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

With the "case-rad-fans" setup having a filter is not nearly as important as the rad sort of acts like a filter already.
 
vipz said:
With the "case-rad-fans" setup having a filter is not nearly as important as the rad sort of acts like a filter already.
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yeah i get that but when i take the panels off i notice there is still a decent amount of dust. would like the dust filters on there but i guess i just have to find the appropriate screw size
 
Decent amount of dust on the rad, or elsewhere in the case? If it's the former, then the "filter" is doing its job ;) Otherwise, you should be looking for some 6/32 screws for the H105.
 
No Hands 55 said:
you noticed any benefit of the fan under the gpu? im debating on get a 92/80mm for mine.
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ya it's louder :p
didnt notice any big change in temps. my gtx 970 is still loud and hot. maybe i should just watercool the whole thing

though im using an ap-14 and the large hub covers a bit of the blower intake

one reason i added a fan there is so that the gpu intake is filtered
 
Letting you know my 2nd ncase came in today and it also is the wrong colour :'(
Already send a mail about it, thought this was something of the past.
 
flod said:
ya it's louder :p
didnt notice any big change in temps. my gtx 970 is still loud and hot. maybe i should just watercool the whole thing

though im using an ap-14 and the large hub covers a bit of the blower intake

one reason i added a fan there is so that the gpu intake is filtered
Click to expand...
Try ducting and just a dust filter, it might resolve all your issues.
 
Anxiously awaiting my M1, as I gather the parts for the build. I haven't been able to find the Swiftech H220 anywhere. Attempting to rad as much as I can I was bummed to see that it looks like the H220x won't fit. Amazon still has the Cooler Master Glacier 240L, it is the same exact setup right? I'm going to be cooling a 4790k and a reference nvidia 970 as I move from my enormous FT02. Thanks!
 
ytraMeeL said:
Anxiously awaiting my M1, as I gather the parts for the build. I haven't been able to find the Swiftech H220 anywhere. Attempting to rad as much as I can I was bummed to see that it looks like the H220x won't fit. Amazon still has the Cooler Master Glacier 240L, it is the same exact setup right? I'm going to be cooling a 4790k and a reference nvidia 970 as I move from my enormous FT02. Thanks!
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Yeah, the Glacer 240L is just a rebranded H220. The reason for it not being available (in the US, at least) has to do with Asetek's patent on the integrated pump/CPU block, which is why Swiftech designed the H220X the way they did. It's the same reason we likely won't see the Fractal Design Kelvin series here. Asetek is the OEM for most of the AIOs on the market (e.g., Corsair Hydro series), if you weren't aware.

The H220/Glacer 240L does unfortunately have a rather high pump defect rate, with a ticking noise after a few weeks/months that can eventually progress to total failure. If you do decide to go that way, my advice would be to make sure to run it off the included splitter, which should be powered directly from the PSU. Also, using a program like Speedfan to slow it down to 15-20% of its max speed should significantly prolong its life and keep it running quietly.
 
Necere said:
Yeah, the Glacer 240L is just a rebranded H220. The reason for it not being available (in the US, at least) has to do with Asetek's patent on the integrated pump/CPU block, which is why Swiftech designed the H220X the way they did. It's the same reason we likely won't see the Fractal Design Kelvin series here. Asetek is the OEM for most of the AIOs on the market (e.g., Corsair Hydro series), if you weren't aware.

The H220/Glacer 240L does unfortunately have a rather high pump defect rate, with a ticking noise after a few weeks/months that can eventually progress to total failure. If you do decide to go that way, my advice would be to make sure to run it off the included splitter, which should be powered directly from the PSU. Also, using a program like Speedfan to slow it down to 15-20% of its max speed should significantly prolong its life and keep it running quietly.
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Yup saw that Asetek patent sadly. Wasn't aware of the pump failure rate. Might just go full custom loop, I just liked how compact the h220 setup was considering it could do GPU as well since we are working with a rather small case.
 
Necere said:
Yeah, the Glacer 240L is just a rebranded H220. The reason for it not being available (in the US, at least) ...

The H220/Glacer 240L does unfortunately have a rather high pump defect rate...
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Are you sure the CM Glacier 240L has the exact same pump ? I thought they had revised ones ?

I agree with the H220 statement, it's a hit and miss. My first one was DOA and the second one couldn't be lowered below 50% duty cycle or it would 'tick'. I've now moved back to air-cooling after my GPU block started leaking recently and I'm going to stay there. Mainly because it is much quieter and it would have cost me half.
 
