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

I'm in the process of fitting a 120mm x 120mm x 20mm fan under my Nexus heatsink. I'll have to sacrifice one of my ram slots, and had to make other modifications to the CPU VRM heatsink (cut it smaller). I have to cut one more corner off my fan so it doesn't interfere with the ram slot. Here's some pictures I've taken throughout the process. I originally wanted to use my gentle typhoon fan, and it would fit (after cutting corners off), but the bends of the heatpipes prevents it from sitting under the heatsink fully. I might take another attempt at fitting the gentle typhoon fan later on. Just want to get the 20mm thick fan working at least to see if there are any issues.

https://goo.gl/photos/RkQLiX9XxbLHA3NMA

The fan is a DEEPCOOL Gamer Storm GS 120 PWM Fan Hydro Bearing 120X120X20mm
 
So I unexpectedly ended up with time last evening to transfer my system to the A4-SFX. Asrock Z87E, i7-4770S with LP53 (had stock fan, upgraded it last night to the Noctua), SF600 (new in box waiting for this build), two SSDs, GTX970 (for now). Some thoughts (some of which is repeating what others have said since shipping to the US has been taking some time)...

First of all, I ended up using solid-core 22AWG wire with the insulation stripped off to attach the fan to the LP53. I wasn't sure if it would be thick enough wire, but it worked far better than I expected. Very secure.

Secondly, I unfortunately could not use the 12" slim SATA cables that I had, as they were just a few inches too short with the way the drives are arranged in the case. Might have to pick up some 18" ones.

Also made a bunch of mistakes so it took me far longer to setup than expected. I originally put the drives facing the back of the case instead of the front, which obviously means you can't access them. Then, once I fixed that and got to the PSU steps, I discovered that the SATA power connector on the SF600 makes it impossible to use two drives in the cage (they're too close together for the design of the Corsair cable) so I had to go back to the start and move one to the front of the case.

(I'm not blaming the design of the case for this at all, it's just a lot to put in a small space: ) Cable management is an absolute bitch in the case. It is possible to shove the thick Corsair wires into the case, but it's really a mess. While I wouldn't say custom cables are 100% necessary, they're pretty damn close to it. I'll definitely have to look into that as my next step.

Finally, yeah my Wifi antennas look ridiculous because they're taller than the case is. Really wish there was a smaller dual-band version akin to the 'nub' ones people have been mentioning.

But overall I love the case. Every bit as high quality as expected when backing the project.
 
JoeH823 said:
So I unexpectedly ended up with time last evening to transfer my system to the A4-SFX. Asrock Z87E, i7-4770S with LP53 (had stock fan, upgraded it last night to the Noctua), SF600 (new in box waiting for this build), two SSDs, GTX970 (for now). Some thoughts (some of which is repeating what others have said since shipping to the US has been taking some time)...

First of all, I ended up using solid-core 22AWG wire with the insulation stripped off to attach the fan to the LP53. I wasn't sure if it would be thick enough wire, but it worked far better than I expected. Very secure.

Secondly, I unfortunately could not use the 12" slim SATA cables that I had, as they were just a few inches too short with the way the drives are arranged in the case. Might have to pick up some 18" ones.

Also made a bunch of mistakes so it took me far longer to setup than expected. I originally put the drives facing the back of the case instead of the front, which obviously means you can't access them. Then, once I fixed that and got to the PSU steps, I discovered that the SATA power connector on the SF600 makes it impossible to use two drives in the cage (they're too close together for the design of the Corsair cable) so I had to go back to the start and move one to the front of the case.

(I'm not blaming the design of the case for this at all, it's just a lot to put in a small space: ) Cable management is an absolute bitch in the case. It is possible to shove the thick Corsair wires into the case, but it's really a mess. While I wouldn't say custom cables are 100% necessary, they're pretty damn close to it. I'll definitely have to look into that as my next step.

Finally, yeah my Wifi antennas look ridiculous because they're taller than the case is. Really wish there was a smaller dual-band version akin to the 'nub' ones people have been mentioning.

