DAN A4-SFX: The smallest gaming case in the world

Vault-Tec said:
I actually want the Zotac 1080Ti AMP Edition (2 fans) in my DAN V3. but it's 148mm in height. which is too high, I know that. but I saw the 1080Ti compatibility post of Dondan which has the Zotac 1080Ti AMP edition in green letters which means it would fit. I don't know if this is a mistake or not? Can I fit the AMP inside the DAN without any trouble? or am I better off with finding another card?
Click to expand...

I have this exact card in my case and it fits just fine. I'll post a photo for your peace of mind later on today.
 
Chris4SFX said:
Hell, not a single cm space wasted... :D Good job!
This guy over here modified his V1 case to use the Asetek 545, too. But he didn't get his sidepanel back on. Therefore i thought this would only be possible with the window kit...

On the other pics with the big radiator and fan parallel to the sidepanels i guess this is your aforementioned 120 AIO, which is only possible in V3, right?
If i'm not mistaken you have to do compromises on this 120 AIO though: Either using an Mini-GPU (which means more noise because of smaller heatsink and less fans) or replacing the SFX power supply with this HDplex, which requires an external power supply... Please correct me, if i am wrong.
Therefore the 120 AIO would not be an option to me, as (if i finally decide to drop my notebook for the A4-SFX) i want to keep as much portability and clean/simple setup as possible. But the 92 AIO is a good fallback-solution for me, although i think the NH-L9i would do the job for me...

Apropos Noctua: Please let me ask you another question :D
On your pics i see, that you have or had two noctua fans at the bottom of one case. As i am not convinced of the "offical approved" one right under the PSU (isn't most of airflow blocked by the PSU and cables?), the one under the mainboard would make much more sense to me!
Could you tell me how you get this fan over there working or would that require further modding or even drilling holes into the case? :unsure:

Sorry for so many questions, but as notebook user i am almost completely blank regarding these topics, getting headache from so many many information, technical terms and acronyms i read on different forums... :LOL:

Best regards,
Chris
Click to expand...

The fan under the PSU does help a little with motherboard temps, though I never noticed any appreciate CPU as I was using the 92mm AIO already. It did not feel worth the turbulence noise it generates overall.

The external power brick I use with my HDPlex is somewhat bulky, but the entire system still fits in a messenger bag so I consider it still highly portable.

I used to have a zotac 1080 mini and I would argue with anyone who said that card was noticeably loserl than my nearly silent EVGA 1080 FTW. The main difference is that it's marginally slower and doesn't have as much overclocking headroom, but that's like saying I only have 350 HP instead of 355. I never noticed a difference. I actually regret selling it, but first world problem.
 
dondan said:
Chris4SFX:
You are right with your thoughts. 120 AIO requires v3. With full size GPU a external PSU and with ITX GPU it will work with SFX PSU.
The 92mm AIO tubing will only fit if you use default RAM without heatsinks.
If you use a Gigabyte 1080 ITX you can use the 120mm AIO with SFX PSU and you will have a very powerful system.
Click to expand...

dondan: Oh! Didn't expect an answer by you personally, Daniel!
Thank you for summing things up. It's great to have quite a few cooling options in such a tiny case! (y)

Daniel, when i have you here already, may i ask about the availability of the V3 on caseking?

Over on hardwareluxx you wrote some time ago, the V3 will be available at caseking by the end of june. Is that correct or do you have new / more accurate information about that?
Sorry, if this was asked before, but i'm pretty curios about that, because on SFFlab the estimated delivery timeslot is between 11th july and 12th september, which would be a bit late for me, as i'm close to my decision of buying that case! ;)
I think i would also be fine with the V2, but if V3 is going to hit the market in about 2 weeks or so and with a lower price(?) than V2, i would wait...

Thanks in advance!

Alaberti said:
The fan under the PSU does help a little with motherboard temps, though I never noticed any appreciate CPU as I was using the 92mm AIO already. It did not feel worth the turbulence noise it generates overall.

The external power brick I use with my HDPlex is somewhat bulky, but the entire system still fits in a messenger bag so I consider it still highly portable.

I used to have a zotac 1080 mini and I would argue with anyone who said that card was noticeably loserl than my nearly silent EVGA 1080 FTW. The main difference is that it's marginally slower and doesn't have as much overclocking headroom, but that's like saying I only have 350 HP instead of 355. I never noticed a difference. I actually regret selling it, but first world problem.
Click to expand...

Thought especially on such a high TDP card one fan less and a shorter heatsink would make quite a bit of difference in cooling performance...
Yeah, even with an external PSU it's still portable, but i want it to be as portable and clean as possible. Therefore for me not an option. But like i said before: It's great to have quite a few cooling options in such a small case at all! :)
 
Zotac 1080 mini has two fans, gigabyte mini has one. I recommend checking out some reviews on differences between mini cards and their performance, acoustics, and thermals; it seems like we may not be working off the same set of data. Either way, it does sound like you've narrowed down your preferences.
 
