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

dnoiz said:
Anyone looking into this one? It's availability is good in EU as we speak and the price is "doable" :).

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Fractal_Design/Kelvin_S24/
Click to expand...

I was looking forward to this for my M1 as well, however it seems that the pump noise is quite significant. This is the only video I could find with it running, it's in German but you can get an idea of how the pump sounds:

pump at 12v: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg_cx9PBaIo#t=179
pump at 9v: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg_cx9PBaIo#t=227

Also keep in mind that the pump was resting on a table and was not mounted in the case so results might vary.

However, if you're not interested in extending the loop, a Corsair 100i might be a better fit since it's both cheaper and the pump is quieter (the idea is that while you might be able to change the fans if you find them annoying, there is no way to change the pump in an AIO, as far as I can tell).
 
dansergiu said:
I was looking forward to this for my M1 as well, however it seems that the pump noise is quite significant. This is the only video I could find with it running, it's in German but you can get an idea of how the pump sounds:

pump at 12v: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg_cx9PBaIo#t=179
pump at 9v: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg_cx9PBaIo#t=227

Also keep in mind that the pump was resting on a table and was not mounted in the case so results might vary.

However, if you're not interested in extending the loop, a Corsair 100i might be a better fit since it's both cheaper and the pump is quieter (the idea is that while you might be able to change the fans if you find them annoying, there is no way to change the pump in an AIO, as far as I can tell).
Click to expand...

That was a dealbreaker for me. I wanted to go either extended Kelvin loop or aftermarket air, but the pump noise made my decision for me.
 
Well, dang.. My Silverstone ST45SF-G started clicking wildly last night while playing The Forest. There was nothing sticking into the fan blades (at least from the outside) and the PSU was red hot. I gracefully shut the machine down, unplugged it and let it cool overnight. Plugged it back in this morning and turned it on and everything came up fine except the fan on the PSU did not spin. I never checked to see if this behavior is normal. Will the fan only spin up when the PSU is under load? Hoping I don't have a faulty PSU. Also hoping I didn't put too much stress on it with the 4790K and GTX 980. I do not have the side panels on so I wonder also if that has anything to do with it. Anyone have any suggestions/ideas?
 
StoicG19 said:
Well, dang.. My Silverstone ST45SF-G started clicking wildly last night while playing The Forest. There was nothing sticking into the fan blades (at least from the outside) and the PSU was red hot. I gracefully shut the machine down, unplugged it and let it cool overnight. Plugged it back in this morning and turned it on and everything came up fine except the fan on the PSU did not spin. I never checked to see if this behavior is normal. Will the fan only spin up when the PSU is under load? Hoping I don't have a faulty PSU. Also hoping I didn't put too much stress on it with the 4790K and GTX 980. I do not have the side panels on so I wonder also if that has anything to do with it. Anyone have any suggestions/ideas?
Click to expand...

The fan in the ST45SF-G always spins, so I'm afraid you now have a faulty psu on your hands.

Sounds like fan bearing failure to me. I would be very surprised if it had anything to do with high load stress though; it's most likely just a faulty fan.
 
Talon720 said:
Hey I recieved a mcp50x for Christmas and planned to use it in the ncase. Other than the fact I wouldn't be able to use a full size gpu with it I was gonna use the EK full water block for the vi impact. I'm having second thoughts though that the apogee xl would be just as good. I like the look and idea of the ek block cooling everything especially with reduced airflow finding smaller and smaller gpus is becoming easier . Has anyone else tried going this way?
Click to expand...

I will be very curious to see how you end up mounting your mcp50x. I was really hoping to use it under my 290x, but there just isn't physically enough space. The noice of my EK DCP2 bugs me a bit, even with it decoupled as much as I can fit.
 
backfeed said:
The fan in the ST45SF-G always spins, so I'm afraid you now have a faulty psu on your hands.

Sounds like fan bearing failure to me. I would be very surprised if it had anything to do with high load stress though; it's most likely just a faulty fan.
Click to expand...

Thanks, backfeed! Just processed my replacement on Amazon. Dang, that was easy! Will be posting complete build log detailing some observations, things to look out for, tips, etc. with pics on Monday when I have it all wrapped up.
 