But overall I love the case. Every bit as high quality as expected when backing the project.
Click to expand...
I'm using 3 HDDs (2 in cage and one in front mount) with SF450. If you are going with 2 drives only it is better to split them, but if using 3 is doable.
 
Meccabolix said:
this is after an hour of stress tests, the 960 pro went upto 72°C but as you can see it didn't affect the speeds too much. maybe ill try it with the riser cable on the gpu side if i can be bothered to do that again.

View attachment 18924

high rez pic here
Click to expand...

I´m getting worried now. I´ve ordered a Fatal1ty X270 Gaming/ac and will also use a M.2 on the mobo backside with 4mm spacers. 72C is way too much fmpov.

Now I´m searching for a M.2 extender / riser solution. Couldn´t find something, yet. Anyone any hint? Appreciated!
 
Hi people! I found 2 M.2 riser / extender solutions:

1) https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product...act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3ERIAI23RXW3B

This seems to be a real PCIx 4x extender cable solution but this can just be ordered from Japan. Any Japanese guy here?

2) http://www.ebay.de/itm/222165699736

This is a M.2 PCIx 4x to U.2 converter to attach a SFF-8639 device. It can not only be attached to a U.2 SSD but to a converter like this, too:

http://www.delock.de/produkte/G_62725/merkmale.html

Since I have that converter here (32€), this seems to be my choice. Well, there´s no other choice for me, it seems... While number 1 would be better, I think.
 
Eingang said:
I´m getting worried now. I´ve ordered a Fatal1ty X270 Gaming/ac and will also use a M.2 on the mobo backside with 4mm spacers. 72C is way too much fmpov.

Now I´m searching for a M.2 extender / riser solution. Couldn´t find something, yet. Anyone any hint? Appreciated!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry about stress test numbers. Just don't run stress tests. Normal loads shouldn't hit 70c. If you are really worried you can try sticking a small heatsink on it?
 
illram said:
Yes. There are ones that are basically just a flat tiny sheet of copper.
Click to expand...
But doesn't the 960 series already has that? And it isn't much of a heatsink really, just proloning the inevitable.
 
You could stick a really thick thermal pad between the m.2 and the mobo tray and make the whole tray the heatsink! :D

Seriously though unless you have a niche workload, like serious video editing or encoding or something requiring sustained high capacity R/W times with the SSD, in normal usage I really don't think you are going to hit thermal throttling levels for the rear M.2
 
i delidded my 6700K, i still have it clocked at 4.4Ghz and am using the LP53 + a9x14 PWM in vertical orientation with 4mm standoffs, here are the temps:

Idle temps:

DELID lp53 with a9x14 4mm virtical idle.JPG

Prime 95 temps:

DELID lp53 with a9x14 4mm virtical stress.JPG

Very happy with those temps.

I have routed the GPU riser on the GPU side and will do the GPU, CPU and M.2 test now and post results in an hour or two, hopefully the m.2 temps will be abit better. But odds are you arent going to be constantly running stress tests so don't worry too much about this GPU, CPU, and M.2 stress test, it's a very worst case scenario that you will never run into in normal use.
 
Eingang said:
Hi people! I found 2 M.2 riser / extender solutions:

1) https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product...act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3ERIAI23RXW3B

This seems to be a real PCIx 4x extender cable solution but this can just be ordered from Japan. Any Japanese guy here?
Click to expand...

This item is a M.2 slot to U.2 drive end of cable. This is a render of a ribbon cable version of what Intel and others produce. It is cool that it is a ribbon cable for any SFF Intel 750 SSD users.

http://techreport.com/news/30251/intel-bridges-the-u-2-gap-with-an-m-2-cable-for-its-750-series-ssd

Eingang said:
2) http://www.ebay.de/itm/222165699736

This is a M.2 PCIx 4x to U.2 converter to attach a SFF-8639 device. It can not only be attached to a U.2 SSD but to a converter like this, too:

http://www.delock.de/produkte/G_62725/merkmale.html

Since I have that converter here (32€), this seems to be my choice. Well, there´s no other choice for me, it seems... While number 1 would be better, I think.
Click to expand...

