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

Does anyone know if the angled power cables need to be shipped out from Taiwan as well?

Turns out I needed the opposite side connector for my ATX power supply, so I ordered one about a week and a half ago. Still haven't heard anything about it (expected shipping date, tracking number, etc.) so I'm curious.
 
xavonnen said:
Does anyone know if the angled power cables need to be shipped out from Taiwan as well?

Turns out I needed the opposite side connector for my ATX power supply, so I ordered one about a week and a half ago. Still haven't heard anything about it (expected shipping date, tracking number, etc.) so I'm curious.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure mine shipped directly from W360 in the US when I ordered it.. not sure if that's still the case. Very likely that he's just busy with his main job, and will get around to processing orders for spares and shipping them all when he gets a free weekend.

You can email him at info (at) ncases.com to find out.
 
So it's worthy of a 10/10, but earned only 9.9 due to lack of USB 2.0, cable ties, and cuz tray-load ODD won't work (though they used one anyway, lol). Decent review, otherwise.. congrats again N&W :cool:

Also, I wasn't aware that the M1 had *any* warranty at all, so I hardly see the 1-year warranty as a con.
 
Honestly, if it bothers them that much, they could just get a dremel/hacksaw and some sandpaper and make an opening for a slot-loading slim ODD...it is just aluminum, after all. o_o
 
A quick question - is it possible to use an EKWB Coolstream PE 240 rad with a front mounted HDD? I'm in the process of moving my gear to a new flat, so can't really check myself. I know that with my current H220 it was a very tight fit, and the PE 240 seems to be slightly larger.
 
Herstal said:
A quick question - is it possible to use an EKWB Coolstream PE 240 rad with a front mounted HDD? I'm in the process of moving my gear to a new flat, so can't really check myself. I know that with my current H220 it was a very tight fit, and the PE 240 seems to be slightly larger.
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I assume you mean a 3.5" HDD, not a 2.5" drive? It won't fit in the front mount, but could fit in the bottom mount if you have a 2-slot GPU cooler.
 
EdZ said:
I assume you mean a 3.5" HDD, not a 2.5" drive? It won't fit in the front mount, but could fit in the bottom mount if you have a 2-slot GPU cooler.
Click to expand...
No, a single 2.5" in the front inside mount. ODD in the front outside mount. Like in my current setup, but with a different shaped rad:
uS9EQcT.jpg
 
AFD said:
So it's worthy of a 10/10, but earned only 9.9 due to lack of USB 2.0, cable ties, and cuz tray-load ODD won't work (though they used one anyway, lol). Decent review, otherwise.. congrats again N&W :cool:

Also, I wasn't aware that the M1 had *any* warranty at all, so I hardly see the 1-year warranty as a con.
Click to expand...

TBF the comments complain about the price. Price also matters and should IMO impact the score so I don't think it's unfair.

Nobu said:
Honestly, if it bothers them that much, they could just get a dremel/hacksaw and some sandpaper and make an opening for a slot-loading slim ODD...it is just aluminum, after all. o_o
Click to expand...

I think you mean tray-loading :)
 
XelNika said:
TBF the comments complain about the price. Price also matters and should IMO impact the score so I don't think it's unfair.
Click to expand...

Yes and no. It's a quite unique project in the sense that it is a high-end product that Lian-Li could have made if it had talented mechanical engineers instead of graphic artists. But they haven't and the few other true SFF cases mainly come from Silverstone, who just aren't there in the build quality. So this is not another case with a hyped-up name, this is the real deal.

This is also not another $50 plastic + SECC case, this is an all-aluminium top notch design with flexibility even most mATX cases can't offer. I see many Lian-Li mITX cases, which offer comparable build quality but stupid flexibility and design, be sold for roughly the same prices (~$150). If one can choose to go with a very ineffient mITX case for $150 or have a case that gets the "Recommended" from reviewers all-around (1, 2, 3, 4, ...) for $180, I'd know where I'd like my money went to.
 
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Refreshing the website everyday in hope for the silver version without CD-tray to come back in stock. I'm hoping that the problems you're experiencing are going the right way NCase team! :D
 
What was with Tech Power Up using the most scratched up NCASE I have ever seen for a review sample. If I was looking to buy this case and saw that review I would think wow that is some poor quality.
 
callumbolch said:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NCASE/M1/1.html

hello TPU review - congrats guys, this sort of review on a site like TPU is pretty epic exposure.
Click to expand...