StoicG19 said:
I believe this is all versions of the M1. If you plan on using a graphics card, the Cryorig C1 will only fit in one orientation, which is with the overhang going over the memory slots. Unfortunately, this interferes with the SFX PSU. The only way this cooler will work in the M1 is if you use a short graphics card (e.g. 970 mini) and an ATX PSU, since the ATX bracket orientation is at the front of the case instead of the side. The one thing I'd like to see is if it is possible to securely mount the SFX PSU to the ATX bracket in the front using a couple of screws. This would solve the PSU/cooler clearance issues.
Click to expand...

I was going to go this way to fit my Cryorig C1 by mounting SX500-LG on the ATX bracket. It does allow C1 to fit and solve the problem with the power cord orientation, but the SX500-LG still won't fit with GTX970 reference cooler (with blackplate).

With a few tweaks I finally figured out a way to fit all my components:
Tschus said:
Asus M7I
Cryorig C1
Nvidia GeForce GTX970 Reference cooler
Silverstone SX500-LG
Click to expand...

I decided to mount the C1 with another orientation:

i0db49I.jpg


With this orientation the C1 overhang going over the pci-e socket and it would not interfere with the SFX bracket.
Memory clearance:

QCErF7j.jpg


The closest fit is the mPCIe combo card of the M7I:

WhaXu0o.jpg


The power circuit daughter card is also a tight one:

u8F1djJ.jpg


Put everything in the M1:

4wURcpE.jpg


I sliced some of the tongue of the SFX bracket to clear the way for the power cord.
And the key to successfully fit all these: the PCI-E riser.

XXHEN9J.jpg


The PCI-E riser might be the only way I could go. It solves both of my problems. (C1 interferes with SFX power bracket and SFX-L modular PSU interferes with long graphic card with blackplate)

I think the performance of Cryorig C1 with Asus M7I in the M1 might not be optimized. As you can see that the outgoing air flow of the C1 is blocked by the power circuit daughter board of M7I (top), the PSU (right), the graphic card (bottom) and the I/O plate (left). The 9cm fan in the back is not sucking any hot air directly from the C1 due to the low profile of C1. Hence the air flow is not as good as a taller top-down blower like the Noctua C14 imho.

One problem that comes with the PCI-E riser is that how to secure the graphic card. I am planning to use some rubber pad at the bottom to hold the card so that the weight won't fall entirely on the backplate, but haven't came up with a good solution to secure the pads. Any thoughts?

As for the excessive length of the cables, I am planning to buy the SilverStone PP05-E. It has a shorter EPS/ATX12V 8pin cable, shoter PCI-E power cable and a slimline SATA connector which I could use for the optical drive.

Thanks to W360 and Necere for making this awesome case and also thanks the community for great advice and resources! And to those who are curious about the noise of the SX500-LG: I am sorry that I haven't really got the time to stress the system. Will post my impression as soon as I could. I haven't even installed all the drivers yet. lol
 
prava said:
BTW, what are the changes on the bracke? I haven't been following the thread recently, and I've seen people to use the V3 bracket with the V1, what for?
Click to expand...

Hey Prava! Are you referring to the new v3 PSU bracket? Necere made some changes that would help to allow better fitment with the new SFX-L PSU. The new bracket raises the PSU up a few mm to give a little more room for cables on the bottom (that will hit the back of most GPU cards) and material of the front-top of the bracket was removed to allow room for the internal power cable (the SFX-L power socket has a different orientation (LINK)).

prava said:
Oh, since I have a mini case... I also downsized my keyboard, and now it looks funny when you see the screen I'm using (29") :D :D :D :D :D
Click to expand...

Same here.. mini PC, mini keyboard, 34" monitor :D

raYwG6E.jpg
 
Fantastic pictures and info, Tschus! For those of you who are planning a build with the M1, C1 and M7I (or M6I), the low profile 20 pin USB header adapter cable available at moddiy will allow you to plug your front USB in. The C1 (at least how I have mine oriented, hanging over the memory) interferes with the header connector and the fins cut into the cable because it is too snug of a fit. I will take some pictures on Monday when my replacement psu arrives.
 