That is a fine option to get the drive away from the heat, and it costs a lot less then a new motherboard and Windows tax. They make a similar cable set for people with U.2 connectors (AKA Asus Maximus Viii Impact Z170).

https://smile.amazon.com/Funtin-SFF-8639-Mini-SAS-SFF-8643-Cable/dp/B01COOQ3MS/

https://smile.amazon.com/SFF-8639-PCIe-Inch-9-5mm-Case/dp/B019ZOS2BK/
 
Must be getting close for us West coasters too, I don't remember it saying "preparing shipment" on the tracking

upload_2017-3-10_13-50-8.png
 
Meccabolix said:
i delidded my 6700K, i still have it clocked at 4.4Ghz and am using the LP53 + a9x14 PWM in vertical orientation with 4mm standoffs, here are the temps:

Idle temps:

View attachment 19020

Prime 95 temps:

View attachment 19021

Very happy with those temps.

I have routed the GPU riser on the GPU side and will do the GPU, CPU and M.2 test now and post results in an hour or two, hopefully the m.2 temps will be abit better. But odds are you arent going to be constantly running stress tests so don't worry too much about this GPU, CPU, and M.2 stress test, it's a very worst case scenario that you will never run into in normal use.
Click to expand...
Wow those are really good temps! I got my rockit delid kit and will do the same. You should try 4.8ghz!
 
illram said:
It's been saying that for me since the first day I had USPS tracking.
Click to expand...

Same. I'm in L.A. and still haven't gotten mine. I haven't seen any updates on it. I think it'll be like the others that reported that they got their case before the courier updated the site. Who knows when they'll come in...
 
Have a 7700K on order and a 1080ti. Ordered a cryorig c7 pre-emptively but wondering what are better/other options.
 
battlegrog said:
You guys think the Dan case will run just fine with the new AMD chips and cards? Or to hot
Click to expand...

It is looking like the case can hold coolers that can cool 95 watt chips. If you demand silence and 95+ watts, you may need to look for lesser-known and more-expensive cooling. There is a link posted many times in the above thread to a Google Doc that has a few tests, but it lacks columns for delid Boolean and motherboard type.

enyownz said:
Have a 7700K on order and a 1080ti. Ordered a cryorig c7 pre-emptively but wondering what are better/other options.
Click to expand...

You might want to buy a Cryorig C7 from someone here who did not like the noise it made at maximum cooling. I bet they will give you a good deal.
 
these are the results of the CPU, GPU, and M.2 test with the riser cable on the GPU side of the motherboard tray:

delid stress.jpg

High rez here

The m.2 seems to be staying over 70°C for longer when the m.2 isn't resting against riser cable, and affects the speeds pretty dramatically.

maybe when the riser cable is on the motherboard side it's conducting and dissipating some of the m.2 heat, therefore making the m.2 run at a lower temp for longer and not affecting speed as badly? i'm not sure, anyone have any theories on why this happens?

in any case, i'm never going to be pushing the GPU, CPU and m.2 all at the same time for long periods like this so i'm not too bothered, i hope this helps
 
JackGLemmon said:
You might want to buy a Cryorig C7 from someone here who did not like the noise it made at maximum cooling. I bet they will give you a good deal.
Click to expand...


Bought one on amazon for like $30, not terrible. Plan on undervolting the cpu as much as I can but just hate noise. Might attach a noctua fan or something.
 
Really want to do my build next week but still haven't heard anything about AMD mini itx boards from any of the big names. (Only Biostar have announced so far).

Anyone have any ideas on when to expect some announcements or should i just stick with getting an 7700k and STRIX board?
 
ahmedelamin_ said:
Really want to do my build next week but still haven't heard anything about AMD mini itx boards from any of the big names. (Only Biostar have announced so far).

Anyone have any ideas on when to expect some announcements or should i just stick with getting an 7700k and STRIX board?
Click to expand...

In a similar boat. The only itx one I heard about so far is the biostar one and even that has not been officially announced. Decided to go with 7700K/1080Ti in Dan A4. Going to use my ncase m1 for Ryzen/Vega.
 
ahmedelamin_ said:
Really want to do my build next week but still haven't heard anything about AMD mini itx boards from any of the big names. (Only Biostar have announced so far).

