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

I'm currently watercooled, but I started with a Darkrock TF for CPU, which is excellent (if it fits...). I own plenty of Noctua fans, but I'm really liking Corsair's new ML fans if the price doesn't scare you away.
 
rfarmer said:
Yeah this seems to be a problem with there guys, took them 10 days to ship mine after ordering and another user on here had an even longer wait. Least you are not in a hurry for yours, it was the last part I needed to complete my loop and had to wait an additional 4 days after my case arrived.
Click to expand...

I messaged them again and Alex (frozenQ) said they had to remake several from the batch. Also they gave me a tracking number after I messaged, I will see how it goes.
 
My FrozenQ reservoir also took a while to ship, but it's a nice piece. Doesn't exhibit any of the issues they had early on, very solid.
 
Do you get tracking number for accessories ordered on ncases.com? Haven't heard anything for 8 days.
 
Has anyone done any good tests to see if a 240mm AIO mounted as INTAKE vs EXHAUST in the M1 NCASE provides better cooling either way?

I would think logically exhaust would be better, since the heat gets exhausted out the tiny case, where-as intake would build-up and probably another reason reference, exhaust style GPUs are recommended for M-ITX.
 
Hi guys!

I've been trying to order the NCASE M1 for the last 8 hours but everytime after I log in to PayPal, choose payment method and click on accept I either get redirected to NCASES.com/checkouterror (which is a blank page) or so some weird page with codes and a text up top saying "timed out after 5000 ms". I contacted the support and got the response that they have not received any orders from me.

Any ideas on how you can place an order without getting this issue?

I have BTW tried 5 different browsers and 3 different devices as well as 3 different networks to no avail.

EDIT: Turns out the problem was with my card at PayPal. I have now put a new order and the payment method was a success as NCASE has received my money and I have received a confirmation e-mail from PayPal (but the problem above persists), 7 minutes before 00:00 Sept. 3 2016! Yay!

Will my order be shipped on the 7th as claimed on the website ncases.com or later due to the fact that I ordered precisely 7 minutes before the deadline?

"Pre-orders before and on 2016-AUG-20 PST will ship on 2016-AUG-24 PST. Pre-orders before 2016-SEP-03 PST will ship on 2016-SEP-07 PST."
 
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Learning_mode said:
I messaged them again and Alex (frozenQ) said they had to remake several from the batch. Also they gave me a tracking number after I messaged, I will see how it goes.
Click to expand...

keshley said:
My FrozenQ reservoir also took a while to ship, but it's a nice piece. Doesn't exhibit any of the issues they had early on, very solid.
Click to expand...

Ditto for anyone else who is thinking of this - I ordered on Aug 22nd, Shipped on September 2nd. Perhaps coincidence... But maybe they are making these to order and 10 days is their lead time?

I actually got my first res from Performance PCs. Their service was excellent. They must have shipped on the same day I ordered. Had it in my hands days later which for a US to Australia postal service is amazing.
 
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Chapeau said:
Ditto for anyone else who is thinking of this - I ordered on Aug 22nd, Shipped on September 2nd. Perhaps coincidence... But maybe they are making these to order and 10 days is their lead time?

I actually got my first res from Performance PCS. Their service was excellent. They must have shipped on the same day I ordered. Had it in my hands days later which for a US to Australia postal service is amazing.
Click to expand...

Performance PCs has the FrozenQ reservoir back in stock for anyone interested, I would have ordered from them but they were out of stock on the black one when I got mine.

NCase M1 Reservoir - Black by FrozenQ (Black color)
 
^
My frozenq M1 res is in transit now from NH to cali. Should be delivered by Tuesday to the forwarding company I'm going to use.

A bit off topic but does USPS deliver past 6pm? Reason I asked is because the forwarding company's business hours is from 9-6pm only.
 
Icte said:
Hi guys!

I've been trying to order the NCASE M1 for the last 8 hours but everytime after I log in to PayPal, choose payment method and click on accept I either get redirected to NCASES.com/checkouterror (which is a blank page) or so some weird page with codes and a text up top saying "timed out after 5000 ms". I contacted the support and got the response that they have not received any orders from me.

Any ideas on how you can place an order without getting this issue?

I have BTW tried 5 different browsers and 3 different devices as well as 3 different networks to no avail.

EDIT: Turns out the problem was with my card at PayPal. I have now put a new order and the payment method was a success as NCASE has received my money and I have received a confirmation e-mail from PayPal (but the problem above persists), 7 minutes before 00:00 Sept. 3 2016! Yay!