Phuncz said:
Watercooling a (stock) CPU will probably result in a louder overall experience because of the pump. The only real reason to go with watercooling (in the Ncase) is because you have overclocks that require >20% extra voltage and/or want to watercool the GPU.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I have the CPU/mem overclocked the easy way using the IMPACT VII BIOS options. I think a 10% increase for the CPU that is. Maybe I'll first add another pair of SP120 fans or something to push more fresh air into the case.

Cheers.
 
Tschus said:
And the key to successfully fit all these: the PCI-E riser.
Click to expand...
Nice write-up ! Thanks for taking your time. Can you link to the PCIe riser you used and perhaps illustrate how you've bent it ? Have you also tested the performance and if it is still linking at PCIe 3.0 x16 ?
 
Is that M.2 SSD in the Impact motherboard sagging? I've heard people say that, since there is no way to secure it with a screw.
 
Mackan said:
Is that M.2 SSD in the Impact motherboard sagging? I've heard people say that, since there is no way to secure it with a screw.
Click to expand...

I am concerned with my M6e coming loose. I may wrap a pair of tie-wraps around the mPCIe daughtercard that pass through the notch meant for a fastening screw.
 
Just finished my build 2 days ago
It was so painful I literally got bruises and blisters on my fingers from installing the compression fittings! I swear there was even a moment I said to myself f*ck this I'm getting an imac next time lol
My fingers hurt so much (2 fingers even swollen) that I can't press on the lighter to light up my cig!

I used xspc radiator, EK waterblock for the gtx 980 sc with backplate, apogee drive II, ncase reservoir (from frozenq), Silverstone SFX Series 600W and EK compression fittings

I was also a pain in the ass closing the radiator in as the tubes would coil, bend, kink inside due to lack of space that I had to improvise many, many times! (almost ran out of tubing!)

I am now getting 73 degree CPU and 56 degree GPU max temps under extreme loads.

I am using 2x Swiftech Helix 120-BW (non PWM, 1800 RPM) which are running at full speed with no noise at all, however the pump noise (Apogeedrive II) is killing me! I wonder if there's anything I can do to get rid of the whining noise!
 
Can anyone comment on the best fan setup for this case (position and direction of flow)? I have two 120mm fans and a 92mm.
 
Tschus said:
The PCI-E riser might be the only way I could go. It solves both of my problems. (C1 interferes with SFX power bracket and SFX-L modular PSU interferes with long graphic card with blackplate)
Click to expand...

if i dont use a c1, would it be possible to fit a graphics card+backplate and a sfx-l psu by modding the cable connectors a little?
 
BoraTo said:
It was so painful I literally got bruises and blisters on my fingers from installing the compression fittings!

, however the pump noise (Apogeedrive II) is killing me! I wonder if there's anything I can do to get rid of the whining noise!
Click to expand...

I rubber gloves to make fitting compression fittings a painless process. Get biggest size or your hands will sweat like crazy.

The ADII can be run at a slower rpm. I have mine usually at 20% PWM. In a short loop, as long as you have enough turbulence, there is very little advantage in running it faster. Only more noise.
 
WiSK said:
I rubber gloves to make fitting compression fittings a painless process. Get biggest size or your hands will sweat like crazy.

The ADII can be run at a slower rpm. I have mine usually at 20% PWM. In a short loop, as long as you have enough turbulence, there is very little advantage in running it faster. Only more noise.
Click to expand...


That's great! How how can I set the speed though? Is there a software for that?
 
@ dPunish3r: Should put a plexi panel on the side and run it like that. Looks great. :D
 
BoraTo said:
That's great! How how can I set the speed though? Is there a software for that?
Click to expand...

It depends where you have plugged the PWM cable in (4 pin fan connection with two wires: green and blue usually). If you've chosen to plug it into a motherboard header, then there should be some way to adjust the fan speeds in the BIOS/UEFI or in some utility application, e.g. Asus Fan Xpert or MSI Command Centre.

dPunish3r said:
Hi all!

