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

Necere said:
Yeah, the Glacer 240L is just a rebranded H220. The reason for it not being available (in the US, at least) ...

The H220/Glacer 240L does unfortunately have a rather high pump defect rate...
Click to expand...
Are you sure the CM Glacier 240L has the exact same pump ? I thought they had revised ones ?

I agree with the H220 statement, it's a hit and miss. My first one was DOA and the second one couldn't be lowered below 50% duty cycle or it would 'tick'. I've now moved back to air-cooling after my GPU block started leaking recently and I'm going to stay there. Mainly because it is much quieter and it would have cost me half.
 
Has anyone tried fitting the H220X? I searched and saw the general sentiment is that it doesn't, but it looks like if you either make it an incredibly short run to the CPU or if it is oriented to the pump is on the lower front portion of the case and swap my reference 970 for one of the short ITX 970's and use an SFX PSU it looks like it would fit.
 
Why is it that the hottest component is my Power supply? I have to admit this is my first build with the SFX (600, in my case) models but this seems super odd to me. My 4790k's (water-cooled with Apogee Drive II) cores are registering mid-30's under full load and the GTX 970 is holding steady at upper 20's.

Is the PSU under too much load?
 
gibbypoo said:
Why is it that the hottest component is my Power supply? I have to admit this is my first build with the SFX (600, in my case) models but this seems super odd to me. My 4790k's (water-cooled with Apogee Drive II) cores are registering mid-30's under full load and the GTX 970 is holding steady at upper 20's.
Click to expand...
Because it's cooled by an slim 80mm fan trying to run at the lowest speeds possible to avoid damage to the PSU switching components.
 
Phuncz said:
Are you sure the CM Glacier 240L has the exact same pump ? I thought they had revised ones ?
Click to expand...
I don't know either way. Has someone from CM or Swiftech confirmed that? I know they have a big thread on these two models on OCN, but I've not looked into it much.

ytraMeeL said:
Has anyone tried fitting the H220X? I searched and saw the general sentiment is that it doesn't, but it looks like if you either make it an incredibly short run to the CPU or if it is oriented to the pump is on the lower front portion of the case and swap my reference 970 for one of the short ITX 970's and use an SFX PSU it looks like it would fit.
Click to expand...
It's very unlikely to fit, as it will intrude into the motherboard area. I think to have any chance at all, the board would need to have just the right layout - no large heatsinks (the ASUS VRM daughterboards are out), and CPU socket next to the PCIe slot. Likewise, I'm fairly certain the PSU would be in the way with the rad oriented with the pump at the bottom front.

WiSK said:
Your wishes came true...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azFtK7TWAfo
Click to expand...
Great review - Dmitry always brings out the hotness with his camera work :cool:
 
Necere said:
It's very unlikely to fit, as it will intrude into the motherboard area. I think to have any chance at all, the board would need to have just the right layout - no large heatsinks (the ASUS VRM daughterboards are out), and CPU socket next to the PCIe slot. Likewise, I'm fairly certain the PSU would be in the way with the rad oriented with the pump at the bottom front
Click to expand...

I'll give it a shot. My Asrock board doesn't have daughter boards, but it isn't close to the PCI-E slot. I think I might be able to make it work, but it is going to be the an incredibly tight fit. If it doesn't work I have a buddy I'm doing a build for that wants it, so at least I won't have to eat any restocking fees.
 
ytraMeeL said:
Has anyone tried fitting the H220X? I searched and saw the general sentiment is that it doesn't, but it looks like if you either make it an incredibly short run to the CPU or if it is oriented to the pump is on the lower front portion of the case and swap my reference 970 for one of the short ITX 970's and use an SFX PSU it looks like it would fit.
Click to expand...

Here's a crazy idea. If you orient the H220X like this, but it interferes with the SFX PSU, maybe you could put the PS on the floor of the case. With a short 970 there should be room for the PS down there. Then there would be lots of space up above for the H220X.
 
Qrash said:
Here's a crazy idea. If you orient the H220X like this, but it interferes with the SFX PSU, maybe you could put the PS on the floor of the case. With a short 970 there should be room for the PS down there. Then there would be lots of space up above for the H220X.
Click to expand...

Will just to find a way to route the AC cable. That is a definite backup plan. I've reached out to Swiftech to make sure it won't interfere with the setup in that orientation.
 
Last edited:
Hey guys,
first post here after following you for over a year :)
Necere, Wahaha360 you did an outstanding job! - thanks for making this happen - I love my case!

