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

Bawjaws said:
Quick question, if I may: I have a blower-style GPU (A 660Ti) and it's getting pretty toasty and subsequently rather noisy. I was contemplating adding a couple of intake fans at the bottom of the case, but I've heard mixed reports as to how effective these would be: there's a 3cm gap at the bottom of the case, and fans tend to be 25mm deep, so I'm worried that they'll be too close to the GPU to provide effective airflow. I could try and source some slim 120mm fans but obviously these will give lower airflow than their thicker counterparts.

Can anyone share their experience and wisdom on this, please? I'd normally just whack the fans in and see what happens but that would involve quite a lot of removing and replacing components - one of the pitfalls of working with this sort of case :)
Click to expand...
I think that if you can duct from bottom to blower intake that would be the most effective solution. Fresh air pickup that is all expulsed on the back looks as the best scenario to me and that's what I plan to do when I will build. Like you said adding a fan with not enough space in-between won't do better I believe.
 
Received my Lian Li PC-Q10 today, was planning on swapping my M1 build into it because of the window panel. Having second thoughts though because the overall build quality just doesn't compare to the M1. For instance the non-windowed side panel bulges out on one side, like the frame is tweaked slightly. Also the feet on the case don't seem to be even, rocks side to side on a flat surface. The IO cables are excessive long and the IO area is very exposed, M1 got that down perfect imo. Was missing one of the special plastic clips for the anodized panel, luckly the M1 comes with extra whereas the Q10 does not. It very obvious though that this is the bastard step child of the M1. With Lian Li cutting some corners to save on production cost and not make it completely obvious that the overall design comes from the M1. The one thing it did right was the tiny cover with thumb screw for the gpu area on the back, way nicer then the just solid tiny plate on the M1.

Learned that my L12 will not work with my hybrid gpu in the Q10 though so had to order a U12s, once that comes in next week I will swap my build and see if I keep it.
 
BST4R said:
I Already have Ryzen 1700 . + Im gonna buy the non reference Vega once it realeased
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I'm tentatively planning on getting a 1700, but I see no reason to buy it just yet, unless there's a really nice sale. It's possible, depending on pricing/performance, that I might get a hexcore instead. As for Vega, maybe, but there are as of yet no released pricing or performance details. I'm going to temporarily use my current card, a Radeon 280(x?), Which most likely won't fit in the NCase with the side panel on.

There are four mITX boards that I'm aware of.
2 Biostars (one x370 and one B350) that seem to be nearing release. Speculation has them releasing in April, possibly in time for the R5 launch. These are up on Biostars website, with reasonably detailed specs.
1 Gigabyte. There was a slide leaked a week or two ago with basic specs on it. IIRC someone claimed to have emailed GB and was told that they're targeting a June release.
1 Asrock. This is entirely based on guy posting screenshots of an email from an ASRock sales guy saying they're working on it. I think targeting April, but I doubt it, since theres no info on it yet.
 
Friends, is there a compatibility list that shows what Z270 motherboards work with the C14? I'm looking to buy asrock/asus. Or of some of you guys can tell me which work. That'd be great!
 
C14 or C14S?
Code: 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Xhd3QG2uIVBgQ7vHgpP_Bd_MNcrfxr8KJW2sY6g33so/edit?pli=1#gid=10
 
enyownz said:
Ordered a Ti Gaming X, will update you guys if it fits


Makes half the job of fitting it in easier, just need to take off the side clip from case. No need to modify the cables.
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Much appreciated!
I'll wait for your update before deciding to get it or the Strix.
 
azagar said:
Received my Lian Li PC-Q10 today, was planning on swapping my M1 build into it because of the window panel. Having second thoughts though because the overall build quality just doesn't compare to the M1. For instance the non-windowed side panel bulges out on one side, like the frame is tweaked slightly. Also the feet on the case don't seem to be even, rocks side to side on a flat surface. The IO cables are excessive long and the IO area is very exposed, M1 got that down perfect imo. Was missing one of the special plastic clips for the anodized panel, luckly the M1 comes with extra whereas the Q10 does not. It very obvious though that this is the bastard step child of the M1. With Lian Li cutting some corners to save on production cost and not make it completely obvious that the overall design comes from the M1. The one thing it did right was the tiny cover with thumb screw for the gpu area on the back, way nicer then the just solid tiny plate on the M1.

Learned that my L12 will not work with my hybrid gpu in the Q10 though so had to order a U12s, once that comes in next week I will swap my build and see if I keep it.
Click to expand...

