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

[swooby]

Right? I mean, this is exactly the kind of thing I would have expected from them if they were still the company they were 10 years ago.

Or Razer would buy the design and sell it instead of their Core External GPU.

 

[swooby]

Well in their defense I don't many would have predicted they could sell a case this size just shy of $300 USD.

Even I think it's absurd, yet here I am.

Razer could!

 

[thalonkoju]

Since a 25mm fan on the L9i causes turbulence related noise up against the side panel, is the fan that comes with the the L9i sufficent to cool a non-OC 7600k? or is there something else quieter than the C7 that would be a better option? Was pretty excited to get the L9i but now I'm not too sure. . . Just hoping for the quietest fan I can get and still have adequate cooling.

 

[amvoith]

My case is scheduled for delivery on Monday but I just found out I'll be away for work for a week. Darn. Guess I'll be building next weekend.

 

[dominathan]

My 7700k is delidded and I've confirmed massive temp improvement with my current setup 25 to 30C! I followed Rockit instructions exactly. Ezpz. I am still waiting for my DAN case in the US. Unfortunately I won't have the "before" results. I do have the coolers and fans in question on hand though.

-C7
-L9i with 25mm NF-A9 PWM. Stock 14mm fan ready to test on C7 as well.
-2x 92mm Black Rubber Fan Silencer to use as shrouds from case wall to fan if there's any gap. This, I imagine, will allow only fresh air to be pulled but could have negative noise consequences. I am considering drilling extra small holes until the sound is gone for the best airflow. However, I do not want to make the case look bad. So I'll be very hesitant to do this.

Has anyone tried the fan gasket with the 25mm with success of removing the turbulence? I just ordered one, but I'm in the US

 

[Jirbin]

Has anyone considered using a couple NF-A4x10 FLX fans from Noctua for the top of the case? They come with low-noise adapters that reduce the RPM but I'm wondering if they would provide enough airflow to be any better than having no top fans. http://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a4x10-flx

this is a nice find. i think we could fit two of these on top.

can someone confirm it?

 

[Ca11idus]

this is a nice find. i think we could fit two of these on top.

can someone confirm it?

Those fans are tiny. They will fit but it's not going to do much. I have one and I'm going to use it on the i/o plate to help the heatsink a bit. But that's because the t318 has the fins facing the i/o plate.

 

[Jirbin]

Those fans are tiny. They will fit but it's not going to do much. I have one and I'm going to use it on the i/o plate to help the heatsink a bit. But that's because the t318 has the fins facing the i/o plate.

probably wont help that much, but as long as i know that there are some fans helping the case for better airflow its worth it. specially if i consider getting a non-blower type GPU.

 

[DrFino]

My case is scheduled for delivery on Monday but I just found out I'll be away for work for a week. Darn. Guess I'll be building next weekend.

Where are you located? Also, do we have a reference for how long it is between getting the shipping notification and the case arriving? I couldn't find any info on shipping times.

 

[SSuk]

Where are you located? Also, do we have a reference for how long it is between getting the shipping notification and the case arriving? I couldn't find any info on shipping times.

I wonder too. Few weeks ago, i ordered from germany also with dhl. (I live in Czech Republic). I ordered on Thursday afternoon and parcel arrived on wednesday next week.
I recieved my notificatin fom Dan this Friday, so i expect the case to arrive on this friday (10.2.) or week after on Monday (13.2.).

 

[Chief-hat]

this is a nice find. i think we could fit two of these on top.

can someone confirm it?

I've ordered two - will be delivered in two weeks (I live in Singapore)

 

[Jirbin]

I've ordered two - will be delivered in two weeks (I live in Singapore)

i stay in singapore too where did you order from? amazon?

 

[tviceman]

As a fellow contributor and thread participant, I also want to voice my frustration in that the time frames have gone from originally being late December to now late February (best case) or sometime in March for USA backers (most likely). I am okay with people ordering from a website to get a hold of this case a week or two in advance of backers who funded this project, as I said here https://hardforum.com/threads/dan-a...in-the-world.1799326/page-196#post-1042787289 , but now it's looking more and more like 6+ weeks and while there is nothing that can be done about it now, it's a poor situation to have been created.