Build spec:
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1041456770&postcount=367
Pics:
http://imgur.com/gallery/va3xU/new

Anyway my news here is:
It is possible to squeeze in
Apogee Drive II (pump on CPU) next to thick Radiator 38mm (EK-CoolStream), standard 25mm 12cm FAN ...and filters! :)
It leaves less than 1mm clearance between pump fitting and fan bracket but it works!
Added to compatibility spreadsheet.

Cheers!
 
smiesznabakteria said:
Hey guys,
first post here after following you for over a year :)
Necere, Wahaha360 you did an outstanding job! - thanks for making this happen - I love my case!

Build spec:
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1041456770&postcount=367
Pics:
http://imgur.com/gallery/va3xU/new

Anyway my news here is:
It is possible to squeeze in
Apogee Drive II (pump on CPU) next to thick Radiator 38mm (EK-CoolStream), standard 25mm 12cm FAN ...and filters! :)
It leaves less than 1mm clearance between pump fitting and fan bracket but it works!
Added to compatibility spreadsheet.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Awesome build! How is the Apogee Drive II noise level? That's my backup plan if/when I have found out the H220x doesn't fit.
 
Necere said:
I don't know either way. Has someone from CM or Swiftech confirmed that?
Click to expand...

It's physically the same pump, Swiftech own design. The CM version has a wider rpm range, that's the only difference I know of.

smiesznabakteria said:
Anyway my news here is:
It is possible to squeeze in
Apogee Drive II (pump on CPU) next to thick Radiator 38mm (EK-CoolStream), standard 25mm 12cm FAN ...and filters! :)
It leaves less than 1mm clearance between pump fitting and fan bracket but it works!
Click to expand...

Nice build :)

Just to say you can replace the ADII heatsink with the EKWB DDC heatsink to reduce the height, but as you say, the important clearance issues are the inlet/outlet fittings.
 
ytraMeeL said:
Awesome build! How is the Apogee Drive II noise level? That's my backup plan if/when I have found out the H220x doesn't fit.
Click to expand...

It's running at 1200rpm and until recently it was literally noiseless at this level. However since last week I can hear slight low buzz - the case is slightly vibrating, when I gently lift it the buzz is gone.

One warning though - in the setup of that mainboard it was impossible to lower the rpm of any fan below hardcoded setting: 60%.
Only in windows the Asus provided app allowed 'testing' of attached fun/pump to detect the lowest possible rpm.
I doubt it's the lowest possible rpm but mine min are: ~1200 for pump and ~800rpm for fans which is satisfactory and I didn't try other apps.
If you plan run some linux I guess you'll probably be able to set that even lower but not thru fancy asus app.
 
WiSK said:
Just to say you can replace the ADII heatsink with the EKWB DDC heatsink to reduce the height, but as you say, the important clearance issues are the inlet/outlet fittings.
Click to expand...

I liked the idea of pump hidden inside the case, I even wanted to have reservoir inside but to do that I need to make custom cables first.

Did I mention it was my first WC build ever? :cool:
 
After a long time it was time to clean and rebuild: good oportunity to try ducts.
Tip to new comers: New GPU will be blower style. It is complicated to redirect hot air inside this case.

New rebuild:
rga9jmm.jpg


With ducts:
uxFbbpp.jpg


Old but gold:
6Xd1iB2.jpg


With ducts GPU is not heating MOBO/CPU/PSU so much anymore.
 
I like your ducts! What does everything look like from the top? I don't think I've seen an NH-C14 mounted in that orientation(heatpipes pointing aft), how much room do you have around it?
 
I been eyeing the M1 Case.
Though the Price Tag is Bugging me.

Is there any HUGE advantage from this M1 over the Hadron Air besides the PSU and Modular Cages ?
 
Cillie said:
I been eyeing the M1 Case.
Though the Price Tag is Bugging me.

Is there any HUGE advantage from this M1 over the Hadron Air besides the PSU and Modular Cages ?
Click to expand...
Objectively: the M1 is smaller than the Hadron, yet still fits more stuff. Offers a lot more build flexibility overall, including watercooling.

Subjectively: looks/design, rarity/exclusivity, build quality/materials (thicker aluminum vs. thin steel and plastic), supporting small, innovative projects.
 
Subjectively those are nice points ...

The other quick question, is there a list of Slot Drives that will fit ?
And is there a Eject Button ?
 
The Panasonic and SilverStone units fit.

No physical eject, you'll have to eject from within the OS. Not sure the method off the top of my head but it's possible to assign a keyboard shortcut to that function.
 
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Cillie said:
I been eyeing the M1 Case.
Though the Price Tag is Bugging me.

Is there any HUGE advantage from this M1 over the Hadron Air besides the PSU and Modular Cages ?
Click to expand...

