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

What is the length of the short GPU that would have an AIO next to it? Wondering if a zotac gtx 1080ti mini would work.
 
A small setback today. I don't get the system stable with the HdPlex. The HdPlex gets brutal hot and shuts down. At first i thought it was the hot air from the Founders Edition card that blow a part of the air out on the backside to the HdPlex.

After that i tested the HdPlex on an open bench table I got the same result it shuts down after it gets really hot.

The load isn't critical because i have a Ryzen 1700 + GTX 1070. I have a power meter that showes 250W load maximum. Maybe I got a bad unit I will ask for a replacement.
 
dondan said:
A small setback today. I don't get the system stable with the HdPlex. The HdPlex gets brutal hot and shuts down. At first i thought it was the hot air from the Founders Edition card that blow a part of the air out on the backside to the HdPlex.

After that i tested the HdPlex on an open bench table I got the same result it shuts down after it gets really hot.

The load isn't critical because i have a Ryzen 1700 + GTX 1070. I have a power meter that showes 250W load maximum. Maybe I got a bad unit I will ask for a replacement.
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I've read the problem is normally the AC - DC adapter.
This config is exactly what I'm looking for.
I'm still deciding what to put into my A4-SFX v2.
 
QuantumBraced said:
It's amazing how well everything fits with the 120mm AIO + HDPlex + reference GPU config, it's almost as if the case was originally designed with that in mind. I would also love to see the config with a short graphics card and an AIO on the GPU side, I think that one may be a bit more popular.
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Agreed. I may have to pre-order v3.
 
I wish there were a package of custom cables of the exact length to easily throw a standard build together, without having to slog through hundreds of forum posts while typing into a calculator. With Dan's upcoming custom cooler (hype!), we're getting closer to an off-the-shelf solution that you can simply assemble and plug in. I'd be first in line for a bundle that combines the case, cables, and cooler for a quick carefree build.
 
Jico said:
I wish there were a package of custom cables of the exact length to easily throw a standard build together, without having to slog through hundreds of forum posts while typing into a calculator. With Dan's upcoming custom cooler (hype!), we're getting closer to an off-the-shelf solution that you can simply assemble and plug in. I'd be first in line for a bundle that combines the case, cables, and cooler for a quick carefree build.
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But the research, building, and further tinkering is all part of the fun...
 
Jico said:
I wish there were a package of custom cables of the exact length to easily throw a standard build together, without having to slog through hundreds of forum posts while typing into a calculator. With Dan's upcoming custom cooler (hype!), we're getting closer to an off-the-shelf solution that you can simply assemble and plug in. I'd be first in line for a bundle that combines the case, cables, and cooler for a quick carefree build.
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Depends a bit on PSUs and motherboards how far the cables would need to be.
Myself I'm following these two; (from many pages ago)
Code: 
https://i.imgur.com/v1FAzqG.jpg
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yQvwmUKvj8ld_DCGe0wSg8pBuVPXVNRCRLUIehmBHdY/edit#gid=0
 
found out this came out for all the z270i mobo guys
(ASUS ROG MAXIMUS IX FORMULA,STRIX Z270I/Z270G etc.)

USB 3.1 Front Panel Header to USB 3.0 Type-A
USB-3-1-Front-Panel-Header-to-USB-3-0-Type-A-Female-Extension-Cable-50cm.jpg_640x640.jpg
 
i can fit 2 92mm rads inside the case it i take out the psu. i would love to find a way to put it back inside( maybe in a version 4 case?)
im wondering how much air flow space a psu fan needs to breath?
i know the pci ex gpu ribbon gots some slack in it, maybe if it was a little bit longer you can squeeze a psu compartment in between the mb and gpu? when i think about it the only cards that go past the mb are the gpu power and power the ssd/hd.

i know a lot of design idea pictures dont include the psu power cord mess in them.

i think if you raise the motherboard stand offs a bit you might have space to run ribbon cables behind the motherboard and either have the psu in between the mb and gpu or have it a little wider and taller to fit the psu length wise under the motherboard and the saved space could be used for 2 120 mm rads(maybe if the gpu is a short card version? or if you do make the case a little wider you can have room for a 120rad on bottom and 120rad where the psu used to be?

the side panel holes actually almost fit just right for the mounts for the 92mm rad so why not a 120?
 