 

[Philfreeze]

According to a Swedish Corsair rep, a bunch of units sent to reviewers was not "working as they should", and new units was sent out, but many reviewers never redid the tests (apparently). So probably something with the SF600 fan curve was faulty.

I am just gonna take your word for it. I don't understand one word in this forum.
This would however explain my results compared to the results of most reviews.


To all asking about what CPU cooler will be the coolest/quietest. I will test this with an Asus STRIX Z270I and the case as soon as I have both.
I currently have the following CPU cooler and fans (I will test all of them):
Noctua NH-L9i
Cryorig C7
Dynatron K1 (Aluminium LGA-115x version of the T318)
Dynatron K129 (Copper LGA-115x version of the T318; this one was expensive!)
Cooltek LP53 (did not yet receive this one but I should get it this week)
Noctua NF-B9 Redux PWM fan

I am gonna test every possible combination of these coolers and the two Noctua fans with an i5-7600K (maybe i7-7700K; is it worth the 100$ more?) and then determine the 3 best combinations.
After that I will delid the CPU and put some Coollaboratory liquid pro in there.

I will go through all the benchmarks in the google doc file and some games and I will also measure the sound level (though this time probably not with the professional gear because I don't think they would be amused if I would use it for a whole day or so).

I know that this will probably come to late for most of you guys but I will post my results here as soon as I have them, for all who are willing to change cooler or for all new builders.

 

[Shaav]

You don't need to test the NF-B9. I already did that. Horrible results on NH-L9i! For the same cooling performence like the NF-A9x14 it has to run almost at the same speed and therefore it is a lot louder. If I would be you, I would mount the NF-A9x14 or the NF-A9 on the coolers. Don't waste your time on the NF-B9.


I assume the combination of C7 + NF-A9x14 will perform great in terms of performence and noise. I just ordered the C7 and some new liquid metal.

maybe i7-7700K; is it worth the 100$ more?

I would do that. The time for a i5 will be over very soon.

and put some Coollaboratory liquid pro in there.

Have you worked with it? I think it is super hard to apply it. I would recommend the Liquid Ultra, but I haven't tested that Thermal Grizzly paste so far.

I know that this will probably come to late for most of you guys but I will post my results here as soon as I have them

Better late than never

 

[jtcera]

What if I just used the C7 with the stock fan and noctua low noise adapter? I just tested and with the LNA, it still pushes a solid amount of air (subjectively) and is very quiet. It doesn't seem like the C7 fan is effected by turbulence close to a flat surface (in terms of noise) as much as the NF-A9 PWM. There's more room for air to come in on the sides of the fan. The C7 just has so much more surface area, I can't see it cooling worse than the L9i.

 

[tviceman]

What if I just used the C7 with the stock fan and noctua low noise adapter? I just tested and with the LNA, it still pushes a solid amount of air (subjectively) and is very quiet. It doesn't seem like the C7 fan is effected by turbulence close to a flat surface (in terms of noise) as much as the NF-A9 PWM. There's more room for air to come in on the sides of the fan. The C7 just has so much more surface area, I can't see it cooling worse than the L9i.

Instead of using a LNA, setup a custom fan profile in your motherboard's bios. It takes less than 5 minutes and is a much better solution than adding more cables or limiting the max cooling potential of the C7.

 

[jtcera]

What if I just used the C7 with the stock fan and noctua low noise adapter? I just tested and with the LNA, it still pushes a solid amount of air (subjectively) and is very quiet. It doesn't seem like the C7 fan is effected by turbulence close to a flat surface (in terms of noise) as much as the NF-A9 PWM. There's more room for air to come in on the sides of the fan.

s

Instead of using a LNA, setup a custom fan profile in your motherboard's bios. It takes less than 5 minutes and is a much better solution than adding more cables or limiting the max cooling potential of the C7.

Thanks. That's what I'll do if I end up using the C7.

 

[DrFino]

As a fellow contributor and thread participant, I also want to voice my frustration in that the time frames have gone from originally being late December to now late February (best case) or sometime in March for USA backers (most likely). I am okay with people ordering from a website to get a hold of this case a week or two in advance of backers who funded this project, as I said here https://hardforum.com/threads/dan-a...in-the-world.1799326/page-196#post-1042787289 , but now it's looking more and more like 6+ weeks and while there is nothing that can be done about it now, it's a poor situation to have been created.