Hanakuso said:
Congrats. There's a reason why I own each version :p
Click to expand...

AFD said:
congrats again N&W :cool:
Click to expand...
Thank you.

Herstal said:
A quick question - is it possible to use an EKWB Coolstream PE 240 rad with a front mounted HDD? I'm in the process of moving my gear to a new flat, so can't really check myself. I know that with my current H220 it was a very tight fit, and the PE 240 seems to be slightly larger.
Click to expand...
I think it's possible. The H220 rad is actually a bit longer than the PE 240 (285mm vs. 280mm), though the orientation could make a difference (ports at front vs rear).

R4WBIT said:
Refreshing the website everyday in hope for the silver version without CD-tray to come back in stock. I'm hoping that the problems you're experiencing are going the right way NCase team! :D
Click to expand...
There won't be a restock until the next production run, which won't be for some time. Tentatively, we're looking at early fall.

updawg said:
What was with Tech Power Up using the most scratched up NCASE I have ever seen for a review sample. If I was looking to buy this case and saw that review I would think wow that is some poor quality.
Click to expand...
The scuff marks on the chassis (e.g., here - if that's what you're referring to) look like they occurred during installation. Hard to avoid, unless you're very careful.
 
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Eh, stuff happens. I messed up the GPU hole cover with a screwdriver. Didn't even feel any resistance, but carved a nice shiny groove in the otherwise black cover... I flipped it so you can't see it from the outside.
 
updawg said:
innerfront.jpg


innerfloor.jpg

At least take pictures of the chassis before you put parts in, even still my v1 and v2 looks cleaner than that after owning them both since release.
Click to expand...
Hmm that does seem like some ham-fisted SFF noob tried to fit random hardware in there. Oh well, luckily it's the inside with no windows.
 
*sigh*
I guess I won't be joining the Ncase M1 club anytime soon :(
eBay guy flaked on me TWICE now :/
 
So I have the ASUS GTX 970 Mini and was wondering if it would be better to have an airflow or static pressure fan blowing into it from the bottom fan mount? I can only assume static pressure but thought it was worth asking either way before I buy the fan!
 
Static pressure fans are for blowing air through a heatsink. The fan on the GTX 970 should already do that. Airflow fans seem to me the logical choice in the matter but I personally prefer ducting over an extra fan.
 
Phuncz said:
Static pressure fans are for blowing air through a heatsink. The fan on the GTX 970 should already do that. Airflow fans seem to me the logical choice in the matter but I personally prefer ducting over an extra fan.
Click to expand...

Hmm understood, then again now that I think about it, I think I might end up throwing an Accelero on it, so I should probably go with the static fan anyways. Thank you!
 
Phuncz said:
Yes and no. It's a quite unique project in the sense that it is a high-end product that Lian-Li could have made if it had talented mechanical engineers instead of graphic artists. But they haven't and the few other true SFF cases mainly come from Silverstone, who just aren't there in the build quality. So this is not another case with a hyped-up name, this is the real deal.

This is also not another $50 plastic + SECC case, this is an all-aluminium top notch design with flexibility even most mATX cases can't offer. I see many Lian-Li mITX cases, which offer comparable build quality but stupid flexibility and design, be sold for roughly the same prices (~$150). If one can choose to go with a very ineffient mITX case for $150 or have a case that gets the "Recommended" from reviewers all-around (1, 2, 3, 4, ...) for $180, I'd know where I'd like my money went to.
Click to expand...

Ehh, I have never payed MSRP for any of my Lian Li cases. The 28 is $120 and can usually be found on sale for $100 and often with free shipping or discounted shipping. So now you are looking at a $105 case compared to a $205 case. Don't get me wrong the M1 does things the 28 doesn't although so does the 28 i.e. great NAS case.

Please don't explain why Lian-Li can get away with lowere prices or why vendors can offer sales. I understand and was merely pointing out that it isn't a small $30 difference in his example.

Sorry had 25 and 28 mixed up. The 28 was actually less on newegg so my point still stands.
 
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Dartulius said:
Hmm understood, then again now that I think about it, I think I might end up throwing an Accelero on it, so I should probably go with the static fan anyways. Thank you!
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I can highly recommend that, as it is able to keep a toasty R9 290X cool without too much of a fuss, a GTX 970 will be easy. Just make sure that the fans are configured as exhaust and you have an equal or more amount of intake airflow on the fan-bracket. I'd also check for a VRM kit for your card if it needs it (and fits below the Accelero), mine had VRM1 go beyond 100°C without it.
 
