical tech that hasn't come out yet...
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No worries. 425W is for the full system, not the card on its own. It's also measured on the AC side of the psu, so the actual DC power draw is lower (how much depends on the efficiency of the psu). The Silverstone 450W (DC side) will handle that load with ease.

I ordered a 290X this morning after reading reviews. Too good and too cheap not to. :)
 
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MestoMix said:
The Panasonic UJ265 can be purchased new/OEM on eBay for US $94 which includes shipping.
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Warden182 said:
I'm interested in the blu-ray drive. Though it is just $102 from a third-party on amazon right now.
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If anyone wants to buy the UJ-265 through an unauthorized reseller, then check out Centrix-Int'l. They have the same drive for $85 (very, very poor customer feedback though).

If I can get that drive at a decent price below $130, I'd personally much rather deal with an authorized distributor that's been in business for 15 years, and offers a 1-year warranty on OEM drives (Centrix & a few others only offer 30 days).

Anyway, I'm still adding those expressing interest in a potential deal to the list, in case that helps Digistor calculate a more appropriate discount for us. So far 20 have shown interest (with some interested in 2), within 22 hours so far.. not too shabby :)
 
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AFD said:
If anyone wants to buy the UJ-265 through an unauthorized reseller, then check out Centrix-Int'l. They have the same drive for $85 (very, very poor customer feedback though).

If I can get that drive at a decent price below $130, I'd personally much rather deal with an authorized distributor that's been in business for 15 years, and offers a 1-year warranty on OEM drives (Centrix & a few others only offer 30 days).

Anyway, I'm still adding those expressing interest in a potential deal to the list, in case that helps Digistor calculate a more appropriate discount for us. So far 17 have shown interest, within 20 hours so far.. not too shabby :)
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Count me in too, I'm interested, but price is important.
 
Don't forget that you'll need a slim optical adapter for those!! Forgetting that was a setback on my build.

So, I have a legitimate question for the NCase thread: Should I set the bottom 120mm fans to suck air into the case (into the face of my video card) or blow out (which I think would be starving the video card's fans)?
 
The_Cheese said:
Don't forget that you'll need a slim optical adapter for those!! Forgetting that was a setback on my build.

So, I have a legitimate question for the NCase thread: Should I set the bottom 120mm fans to suck air into the case (into the face of my video card) or blow out (which I think would be starving the video card's fans)?
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definitely suck air in, and i would suggest putting filters on them too.
 
The_Cheese said:
Don't forget that you'll need a slim optical adapter for those!! Forgetting that was a setback on my build.

So, I have a legitimate question for the NCase thread: Should I set the bottom 120mm fans to suck air into the case (into the face of my video card) or blow out (which I think would be starving the video card's fans)?
Click to expand...

I would definitely not want to have the bottom case fans sucking air from the case.

Though some have recommended against a bottom intake fan directly feeding a GPU intake fan (instead, suggesting to use either no case fan below the GPU fan, or an empty duct), I would personally run the bottom case fans (as intake), but just at a very low RPM.

You might have to test out a few scenarios, and see which one works best for you.
 
The_Cheese said:
Don't forget that you'll need a slim optical adapter for those!! Forgetting that was a setback on my build.

So, I have a legitimate question for the NCase thread: Should I set the bottom 120mm fans to suck air into the case (into the face of my video card) or blow out (which I think would be starving the video card's fans)?
Click to expand...

Just checked out your build in progress, looking good! M1 really looks sexy. :D
 
ekuest said:
definitely suck air in, and i would suggest putting filters on them too.
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+1 to that, feed that g card all the cool air you can :) Throw those filters on that came with your case and you should be good to go. Looking forward to a completed build pic ! Good luck!
 
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I'm thinking the 280 for 1920x1080 res or less and the 290x if you going 1440 res or higher. Personally for now I'm sticking to 1080p/1200p. Helps keeps cosst down. Better for my eye sight too.





Edit: To AFD: Yeah, I'm going to need two optical drives. Forgot I bought two M1 cases.
 
A warning for people that are already ordering hardware for the M1.

Don't! Especially GPU's as new prices of all gaming GPU's will settle much lower as of NOW. (AMD's new lineup is now live)

Order when u have received the case! Maybe a good deal on watercooling or something, but the rest of the hardware can only get cheaper in the meantime and u won't be able to enjoy the hardware untill you received the case.
 