Will my order be shipped on the 7th as claimed on the website ncases.com or later due to the fact that I ordered precisely 7 minutes before the deadline?

"Pre-orders before and on 2016-AUG-20 PST will ship on 2016-AUG-24 PST. Pre-orders before 2016-SEP-03 PST will ship on 2016-SEP-07 PST."
Click to expand...

I didnt order that close to the deadline, but I have a feeling the whole order (yourself plus the others that ordered for that shipment) goes out after deadline. So if you got confirmation from paypal they should have put you through that set of orders. O and btw congrats on the case you'll be amazed when you actually get to hold one with your hands, I know I was.
 
Learning_mode said:
^
My frozenq M1 res is in transit now from NH to cali. Should be delivered by Tuesday to the forwarding company I'm going to use.

A bit off topic but does USPS deliver past 6pm? Reason I asked is because the forwarding company's business hours is from 9-6pm only.
Click to expand...

Here in Rhode Island, I believe USPS does not deliver past 6pm.
 
So been doing some thinking about airflow, and and in an attempt to illustrate I have blatantly borrowed pictures from jnericks' NCASE M1 Skylake w/ GTX 1080 build on partpicker.
Please note these thoughts/plans are made with complete disregard to any specific cooler measurements.
  • PSU mounted so intake is to the side trough the case vents, and exhaust at top also through the vents. – No problem there (right?)
  • The two bottom fans as intake for GPU (1080 Strix) As I understand it the GPU fans intake and then forces hot air out from under coolers into the case. So this unfortunately leaves some hot air in the case. Also, will intakes so close to the GPU’s own fans cause problems like turbulence or resonance?
  • CPU tower cooler oriented to exhaust through the top vents of the case, with an additional intake at the rear.
  • Back side fan as intake to provide the CPU additional air (Although it is unlikely there is room for it), and now comes the odd part as I am thinking the front side fan as exhaust. The reason is a silly-tech solution the GPU exhaust problem. What if you could construct a rudimentary nonconductive barrier above the GPU to isolate it from the rest of the case, funneling air to the exhaust fan?
Besides the obvious questions, any thoughts or embarrassing comments addressing my complete lack of basic-airflow understanding?

Fan placement.png

Legend
Green: intake
Red: exhaust
Large arrows: side fans
Cyan: barrier
Purple: PSU intake/exhaust
 
Hey guys. Give me advice about gpu for ncase m1 v5. (6700k / Nh-C14(or change it to Nh-u9s?) / Sf600)
Still dont know what will buy,Gtx 1070 or Gtx 1080.
1). FE
2). Asus Strix (Non OC)
3). Evga SC
4). Evga FTW ( will it fit? )
5). МSI Gaming X (will it fit?)
6). Palit SJC (will if fit?)
 
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Cherry Dude said:
So been doing some thinking about airflow, and and in an attempt to illustrate I have blatantly borrowed pictures from jnericks' NCASE M1 Skylake w/ GTX 1080 build on partpicker.
Please note these thoughts/plans are made with complete disregard to any specific cooler measurements.
  • PSU mounted so intake is to the side trough the case vents, and exhaust at top also through the vents. – No problem there (right?)
  • The two bottom fans as intake for GPU (1080 Strix) As I understand it the GPU fans intake and then forces hot air out from under coolers into the case. So this unfortunately leaves some hot air in the case. Also, will intakes so close to the GPU’s own fans cause problems like turbulence or resonance?
  • CPU tower cooler oriented to exhaust through the top vents of the case, with an additional intake at the rear.
  • Back side fan as intake to provide the CPU additional air (Although it is unlikely there is room for it), and now comes the odd part as I am thinking the front side fan as exhaust. The reason is a silly-tech solution the GPU exhaust problem. What if you could construct a rudimentary nonconductive barrier above the GPU to isolate it from the rest of the case, funneling air to the exhaust fan?
Besides the obvious questions, any thoughts or embarrassing comments addressing my complete lack of basic-airflow understanding?

View attachment 7471

Legend
Green: intake
Red: exhaust
Large arrows: side fans
Cyan: barrier
Purple: PSU intake/exhaust
Click to expand...

0db78f8d41.jpg


Personally I think this would work better. The intake would feed directly into cpu cooler and exhaust out rear of case, you could mount the fan to the cooler or rear of case. Intake fans in the bottom haven't really shown much improvement.
 
pendragon1 said:
it could work. try it with a piece of cardboard and see the difference.
Click to expand...

