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NCASE M1: a crowdfunded Mini-ITX case (updates in first post)

Guys when can I buy the M1? Best looking case ever! :(

Is there anything else on the market similar to the M1 other than the Sugo?

I might just have to buy the FT-03 Mini for now.
 
Thanks for the replies Phuncz, Screes & xinux. Thats cleared up quite a few of my misconceptions. Blower it is.
 
Dead Cell said:
Guys when can I buy the M1? Best looking case ever! :(

Is there anything else on the market similar to the M1 other than the Sugo?

I might just have to buy the FT-03 Mini for now.
Click to expand...
Check the first post. The crowdfunding campaign will start soon perhaps and when it does, put in the cash to purchase one. :)
 
You guys probably wouldn't mind an update, huh?

So here's what I've been up to:
  • Redesigned the front I/O cover/holder and tweaked some dimensions.
  • Changed the fan bracket so it's recessed 1.5mm into the case, rather than up against the side panel (at the ends; the middle was already recessed 3mm to leave room for fan filters and screws). I mentioned before I thought the side panel was slightly warped, causing it to bow out at the front and back edges. Turns out that wasn't the problem, but instead it's the fan bracket taking up a little more than its allotted 1.5mm that's pushing the ends of the panel out slightly. So I'm recessing the fan bracket to fix that. It's a bit more complicated than you might think though, and requires changes to several different parts.
  • In light of the discontinuation of the Tecnofront Nano res (used in the earlier renders), and the indefinite cessation of US sales of the H220 (which completely sucks - boo Asetek), I went to investigate whether it was possible to use a rear-mounted res that wouldn't hang way off the back like a small tube res would. First one that came to mind was the Swiftech micro res. So I modeled it and lo and behold, it fits! More or less. Some minor changes to the rear of the case and it's able to basically bolt right up to the vents:

So most recently I've been updating the model in SolidWorks. Or trying to. This is normally the part that I hand off to w360, but his day job isn't leaving him with any free time to work on it, so it falls to me. And I'm pretty noobish when it comes to SW, so it's slow going. Once that's done and I've compiled a list of changes and illustrative images/pics to give to LL, we'll get updated quotes from them and order a third sample, which, hopefully, should be better representative of the final production version (laser-cut panels, etc). I think it's probably not necessary to wait for the third sample before launching the campaign; we mainly just need the updated quotes. So no promises, but it could be up by the end of the month.

Btw, the case looks brilliant in silver. Not that it doesn't look good in black, but the silver really brings out the lines. Silver with silver feet looks odd though - they're very different, with the feet being much shinier. But black feet + silver panels: lovely. Black panels works well with either black or silver feet.
 
Nice update. It is coming along nicely, exciting times ! Good to hear you might get the campaign started at the end of the month.
 
Necere said:
In light of the discontinuation of the Tecnofront Nano res (used in the earlier renders), and the indefinite cessation of US sales of the H220 (which completely sucks - boo Asetek), I went to investigate whether it was possible to use a rear-mounted res that wouldn't hang way off the back like a small tube res would. First one that came to mind was the Swiftech micro res. So I modeled it and lo and behold, it fits! More or less. Some minor changes to the rear of the case and it's able to basically bolt right up to the vents:
Click to expand...

This is an excellent idea!

However, all 90 degree rotary fittings have different measurements. You're going to have to tell us exactly which fitting you used for the model :)
 
Would like to ask, my sincerest apologies if the question has already been answered but I did try to search and didn't find any info.

In the OP, it states that this case is dual 120mm radiator friendly, I assume this includes AIOs like the Antec Kuhler 620. I noticed that in the pictures helpfully provided in the first post, that the single 120mm rad has a single fan to it. Would there be an issue of doing a Push/Pull config on dual 120mm rads? It looks like it might fit, albeit a bit tightly.

Cheers for the info.
 
Guys are we sure that the ST45SF-G can handle a i74770k and gtx 780 hydrocopper with a water cooling loop fully overclocked? Seems like it might be a very tight squeez
 
Necere said:
In light of the discontinuation of the Tecnofront Nano res (used in the earlier renders), and the indefinite cessation of US sales of the H220 (which completely sucks - boo Asetek), I went to investigate whether it was possible to use a rear-mounted res that wouldn't hang way off the back like a small tube res would. First one that came to mind was the Swiftech micro res. So I modeled it and lo and behold, it fits! More or less. Some minor changes to the rear of the case and it's able to basically bolt right up to the vents:
Click to expand...
Personally, I would much prefer to have the reservoir mounted internally in order to fit everything in a neat little package. It seems very possible to do the configuration in the upper right, but with the Swiftech micro res in place of the 120 mm fan:

ASVNPDAl.jpg


The Swiftech Apogee Drive II block/pump combo would provide the water flow:

5n97zull.jpg


3BT4Y6il.png


With a GPU water block there should be enough room heightwise to fit the reservoir when mounted horizontally, and the other measurements of the Swiftech micro res are smaller than a 120 mm fan:

10b9uD8.gif


It seems to me like this configuration would allow for a full custom loop inside the case with plenty of room for 2.5" drives.