DIGISTOR ODD DEAL UPDATE:

Digistor is now offering 2 coupon codes for M1 backers buying factory-authorized Panasonic slimline slot-load drives. Both drives are OEM (no software, no cables), and carry a 1-year warranty. Software, cables & blank media are also available before check-out if anyone needs them. Shipping over $75 is free in the US (48 contiguous states), and there is a shipping estimator for any international orders (or for any US orders under $75) - see estimates below.

  • PANASONIC UJ-8C5 (DVD) $45 -- Code: HF8C5M1

  • PANASONIC UJ-265 (BLURAY) $105 -- Code: HF265M1


media.nl


Digistor's regular price on the UJ-265 is $129, and their regular price on the UJ-8C5 is $59. Forms of payment are Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover & PayPal.

For shipping, I ran the estimator a few times to give everyone some ballpark ideas of what shipping charges should be (used random zip codes, so your mileage may vary).


US over $75 (USPS Priority): FREE
US under $75 (USPS Priortity): $7
Australia (FedEx Int'l Economy): $36
Canada (FedEx Int'l Economy): $27
UK (FedEx Int'l Economy): $35​

DISCOUNT CODES EXPIRE IN 2 WEEKS (11/8/2013) EDIT: EXTENDED 1-WEEK (~11/15/2013)

If [H] rules allow, I will try to PM everyone that has previously expressed interest in this deal with the same details above so no one misses out. EDIT: All PM's sent.

* Just a disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with DIGISTOR/SLI, and I just placed my own order for a UJ-265 Bluray! In my opinion, it is incredibly nice of them to offer our community a volume discount in this manner, so please show your support :)

EDIT: Holy geez, my ODD shipped w/tracking already - woot!

EDIT: Thanks to the guys here that noticed the free US S&H option disappeared. Digistor said they would make things right and credit everyone that qualified for the free shipping. Due to this mix-up, they are extending the discount codes for 1 week (should be valid until around 11/15/2013, but I'll update this when I find out).
 
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AFD said:
DIGISTOR ODD DEAL UPDATE:

Digistor is now offering 2 coupon codes for M1 backers buying factory-authorized Panasonic slimline slot-load drives. Both drives are OEM (no software, no cables), and carry a 1-year warranty. Software, cables & blank media are also available before check-out if anyone needs them. Shipping over $75 is free in the US (48 contiguous states), and there is a shipping estimator for any international orders (or for any US orders under $75) - see estimates below.

  • PANASONIC UJ-8C5 (DVD) $45 -- Code: HF8C5M1

  • PANASONIC UJ-265 (BLURAY) $105 -- Code: HF265M1


media.nl


Digistor's regular price on the UJ-265 is $129, and their regular price on the UJ-8C5 is $59. Forms of payment are Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover & PayPal.

For shipping, I ran the estimator a few times to give everyone some ballpark ideas of what shipping charges should be (used random zip codes, so your mileage may vary).


US over $75 (USPS Priority): FREE
US under $75 (USPS Priortity): $7
Australia (FedEx Int'l Economy): $36
Canada (FedEx Int'l Economy): $27
UK (FedEx Int'l Economy): $35​

DISCOUNT CODES EXPIRE IN 2 WEEKS (11/6/2013)

If [H] rules allow, I will try to PM everyone that has previously expressed interest in this deal with the same details above so no one misses out.

* Just a disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with DIGISTOR/SLI, and I just placed my own order for a UJ-265 Bluray! In my opinion, it is incredibly nice of them to offer our community a volume discount in this manner, so please show your support :)

EDIT: Holy geez, my ODD shipped w/tracking already - woot!
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Thanks for the update! :D

I'll go pick one up!
 
For those in the States who can't easily buy Swiftech H220. There is now Cooler Master Glacer 240L which is basically an OEM version of the H220 licensed to Cooler Master. Available on Newegg for $130.
 
WiSK said:
For those in the States who can't easily buy Swiftech H220. There is now Cooler Master Glacer 240L which is basically an OEM version of the H220 licensed to Cooler Master. Available on Newegg for $130.
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Great way for Swiftech to get around that patent lawsuit.;)


Also, has there been a consensus yet on the benefits or lack of benefits of adding a 120mm rad on the bottom of the case?

This thread is so huge, and I'm so late in the game that I've missed so much information.
 
WiSK said:
For those in the States who can't easily buy Swiftech H220. There is now Cooler Master Glacer 240L which is basically an OEM version of the H220 licensed to Cooler Master. Available on Newegg for $130.
Click to expand...

The H220 had always been (still is) listed on NCIX's US website. Is it possible to order from there? http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=79583

Personally, I am using an Apogee Drive II, and probably will use that with another slim (or 45mm) radiator.
 
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