I'm sure that the Lian-Li PC-Q10 has a limit of 140mm for CPU cooler height. The U12S is higher than this. I don't believe it'll fit? You'll need something like a U9S or D9L. :\.
 
Howdy folks,

new user here and first time assembling Ncase M1. I thought that I can just move my old rig from Evolv ATX to Ncase simply by changing motherboard to ITX. But it aint gonna happen, my old GPU Strix 1070 is too wide/tall? to be used with EK block ln this case. About 16mm of EK GPU block tube connector part punches put of the case. So the problem is the tube connector part on these blocks, without it they will fit. Obviously there is no point to install block without the connectors. :D

So my question is, can I fit any other 1070 with EK block on this case? Gigabute G1? I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but if not, then feel free to answer.

My case is black and I decided to paint internal parts of the case white:

NoHq0fN.jpg


There will be external cooling unit with D5, 2x280 rad + Aquacomputer.
 
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sad story for me today :( My 290X died as I started running a benchmark (3DMark 11 to be exact).

I sidegraded my PSU today from Antec 750w Platinum to Corsair SF600. Also upgraded my i5 2500K to i7 2600K. I've been running 2x outtake Noctua fans with Arctic Cooler heatsink on my 290X for a while now, but decided to try the fans that came with the heatsink so I can install two 120mm fans on the side now that I have an SFF PSU. Idle temps look fine and overclocked my 2600K to 4.4ghz just fine. Everything booted smoothly. Then...When I ran the benchmark, my screen went nuts. Forced off my desktop and when I turned it on again it had this 1 inch thick vertical strip of bad white and pink display. Display goes nuts when Windows loads and then computer would restart.

Took out the video card and luckily everything else is fine. Tried the 290X on my bro's computer and confirmed it's a video card problem. RIP

Now back to my desktop. I booted fine with the iGPU and some automatic update allowed 4K resolution on the 2600K iGPU. I've ran benchmarks before even on the iGPU and I'm just obsessing doing one run with the 2600K that I got from ebay to make sure it's working 100% even on OC. So I ran it again and welp... my display went nuts again! Same thing and now I get display problems right after loading Windows :/ Several potential culprits here

1) Did running the benchmark kill both the iGPU and 290X? Actually iGPU works ok now on HDMI 1080p, but not anymore on 4k Displayport).
2) Or is the PSU just poor quality? Maybe bad regulation when the benchmark ran and the hardware power requirements spiked.
3) Perhaps the 3rd party gpu fan drew too much power? Doesnt explain the iGPU not working on 4k anymore though.

I've ran the benchmark many time before. Never had a hardware breaking on me.

P.S. 6870 with dual fan just went over 95C with my current fan set-up (intake 120mm fan on C14, outtake 120mm on side). How do people with GTX 1080 non-blower/non-water cooled keep their temps low?
 
noobzilla said:
P.S. 6870 with dual fan just went over 95C with my current fan set-up (intake 120mm fan on C14, outtake 120mm on side). How do people with GTX 1080 non-blower/non-water cooled keep their temps low?
Click to expand...

I have a 1070 Asus Strix. Stays under 75 degrees but the fan ramps up a fair amount. I have NO bottom intake fans, however. I'd assume something is wrong with your 6870. Consider a remount of the cooler and replace the TIM. I did that with a 6850 and dropped temps 10 degrees for me.
 
Koplari said:
Howdy folks,

new user here and first time assembling Ncase M1. I thought that I can just move my old rig from Evolv ATX to Ncase simply by changing motherboard to ITX. But it aint gonna happen, my old GPU Strix 1070 is too wide/tall? to be used with EK block ln this case. About 16mm of EK GPU block tube connector part punches put of the case. So the problem is the tube connector part on these blocks, without it they will fit. Obviously there is no point to install block without the connectors. :D

So my question is, can I fit any other 1070 with EK block on this case? Gigabute G1? I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but if not, then feel free to answer.

My case is black and I decided to paint internal parts of the case white:

NoHq0fN.jpg


There will be external cooling unit with D5, 2x280 rad + Aquacomputer.
Click to expand...

Any of the FE will work . The G1 and EVGA SC and SC2 will also work. Any card that is less than 4.5" without the block will be fine. I have a FE with a block and it fits with room to spare.
 
rfarmer said:
Any of the FE will work . The G1 and EVGA SC and SC2 will also work. Any card that is less than 4.5" without the block will be fine. I have a FE with a block and it fits with room to spare.
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks for the info!

Just ordered G1 with EK block + white backplate.
 
rfarmer said:
Should look good in there, please post pics when finished. It is a shame the Strix is too wide, it is sexy with a block on it. ;)
Click to expand...

