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

dondan said:
It is plastic. We don't sell it without the case, but you can buy a plastic folder and cut it by yourself.
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But what sort of plastic is it? It's got to resist high temperatures on the GPU, so any old plastic won't do. Is it coated with anything?
 
It's just there to prevent the GPU's backside from shorting out. You can use anything non-conductive. Black cardstock would work fairly well I imagine.
 
danger said:
I 100% disagree with you. I think the S4 and Dan Cases are direct competitors are it is completely fair and logical to compare them. They each have their pluses and minuses, but that is true with any competing products. I'm the person that has an M1 with a Dan in order and S4 pending. I don't see how one can say it is not logical to compare them, but you're entitled to your opinion.
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I'm in a similar boat, M1 currently, A4 backed, and considering getting an S4 also.
In my mind they're competing in the sense that they are SFF as it was meant to be, but because of compatibility differences they don't compare well.
Calling it not logical was not the best choice of words, I apologize.
 
Samsung 950
Reading all the comments about using a Samsung 950 mounted under the mobo, consensus seem to be that it will get hot and throttle!?
We are not sure how hot it actually will get and how much it will throttle but a safe (and cheaper) option would be to get another M2 like Samsung 840 or Intel/Cruscial?

SF450 vs 600
This is something which confiuses me, my first thought were that a SF600 ought to be more quite since it will be under less load but same here SF450 should be quiter anyway?

Asus 1080 Strix (non OC)
I have finally got around to mount this in my Prodigy case and it works like shit :( unafortunately. (Win10 shuts down but not the computer and when using DP+DVI connection my Dell U2711 monitors doesn't show a picture sometimes.)
That is really not relevant to this thread but what I wanted to share (most reviewers have already metioned this) are that the card is running quite cold 55-60C playing TSW/WoW but the fans are loud if you are running default settings (Gaming Mode). My old 670 Strix was so much quiter (default settings). Tinkering with the fan settings are neccecary for this card.
 
spda242 said:
SF450 vs 600
This is something which confiuses me, my first thought were that a SF600 ought to be more quite since it will be under less load but same here SF450 should be quiter anyway?
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I strongly discourage from bying an SFX and get an SFX-L isntead. 2 drives (SSD + big HDD if you need it) is more than enough.

I had a very bad experience with Silverstone SFX supplies... First I had ST45SF-G and it was quite loud so I've decided to switch to SX600-G thinking that it would stay more silent (with GTX 970), but it didn't... And it even has some weird squeaking sound when spinning up, I hated it. I RMAed 3 times, finally gave up. That small package combined with a small fan is just not enough to keep it cool and quiet.

Finally I bought SX500-LG and never looked back. It stays silent even after I've upgraded to EVGA GTX 1080 SSC.
 
promaty said:
I strongly discourage from bying an SFX and get an SFX-L isntead. 2 drives (SSD + big HDD if you need it) is more than enough.

I had a very bad experience with Silverstone SFX supplies... First I had ST45SF-G and it was quite loud so I've decided to switch to SX600-G thinking that it would stay more silent (with GTX 970), but it didn't... And it even has some weird squeaking sound when spinning up, I hated it. I RMAed 3 times, finally gave up. That small package combined with a small fan is just not enough to keep it cool and quiet.

Finally I bought SX500-LG and never looked back. It stays silent even after I've upgraded to EVGA GTX 1080 SSC.
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I've had the ST45SF, the SX500-LG and I'm now using the SF600. ST45SF has a high pitched whirring noise even at idle and both the SX500-LG and the SF600 are silent at idle. However if you look at the SX500-LG thread, a lot of people experienced clicking noises from the fan. I did when I first got it but it went away after a week.
 
spda242 said:
Samsung 950
Reading all the comments about using a Samsung 950 mounted under the mobo, consensus seem to be that it will get hot and throttle!?
We are not sure how hot it actually will get and how much it will throttle but a safe (and cheaper) option would be to get another M2 like Samsung 840 or Intel/Cruscial?
Click to expand...

Anything that you stuff under your motherboard will get hot. That is unavoidable. If said part is sandwiched between the gpu and motherboard... yep, more heat.
 
promaty said:
I strongly discourage from bying an SFX and get an SFX-L isntead. 2 drives (SSD + big HDD if you need it) is more than enough.

