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

Necere said:
Some people prefer PS2 because it doesn't have a limit on the number of keys that can be pressed simultaneously (AKA, n-key rollover or NKRO), which is useful especially for gamers.
Click to expand...

PiT said:
Exactly. Lower latencies and simultaneously pressed keys limit.
Click to expand...

There is no logical reason to use PS2 over USB. Not a single one. Its true that with USB you are limited to 6-kro... which is more than enough for every single game you will find out there. NKRO is something stupid nobody will ever need... pure marketing.

And latency? Come on, give me a break...
 
updawg said:
Two quick questions: I have my case and love it - but what is the purpose of the top panel screw?

Any one know where I can order more of the round top screw?
Click to expand...

I think the top panel screw is there to prevent the top panel from snapping while carrying the case. I don't know, some people might carry the case holding it by the top pannel or something... this way you eliminate a possibility of a disaster :D

----

On a different topic... it seems Silverstone will announce a 550/600W SFX psu at CES :)
 
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OverRated said:
Just found a nice and cheap alternative to Silverstone SST-CP11 there called.

********** CPD-7PL6G-BA60

But they may be to long seems 60cm is the shortest they make.
Click to expand...

Nice find! But I think I'll be sticking with Silverstone CP11 for the low-profile connectors..

cp11-6.jpg
 
Phuncz said:
No need, unless you are doing some extreme overclocking on GPU and/or CPU, but the case isn't designed for that anyway. I'm not the only one here with an R9 290(X) on a Silverstone ST45SF-G without any problems.


No, not needed. Unless noise causes you mental or physical pain.


I agree with the i5-4670K or i7-4770K. The latter is only circumstantially better, so check if your usage has any benefit so you won't waste ~100$.
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I'll probably wait for the new SFX PSU from Silverstone and the 290X since those video cards are hard to find.
 
prava said:
On a different topic... it seems Silverstone will announce a 550/600W SFX psu at CES :)
Click to expand...

Info from PCPer? Hope they're getting their info direct from Silverstone, and not from our speculation here :D

Silverstone has a specific form factor for this kind of power supply called SFX. These units are about half the size of a standard ATX power supply which definitely helps save space in the design but it also means you are limited to one of two Silverstone SFX power supplies on the market: a 300 watt or 450 watt option. They claim another wattage will be available soon and we might see it revealed at CES next week.
Click to expand...

http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Cases-and-Cooling/Silverstone-Raven-Z-RVZ01-Mini-ITX-Case-Steam-Machine-Chassis/Internals-an
 
OverRated said:
Yer i would mind a set but not paying 60 USD for 4 cables -_-
Click to expand...

Newegg has had them for $10 w/free shipping for a couple weeks now.. so $40 for 4 (still a little pricey). I'm waiting for one of their 5% off mobile coupons so I can save another $3 ;)

milkcow said:
we have already seen the >550 Watt SFX PSU in a PDF from Silverstone here. CES seems logical (if it is already done).
Click to expand...

Yeah I know, I'm the one who found the PDF before SS pulled it :p
 
Good news everyone!
My NCase M1 FrozenQ reservoir arrived this morning and I set about building a watercooling loop.

I know a few of us here had some questions regarding the Apogee Drive II and the ASUS Maximus VI Impact. The short story is the AD2 fits the Impact board in either orientation! - but it's a bit more complicated than that, so I'll explain below:

When the outlet pipes are over the RAM sticks you will need low profile RAM, also you cannot rotate the outlet port - it can only be in "position 1" as shown in the instruction booklet of the AP2.

When in the other orientation (outlet pipes near the daughter board) there doesn't seem to be any trouble fitting.

Anyway here are some pics, one of the Apogee Drive II in the Impact board, and the other 2 are bad pics showing how tight everything is in there:


Ran a leak test for a few hours - came up dry so I gave it a chance and plugged the whole thing up. Temps are great:
fC10pSK.png
 
I might add a frozenQ res to my H220 once the supply chain issues are sorted out, it would add a little something extra to the case look, and will make it worth my while to shorten the stock tubing.
 
MLH said:
Good news everyone!
My NCase M1 FrozenQ reservoir arrived this morning and I set about building a watercooling loop.