I do have a GTX 1060 6GB ''mini'' right now. it's EVGA Gaming stuff, non SC and all but that thing tends to get super hot, and sounds like a jet. and even with the fans 100% it can't get cooler than 80c in the DAN. and the noisy fan is what irritates me the most although I always have music on. now I know that every card can get noisy, but I definitely don't want a single fan anymore. so my choice was the Zotac AMP because I never had zotac.. and I hear great things about them, and the other choice was the Gigabyte 1080Ti Gaming OC black. which has 3 fans and is a relatively long card, but it fits in the case. Gigabyte because I had a few GPUs of Gigabyte before and I think they're great. also my motherboard is by Gigabyte and my next motherboard will also be Gigabyte. but I was pretty bummed that I heard that the Zotac won't fit in the case being too high. I'm curious about your 1080ti amp edition and your DAN. can you show me like how it fit? and the connectors on top etc etc? I'm really curious about this card.
 
Vault-Tec said:
I do have a GTX 1060 6GB ''mini'' right now. it's EVGA Gaming stuff, non SC and all but that thing tends to get super hot, and sounds like a jet. and even with the fans 100% it can't get cooler than 80c in the DAN. and the noisy fan is what irritates me the most although I always have music on. now I know that every card can get noisy, but I definitely don't want a single fan anymore. so my choice was the Zotac AMP because I never had zotac.. and I hear great things about them, and the other choice was the Gigabyte 1080Ti Gaming OC black. which has 3 fans and is a relatively long card, but it fits in the case. Gigabyte because I had a few GPUs of Gigabyte before and I think they're great. also my motherboard is by Gigabyte and my next motherboard will also be Gigabyte. but I was pretty bummed that I heard that the Zotac won't fit in the case being too high. I'm curious about your 1080ti amp edition and your DAN. can you show me like how it fit? and the connectors on top etc etc? I'm really curious about this card.
Click to expand...

Too bad you don't have the SC version of the EVGA GTX 1060 6Gb single fan (06G-P4-6163-KR). It has a much better performing heat sink than the 06G-P4-6161-KR. I don't have a Dan A4-SFX case, but my single fan version runs no hotter than my dual fan version.
 
Engr62 said:
Too bad you don't have the SC version of the EVGA GTX 1060 6Gb single fan (06G-P4-6163-KR). It has a much better performing heat sink than the 06G-P4-6161-KR. I don't have a Dan A4-SFX case, but my single fan version runs no hotter than my dual fan version.
Click to expand...
Yup by the time I bought my GPU in the store (here they also got local stores that sell computer hardware) they didn't had the SC version in stock. so had to go with this, but I really dislike the card.
 
Well I thought I could get my hands on a window kit for my build...But the top bidder is willing to pay 200$ for it. Lol nope I'm not that desperate. Just gotta hope my asetek will allow my side panel to fit.. and wait for v2 window kits.
 
Yesterday i decided to try something similar then my previous attempt with the cpu shroud. So for the first test i invested 5 min in a little CAD design which is printing right now. If it perfomance as good as the cpu shroud, i will invest more effort to design it more propper. For example i could implement an air guide for the hot air which is following the fins. Here are some pictures of the first concept. I hope i measured right and i am not printing shit right now :D

EhFzIHD.jpg



FocMaom.jpg




cK9o8Gn.jpg



rFiAC16.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hey guys,

as the A4-SFX would be my very first pc ever, i have configured a list with my prefered components and would appreciate your feedback about it!

To be honest, as notebook user, i am not familiar with desktop parts and their constraints, pros and cons, compatibilities etc. at all! :D
So please feel free to point me into the right direction if i made a silly choice and let me know what you think!

https://geizhals.eu/?cat=WL-986532

Some notes regarding my configuration:
*GPU: Interim solution until "GTX 1160" comes out. I even think of buying a used 960 for about 100 € on ebay to keep initial costs as low as possible. Not a fan of used electronics, but it would do the job for a few months until Ampere FINAAAAAAAAAALLY hits the market... :whistle:
*Storage: Going to use my laptop's SSD. So no purchase needed.
*RAM: Definitely would prefer 1x16GB over 2x8GB for easier upgrade later on... what you think?

To judge my needs better, you should know that i am neither an enthusiast, nor a modder, but rather a quite normal user :D
So i don't intend to build a flashy, shiny, expensive highend system, but rather a powerful yet cost-effective PC for work (3D, Graphics Design, Video editing) and sometimes gaming.
 
Chris4SFX said:
as the A4-SFX would be my very first pc ever, i have configured a list with my prefered components and would appreciate your feedback about it!
Click to expand...