Phuncz said:
I can highly recommend that, as it is able to keep a toasty R9 290X cool without too much of a fuss, a GTX 970 will be easy. Just make sure that the fans are configured as exhaust and you have an equal or more amount of intake airflow on the fan-bracket. I'd also check for a VRM kit for your card if it needs it (and fits below the Accelero), mine had VRM1 go beyond 100°C without it.
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Really? You recommend using exhaust on the bottom? I have the NH-C14 on mine and was planning on having two 120s on it (one attached to fan bracket, one underneath, both on intake) and another 120 on the other end of the fan bracket exhausting, while having two fans on the Accelero being intake (so four intake and one exhaust towards the top).

And most definitely, I was actually thinking about going with the Accelero III instead of the IV so I get the VRM heatsinks instead of that backplate.
 
Dartulius said:
Really? You recommend using exhaust on the bottom? I have the NH-C14 on mine and was planning on having two 120s on it (one attached to fan bracket, one underneath, both on intake) and another 120 on the other end of the fan bracket exhausting, while having two fans on the Accelero being intake (so four intake and one exhaust towards the top).

And most definitely, I was actually thinking about going with the Accelero III instead of the IV so I get the VRM heatsinks instead of that backplate.
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I got the tip from cowsgomoo and he got good results, I also got great results: http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1041593449&postcount=16214

It might indeed be wise to get an Accelero III as I had to find a VRM kit seperately (went with the Gelid 290 VRM kit) with my Accelero IV with the huge honking heatsink that ofcourse doesn't fit.
 
Dartulius said:
Really? You recommend using exhaust on the bottom? I have the NH-C14 on mine and was planning on having two 120s on it (one attached to fan bracket, one underneath, both on intake) and another 120 on the other end of the fan bracket exhausting, while having two fans on the Accelero being intake (so four intake and one exhaust towards the top).

And most definitely, I was actually thinking about going with the Accelero III instead of the IV so I get the VRM heatsinks instead of that backplate.
Click to expand...

Accelero III is better if you can find it because Accelero IV have four long pieces of metal sticking out the backside of the GPU that that may knock into larger top-down coolers or mess up your cabling. I'm using the Accelero IV because I found it for cheaper.

Another thing you might consider is connecting the front side intake fan and the bottom exhaust fans to the GPU fan pin and controlling the fan speed with MSI afterburner. That way you're able to control one intake and two exhaust with the GPU temperature.
I set mine to run at 800rpm at idle (almost silent), up to 1500rpm at the highest temp, but usually it max out at 1200rpm in normal games, which is really tolerable.
 
Just some additional info, I have my fans configured like this:
Fan bracket: 2x Noctua NF-F12 (intake) - PWM splitter to CPU_FAN - range (idle-max): 500-1300rpm
Bottom case: 2x Noctua NF-F12 (exhaust) - PWM splitter to GPU adapter cable - range: 500-1300rpm

Cowsgomoo's suggestion of using the second intake fan as another GPU fan might make more sense as the CPU isn't stressed equally in all games.
 
I've had one with an ODD slot, without a drive, for 2 years now. The only thing I might have regreted is NOT to get an Ncase when they were available.
 
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Dartulius said:
So I have the ASUS GTX 970 Mini and was wondering if it would be better to have an airflow or static pressure fan blowing into it from the bottom fan mount? I can only assume static pressure but thought it was worth asking either way before I buy the fan!
Click to expand...

For my Gigabyte 970 ITX, I have a Noctua F12 (higher static pressure) wired using the included low-noise adapter. Did that in an attempt to feed the 970 a stream of slower air, while still having enough force to pull the air in through a filter. Not sure if it's even necessary, but my 970 temps are always below 70C, and both the GPU fan and the F12 stay very quiet.. I'm happy with that.
 
Phuncz and cowsgomoo, I really appreciate the suggestions! I'm about to pull the trigger now on ordering an Accelero thanks to your input. Thanks again guys!
 
Will an Acclero even fit on the taller short ITX-style cards?

Accelero Xtreme IV is compatible only with the graphics card using a standard size PCB with a width of 98mm.

qEe3zoX.jpg
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EDIT: I'm not sure what possible conflict Arctic might be considering, just wanted to point out that the smaller ITX/Mini cards have a PCB that is taller than reference.
 
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