I had a very bad experience with Silverstone SFX supplies... First I had ST45SF-G and it was quite loud so I've decided to switch to SX600-G thinking that it would stay more silent (with GTX 970), but it didn't... And it even has some weird squeaking sound when spinning up, I hated it. I RMAed 3 times, finally gave up. That small package combined with a small fan is just not enough to keep it cool and quiet.

Finally I bought SX500-LG and never looked back. It stays silent even after I've upgraded to EVGA GTX 1080 SSC.
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I have the Silverstone SFX 600watt PSU powering 6700K and GTX 1080 FE. It works great and is quiet.
 
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promaty said:
I strongly discourage from bying an SFX and get an SFX-L isntead. 2 drives (SSD + big HDD if you need it) is more than enough.

I had a very bad experience with Silverstone SFX supplies... First I had ST45SF-G and it was quite loud so I've decided to switch to SX600-G thinking that it would stay more silent (with GTX 970), but it didn't... And it even has some weird squeaking sound when spinning up, I hated it. I RMAed 3 times, finally gave up. That small package combined with a small fan is just not enough to keep it cool and quiet.

Finally I bought SX500-LG and never looked back. It stays silent even after I've upgraded to EVGA GTX 1080 SSC.
Click to expand...

I am running the Silverstone 450 watt modular SFX in my system and I don't seem to be having as much noise problems as some people, but I can definitely hear it. When I built my wife's computer 2 months ago, I used the Corsair 450 watt SFX and I never hear it. The fan usually doesn't even spin. Even when she is playing games (GTX 970) her PSU is the quietest thing in her build. The Corsair model she has is orders of magnitude different than the silverstone 450 watt in my computer. I will definitely go with the corsair 450 watt next time I need an SFX power supply.
 
danger said:
I 100% disagree with you. I think the S4 and Dan Cases are direct competitors are it is completely fair and logical to compare them. They each have their pluses and minuses, but that is true with any competing products. I'm the person that has an M1 with a Dan in order and S4 pending. I don't see how one can say it is not logical to compare them, but you're entitled to your opinion.
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Man, you should consider currency conversion import values and shipping costs over seas. Of course it will be expensive for you. It is the same as if I bought the M1, for people on Europe it is a lot more expensive than for Americans.
 

Ok I see, I was probably unlucky. Still I think we can all agree that an SFX-L should generally stay more quiet than an SFX one with a smaller fan, it's just simple physics. If you can fit an SFX-L, I see no point in buying an SFX, which also tend to be more expensive.
 
promaty said:
Ok I see, I was probably unlucky. Still I think we can all agree that an SFX-L should generally stay more quiet than an SFX one with a smaller fan, it's just simple physics. If you can fit an SFX-L, I see no point in buying an SFX, which also tend to be more expensive.
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Agreed that the larger fan in the SFX-L can be more quiet.
 
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It seems that the 700w SFX-L by Silverstone has some QC issues again with the fan. The 500w SFX-L gold is fixed with v2.0 out now, but I still would rather get a 450-500w sfx psu for easier cable routing. Hopefully Silverstone comes out with their 500w sfx, so that it pressures Corsair to come out with a 500w SF500 version as well.
 
Today I start my work on an window kit for the A4-SFX. Do you like it? Currently I work on a version without visible screws.

window_preview_12008vsa0.jpg
 
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I understand the price of the case, and I happily supported the project. But adding additional costs to a 230 euros case is ridiculous. As much as I like the window, I feel like you are trying to squeeze your supporters... I know I will receive hate comments, but I also want to express my opinion as a supporter.
 
If you don't like it then don't purchase the window. Giving options is a good thing. Dan calling it a "window kit" suggest it is a stand alone item or option and not something you have to purchase...
 
crisisv87akd said:
adding additional costs to a 230 euros case is ridiculous... I feel like you are trying to squeeze your supporters...
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Where do you see:
1. An increase to the existing kickstarter pledges?
2. This window kit added to the original kickstarter campaign?
3. Request for additional funds from backers?

This looks like an optional additional kit that may become available in the future. And I like it
 
As I said, I'm a supporter and I'm free to have an opinion and express it respectfully. I think people find hard to accept any different opinion other than theirs. I'm not demanding things to be my way, I know things won't change with my comment. Just learn to respect and stop making a big deal out of everything.

Edit:
dondan I like a lot of things about the project, I informed myself that's why I'm a baker, I understand why the price tag, but I still thing that the window panel should be the default kit.

To others, don't worry about my economic situation I'll be fine, but thank you.
 