Where are you getting the 6+ weeks and march for US backers estimate? Based on the posts here, dan is working on shipping the US cases now. Wondering if I missed an update or something.

There are 443 cases to ship to the US so it should still take a good bit of time though.

 

[tviceman]

Where are you getting the 6+ weeks and march for US backers estimate? Based on the posts here, dan is working on shipping the US cases now. Wondering if I missed an update or something.

There are 443 cases to ship to the US so it should still take a good bit of time though.

I haven't seen any posts from Dan that directly indicates imminent shipments to the U.S.A. I saw the order of countries some pages back, but that is subject to change and is independent of when the cases actually ship and how long the transit is.

 

[David A4]

I haven't seen any posts from Dan that directly indicates imminent shipments to the U.S.A. I saw the order of countries some pages back, but that is subject to change and is independent of when the cases actually ship and how long the transit is.

Dan said he was going to try US this weekend, but we now know he's only gotten around to finishing europe by this time shipping monday.

 

[Ca11idus]

ryan mildiner: I don't let DHL come for one palette. So from packing on the palette to pick up from DHL it could take 7 days. if iam 7 days ill you have to add 7 days (14 days) like now. Today I will be done with all EU shipments and DHL will pick them up on monday.

The shipment that gets picked up tomorrow is for Europe. US backers still don't have a date. The March date doesn't sound that off.

We will have to wait and see. It'll be worth it.

 

[Jirbin]

The shipment that gets picked up tomorrow is for Europe. US backers still don't have a date. The March date doesn't sound that off.

We will have to wait and see. It'll be worth it.

No matter how delayed the shipment is, yeah it definitely is worth it.But i would even pay more just to get my hands on it sooner.

But honestly, Dan should have started shipping to those countries which are furthest from him because it would take more days to reach. just saying.

 

[Ca11idus]

No matter how delayed the shipment is, yeah it definitely is worth it.But i would even pay more just to get my hands on it sooner.

But honestly, Dan should have started shipping to those countries which are furthest from him because it would take more days to reach. just saying.

That would've been awesome. That way everyone should've gotten the cases at roughly the same time.

I was ready for this build this time 2015. Got a different case by may and I just upgraded last September in anticipation.

Right now I'm just checking up on this thread to see any updates. I'm kinda just wanting to forget about this thread and be surprised with a package in front of my door.

 

[dominathan]

The shipment that gets picked up tomorrow is for Europe. US backers still don't have a date. The March date doesn't sound that off.

We will have to wait and see. It'll be worth it.

Especially with DHL. Is it being shipped eCommerce? That from New York usually takes about 2 weeks to get over here to SF. (Lots of experience with MassDrop). We may still make the end of Feb.

 

[danij3l]

No matter how delayed the shipment is, yeah it definitely is worth it.But i would even pay more just to get my hands on it sooner.

But honestly, Dan should have started shipping to those countries which are furthest from him because it would take more days to reach. just saying.

while you idea is noble .... please do think about it the other way .... what would you think if project from US shipping EU parcels 2 weeks before starting distribution for US? doesn't seem right does it?

 

[Jann5s]

while you idea is noble .... please do think about it the other way .... what would you think if project from US shipping EU parcels 2 weeks before starting distribution for US? doesn't seem right does it?

Actually, that is something that happens very often. Remember that before netflix and such we used to have to wait for a month before new movies and tv-shows arrived here.

Then again, I get it, having shiny new components sitting in a box waiting for a case sucks. Hang in there. And remember, at least you will get one. People who had to go the retailer route had a very small chance of buying one since the products were sold out in minutes.

 

[loafidelity]

My eye-balling work fo far... Haven't got my case just yet... (usa)

View attachment 16171 View attachment 16172 View attachment 16174 View attachment 16175 View attachment 16176

Beautiful work. Going to have a stab at this too - although it will be my first attempt at custom cables so doubt I'll get it that pretty. Any chance you would be willing to share your pinout diagram and/or cable lengths?