Soon as I get it installed I will deliver. Yeah, shame I have to get rid of that Strix.
 
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Koplari said:
Howdy folks,

new user here and first time assembling Ncase M1. I thought that I can just move my old rig from Evolv ATX to Ncase simply by changing motherboard to ITX. But it aint gonna happen, my old GPU Strix 1070 is too wide/tall? to be used with EK block ln this case. About 16mm of EK GPU block tube connector part punches put of the case. So the problem is the tube connector part on these blocks, without it they will fit. Obviously there is no point to install block without the connectors. :D

So my question is, can I fit any other 1070 with EK block on this case? Gigabute G1? I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but if not, then feel free to answer.

My case is black and I decided to paint internal parts of the case white:

NoHq0fN.jpg


There will be external cooling unit with D5, 2x280 rad + Aquacomputer.
Click to expand...

How did you paint that? Did you strip the original finish?
 
Tephnos said:
How did you paint that? Did you strip the original finish?
Click to expand...

I used automotive paint gun and 1-component matt paint. I had to dilute the paint far too much because of too cold painting area, so it became little too thin. But several coats did the trick.

I didn't strip the original paint, sanded it with 180 grid soft pads.
 
ReaperX22 said:
I have a 1070 Asus Strix. Stays under 75 degrees but the fan ramps up a fair amount. I have NO bottom intake fans, however. I'd assume something is wrong with your 6870. Consider a remount of the cooler and replace the TIM. I did that with a 6850 and dropped temps 10 degrees for me.
Click to expand...

I'll try it with my case opened and see how the temps go. If it's the same then it's the card. Otherwise then my case has just really bad airflow.

I'll double check too to see if it has warranty. Replacing video card TIM has always helped me in the past.
 
burgergod said:
C14, that list is not very complete, i know the Strix fits, i'm wondering if other models fit (z270 platform)
Click to expand...

C14 are hard to come by and the Z270 was just recently released so I am sure there aren't that many in use. Check pics of Z170 and compare them to same model Z270, most will be the same. Check for Z170 and C14 compatibility.
 
rfarmer said:
C14 are hard to come by and the Z270 was just recently released so I am sure there aren't that many in use. Check pics of Z170 and compare them to same model Z270, most will be the same. Check for Z170 and C14 compatibility.
Click to expand...

At least two people with the Asus Z270I motherboard have reported here that the bends of the heatpipes on the NH-C14 almost or barely touch the voltage regulator heatsink that is behind the motherboard's rear I/O connectors when the heatsink is mounted with the top ends of the heatpipes towards the front of the case.

UPDATE: Here is one such post, complete with a photo: https://hardforum.com/threads/ncase...n-first-post.1717132/page-582#post-1042826774 .
 
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ReaperX22 said:
I'm sure that the Lian-Li PC-Q10 has a limit of 140mm for CPU cooler height. The U12S is higher than this. I don't believe it'll fit? You'll need something like a U9S or D9L. :\.
Click to expand...

Cooler fit just fine it's an error on Lian Li's part. Case can fit up to 160mm coolers from the research I did before purchasing it and the U12S fit perfectly.
 
I was getting horrible temperatures once I put on the doors on the NCASE. With the U9S with two fans and the EVGA GTX 1070 SC (no fans beneath it), the temperature before putting the doors on was 74C at its highest for the 7700K (stock) and 72C for the GTX 1070, at both stress testing and gaming load. But as soon as the doors were put on, the 7700K spiked up to 78C with spikes up to 84C (even with fans at 1800 RPM), and GPU up to 78-80C. For other people with the 7700K and the U9S: are you getting the same temps? I even tried another 7700K that was delidded, and the temperatures didn't improve one bit. Probably pretty shitty delidding, or just a bad unit.

I'm going back to the 6700K next week (I'll trade my 7700K for my brother's 6700K, as he has a water cooler). Kaby Lake is probably the most shitty release by Intel in a long, long time -- even worse than Ivy Bridge, which at least presented both lower process node and a bit, albeit small, IPC increase from Sandy Bridge. The 7700K is 10C warmer than the 6700K out of the box, has the exact same IPC and performs maybe ~2% better out of the box. Even when overclocked to 4.8-5.0 GHz, which is pretty extreme in terms of temperatures, this POS processor performs maybe 5% better than the 6700K.
 
asrock Z270 gaming itx fits fine with the C14S.