Hey Chris,

I really hope you enjoy your A4 build as much as all the other people around here!
When I saw your part list some things came to my mind:

1. The "Noctua L9i" is only for Intel sockets. Non-modding alternatives are the "Noctua L9a AM4" or the Cryorig C7.
2. With only one RAM stick you cannot profit from dual channel speed. Maybe you can grab some 2x8GB cheap and sell them when you upgrade with 2x16GB to minimize the upcharge.
3. On the pictures it seems the 1050 Ti has a Dual Slot cooler that could be a tight fit or maybe a bit too high. Just a thing to be aware of...
 
Hey Kreyyr,

thanks for your quick feedback!

I hope so, too. :D Until now i haven't got my hands on one so far, but looking forward to their release on caseking!

1. Good point! You're right. The L9a is a little bit wider than the intel version. But shouldn't be an issue?
2. Jup, i am aware of that. Do you think dual channel makes a noticable difference? I assumed that this would be measurable but not really noticable at all?
3. I tend to get a used 960 as interim solution, to keep costs low for the moment and upgrade later to a 1160. I could get a ASUS Strix GeForce GTX 960 4GB for a relative cheap price. According to the measurements on the Asus Website it should fit into the case. Can someone confirm that?

Thanks in advance :)
 
Chris4SFX said:
1. Good point! You're right. The L9a is a little bit wider than the intel version. But shouldn't be an issue?
Click to expand...

The L9i does not come with the right mount for the AM4 Socket, but you can get a mounting kit from Noctua for it to make it fit. (Link it is free if you bought a new Cooler + Ryzen CPU or AM4 Mainboard)
So you either get the L9i and buy / wait for a mounting kit or you get the L9a.
 
Julio Espinosa said:
Has someone seen the HD Plex 400W AC-DC Adapter?
I would be cool to have it with te HD Plex 400W DC-ATX PSU, and an 120mm AIO CPU cooler in a DAN A4-SFX!!!!!
Click to expand...

Julio Espinosa
My initial impressions: https://hardforum.com/threads/dan-a...in-the-world.1799326/page-358#post-1043668983
My final build: https://hardforum.com/threads/dan-a...in-the-world.1799326/page-358#post-1043670669

tl;dr: it is very fun to build, but does come with some limitations from the external power brick.
 
Alaberti said:
Julio Espinosa
My initial impressions: https://hardforum.com/threads/dan-a...in-the-world.1799326/page-358#post-1043668983
My final build: https://hardforum.com/threads/dan-a...in-the-world.1799326/page-358#post-1043670669

tl;dr: it is very fun to build, but does come with some limitations from the external power brick.
Click to expand...

I got that!
But this is the new AC-DC Adapter (Brick). You're using the Modded G-unique Brick, right?
It would be cool to mount it inside the case, with the 400W DC-ATX PSU too.

They say, this one is half the size of the Dell 330W Brick
https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/hdplex-400w-ac-dc-internal-adapter.7069/page-4#post-102555
 
Julio Espinosa said:
I got that!
But this is the new AC-DC Adapter (Brick). You're using the Modded G-unique Brick, right?
It would be cool to mount it inside the case, with the 400W DC-ATX PSU too.
Click to expand...


Ohhh I see what you're saying, I misread the first part of your post. I am using the modded brick yes, which is fine, but a completely internal solution would be best, I agree. I don't really know where you'd put this converter, especially with the 120mm AIO, but it would be fun to figure out.
 
Alaberti said:
Ohhh I see what you're saying, I misread the first part of your post. I am using the modded brick yes, which is fine, but a completely internal solution would be best, I agree. I don't really know where you'd put this converter, especially with the 120mm AIO, but it would be fun to figure out.
Click to expand...

any chance we could get a closer look/more details about your modded brick? im looking to do something similar but don't know where to begin brick-wise.
 
Hi,

I'm just curious if anyone tried to reverse the CPU fan on the heatsink. Usually cold air is pushed into heatsink and what if hot air is pulled out of the heatsink and fan? If hot air can be directly blowed out of the case I think the temperature may be a little better. Anyone tried this before?
 
Tyloo_wNv said:
Hi,

I'm just curious if anyone tried to reverse the CPU fan on the heatsink. Usually cold air is pushed into heatsink and what if hot air is pulled out of the heatsink and fan? If hot air can be directly blowed out of the case I think the temperature may be a little better. Anyone tried this before?
Click to expand...

