Compact Splash vs. M1

T

techboydino

Weaksauce
Joined
Jun 10, 2009
Messages
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Got my M1 today with no warning from the shipping site. Also received my Compact Splash last week and one will be my next build. I am leaning towards the Splash because I like the extra room and custom WC options. I really do like both cases, the M1 is more mainstream Lian Li style and the Splash is heavy steel and feels more custom. Either way they are both beautiful cases and as I would like to build both, one has to go.

*Hats off to the creators of both cases, the SFF world is a better place for all of your work.

Here are some side by sides....

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Splash-
Custom WC Loops
Additional 120mm Rad
Internal pump and res, fillport
Solid Construction
More space, better airflow

M1-
Smaller Footprint
More HDD/ODD config options
Cheaper build overall (at this point not a huge issue, WC is expensive no matter what)
 
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Just looking at the pics you can tell the M1 is much better looking on the outside. What does the interior of the Splash look like?
 
Skott said:
Just looking at the pics you can tell the M1 is much better looking on the outside. What does the interior of the Splash look like?
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Updated pics on OP. Basic interior setup, mount for DDC pump and res, 2 2.5" HDD's on bottom tray, and 10.5-11.75" Video card depending if you delete IO or not. The small details of the Splash are pretty amazing. The whole design thread is over here at Overclock
 
Splash is very specific regarding hardware. Laptop drives only 2 x 2.5". No space for air cooling, instead space for 3x120mm radiators. Initial prototype was aimed at facilitating a 5Ghz overclock on CPU while also adequately cooling an overclocked 10.5" GPU.

Although it's handmade, it's designed in an industrial way. Very strong, 12 gauge steel (2.5mm). You can't break anything with your hands. The grilles are inspired by the 1949 model US army Jeep. Paint is thick powdercoat.

Regarding looks: M1 is more for your living room; Splash more for your den :)
 
WiSK said:
Regarding looks: M1 is more for your living room; Splash more for your den :)
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I plan on doing battle with mine, so it will be in the bunker (office) where the gaming takes place. Well said, very specific indeed. I love them both.
 
Given the price range these two cases are in, the Caselabs S3 will dominate both quite easily.
Sure you can cram your PC inside these shoeboxes, but for the money the S3 will give you all the options you need and then some.
And yes it's constructed from 2.3mm aluminum.
 
WorldExclusive said:
Given the price range these two cases are in, the Caselabs S3 will dominate both quite easily.
Sure you can cram your PC inside these shoeboxes, but for the money the S3 will give you all the options you need and then some.
And yes it's constructed from 2.3mm aluminum.
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Except it's huge by comparison. Why go ITX at all if you don't care about size?
 
Necere said:
Except it's huge by comparison. Why go ITX at all if you don't care about size?
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Was just gonna say that. The CL Mercury S3 is bigger than a BF Prodigy, which is monstrous for ITX compared to the M1 and Splash. For comparison..

S3 vs Prodigy..

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M1 vs Prodigy..

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WorldExclusive said:
Sure you can cram your PC inside these shoeboxes, but for the money the S3 will give you all the options you need and then some.
Click to expand...

It doesn't give you the option of being small like a shoebox ;)
 
Necere said:
Except it's huge by comparison. Why go ITX at all if you don't care about size?
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Simply based on price range.

Since those are community built cases, I understand the high intro prices.
But all things considered, if a large percentage of people are buying these cases to watercool, you have to do it in the most efficient way possible for best results.
Typically no one will recommend stuffing a rad in a case that small, but it's perfectly acceptable because of the compromised design of those cases. Small was the main goal.

The S3 is a watercooling case that's meant to accommodate two thick 240 rads, whereas the Splash and M1 where designed around a single slim 240 rad. Performance was the main goal.

AFD said:
Was just gonna say that. The CL Mercury S3 is bigger than a BF Prodigy, which is monstrous for ITX compared to the M1 and Splash. For comparison..

S3 vs Prodigy..



M1 vs Prodigy..





It doesn't give you the option of being small like a shoebox ;)
Click to expand...

lol you're correct.

Just saying, for the same money you can get more.
Now if you want to support those amazing forum members for their generous contribution to the PC world, I can understand that also.
 
WorldExclusive said:
Given the price range these two cases are in, the Caselabs S3 will dominate both quite easily.
Sure you can cram your PC inside these shoeboxes, but for the money the S3 will give you all the options you need and then some.
And yes it's constructed from 2.3mm aluminum.
Click to expand...

But any decent ATX case will dominate the Caselabs S3 in terms of price/options/performance while giving you the ability to fit mini-ITX to ATX boards.
 
cowsgomoo said:
But any decent ATX case will dominate the Caselabs S3 in terms of price/options/performance while giving you the ability to fit mini-ITX to ATX boards.
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Yeah, but we aren't talking "any" here.

The Splash, M1 and S3 are cases of the highest of quality. Custom made to order.
Pricing usually starts at $200. "Any" doesn't belong in this conversation.
 
WorldExclusive said:
Yeah, but we aren't talking "any" here.

The Splash, M1 and S3 are cases of the highest of quality. Custom made to order.
Pricing usually starts at $200. "Any" doesn't belong in this conversation.
Click to expand...