I considered the Hadron as well. For me there were some big downsides. The PSU location bugged me as it seemed like it would block GPU airflow as well as having the GPU pull in hot air from the PSU. Also the PSU uses a 40mm fan which if you read any reports on the Hadron is very loud. There also doesn't seem to be any way for the cpu cooler to get good air supply and large top down coolers can only use one fan, and unlike the M1 can't bring in fresh air from the outside. Since the case has negative pressure I have heard it can get pretty dusty. It also can't fit many aftermarket graphics cards since you are limited to cards 267mm or shorter.

I wish the Hadron was better since I think it is one of the best looking cases out there.
 
I already own a Hadron. Me and Fiance are building a gaming comp for her.

The above problems you have stated are not 100% true.
PSU is quiet, its the Case Fan and the use of 3pin CPU cooler that are loud.

i5 4670K | GTX 980 ref. | EVGA Z97 | NT06-Pro CPU fan | 2x SSD | CD Drive |
replace the stock fans with Any Known 2x Quiet Fans 4pin
result is 50-55C CPU and 70-75C GPU on load, 30C and 34C Idle
It is Possible and Whisper Quiet =) but the stock Fans gotta go.
The PSU Sucks Air from inside and dumps it out, the GTX 980 has a perfect void to pull air from...

But EVGA case aside I am debating on this case or another Hadron.

Hadron Has PSU but i need to watch CPU cooler and 2x new Fans.
60-80 Bucks in Cooler and Fans

From what i reading the M1 I have to get, how many fans i need Plus the Power Supply on top of that correct ?

So i am planning to skimp here and there to make up Cost that i dumped into the case.

GTX 770 | Asrock Z87 | 16GB ram | SSD mSata to the Mobo

So the parts i can cut cost on are CPU | Cooler | Fans | PSU
Or find a second hand M1 but i have not seen one.

I can use a normal PSU that is modular on this case ?
BC i seen odd power supplys in most pics.
 
Cillie said:
I already own a Hadron. Me and Fiance are building a gaming comp for her.

The above problems you have stated are not 100% true.
PSU is quiet, its the Case Fan and the use of 3pin CPU cooler that are loud.

i5 4670K | GTX 980 ref. | EVGA Z97 | NT06-Pro CPU fan | 2x SSD | CD Drive |
replace the stock fans with Any Known 2x Quiet Fans 4pin
result is 50-55C CPU and 70-75C GPU on load, 30C and 34C Idle
It is Possible and Whisper Quiet =) but the stock Fans gotta go.
The PSU Sucks Air from inside and dumps it out, the GTX 980 has a perfect void to pull air from...
Click to expand...

Sorry about that, wasn't trying to bash your case or anything. I was just going off my own bit of research on the case, since I don't actually own one.
 
DontPeek said:
Sorry about that, wasn't trying to bash your case or anything. I was just going off my own bit of research on the case, since I don't actually own one.
Click to expand...

No worries . Didn't take it as a bash.
Just letting ppl know what the case can do.
Though it has its down negatives also.
1. Nothing is modular
2. The built I listed was a pain to put together.
And the list goes on lol. I got it to work.

I like everything about this M1 design just the price tag is a bit hard to swallow.
I am trying to rationalize so it maybe a good buy rather than a expensive box lol
 
Cillie said:
I can use a normal PSU that is modular on this case ?
BC i seen odd power supplys in most pics.
Click to expand...
Most people are using an SFX power supply in their builds, which frees up a lot of space for several key features. If you want to use an ATX PSU, you give up the following:

  • Long GPU support (over 195mm)
  • 240mm radiator support
  • The dual 3.5" HDD cage on the side bracket

That said, there are some nice builds with ATX PSUs and ASUS Mini GTX 760/970 cards, with an SSD or two.
 
Is there a planned V4 or an end date for the V3 version? Should i order one now or will it be possible to purchase one in October?
 
There is another revision in the works ?

Also the website states only Pro Order or in run products can be bought ....

How do i know if it is in stock ? To buy and ready to ship ?
 
man. hardware canucks review was fantastic! why is he not the leading reviewer on youtube? he is significantly better than all other imo.
 
ipuoL said:
Is there a planned V4 or an end date for the V3 version? Should i order one now or will it be possible to purchase one in October?
Click to expand...

Cillie said:
There is another revision in the works ?

Also the website states only Pro Order or in run products can be bought ....

How do i know if it is in stock ? To buy and ready to ship ?
Click to expand...
The V3 cases are available and ready to ship now. At the current sales rate, we may have stock until July or August (just a guess). I wouldn't count on there being any left by October, however.

There is no planned V4, because there are no issues that have come up that would require a new revision. If we were to do another production run, it would be more V3. We don't have plans for that, however - once the current inventory is sold, that's it.
 
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