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crisisv87akd said:
As I siad, I'm a supporter and I;m free to have an opinion and express it respectfully. Not asking anyone to like or agree me. ;)
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And you chose to state your opinion on a discussion forum, hence the discussion. Don't buy it if you can't afford it. Simple.
 
crisisv87akd said:
But adding additional costs to a 230 euros case is ridiculous. As much as I like the window, I feel like you are trying to squeeze your supporters...
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I explaind it so many times why it is costs 230€. We don't produce in mass (5000+). We use high-end server grade components like 3M riser and Lian Li manufactured case. DAN Cases is located in Germany and not in China so we have higher fix costs. We don't have our own production so we have to buy from other manufacturer, for them we are competitor, so we will not get the best price. If my company don't make a little profit I can't provide new innovative ideas in future.

The window side panel is a accessoires so you don't need it, but you can upgrade your product if you like. It is normal that you have to pay for accessoires extra money.
 
dondan said:
I explaind it so many times why it is costs 230€. We don't produce in mass (5000+). We use high-end server grade components like 3M riser and Lian Li manufactured case. DAN Cases is located in Germany and not in China so we have higher fix costs. We don't have our own production so we have to buy from other manufacturer, for them we are competitor, so we will not get the best price. If my company don't make a little profit I can't provide new innovative ideas in future.

The window side panel is a accessoires so you don't need it, but you can upgrade your product if you like. Like by other case companies you have to pay extra for it.
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I wish some people would get this, but they are too arrogant to research and too ignorant to know. Sigh...
 
crisisv87akd said:
As much as I like the window, I feel like you are trying to squeeze your supporters...
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Don't worry, the basic idea is genius and one of the major box manufacturers will clone it in no time. Indeed I'm surprised that Dan hasn't already sold the design.
 
dondan said:
Today I start my work on an window kit for the A4-SFX. Do you like it? Currently I work on a version without visible screws.

window_preview_12008vsa0.jpg
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Is that acrylic or polycarbonate for the clear window? I hope the final part will look as good as your rendering :)
 
Damn that window looks good, are the sidepanels interchangable to also put a window on the other side?
 
mathijs159 said:
Damn that window looks good, are the sidepanels interchangable to also put a window on the other side?
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Just about to ask that. Is the A4 case design symmetrical? Because you could sell the panels separately, and people can simply invert it for the other side.

Screws give it a nice look, stands out against the otherwise blank case. A bit like how the button accentuates the front panel. If you don't want to screw through the window, though, you can also go for pins, which can keep it against the panel with pressure.
 
The panels aren't symmetrical because of the flanges on the bottom that let you screw the side panels on for extra security.
 
That would be really bad for temps, probably, since whatever was on the side of the window wouldn't have any direct route to fresh air.
 
I love that side panel with the window! I dont mind the screws being there but I still prefer if the screws were not visible. Please make them bi-directional too so they work on both sides of the case! And start selling them ASAP because i MUST have them!!
 
Since I've come to the thread...

I don't like seeing the screws. If it's possible to cover or cap them, please do.

Two areas of improvement on the basic case I'd like to see:

Firstly, the gap above the blanking plates needs filling. Shuttle and others have a folding metal flap which you might consider.
Secondly, I'd like to see a reset button and at least one more (two total) USB port on the front. I'd prefer four USB ports. Wireless devices need their 2.4 GHz USB detectors at the front of the PC, not the back. Keyboard, mouse, game device, BT device for phone.
 
I think the window you have made is the first vented window design that I have seen that isn't just a bunch of holes drilled through. I usually think that holes in windows look awful, but the way you made this, it looks nice! (I agree with the people who think it would be good if the screws were not visible)
 
Quartz-1 said:
Since I've come to the thread...

I don't like seeing the screws. If it's possible to cover or cap them, please do.

Two areas of improvement on the basic case I'd like to see:

Firstly, the gap above the blanking plates needs filling. Shuttle and others have a folding metal flap which you might consider.
Secondly, I'd like to see a reset button and at least one more (two total) USB port on the front. I'd prefer four USB ports. Wireless devices need their 2.4 GHz USB detectors at the front of the PC, not the back. Keyboard, mouse, game device, BT device for phone.
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Sounds awesome. Start your own limited edition production run.

Seriously, the 1 USB port thing was hashed to death ages ago. The gap above the blanking plates is not visible from the front. The window kit is optional (and IMO, superfluous), so I won't ever see the screws on the side.
 
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