U will use the warmer air in the case instead of the colder air at ambient temperature -> worse
 
Tyloo_wNv said:
Hi,

I'm just curious if anyone tried to reverse the CPU fan on the heatsink. Usually cold air is pushed into heatsink and what if hot air is pulled out of the heatsink and fan? If hot air can be directly blowed out of the case I think the temperature may be a little better. Anyone tried this before?
Click to expand...
Yes, usually reversing the fans to pull air through the heatsink is worse than pushing cold air through the heatsink. With some exceptions - for air cooling in the Phanteks Shift, I found that the glass panel was starving the fan any air at all, so reversing the fan resulted in better temps (AXP-200 was the heatsink)
 
mirgus said:
Yesterday i decided to try something similar then my previous attempt with the cpu shroud. So for the first test i invested 5 min in a little CAD design which is printing right now. If it perfomance as good as the cpu shroud, i will invest more effort to design it more propper. For example i could implement an air guide for the hot air which is following the fins. Here are some pictures of the first concept. I hope i measured right and i am not printing shit right now :D

View attachment 83671


View attachment 83672



View attachment 83673


View attachment 83674
Click to expand...

So i tested the first shroud and it doesnt had an impact at all on cooling performance. It lowered the fan speed by only 80rpm. I think it doesn't improve the performance that much because my gpu fans are already pretty close to the sidepanel.
 
Thanks for testing it out!

From your pics i would assume that it's not isolated enough, though. Guess they still pull some air from the area between them.

So i could imagine better results from cutting two separate holes instead of one big and more important to isolate themselves from the area around / between them like you did on the cpu fan. So to say two shallow pipes from the heatspreder to the sidepanel...

But away from it. As you say that the gpu fans are quite close to the sidepanel: How would you describe the air turbulences? I guess with a 150w 1070 with two fans it should be noticable quieter than the cpu fan? Does it disturb you nevertheless or do you just experiment with the gpu shroud to optimise temps/noise even further?
 
Hello. i built my dan case v3 a few weeks ago. Credit to the creator of the case. It was a joy to build in. Reading through the forum i decided to create a duct. It does improve temps noticabley.
Can someone help me for a more permanent elegant solution please. My cooler is the cooltek lp53 and noctua nf a9x14.
Using a makeshift cardboard duct at the moment. I tried looking but i cant find anything.
Thanks rob
 

Attachments

  • 20180630_155621.jpg
    20180630_155621.jpg
    295.1 KB · Views: 0
b0bby199 said:
Hello. i built my dan case v3 a few weeks ago. Credit to the creator of the case. It was a joy to build in. Reading through the forum i decided to create a duct. It does improve temps noticabley.
Can someone help me for a more permanent elegant solution please. My cooler is the cooltek lp53 and noctua nf a9x14.
Using a makeshift cardboard duct at the moment. I tried looking but i cant find anything.
Thanks rob
Click to expand...
I bought this (To mount the fan nicer than strips) and asked him to make this :) I just gotta mod my RAM, as it's the very tall Dominator Platinum, but you should be fine using that duct seeing you have LP ram
 
Hi. Thanks for the reply. Thats exactly what im looking for. How much did it cost you? You wouldnt mind me using that diagram? Yeah got ballistix sport ram but was thinking of upgrading to trident x without the fins eventually.
 
b0bby199 said:
Hi. Thanks for the reply. Thats exactly what im looking for. How much did it cost you? You wouldnt mind me using that diagram? Yeah got ballistix sport ram but was thinking of upgrading to trident x without the fins eventually.
Click to expand...
It's not my makings and it's free to use I think. He did it all for 25euro with postage w/o tracing. It depends on the country
 
b0bby199 said:
Thanks mate. 25 euros isn't bad. I'm going to pm him. Thank you
Click to expand...

I just got your PM.

Btw, here's my setup:

NH-L9a with Thermalright TY-100 fan, 3d printed fan duct.

YGexoD1.jpg


I do carry a small stock of TY-100 or Blackout slim 92mm fans (DC only) for those interested in going for a non-brown look.
 
Your setup looks good. That duct looks good too. Never had use one before in pc but it works in the dan case. Running 4790k in high performance mode in windows and i have decent temps playing games (60 degrees).


 
Hi,

I have a small question, is the new C7 with graphit the best thermal solution for the DAN a4 v.1?
I have a jaguar that I bough as it was described after some modification as the best solution, but with those new C7, I am not sure if it s still true.

regards,
 
dondan in some renders i've seen a 1U psu mounted next to the GPU. could we get more details on how these will mount in the v3 case? will i need to fabricate a bracket for this or is there a specific one to buy elsewhere?

i've seen a 500w flex 1U PSU with a 24pin and two 8pin connectors which is literally perfect for my build. would be nice to know if you can spare the time.
 
tenrose said:
dondan in some renders i've seen a 1U psu mounted next to the GPU. could we get more details on how these will mount in the v3 case? will i need to fabricate a bracket for this or is there a specific one to buy elsewhere?

i've seen a 500w flex 1U PSU with a 24pin and two 8pin connectors which is literally perfect for my build. would be nice to know if you can spare the time.
Click to expand...

V3 has mounting points and standoffs for the HDPlex PSU. Just mind the length of your GPU, 267mm is basically all you get.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top