Necere said:
I think it's probably not necessary to wait for the third sample before launching the campaign; we mainly just need the updated quotes. So no promises, but it could be up by the end of the month.
Click to expand...
That's a nice idea, although I think the third sample should ideally come at least before the end of the campaign and before you place the order with Lian Li, just to make sure that everything is alright, to provide assurance for risk-averse buyers, and to maybe recruit some new customers once they see the finished product.
 
AliKale said:
Guys are we sure that the ST45SF-G can handle a i74770k and gtx 780 hydrocopper with a water cooling loop fully overclocked? Seems like it might be a very tight squeez
Click to expand...

No one has ever said 'fully overclocked'. An overclock, sure, but being a monkey and cranking everything to max on a 450w power supply is not recommended.
 
WiSK said:
This is an excellent idea!

However, all 90 degree rotary fittings have different measurements. You're going to have to tell us exactly which fitting you used for the model :)
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's kind of infeasible to make it work universally with any fittings. If you use some long bolts to set the res out 10-20mm you could probably use most fittings, though that somewhat goes against the purpose of a low profile res. I used the Koolance 3/8" angled fittings and 6.5mm male-female coupling adapter I had modeled.

JustAPerson said:
Would like to ask, my sincerest apologies if the question has already been answered but I did try to search and didn't find any info.

In the OP, it states that this case is dual 120mm radiator friendly, I assume this includes AIOs like the Antec Kuhler 620. I noticed that in the pictures helpfully provided in the first post, that the single 120mm rad has a single fan to it. Would there be an issue of doing a Push/Pull config on dual 120mm rads? It looks like it might fit, albeit a bit tightly.

Cheers for the info.
Click to expand...
Thicker rads or thin rads with fans in push-pull will likely have issues with the tubing, since the limited space between the rad/fan and motherboard makes it a very tight fit.

AliKale said:
Guys are we sure that the ST45SF-G can handle a i74770k and gtx 780 hydrocopper with a water cooling loop fully overclocked? Seems like it might be a very tight squeez
Click to expand...
Well, we know that: 1.) people have successfully run Titans on the ST45SF-G; 2.) OC'd GTX780 has similar power consumption to the Titan, give or take; 3.) the GTX 780 Hydro Copper is moderately overclocked. You be the judge.

vero said:
Personally, I would much prefer to have the reservoir mounted internally in order to fit everything in a neat little package. It seems very possible to do the configuration in the upper right, but with the Swiftech micro res in place of the 120 mm fan:
....
Click to expand...
This could potentially work, but I think you'd need to flip the case on its top to bleed it, and then keep the res as full as possible to prevent air getting in. That pic of the drive layout is old btw - the 2.5" drives no longer mount like that. This shows the current configuration options:


vero said:
That's a nice idea, although I think the third sample should ideally come at least before the end of the campaign and before you place the order with Lian Li, just to make sure that everything is alright, to provide assurance for risk-averse buyers, and to maybe recruit some new customers once they see the finished product.
Click to expand...
That's what I had in mind as well.
 
Will you be ordering the third sample in silver? I think it would make the most sense, as we haven't been able to see a physical sample yet. I know we could look at other LL products to get an idea, etc. but obviously that leaves things up to the buyer's imagination, which is never a good thing. ;)
 
Any idea how much 1 frame + 2 sets of panels would cost if it were to be offered?

And what about maybe something silly like silver side/front + black top?
 
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Is the bracket to mount 2x SSD's on the interior front something that comes with the case? or do we order that separately.
 
Necere said:
Btw, the case looks brilliant in silver. Not that it doesn't look good in black, but the silver really brings out the lines. Silver with silver feet looks odd though - they're very different, with the feet being much shinier. But black feet + silver panels: lovely. Black panels works well with either black or silver feet.
Click to expand...

Necere said:
Both, actually. Two sets of exterior panels in silver and black. That's what we did with the last sample.
Click to expand...

Maybe with the popularity of silver, we could get an option for silver/painted (black feet). I would like to get black/painted and a silver/painted configurations without having to buy three cases. Maybe at the $170 price point, since that is what it would be if black/painted and silver/unpainted were purchased and panels swapped.

Better yet, is it possible to just order panel color and interior paint separately. Black on each would be $10 more. This would keep silver/unpainted at current $160, black/unpainted at $170, black/painted at $180, and new silver/painted at $170. Seems like this shouldn't cause much trouble since it all boils down to a number of unpainted and painted chassis, and a number of silver and black panels. Painted always comes with black feet to keep it simple.
 
Crispy517 said:
Is the bracket to mount 2x SSD's on the interior front something that comes with the case? or do we order that separately.
Click to expand...

As I understand it from past conversations, one set of plates will be provided for SSD and one bracket for HDD.
 
I tried searching the thread but I couldn't quite get a confirmed GPU width limit for the case. All I can find is a 29mm clearance between PCIe CEM standard width and the side panel. I was planning to use a Gigabyte GTX 770 Windforce 3X OC which has a 129mm width.
 
vipz said:
Any idea how much 1 frame + 2 sets of panels would cost if it were to be offered?