primcrew said:
i can fit 2 92mm rads inside the case it i take out the psu. i would love to find a way to put it back inside( maybe in a version 4 case?)
im wondering how much air flow space a psu fan needs to breath?
i know the pci ex gpu ribbon gots some slack in it, maybe if it was a little bit longer you can squeeze a psu compartment in between the mb and gpu? when i think about it the only cards that go past the mb are the gpu power and power the ssd/hd.

i know a lot of design idea pictures dont include the psu power cord mess in them.

i think if you raise the motherboard stand offs a bit you might have space to run ribbon cables behind the motherboard and either have the psu in between the mb and gpu or have it a little wider and taller to fit the psu length wise under the motherboard and the saved space could be used for 2 120 mm rads(maybe if the gpu is a short card version? or if you do make the case a little wider you can have room for a 120rad on bottom and 120rad where the psu used to be?

the side panel holes actually almost fit just right for the mounts for the 92mm rad so why not a 120?
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You might be more interested in the upcoming C4-SFX case in that...uh case.
 
Ok, I received the Cryorig C7 copper today from Amazon....the only thing I'm missing is the A4 V3...I guess that's gonna be another month...arg.
 
broddy said:
Ok, I received the Cryorig C7 copper today from Amazon....the only thing I'm missing is the A4 V3...I guess that's gonna be another month...arg.
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wait - you bought that on Amazon? which Amazon website exactly (country)?
 
Someone just posted a short review on Amazon (not me) saying it has lowered CPU temp by 4 degree in his Dan case. I hope it is not as loud as he stated in his review.
 
broddy said:
Someone just posted a short review on Amazon (not me) saying it has lowered CPU temp by 4 degree in his Dan case. I hope it is not as loud as he stated in his review.
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It’s the same fan and same physical design as the normal C7 and, based on everything reported about that cooler, it is rather noisy at higher RPMs. I don’t see why the new cooler would be any better unless that small temp difference was enough to keep your fan speeds below the noise threshold. Which is unlikely.
 
secretanchitman said:
Dondan would you be willing to sell both the improved power button and upgraded USB 3.0 cable separately? I would love to have these in my V2!

I would prefer not to shave off the USB 3.0 cable just to make the AIO fit. :)
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Yes, this! I don't mind the price, custom stuff is never cheap.
 
There been quite a bit of talk about portable displays on this thread so I thought I'd post this it looks pretty damn perfect! Only issue might be getting power over usb type c but I'm sure there are adaptors...
 
I’m running a USB3 Asus portable display, I don’t think it’s very usable for gaming...
 

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sldr said:
I’m running a USB3 Asus portable display, I don’t think it’s very usable for gaming...
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The one I posted is a proper display, it's just using usb type-c connection for regular display and power, I think anyway.
 
richiegore said:
The one I posted is a proper display, it's just using usb type-c connection for regular display and power, I think anyway.
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Sadly this is a DisplayLink device and will never be satisfactory for gaming. It doesn’t actually accept a direct video signal. What happens is via the displaylink protocol (and some sketchy drivers you install) the actual GPU renders a fake display into memory and it’s streamed as video over USB to the external display. It’s okay for some purposes but not gaming. At least, not the kind of gaming someone worried about the GPU size (and thus driven to choose a Dan A4 case over the many smaller/conventional SFF cases) would be presumably doing.

USB 3.1 gen 2 doesn’t have the bandwidth needed to do true DisplayPort high bandwidth video signal, but, Thunderbolt does. So I’d say, if you’re going to watch this portable display market, watch for someone to offer something with Thunderbolt connectivity. That could carry power and displayport at high bandwidth with no need for hacks like displaylink. It’s the only current in-market connection tech that can do it.
 
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ztjio said:
Sadly this is a DisplayLink device and will never be satisfactory for gaming. <snip>

USB 3.1 gen 2 doesn’t have the bandwidth needed to do true DisplayPort high bandwidth video signal, but, Thunderbolt does. So I’d say, if you’re going to watch this portable display market, watch for someone to offer something with Thunderbolt connectivity. That could carry power and displayport at high bandwidth with no need for hacks like displaylink. It’s the only current in-market connection tech that can do it.
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There's no need for Thunderbolt, even. If it's a USB-C connector it could use alternate mode for a true DisplayPort link. Take advantage of USB-PD for power and you have a single-cable, native-performance display.