But I didn't say "any" case but "any decent" case. ;)
 
cowsgomoo said:
But I didn't say "any" case but "any decent" case. ;)
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Well then, the Lian Li Q28 is a better alternative to all three of these cases. For $100, I'm all set.
The Node 304 will also do the job for around $70-80. Corsair is going to drop an ITX case next month at price point that will make these cases seem crazy to buy.

But why do we consider cases like the Splash, M1 and S3? Options....having options cost more.
 
Appreciate seeing final product pictures comparing size. As I prefer them to renders, or trying to visualize by other means.

Wish I went for an M1 now, as subsequent cases I've been waiting for have been disappointments. With nothing new on the horizon that I know about.
 
Necere said:
Except it's huge by comparison. Why go ITX at all if you don't care about size?
Click to expand...

+1,
I fail to see the point if you use something that big. I'm not sure I would call it SFF with something that big, the Prodigy is even pushing it IMO. Either way, I just wanted to show the comparison between these two fantastic cases. There will be more, there will be others, but these 2 are the beginning of what hopefully is a push for smaller, higher quality SFF cases from large MFG's. Or Necere and SLE can just keep improving and go another round. Happy Holidays Geeks.
 
Not you again. :rolleyes: The S3 is not a SFF case, pure and simple. I thought we hashed this out months ago when you were spamming the crap out of this subforum.
 
Glad to get you upset again.

OT, I'd chose the M1 to run on air/aio and the Splash for a custom WC.
 
The ultimate battle!
Compact Splash vs NCASE M1
SheLovedE vs Necere
OCN vs [H]!

In all seriousness, the M1 just looks like a more polished product. If one really needs all the WC options (and an easier WC case) then I guess Compact Splash is the better choice. I'd go with the M1. Both are fine cases anyone should be happy to build in.
 
Wow!
I always thought the CompactSplash was smaller than the M1, I just realized the M1 is THAT tiny!
 
batmanwcm said:
I'm curious OP, which did you choose to keep?
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As of now it looks like the Splash will absolutely be staying. The additional room for components compared to the extra volume is excellent. I'm planning on a full internal water build w/ a 120 and 240mm rad.

Not sure yet if I'm keeping the M1, if I do it will be air/air build.
 
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techboydino said:
As of now it looks like the Splash will absolutely be staying. The additional room for components compared to the extra volume is excellent. I'm planning on a full internal water build w/ a 120 and 240mm rad.

Not sure yet if I'm keeping the M1, if I do it will be air/air build.
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Cool, I think you've convinced me to pick up a Satin Black Compact Splash. I initially wanted a M1 but they were already sold out and I'm not sure when they would come out with another one. The Compact Splash thread at OCN is awesome as well. I've never dropped so much on a case before ($325) but you have me convinced.
 
batmanwcm said:
Cool, I think you've convinced me to pick up a Satin Black Compact Splash. I initially wanted a M1 but they were already sold out and I'm not sure when they would come out with another one. The Compact Splash thread at OCN is awesome as well. I've never dropped so much on a case before ($325) but you have me convinced.
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Good for you...
The guys over there are great. Like the M1, a rediculous amount of time, money and resources were put out by many. I am planning my build now, still on the fence if I'm keeping the M1 for an air build.

The last case I spent that much on was a MM UFO-U2. It was many years ago and downright rediculous. None the less good luck with it, you'll surely won't have regrets once you see it. Only 105 of them being sold. Ever..
 
Shame that I didn't know of the Compact Splash before. Absolutely love the layout and industrial design.

I am just not totally digging the asymmetrical front panel.

Wondering how it would look like with both side panels being smoked acrylic. Would also be even more awesome if it supported 60mm rads, too.
 
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It has to be asymmetrical because of the mounting of the 120 rad. If it was oriented any other way, something else would have to move. Then the case would have had to be deeper, taller or wider. I think he wrote about it his original build log. I'm looking through it again now, amazing all the details and reasons behind each decision.
 
WiSK said:
It has to be asymmetrical because of the mounting of the 120 rad. If it was oriented any other way, something else would have to move. Then the case would have had to be deeper, taller or wider. I think he wrote about it his original build log. I'm looking through it again now, amazing all the details and reasons behind each decision.
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I can't imagine all the revisions and tests that needed to be done. I might do some airbrush or vinyl work on the exterior which should take the spotlight off the front grill a bit. Doesn't really bother me all that much. i might make some acrylic panels for the sides too, not sure yet.
 
techboydino said:
I can't imagine all the revisions and tests that needed to be done. I might do some airbrush or vinyl work on the exterior which should take the spotlight off the front grill a bit. Doesn't really bother me all that much. i might make some acrylic panels for the sides too, not sure yet.
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Keep us updated with your build. I was thinking about transitioning my parts over and upgrade the video card but I find the Z77 boards still pretty expensive. I can keep the H100, 2500k, 8gb G.skill memory and sell the case, mobo and PSU to offset some costs. But I'm debating whether to hold off until Broadwell hits and start a brand new build.
 
blood said:
It would look great in army camouflage.
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I think you are right about that. With the right camo choice it would look pretty good I'm thinking. Better than the current look even.
 
blood said:
It would look great in army camouflage.
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I like where you are going there. Its going on the option list. I chose Battleship grey and was thinking about keeping with that theme, I can certainly work in some tastefully done camo. Appreciate the ideas.
 
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