I know a few of us here had some questions regarding the Apogee Drive II and the ASUS Maximus VI Impact. The short story is the AD2 fits the Impact board in either orientation! - but it's a bit more complicated than that, so I'll explain below:

When the outlet pipes are over the RAM sticks you will need low profile RAM, also you cannot rotate the outlet port - it can only be in "position 1" as shown in the instruction booklet of the AP2.

When in the other orientation (outlet pipes near the daughter board) there doesn't seem to be any trouble fitting.

Anyway here are some pics, one of the Apogee Drive II in the Impact board, and the other 2 are bad pics showing how tight everything is in there:


Ran a leak test for a few hours - came up dry so I gave it a chance and plugged the whole thing up. Temps are great:
fC10pSK.png
Click to expand...


LOOOOOOOVE seeing this. i plan on using the same block/pump, i cant decide on a motherboard tho.
 
Hi,

I'm new at this, and was wondering if anyone would recommend a place to get some extra hardware. Specifically I need some extra screws, the ssd mount screws (M3, with the shoulder I think they are). I live in LA area.

Cheers
 
MLH said:
Good news everyone!
My NCase M1 FrozenQ reservoir arrived this morning and I set about building a watercooling loop.

I know a few of us here had some questions regarding the Apogee Drive II and the ASUS Maximus VI Impact. The short story is the AD2 fits the Impact board in either orientation! - but it's a bit more complicated than that, so I'll explain below:

When the outlet pipes are over the RAM sticks you will need low profile RAM, also you cannot rotate the outlet port - it can only be in "position 1" as shown in the instruction booklet of the AP2.

When in the other orientation (outlet pipes near the daughter board) there doesn't seem to be any trouble fitting.

Anyway here are some pics, one of the Apogee Drive II in the Impact board, and the other 2 are bad pics showing how tight everything is in there:


Ran a leak test for a few hours - came up dry so I gave it a chance and plugged the whole thing up. Temps are great:
fC10pSK.png
Click to expand...

I plan on doing a full loop when i get my res what fittings did you use on the block and radiator?

As it stands i ordered

4x 90 Degree Compression Fitting
4x Compression Fitting

Two of the 90 Degree fittings are for the GPU should i need two more ? thanks
 
prava said:
Nope. Actually, that info came from an OCN user who went to the Silverstone main shop to get some stuff and taught to one of the employees who told them that.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I found that thread after Necere brought it up, and the poster only made mention of the new 600W rumor (and then pulled his post today), but didn't discuss the possible upcoming CES announcement. The best I could trace the CES rumor was to a PCPer review today.

And my apologies to Phuncz, I'll shut up about that PSU for now.. sorry! :)
 
kosmom1 said:
Hi,

I'm new at this, and was wondering if anyone would recommend a place to get some extra hardware. Specifically I need some extra screws, the ssd mount screws (M3, with the shoulder I think they are). I live in LA area.

Cheers
Click to expand...

I'm also on the hunt for these particular screws. I haven't had any luck locating the exact screws. I think I have the specs down (can someone confirm?)

M3 x 0.5mm pitch. 8mm long
Head Diameter 8mm
Shoulder diameter ~4mm

In the mean time, I have found some viable alternatives in my bin-o-spares:

0snnmAh.jpg

Left to Right: Scew supplied with M1 for the SSD, My spare screw I found, the head of the same spare screw.

It is essentially a fine threaded screw of same length, just missing that shoulder part. I think it will suffice when mounting an SSD. I will be scrounging the local RC/helicopter hobby shops this weekend for more of something similar. I'll report back if I find anything.

edit: I'm also in the Los Angeles area, so I think you should be able to get to the same hobby shop if I were to find a solution to this problem...
 
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Gookitron said:
I'm also on the hunt for these particular screws. I haven't had any luck locating the exact screws. I think I have the specs down (can someone confirm?)

M3 x 0.5mm pitch. 8mm long
Head Diameter 8mm
Shoulder diameter ~4mm

In the mean time, I have found some viable alternatives in my bin-o-spares:

0snnmAh.jpg

Left to Right: Scew supplied with M1 for the SSD, My spare screw I found, the head of the same spare screw.