And what about maybe something silly like silver side/front + black top?
Click to expand...

adamantium said:
Maybe with the popularity of silver, we could get an option for silver/painted (black feet). I would like to get black/painted and a silver/painted configurations without having to buy three cases. Maybe at the $170 price point, since that is what it would be if black/painted and silver/unpainted were purchased and panels swapped.

Better yet, is it possible to just order panel color and interior paint separately. Black on each would be $10 more. This would keep silver/unpainted at current $160, black/unpainted at $170, black/painted at $180, and new silver/painted at $170. Seems like this shouldn't cause much trouble since it all boils down to a number of unpainted and painted chassis, and a number of silver and black panels. Painted always comes with black feet to keep it simple.
Click to expand...
Keeping the options limited is preferable for cost and logistics reasons. This is more w360's area though.

Crispy517 said:
Is the bracket to mount 2x SSD's on the interior front something that comes with the case?
Click to expand...
Yes.

Ace of Six said:
I tried searching the thread but I couldn't quite get a confirmed GPU width limit for the case. All I can find is a 29mm clearance between PCIe CEM standard width and the side panel. I was planning to use a Gigabyte GTX 770 Windforce 3X OC which has a 129mm width.
Click to expand...
Max length: 12.5" (slots 1 & 2), 11" (slot 3)
Max width:
  • For cards up to 11.5" in the first or second slot: 5.5" (4.7" at the PCIe power connectors)
  • For cards up to 12.5" or cards in the third slot: 4.4"
 
I'm keeping an eye on this case, but the option for dark gun metal grey would be a nice color instead of a traditional black color.
 
Necere, do you think it's possible to put a single 120mm CLC like the Corsair H80i or Silverstone Tundra (single fan) TD03 on the bottom-front 120mm space with the tubing at the front of the case and still use a GTX 780 size GPU with blower-style cooling ?

I'm really bad at guestimating if this would fit.
 
Phuncz said:
Necere, do you think it's possible to put a single 120mm CLC like the Corsair H80i or Silverstone Tundra (single fan) TD03 on the bottom-front 120mm space with the tubing at the front of the case and still use a GTX 780 size GPU with blower-style cooling ?

I'm really bad at guestimating if this would fit.
Click to expand...

It'll be too thick. The 25mm fan alone is almost touching the 2nd pci slot. ;)

http://www.ncases.com/wp-content/gallery/m1-prototype/46_QvxuEFIl.jpg

http://www.ncases.com/wp-content/gallery/m1-prototype/39_4HXvKrPl.jpg
 
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It might work if you went with an AIO cooler on the gtx 780 as well (and mounted that in one of the dual 120 slots)
 
Ah yes I see it now. Then it doesn't make sense to get a single 120mm radiator, as it's best to place it on the side-bracket and then you could just as easily get a dual 120mm radiator.
 
Just wanted to say that I would also be interested in buying 1 frame with the 2 different panel colors / feet colors. Maybe If enough people show an interest this might be option. Unlikely though :(.
 
I cant get over how great of a design this case is. It just has everything. Normal sized fans (120mm), rad support, atx or sfx psu, could fit a 7990 in it. I cant wait to get my hands on one. Its going to be the best lan case ever made.
 
cowsgomoo said:
Would pictures of the silver-exterior case and/or renders be possible? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Yes, at some point.

Phuncz said:
Necere, do you think it's possible to put a single 120mm CLC like the Corsair H80i or Silverstone Tundra (single fan) TD03 on the bottom-front 120mm space with the tubing at the front of the case and still use a GTX 780 size GPU with blower-style cooling ?

I'm really bad at guestimating if this would fit.
Click to expand...
Sith's answer was accurate, I'll just add that I posted pics of an H60 rad mounted on the bottom (scroll down), which fits if you have a full-cover block on the GPU.
 
For anyone whose ordering the impact, its been confirmed for release in mid August next month with most retails having it by the end of august.
 
88records said:
For anyone whose ordering the impact, its been confirmed for release in mid August next month with most retails having it by the end of august.
Click to expand...

I dont suppose you have a RRP do you? The suppliers in the UK who have it available as a preorder item are quoting £200+ which is actually more than the Maximus Gene MATX board.
 
JMcQueen said:
The suppliers in the UK who have it available as a preorder item are quoting £200+ which is actually more than the Maximus Gene MATX board.
Click to expand...

It's the same in Sweden, about £200 (or 2000+ SEK). Their Z87I-Pro goes for about £150, and the Impact is of course considered premium. I think I'll go for the Z87I-Pro, since I personally have zero use for the extra bling of the Impact.
 
JMcQueen said:
I dont suppose you have a RRP do you? The suppliers in the UK who have it available as a preorder item are quoting £200+ which is actually more than the Maximus Gene MATX board.
Click to expand...

This isn't from an asus rep or anything but people are reporting prices up to 209.99 Euro for the board, this of course includes VAT. So for anyone purchasing from the US this means somewhere around $250~275 USD.

Also for anyone interested they also have there manual released for it http://www.asus.com/supportonly/MAXIMUS_VI_IMPACT/#support_Download_8
 
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