Has anyone tried fitting the H220X? I searched and saw the general sentiment is that it doesn't, but it looks like if you either make it an incredibly short run to the CPU or if it is oriented to the pump is on the lower front portion of the case and swap my reference 970 for one of the short ITX 970's and use an SFX PSU it looks like it would fit.
 
Why is it that the hottest component is my Power supply? I have to admit this is my first build with the SFX (600, in my case) models but this seems super odd to me. My 4790k's (water-cooled with Apogee Drive II) cores are registering mid-30's under full load and the GTX 970 is holding steady at upper 20's.

Is the PSU under too much load?
 
gibbypoo said:
Why is it that the hottest component is my Power supply? I have to admit this is my first build with the SFX (600, in my case) models but this seems super odd to me. My 4790k's (water-cooled with Apogee Drive II) cores are registering mid-30's under full load and the GTX 970 is holding steady at upper 20's.
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Because it's cooled by an slim 80mm fan trying to run at the lowest speeds possible to avoid damage to the PSU switching components.
 
Phuncz said:
Are you sure the CM Glacier 240L has the exact same pump ? I thought they had revised ones ?
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I don't know either way. Has someone from CM or Swiftech confirmed that? I know they have a big thread on these two models on OCN, but I've not looked into it much.

ytraMeeL said:
Has anyone tried fitting the H220X? I searched and saw the general sentiment is that it doesn't, but it looks like if you either make it an incredibly short run to the CPU or if it is oriented to the pump is on the lower front portion of the case and swap my reference 970 for one of the short ITX 970's and use an SFX PSU it looks like it would fit.
Click to expand...
It's very unlikely to fit, as it will intrude into the motherboard area. I think to have any chance at all, the board would need to have just the right layout - no large heatsinks (the ASUS VRM daughterboards are out), and CPU socket next to the PCIe slot. Likewise, I'm fairly certain the PSU would be in the way with the rad oriented with the pump at the bottom front.

WiSK said:
Your wishes came true...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azFtK7TWAfo
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Great review - Dmitry always brings out the hotness with his camera work :cool:
 
Necere said:
It's very unlikely to fit, as it will intrude into the motherboard area. I think to have any chance at all, the board would need to have just the right layout - no large heatsinks (the ASUS VRM daughterboards are out), and CPU socket next to the PCIe slot. Likewise, I'm fairly certain the PSU would be in the way with the rad oriented with the pump at the bottom front
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I'll give it a shot. My Asrock board doesn't have daughter boards, but it isn't close to the PCI-E slot. I think I might be able to make it work, but it is going to be the an incredibly tight fit. If it doesn't work I have a buddy I'm doing a build for that wants it, so at least I won't have to eat any restocking fees.
 
ytraMeeL said:
Has anyone tried fitting the H220X? I searched and saw the general sentiment is that it doesn't, but it looks like if you either make it an incredibly short run to the CPU or if it is oriented to the pump is on the lower front portion of the case and swap my reference 970 for one of the short ITX 970's and use an SFX PSU it looks like it would fit.
Click to expand...

Here's a crazy idea. If you orient the H220X like this, but it interferes with the SFX PSU, maybe you could put the PS on the floor of the case. With a short 970 there should be room for the PS down there. Then there would be lots of space up above for the H220X.
 
Qrash said:
Here's a crazy idea. If you orient the H220X like this, but it interferes with the SFX PSU, maybe you could put the PS on the floor of the case. With a short 970 there should be room for the PS down there. Then there would be lots of space up above for the H220X.
Click to expand...

Will just to find a way to route the AC cable. That is a definite backup plan. I've reached out to Swiftech to make sure it won't interfere with the setup in that orientation.
 
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Hey guys,
first post here after following you for over a year :)
Necere, Wahaha360 you did an outstanding job! - thanks for making this happen - I love my case!

Build spec:
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1041456770&postcount=367
Pics:
http://imgur.com/gallery/va3xU/new

Anyway my news here is:
It is possible to squeeze in
Apogee Drive II (pump on CPU) next to thick Radiator 38mm (EK-CoolStream), standard 25mm 12cm FAN ...and filters! :)
It leaves less than 1mm clearance between pump fitting and fan bracket but it works!
Added to compatibility spreadsheet.

Cheers!
 
smiesznabakteria said:
Hey guys,
first post here after following you for over a year :)
Necere, Wahaha360 you did an outstanding job! - thanks for making this happen - I love my case!