It is essentially a fine threaded screw of same length, just missing that shoulder part. I think it will suffice when mounting an SSD. I will be scrounging the local RC/helicopter hobby shops this weekend for more of something similar. I'll report back if I find anything.

edit: I'm also in the Los Angeles area, so I think you should be able to get to the same hobby shop if I were to find a solution to this problem...
Click to expand...

I'm also looking for some as i damaged a few of mine using the SSD bracket, I did end up finding some that would work but there just over priced for me as there located in the US.

T2e_C16_JHJHMFHBNVZp_Ww_BSVK5ff_B9_Q_60_35.jpg
 
Gookitron said:
I'm also on the hunt for these particular screws. I haven't had any luck locating the exact screws. I think I have the specs down (can someone confirm?)

M3 x 0.5mm pitch. 8mm long
Head Diameter 8mm
Shoulder diameter ~4mm

In the mean time, I have found some viable alternatives in my bin-o-spares:

0snnmAh.jpg

Left to Right: Scew supplied with M1 for the SSD, My spare screw I found, the head of the same spare screw.

It is essentially a fine threaded screw of same length, just missing that shoulder part. I think it will suffice when mounting an SSD. I will be scrounging the local RC/helicopter hobby shops this weekend for more of something similar. I'll report back if I find anything.

edit: I'm also in the Los Angeles area, so I think you should be able to get to the same hobby shop if I were to find a solution to this problem...
Click to expand...

I'm curious what part of the Los Angeles area do you happen to live in. I live between San Pedro and Torrance and have yet received my case or have an update to my tracking number.
 
I'll be putting up my NCASE M1 (No. 0600) up for sale soon. I've an American holiday/road trip this May/June to pay for, amongst others things. It was a fun ride while it lasted guys :)
 
First time post in this thread, and like those before me, I want to thank Necere and Wahaha360 for this fantastic case. This is exactly what I wanted when I found this campagn last summer. My previous build was in a Node 304, but I wanted to upgrade to a custom loop to include the GPU, but get it in a smaller case. I received the case while I was away for the holidays, but here it is, #0097:

http://imgur.com/OgG7PPN

My setup is:
Mobo: ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe
CPU: i5-3570K
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport VLP 2x8GB
GPU: EVGA GTX770 Superclocked
Storage: 256GB OCZ Vertex 4
PSU: Silverstone ST45F-G

Watercooling:
Swiftech Apogee Drive II
EK GTX770 VGA Block
EK CoolStream PE 240
EK RES X3 110
4x Corsair SP120 High Performance (2 on radiator, 2 on bottom, yea probably overkill)
PrimoChill Pure Intensified Coolant
PrimoChill Tubing 3/8"-1/2"

I was going to wait to post until I had it completely built, but this is my first attempt at a custom loop, and I've hit a problem filling the loop I can't figure out. I have the case resting on its front face, so that the reservoir on the back is highest, and it leads straight into the IN port on the Apogee Drive II. I filled it from the reservoir until the water stopped filling, and then ran the pump. It took some fluid in, but not as quickly as I expected, and sounded as if it were running dry. I stopped it, gave the case a couple good twists and shakes, topped off the reservoir, and started the pump again. It took in a little water, but then started running dry again. So I shut it off again immediately, and now here I am. Here's a good picture of the setup:

http://imgur.com/O2Qg86E

My question is, what am I doing wrong here? It seems that water should be flowing directly into the pump, yet its not. The loop is definitely not full (I've only used about 1/3 of a liter). I'm also a little worried I may have killed the pump. But if I have to replace it, I want to figure out what I did wrong so I don't screw up the next one.

Anyway, I'm excited to get this thing up and running :). Thanks in advance for the help!
 
OverRated said:
I plan on doing a full loop when i get my res what fittings did you use on the block and radiator?

As it stands i ordered

4x 90 Degree Compression Fitting
4x Compression Fitting

Two of the 90 Degree fittings are for the GPU should i need two more ? thanks
Click to expand...

Screws were supplied with the res and radiator. The radiator uses regular 30mm M4 screws (when 25mm fans are in place, otherwise 6mm).