No case yet either, but got my SF450 today and here's what I've come up with so far (would appreciate a 2nd opinion):

 

[Jann5s]

Has anyone considered using a couple NF-A4x10 FLX fans from Noctua for the top of the case? They come with low-noise adapters that reduce the RPM but I'm wondering if they would provide enough airflow to be any better than having no top fans. http://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a4x10-flx

I would think twice before installing any 40mm fans in my case. Even if they are from a respected brand as Noctua, the still are 40mm fans, and 40mm fans suck big time. They are very useful for server-rooms where you don't care about noise. Even if the db-rating seems acceptable, their high pitch makes them generally more audible at lower db-levels.

 

[Jirbin]

I would think twice before installing any 40mm fans in my case. Even if they are from a respected brand as Noctua, the still are 40mm fans, and 40mm fans suck big time. They are very useful for server-rooms where you don't care about noise. Even if the db-rating seems acceptable, their high pitch makes them generally more audible at lower db-levels.

you might wanna check out some of the youtube review videos about it. they are silent.

 

[Jonas Mellkvist]

Any build a system with a Reference Card on the Gpu and Cpu temp on the system.

Then we can compare the difference against alot of aftermarket cards

 

[CrazyManCan]

So no update for US shipping still? I thought dondan was handling US shipping this past weekend?

 

[pellen]

Give him a chance to reply this afternoon...He has regular work as well

 

[Ca11idus]

So no update for US shipping still? I thought dondan was handling US shipping this past weekend?

He is handling the shipment to the EU (European Union). They should be picked up today. We are still on the wait list.

As for considering the location of the build. That's cool and all but if they get shipped to where they all arrive at the same time what difference would that make? If he kept all of the info secret like video game releases a secret who would know? Don't get me wrong, I'm not upset and If the case were made in the US and shipped a month+ before locally I wouldn't really think about everyone else getting the case because I would be busy doing everything else but visiting this forum.

It's whatever. Some of you have your cases which is awesome. We have hope. Hope that we will get sone info or update soon. Hope that we will get our cases soon. Hope that we will get to see some builds.

 

[jtcera]

Why is the Thermolab LP53 CPU cooler not a common part of the discussion? Did I miss something?

It faired well in Dan's initial test and review seem to show it's better than the L9i by up to 10C at load.

 

[Jann5s]

you might wanna check out some of the youtube review videos about it. they are silent.

Sadly, none of the reviews I could find discuss any real sound pressure measurements. However, I found this one and it prefers the Noiseblocker XM-2. Nevertheless, unless impossible, I would still go for a bigger diameter fan.

Pros and cons for Noctua NF-A4x10 FLX:

+ high quality packaging and presentation
+ attention for details (quality cable and resistor sleeving)
+ amazing air pressure of 1.21 mmH2O @ 3700 RPM
– motor is emitting super annoying buzzing noise across entire RPM range
– partially restricting air intake creates horrible whining noise
– fan frame is not perfect 40mm standard (holes are, the frame isn’t)
– a bit expensive for a tiny 40mm fan (considering the noise problems)


Pros and cons for Noiseblocker XM-2:

+ attention for details (maybe not Noctua level, but still very good)
+ standard 40mm size
+ amazingly silent at full 3800 RPM
+ pretty color scheme
+ reasonably priced
– slightly lower air pressure and airflow compared to Noctua

 

[dondan]

CrazyManCan

As I write in the Kickstarter Update:

Maybe there will be a small delay if I start with third party countries, because of the German customs.

 

[CrazyManCan]

CrazyManCan

As I write in the Kickstarter Update:

Dondan, thanks for the reply. Based on your quote, do you mean you've already sent out cases to North America and it is now on German customs to release?

 

[SSuk]

Dondan, thanks for the reply. Based on your quote, do you mean you've already sent out cases to North America and it is now on German customs to release?

If he gets it ready and has it prepared for DHL to pick it up, you will get notification to your email from Dan (check spam folder also).
Then you will get email from dhl that they just get parcel for you.
So i suppose that north america will get notification from Dan this friday and dhl will pick those cases on monday/tuesday next week.

 

[Ca11idus]

How does the shipping work?

I order all shippings in two groups, EU sending’s and third party country sending’s. I will start with the EU group. The groups are ordered by amount of cases for each country starting with biggest volume. The backers inside the countries are order by backer position. Here is the list:

Wasn't the US the highest volume?