Build spec:
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1041456770&postcount=367
Pics:
http://imgur.com/gallery/va3xU/new

Anyway my news here is:
It is possible to squeeze in
Apogee Drive II (pump on CPU) next to thick Radiator 38mm (EK-CoolStream), standard 25mm 12cm FAN ...and filters! :)
It leaves less than 1mm clearance between pump fitting and fan bracket but it works!
Added to compatibility spreadsheet.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Awesome build! How is the Apogee Drive II noise level? That's my backup plan if/when I have found out the H220x doesn't fit.
 
Necere said:
I don't know either way. Has someone from CM or Swiftech confirmed that?
Click to expand...

It's physically the same pump, Swiftech own design. The CM version has a wider rpm range, that's the only difference I know of.

smiesznabakteria said:
Anyway my news here is:
It is possible to squeeze in
Apogee Drive II (pump on CPU) next to thick Radiator 38mm (EK-CoolStream), standard 25mm 12cm FAN ...and filters! :)
It leaves less than 1mm clearance between pump fitting and fan bracket but it works!
Click to expand...

Nice build :)

Just to say you can replace the ADII heatsink with the EKWB DDC heatsink to reduce the height, but as you say, the important clearance issues are the inlet/outlet fittings.
 
ytraMeeL said:
Awesome build! How is the Apogee Drive II noise level? That's my backup plan if/when I have found out the H220x doesn't fit.
Click to expand...

It's running at 1200rpm and until recently it was literally noiseless at this level. However since last week I can hear slight low buzz - the case is slightly vibrating, when I gently lift it the buzz is gone.

One warning though - in the setup of that mainboard it was impossible to lower the rpm of any fan below hardcoded setting: 60%.
Only in windows the Asus provided app allowed 'testing' of attached fun/pump to detect the lowest possible rpm.
I doubt it's the lowest possible rpm but mine min are: ~1200 for pump and ~800rpm for fans which is satisfactory and I didn't try other apps.
If you plan run some linux I guess you'll probably be able to set that even lower but not thru fancy asus app.
 
WiSK said:
Just to say you can replace the ADII heatsink with the EKWB DDC heatsink to reduce the height, but as you say, the important clearance issues are the inlet/outlet fittings.
Click to expand...

I liked the idea of pump hidden inside the case, I even wanted to have reservoir inside but to do that I need to make custom cables first.

Did I mention it was my first WC build ever? :cool:
 
After a long time it was time to clean and rebuild: good oportunity to try ducts.
Tip to new comers: New GPU will be blower style. It is complicated to redirect hot air inside this case.

New rebuild:
rga9jmm.jpg


With ducts:
uxFbbpp.jpg


Old but gold:
6Xd1iB2.jpg


With ducts GPU is not heating MOBO/CPU/PSU so much anymore.
 
I like your ducts! What does everything look like from the top? I don't think I've seen an NH-C14 mounted in that orientation(heatpipes pointing aft), how much room do you have around it?
 
I been eyeing the M1 Case.
Though the Price Tag is Bugging me.

Is there any HUGE advantage from this M1 over the Hadron Air besides the PSU and Modular Cages ?
 
Cillie said:
I been eyeing the M1 Case.
Though the Price Tag is Bugging me.

Is there any HUGE advantage from this M1 over the Hadron Air besides the PSU and Modular Cages ?
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Objectively: the M1 is smaller than the Hadron, yet still fits more stuff. Offers a lot more build flexibility overall, including watercooling.

Subjectively: looks/design, rarity/exclusivity, build quality/materials (thicker aluminum vs. thin steel and plastic), supporting small, innovative projects.
 
Subjectively those are nice points ...

The other quick question, is there a list of Slot Drives that will fit ?
And is there a Eject Button ?
 
The Panasonic and SilverStone units fit.

No physical eject, you'll have to eject from within the OS. Not sure the method off the top of my head but it's possible to assign a keyboard shortcut to that function.
 
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Cillie said:
I been eyeing the M1 Case.
Though the Price Tag is Bugging me.

Is there any HUGE advantage from this M1 over the Hadron Air besides the PSU and Modular Cages ?
Click to expand...

I considered the Hadron as well. For me there were some big downsides. The PSU location bugged me as it seemed like it would block GPU airflow as well as having the GPU pull in hot air from the PSU. Also the PSU uses a 40mm fan which if you read any reports on the Hadron is very loud. There also doesn't seem to be any way for the cpu cooler to get good air supply and large top down coolers can only use one fan, and unlike the M1 can't bring in fresh air from the outside. Since the case has negative pressure I have heard it can get pretty dusty. It also can't fit many aftermarket graphics cards since you are limited to cards 267mm or shorter.

I wish the Hadron was better since I think it is one of the best looking cases out there.
 
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