As for fittings I've only done a CPU loop for now but I used
- 6 x XSPC 3/8"ID 5/8"OD Compression fittings
- 3 x XSPC 90 Degree G1/4 Fittings
- 1 x XSPC 45 Degree G1/4 Fitting

(As it happened the 45 Degree fitting was probably unnecessary, I could have used a 90 Deg.)
When I plan to add a GPU waterblock to the mix I will need two more 90 Degree fittings and two Compression fittings.
Unless those 90 Degree fittings also have the Compression fitting attached, you won't have enough (the XSPC rotary fittings I used are only G1/4 to G1/4). It's also much tighter in the case than I had anticipated so having a range angular fittings came in very useful for testing different configurations.
 
pmwalk said:
I was going to wait to post until I had it completely built, but this is my first attempt at a custom loop, and I've hit a problem filling the loop I can't figure out. I have the case resting on its front face, so that the reservoir on the back is highest, and it leads straight into the IN port on the Apogee Drive II. I filled it from the reservoir until the water stopped filling, and then ran the pump. It took some fluid in, but not as quickly as I expected, and sounded as if it were running dry. I stopped it, gave the case a couple good twists and shakes, topped off the reservoir, and started the pump again. It took in a little water, but then started running dry again. So I shut it off again immediately, and now here I am. Here's a good picture of the setup:

http://imgur.com/O2Qg86E

My question is, what am I doing wrong here? It seems that water should be flowing directly into the pump, yet its not. The loop is definitely not full (I've only used about 1/3 of a liter). I'm also a little worried I may have killed the pump. But if I have to replace it, I want to figure out what I did wrong so I don't screw up the next one.

Anyway, I'm excited to get this thing up and running :). Thanks in advance for the help!
Click to expand...

I'm guessing from that picture air is trapped in the system, you need to open a port on the res to let the air out.
 
MLH said:
I'm guessing from that picture air is trapped in the system, you need to open a port on the res to let the air out.
Click to expand...

Well, there's the side port of the res, which in this picture is the upper-most port (not seen in the photos) that I'm using to fill the loop, and that is open. Do I need to open a second?
 
pmwalk said:
I was going to wait to post until I had it completely built, but this is my first attempt at a custom loop, and I've hit a problem filling the loop I can't figure out. I have the case resting on its front face, so that the reservoir on the back is highest, and it leads straight into the IN port on the Apogee Drive II. I filled it from the reservoir until the water stopped filling, and then ran the pump. It took some fluid in, but not as quickly as I expected, and sounded as if it were running dry. I stopped it, gave the case a couple good twists and shakes, topped off the reservoir, and started the pump again. It took in a little water, but then started running dry again. So I shut it off again immediately, and now here I am. Here's a good picture of the setup:

http://imgur.com/O2Qg86E

My question is, what am I doing wrong here? It seems that water should be flowing directly into the pump, yet its not. The loop is definitely not full (I've only used about 1/3 of a liter). I'm also a little worried I may have killed the pump. But if I have to replace it, I want to figure out what I did wrong so I don't screw up the next one.
Click to expand...

My experience with the Apogee Drive II is that, when priming for the first time, the unit must be horizontal, with the ports pointing upwards. Otherwise an air bubble with stick in the in-port or in the 90 degree fitting.

So fill your res as much as possible, close everything, then lay your case on its side (back). Sometimes it helps to give the tubing a squeeze to help the air bubble out. Shaking can help too.

Start the pump briefly and if the water doesn't decrease in the res, then the air bubble is still there, stop the pump. Put case on its face again, try to fill the loop more, close everything, squeeze and shake, and try pump again.

It's frustrating (believe me, the first time I spend 30 mins trying to get that air out) but eventually you will get it.
 
pmwalk said:
Well, there's the side port of the res, which in this picture is the upper-most port (not seen in the photos) that I'm using to fill the loop, and that is open. Do I need to open a second?
Click to expand...

nah sorry, I just assumed you had the port closed when you started the pump, one open port is enough.
 
WiSK said:
My experience with the Apogee Drive II is that, when priming for the first time, the unit must be horizontal, with the ports pointing upwards. Otherwise an air bubble with stick in the in-port or in the 90 degree fitting.

So fill your res as much as possible, close everything, then lay your case on its side (back). Sometimes it helps to give the tubing a squeeze to help the air bubble out. Shaking can help too.

Start the pump briefly and if the water doesn't decrease in the res, then the air bubble is still there, stop the pump. Put case on its face again, try to fill the loop more, close everything, squeeze and shake, and try pump again.