You'll need to use the SFX ATX adapter if you're running the fan on the bottom of the C14S
 
Several people are hinting to me that my Corsair SF600 might be the culprit for my video card dying + igpu problems. Finally have a chance to get a quiet SFF PSU and then this happens. This whole thing is very discouraging and I might just give up on ITX and move back to micro ATX. At first it was fun, but now it's just a headache being limited on so many things :/
 
Bawjaws said:
Quick question, if I may: I have a blower-style GPU (A 660Ti) and it's getting pretty toasty and subsequently rather noisy. I was contemplating adding a couple of intake fans at the bottom of the case, but I've heard mixed reports as to how effective these would be: there's a 3cm gap at the bottom of the case, and fans tend to be 25mm deep, so I'm worried that they'll be too close to the GPU to provide effective airflow. I could try and source some slim 120mm fans but obviously these will give lower airflow than their thicker counterparts.

Can anyone share their experience and wisdom on this, please? I'd normally just whack the fans in and see what happens but that would involve quite a lot of removing and replacing components - one of the pitfalls of working with this sort of case :)
Click to expand...
I have a 290x reference blower (was using CLC in full tower, reverted it for M1, waiting for Vega), and I just created a duct down to the bottom intake using some painters tape. Doesn't heat up the case because it's a closed system.

Air in from the bottom vents, into blower, out rear of case.

noobzilla said:
Several people are hinting to me that my Corsair SF600 might be the culprit for my video card dying + igpu problems. Finally have a chance to get a quiet SFF PSU and then this happens. This whole thing is very discouraging and I might just give up on ITX and move back to micro ATX. At first it was fun, but now it's just a headache being limited on so many things :/
Click to expand...

I found the 7700k's iGPU to be HORRENDOUSLY janky, even getting into BIOS.

I am using an SF600, but after dropping in my 290x, that was the last of the weird shit.
 
Did more adjusting... Max GPU temp is 60C at 2000Mhz (1070) BF4 64m max CPU is 63C 7700K@ 4.6Ghz Delid under NH-L12 (temps after 30m) The side panel fans are REQUIRED or CPU temps skyrocket. The Raijintek Morpheus and slim 120s are a perfect fit for GPU cooling, highly recommend it people. All fans are intake and tuned for silence. GPU fans run @ 60-65% speed under load. Nice and quiet.

I need a 92mm fan that is dead silent and I can cool the CPU further from the rear. I have a smaller vantec stealth and no matter what I try it is LOUD. Low profile preferred.




 
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Pillars said:
Did more adjusting... Max GPU temp is 60C at 2000Mhz (1070) BF4 64m max CPU is 63C 7700K@ 4.6Ghz Delid under NH-L12 (temps after 30m) The side panel fans are REQUIRED or CPU temps skyrocket. The Raijintek Morpheus and slim 120s are a perfect fit for GPU cooling, highly recommend it people. All fans are intake and tuned for silence. GPU fans run @ 60-65% speed under load. Nice and quiet.

I need a 92mm fan that is dead silent and I can cool the CPU further from the rear. I have a smaller vantec stealth and no matter what I try it is LOUD. Low profile preferred.




Click to expand...

What CPU cooler and fans are you using? Also, what is that fan connector unit on the corner of the power supply?
 
La_Menthe said:
I was getting horrible temperatures once I put on the doors on the NCASE. With the U9S with two fans and the EVGA GTX 1070 SC (no fans beneath it), the temperature before putting the doors on was 74C at its highest for the 7700K (stock) and 72C for the GTX 1070, at both stress testing and gaming load. But as soon as the doors were put on, the 7700K spiked up to 78C with spikes up to 84C (even with fans at 1800 RPM), and GPU up to 78-80C. For other people with the 7700K and the U9S: are you getting the same temps? I even tried another 7700K that was delidded, and the temperatures didn't improve one bit. Probably pretty shitty delidding, or just a bad unit.

I'm going back to the 6700K next week (I'll trade my 7700K for my brother's 6700K, as he has a water cooler). Kaby Lake is probably the most shitty release by Intel in a long, long time -- even worse than Ivy Bridge, which at least presented both lower process node and a bit, albeit small, IPC increase from Sandy Bridge. The 7700K is 10C warmer than the 6700K out of the box, has the exact same IPC and performs maybe ~2% better out of the box. Even when overclocked to 4.8-5.0 GHz, which is pretty extreme in terms of temperatures, this POS processor performs maybe 5% better than the 6700K.
Click to expand...

Have you tried undervolting your 7700k at stock speeds?

My 4.2ghz 4690k runs quite hot. 75-80 degrees under (full cpu) load with a 1.17v vcore. 60-65 under gaming with an Asus Strix 1070 exhausting inside the case.. I have my fans around 1000-1200 RPM though on a D9L. So your temps sound relatively normal. Though the delided unit should be far cooler... if you've left the voltage at auto maybe try setting it manually/checking that as well.
 