I have completed my NCASE M1 V2 build some weeks ago:
Click to expand...

I also love these colours. I've done three builds in the past with MDPC-X aquamarine and white. Yours is just so well balanced. Just a shame about the stock GTX cooler, the green text isn't right for it. Did you consider painting? e.g. white PlastiDip is the easiest and least destructive - it peels right off.
 
WiSK said:
I also love these colours. I've done three builds in the past with MDPC-X aquamarine and white. Yours is just so well balanced. Just a shame about the stock GTX cooler, the green text isn't right for it. Did you consider painting? e.g. white PlastiDip is the easiest and least destructive - it peels right off.
Click to expand...

I saw a youtube viedo a while back with someone who sanded the logo down so that it glowed white instead. Searched for it. Couldn't find it again.
 
AFD said:
Hey Prava! Are you referring to the new v3 PSU bracket? Necere made some changes that would help to allow better fitment with the new SFX-L PSU. The new bracket raises the PSU up a few mm to give a little more room for cables on the bottom (that will hit the back of most GPU cards) and material of the front-top of the bracket was removed to allow room for the internal power cable (the SFX-L power socket has a different orientation (LINK)).



Same here.. mini PC, mini keyboard, 34" monitor :D

raYwG6E.jpg
Click to expand...

I'll have to upload a picture of my setup... but I have my desktop in a bit of a mess, since I cherry-rigged my system to another psu to check whether my 450W SFX one was dead or not. Mmmmmmm


dPunish3r said:
Hi all!

I have completed my NCASE M1 V2 build some weeks ago:

%28B007s%29%2BNCASE%2BM1-Minimax3-DSC04644-%2BMini%2BITX%2Bby%2BdPunisher.JPG


Specs and build log:
http://www.disfrutadelcastigo.com/2015/01/pc-gamer-2015.html

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Another spaniard :D :D :D :D :D :D

Nice build ;) :cool:
 
Phuncz said:
Nice write-up ! Thanks for taking your time. Can you link to the PCIe riser you used and perhaps illustrate how you've bent it ? Have you also tested the performance and if it is still linking at PCIe 3.0 x16 ?
Click to expand...

The PCIe riser I am using: Link
The flexible cable is 10cm long, and I was worried that it would be too long. But it turns out to be a nice fit for my usage because of the orientation of the board.

ok5rwVa.jpg


The daughter board of the PCIe riser has its connector facing downwards so the cable has to go through the daughter board.

kGElfti.jpg


There are screw holes on the back of the board so I think it is possible to secure it to the case. But unfortunately I don't have such skill to do so, lol.

It was a little bit tricky to install the riser because of the lack of space (to operate) and the limited length of the cable. I had to remove the CPU cooler and then insert the graphic card into the riser, secure the graphic card and finally insert the other end of the riser to the motherboard. The last step is a bit hard because I had to bend the cable in a sharp angle while the cable was tight.

flod said:
if i dont use a c1, would it be possible to fit a graphics card+backplate and a sfx-l psu by modding the cable connectors a little?
Click to expand...

I think it is possible but I couldn't tell how much you'll have to shorten the connectors.

StoicG19 said:
Fantastic pictures and info, Tschus! For those of you who are planning a build with the M1, C1 and M7I (or M6I), the low profile 20 pin USB header adapter cable available at moddiy will allow you to plug your front USB in. The C1 (at least how I have mine oriented, hanging over the memory) interferes with the header connector and the fins cut into the cable because it is too snug of a fit. I will take some pictures on Monday when my replacement psu arrives.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I didn't realize that if the C1 is hanging over the memory, it'll block the 20pin USB. My orientation implicitly avoid this problem lol. Great info, thanks again.
 
Well i have my M1, and my 780 DCII doesn't fit, the PSU sata cables are backwards and i need a bigger desk. Many changes this year.
 
Half Life said:
Well i have my M1, and my 780 DCII doesn't fit, the PSU sata cables are backwards and i need a bigger desk. Many changes this year.
Click to expand...

Can you show pics (and update the Google docs spreadsheet) (and possibly post in the build thread)?

Might help someone who is in a similar situation and save them some grief?
 
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