It's frustrating (believe me, the first time I spend 30 mins trying to get that air out) but eventually you will get it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips! I'll give this a try in the morning. It's good to know this is a somewhat normal thing.
 
It's not quite normal, it's because you have a 90 degree fitting on the in-port. I have almost exactly the same situation on my FT03-mini, so it's a bit of coincidence that I had the same issue.

Tube on top left of pic is connected to the res in similar way as yours. I had to make sure the loop was as full as possible and then squeezed that tube until a big bubble came up into the res. After that it 'caught' the water and then I could fill the rest of the loop as normal.

fh-rebuild-5_zpsaf6ace8d.jpg
 
MLH said:
Screws were supplied with the res and radiator. The radiator uses regular 30mm M4 screws (when 25mm fans are in place, otherwise 6mm).

As for fittings I've only done a CPU loop for now but I used
- 6 x XSPC 3/8"ID 5/8"OD Compression fittings
- 3 x XSPC 90 Degree G1/4 Fittings
- 1 x XSPC 45 Degree G1/4 Fitting

(As it happened the 45 Degree fitting was probably unnecessary, I could have used a 90 Deg.)
When I plan to add a GPU waterblock to the mix I will need two more 90 Degree fittings and two Compression fittings.
Unless those 90 Degree fittings also have the Compression fitting attached, you won't have enough (the XSPC rotary fittings I used are only G1/4 to G1/4). It's also much tighter in the case than I had anticipated so having a range angular fittings came in very useful for testing different configurations.
Click to expand...


How did you use 10 fittings ? each component only uses 2 correct ?

This is what i have ordered. seeing how the block is mounted on the impact ill need another 90 Degree Compression fitting for the in side of the pump correct or am i better off getting two one for each side?

2x Compression fittings for the Res
2x Compression fittings for the CPU Block
2x 90 Degree Compression fittings for the Rad
2x 90 Degree Compression fittings for the GPU Block

I'm using these fittings below thanks for the tips.



 
OverRated said:
The SSD mounting screws are only used on the M1 no other Lian Li case so they wont be sold any where.
Click to expand...

The mounting screws that go through the rubber washers??

Lian Li uses that exact same setup on its other cases, just not with the side screws for Necere's double 2.5" brackets.

8jo8e1V.jpg
 
OverRated said:
How did you use 10 fittings ? each component only uses 2 correct ?

This is what i have ordered. seeing how the block is mounted on the impact ill need another 90 Degree Compression fitting for the in side of the pump correct or am i better off getting two one for each side?

2x Compression fittings for the Res
2x Compression fittings for the CPU Block
2x 90 Degree Compression fittings for the Rad
2x 90 Degree Compression fittings for the GPU Block

I'm using these fittings below thanks for the tips.



Click to expand...

yeah those are fine, you have enough. I used angular fittings coming out of the CPU Block otherwise there wouldn't be enough room and the tubing wouldn't bend.
 
I am thinking about cooling solutions and am debating full watercooling. I haven't watercooled before though. Now what would the advantage be of building a loop from the ground up with the apogee drive ii vs expanding the H220. They both use the same block/pump combo?
 
AFD said:
The mounting screws that go through the rubber washers??

Lian Li uses that exact same setup on its other cases, just not with the side screws for Necere's double 2.5" brackets.
Click to expand...

I had a look though Lian Li screws before and couldn't find any that would fit the thread for SSD so i guess they didn't use them sorry.

The only ones i could find are these and these are the wrong thread as there the same as the ones that come with the M1 for mounting a HDD to the bottom or cage.

2245.jpg


MLH said:
yeah those are fine, you have enough. I used angular fittings coming out of the CPU Block otherwise there wouldn't be enough room and the tubing wouldn't bend.
Click to expand...

Thanks i was going to use normal fittings for the block as i need the other 4 90 Degree fittings for the GPU and Rad guess ill need to get two more.


Ribozyme said:
I am thinking about cooling solutions and am debating full watercooling. I haven't watercooled before though. Now what would the advantage be of building a loop from the ground up with the apogee drive ii vs expanding the H220. They both use the same block/pump combo?
Click to expand...

They are both a combo units yes but the apogee drive ii has a better pump in it than the H220 so it would be better for a full loop, also you can use any fittings on the apogee drive ii when the H220 are fixed.
 
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