Pillars said:
Did more adjusting... Max GPU temp is 60C at 2000Mhz (1070) BF4 64m max CPU is 63C 7700K@ 4.6Ghz Delid under NH-L12 (temps after 30m) The side panel fans are REQUIRED or CPU temps skyrocket. The Raijintek Morpheus and slim 120s are a perfect fit for GPU cooling, highly recommend it people. All fans are intake and tuned for silence. GPU fans run @ 60-65% speed under load. Nice and quiet.

I need a 92mm fan that is dead silent and I can cool the CPU further from the rear. I have a smaller vantec stealth and no matter what I try it is LOUD. Low profile preferred.




Click to expand...

I'm glad that Raijintek Morpheus is working out for you, it is a really nice looking GPU cooler, I didn't think you would be able to get that good of temps with slim fans. Oh well, proved wrong again. ;)

Does it come with heat sinks for the vrm or did you have to get your own?
 
Qrash said:
What CPU cooler and fans are you using? Also, what is that fan connector unit on the corner of the power supply?
Click to expand...

Got it off Newegg, basic 4pwm fan splitter. Side fans are ID Cooling white 120mms and Silverstone slim 120s on bottom. Cooler is specified in post, using stock fans on it.
 
The Raijintek Morpheus seems non-existent in Australia lol. I have a couple Gelid slim fans too ready to go.. XD.

I always find custom coolers like those to cool far better than the aftermarket ones.. I wonder why that is? Even the old triple slot Asus DCUII coolers and what not didn't really do that great a job? :\. I suppose it's most likely a cost thing?! (and maybe size? But the strix is such a long ass card...)
 
rfarmer said:
I'm glad that Raijintek Morpheus is working out for you, it is a really nice looking GPU cooler, I didn't think you would be able to get that good of temps with slim fans. Oh well, proved wrong again. ;)

Does it come with heat sinks for the vrm or did you have to get your own?
Click to expand...

It's outstanding honestly, a perfect fit with those slim fans. The Silverstones look like they are made with decent static pressure in mind and I can feel the airflow through the cooler at low RPMs. It did come with all the heatsinks for vrm and ram too. The fan mounting system isn't the best but it's not usable in the M1 anyways. There are two antivibration strips that snug down the sides of the cooler on the fans and keep air pushing straight through the cooler.

Specs btw are
7700K Delid @ 4.6Ghz 1.2v Noctua NH-L12, could easily go much higher.
16Gb 3000Mhz
Asus 270i Strix
Samsung 950 Pro 256Gb
850 Evo 512Gb
Gigabyte 1070 G1 - Raijintek Morpheus II
Silverstone FW121 x2
Corsair SF600
ID Cooling 120MM White x2
640GB WD Blue Laptop HDD - extra storage from a laptop that died long ago

The NH-L12 required minor heatpipe bending/adjustment to fit properly. CPU/case temps without side fans were out of control when gaming/stress, do not skip them.
 
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betaflame said:
I have a 290x reference blower (was using CLC in full tower, reverted it for M1, waiting for Vega), and I just created a duct down to the bottom intake using some painters tape. Doesn't heat up the case because it's a closed system.

Air in from the bottom vents, into blower, out rear of case.
Click to expand...
And how it was before duct? Just sucking air from case? Do you know temps before and after duct?
 
Pillars said:
It's outstanding honestly, a perfect fit with those slim fans. The Silverstones look like they are made with decent static pressure in mind and I can feel the airflow through the cooler at low RPMs. It did come with all the heatsinks for vrm and ram too. The fan mounting system isn't the best but it's not usable in the M1 anyways. There are two antivibration strips that snug down the sides of the cooler on the fans and keep air pushing straight through the cooler.

Specs btw are
7700K Delid @ 4.6Ghz 1.2v Noctua NH-L12, could easily go much higher.
16Gb 3000Mhz
Asus 270i Strix
Samsung 950 Pro 256Gb
850 Evo 512Gb
Gigabyte 1070 G1 - Raijintek Morpheus II
Silverstone FW121 x2
Corsair SF600
ID Cooling 120MM White x2
640GB WD Blue Laptop HDD - extra storage from a laptop that died long ago

The NH-L12 required minor heatpipe bending/adjustment to fit properly. CPU/case temps without side fans were out of control when gaming/stress, do not skip them.
Click to expand...
Man, I wish that Silverstone fan comes in black. Anyway, are those fans set up as intake or exhaust?
 
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