EDIT: have been searching for detailed specs on the new HP display richiegore linked upthread but can't find anything. Its predecessor (the S140u) certainly is USB 3.0/DisplayLink-based, but I hope this new version does away with that.
 
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None of those portable displays have an HDMI or DisplayPort "port" as we know it, and as we would like to have to connect to our discrete GPU in our DAN A4-SFX.

They all use another type of connector, be it USB3.1 or Thunderbolt (with a USB-C connector).

I have both Asus portable displays, one with USB3.1 (MB169B+) connector and one with USB Type-C connector (MB169C+), both of them are very unsuitable for gaming.
Not only are these screens incompatible with the ports on your GPU, but they are slow and don't have the "gaming refresh rate" we'd like to have.

FullSizeRender.jpeg
 
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yes those are more like what you need to game, 14m/s response isn't bad. they have been mentioned before, but people forget...
 
sldr said:
None of those portable displays have an HDMI or DisplayPort "port" as we know it, and as we would like to have to connect to our discrete GPU in our DAN A4-SFX.

They all use another type of connector, be it USB3.1 or Thunderbolt (with a USB-C connector).

I have both Asus portable displays, one with USB3.1 (MB169B+) connector and one with USB Type-C connector (MB169C+), both of them are very unsuitable for gaming.
Not only are these screens incompatible with the ports on your GPU, but they are slow and don't have the "gaming refresh rate" we'd like to have.

View attachment 73988
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Have you tried this adapter with the (MB169C+) ?
https://us-store.wacom.com/Product/wacom-link

wacon_cintiqpro16_05.jpg
 
China has a variety of 13", 15" and 17" portable monitors, USB 5V 2A powered, 1080p 60hz IPS HDMI input displays, you can find them on Taobao/Aliexpress. They come at 1/2 to 1/3 the price of Gechic monitors which are way overpriced. Anything with Displaylink shouldn't be considered at all.
 
The Hall of Fame voting is done!

At first I like to thank everyone for being part of this voting!

In total 860 forum members were part of the survey, so the minimum score for a build could be 860 points and the maximum score 4300 points.
Here is a small picture that shows where does the votes come from:


forumeeu93.jpg



Congratulations to the winners. This is the final ranking ordered from the highest score to the lowest:


  1. 3227 points --> JtotheK
  2. 3017 points --> m0nsta
  3. 2864 points --> mbot
  4. 2737 points --> amvoit
  5. 2696 points --> dPunisher
  6. 2690 points --> Rosinbole
  7. 2676 points --> manii
  8. 2537 points --> Renovatio
  9. 2431 points --> cuppens
  10. 2157 points --> Nanook
  11. 2132 points --> CeresPK
  12. 2092 points --> Extraxyz


rankingx0uot.jpg



JtotheK, m0nsta and mbot will get an A4-SFXv2 + Window Kit. Amvoit and dPunisher will get an A4-SFXv1. I will contact you in the next days to get your color choices. Your pictures are now online in the HOF section on dan-cases.com.
Thanks everyone again. Maybe I will make a second HOF round next year so everyone will get a new chance to be in the HOF section.


1_jtothekrmu3s.jpg


2_m0nstaisuq2.jpg


3_mbotj3uar.jpg


4_amvoit6vu3x.jpg


5_dpunisherdnuyr.jpg




With best regards
Daniel Hansen
 
Hey sldr I'm planning on doing the exact build as you, I've got everything BUT the m2 25mm standoff for the a40x10 fan above the m.2 drive. I think I found one online that is the same as yours so I'm gonna go ahead and order them. I would post the link to the website I found them on but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to.. Just gotta wait on my v3 case :0)
 
Nyuha said:
Hey sldr I'm planning on doing the exact build as you, I've got everything BUT the m2 25mm standoff for the a40x10 fan above the m.2 drive. I think I found one online that is the same as yours so I'm gonna go ahead and order them. I would post the link to the website I found them on but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to.. Just gotta wait on my v3 case :0)
Click to expand...
If I’m not mistaken, I think he did away with the standoff’s and tried a different solution. Not sure if it was due to performance or not.
 
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