Anyone have any ideas on when to expect some announcements or should i just stick with getting an 7700k and STRIX board?
Click to expand...
Gigabyte talked about theirs on twitter the other day but there is no date or specs even rumoured. I read somewhere beginning of April but...
 
According to tracking mine was delivered earlier today. There were no updates between Frankfurt airport and local post office receiving it. US west coast.
 
Hey guys,

I got my case and put everything inside. Pics are in the album.

I cut the i/o shield with my dremel to fit a noctua 40mm fan. The dynatron t318 exhausts to the i/o port amd the psu so hopefully that'll help a little. I was able to keep the fan in place with the display port plastic covers from my gpu and it fits perfectly.

I was able to route the psu power cord and pci cords through the front ofthe case to minimize tye cable foot print.

I haven't powered it up yet but I will keep you guys updated.

PICS and Deadpool!!!

https://imgur.com/a/1kSaW
 
Where are people getting sleeved cables in such short lengths? (SF600 for reference) Cablemod? Ensourced? What length(s) worked for you?


For those anxiously waiting and are wondering about timeframes: my case was delivered two days ago (March 8th) -- I am in Southern California. It went from "origin post" to "delivered" with no update in between.
 
Ca11idus said:
Hey guys,

I got my case and put everything inside. Pics are in the album.

I cut the i/o shield with my dremel to fit a noctua 40mm fan. The dynatron t318 exhausts to the i/o port amd the psu so hopefully that'll help a little. I was able to keep the fan in place with the display port plastic covers from my gpu and it fits perfectly.

I was able to route the psu power cord and pci cords through the front ofthe case to minimize tye cable foot print.

I haven't powered it up yet but I will keep you guys updated.

PICS and Deadpool!!!

https://imgur.com/a/1kSaW
Click to expand...

pretty smart use of the 40mm fan!
also cables in the front is super smart! i'll do the exact same thing! props man!
 
Calysto said:
Gigabyte talked about theirs on twitter the other day but there is no date or specs even rumoured. I read somewhere beginning of April but...
Click to expand...
I'm not sure how much longer I can wait :/ my laptop is going to give out any day now....

On a separate note, The sf450 psu seemed to be the minimum choice with the 1080, which draws 180w.
The 1080ti is 250w, does that eliminate the sf450 from the equation?
Other components are Standard 7700k, 960 evolution m.2, 32gb ram etc etc
 
ahmedelamin_ said:
I'm not sure how much longer I can wait :/ my laptop is going to give out any day now....

On a separate note, The sf450 psu seemed to be the minimum choice with the 1080, which draws 180w.
The 1080ti is 250w, does that eliminate the sf450 from the equation?
Other components are Standard 7700k, 960 evolution m.2, 32gb ram etc etc
Click to expand...

You could run that since you won't be overclocking the CPU and gpu much. 600w would give you more leeway and ease of mind
 
illram said:
It's been saying that for me since the first day I had USPS tracking.
Click to expand...

Yup, same. In LA and its been a month since the DHL notices first went out, zero idea where the case is or when it will be shipping out. People seem to be getting shipment notices out of the blue so crossing fingers its soon.
 
battlegrog said:
You guys think the Dan case will run just fine with the new AMD chips and cards? Or to hot
Click to expand...

I have a 1800X in box sitting next to my dancase in box.

I'm also 1 of the 8 lucky guys to have picked up the all copper axp100 cooler which should be here next week.
 
phoxx said:
I have a 1800X in box sitting next to my dancase in box.

I'm also 1 of the 8 lucky guys to have picked up the all copper axp100 cooler which should be here next week.
Click to expand...

"Lucky"? One of the eight poor blokes who are about to get mobbed for benchmarks, you mean. ;)
 
phoxx said:
I have a 1800X in box sitting next to my dancase in box.

I'm also 1 of the 8 lucky guys to have picked up the all copper axp100 cooler which should be here next week.
Click to expand...

How do you plan on mounting the AXP-100 to the AM4 socket? I doubt that they are making an updated mount and selling it boxed.
 
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