Good idea before makeing to big a deal out of it.

rfarmer said:
Personally I think this would work better. The intake would feed directly into cpu cooler and exhaust out rear of case, you could mount the fan to the cooler or rear of case. Intake fans in the bottom haven't really shown much improvement.
Click to expand...

That's actually a pretty good idea. I was working from the "hot air rises, so exhaust above component" principle, but with that short distance to the side exhaust it should not have any effect.
And thanks for the info on the bottom fans, no need to waste money on them then.
 
Cherry Dude said:
Good idea before makeing to big a deal out of it.



That's actually a pretty good idea. I was working from the "hot air rises, so exhaust above component" principle, but with that short distance to the side exhaust it should not have any effect.
And thanks for the info on the bottom fans, no need to waste money on them then.
Click to expand...

Yeah, most of the air flow from bottom fans gets blocked by the vid card. Some of it will exhaust out the back, some of out out the front, and very little seems to make it up into the rest of the case. If using something short like a Nano or with one of the ITX 1070s, then I could see the forward fan make some difference, however.
 
keshley said:
Yeah, most of the air flow from bottom fans gets blocked by the vid card. Some of it will exhaust out the back, some of out out the front, and very little seems to make it up into the rest of the case. If using something short like a Nano or with one of the ITX 1070s, then I could see the forward fan make some difference, however.
Click to expand...

Yeah I totally agree with that. Most video cards I see used in this case are very large though, blocking a large part of the case. I don't see much air flow getting around them.
 
I read through the change log for the different versions, has anyone actually upgraded from the older ncase versions to the newer ones? Did you find the upgrade worthwhile?
 
Has anyone tried fitting Gigabyte GTX 1080 Xtreme into the case? I have already purchased the card and am looking to do a Kaby Lake mITX build in the M1.

According to Gigabyte the dimensions are H=57 L=287 W=140 mm
GIGABYTE - Graphics Card - NVIDIA - PCI Express Solution - GeForce® GTX 10 Series - GeForce® GTX 1080 Xtreme Gaming Premium Pack

I live in Australia so I do not want to pay for shipping only to find the card does not fit into the M1.

Thanks for your assistance.

Necere said:
Geforce GTX 1080 compatibility list


Should fit without issue:
  • All Founder's Edition cards
  • EVGA GeForce GTX 1080
  • EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 ACX 3.0
  • EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 SC GAMING ACX 3.0
  • GALAX GeForce GTX 1080 Virtual Edition
  • Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 Xtreme Gaming WindForce G1
  • MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Aero 8G
  • MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X (confirmed fit)

Might fit:
  • ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce GTX 1080 (confirmed fit, but difficult install)
  • Colorful iGame GTX 1080 X-TOP-8G
  • Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 Xtreme Gaming WindForce x3
  • Inno3D GTX 1080 iChill X3 and X4
Click to expand...
 
brendo_87 said:
Has anyone tried fitting Gigabyte GTX 1080 Xtreme into the case? I have already purchased the card and am looking to do a Kaby Lake mITX build in the M1.

According to Gigabyte the dimensions are H=57 L=287 W=140 mm
GIGABYTE - Graphics Card - NVIDIA - PCI Express Solution - GeForce® GTX 10 Series - GeForce® GTX 1080 Xtreme Gaming Premium Pack

I live in Australia so I do not want to pay for shipping only to find the card does not fit into the M1.

Thanks for your assistance.
Click to expand...
I'm going to go ahead and say that it probably won't fit, on account of the combined width, length and thickness (almost three slots). The other air-cooled Gigabyte 1080s should fit, though.
 
brendo_87 said:
Has anyone tried fitting Gigabyte GTX 1080 Xtreme into the case? I have already purchased the card and am looking to do a Kaby Lake mITX build in the M1.

According to Gigabyte the dimensions are H=57 L=287 W=140 mm
GIGABYTE - Graphics Card - NVIDIA - PCI Express Solution - GeForce® GTX 10 Series - GeForce® GTX 1080 Xtreme Gaming Premium Pack

I live in Australia so I do not want to pay for shipping only to find the card does not fit into the M1.

Thanks for your assistance.
Click to expand...

I think it might fit, but it will be a snug fit. All dimensions are within what is listed as clearing for this case, ever at 2.5 slot width you just won't be able to mount anything in the bottom. My biggest question was is there enough room for the pci power connectors. They are recessed but I was unable to tell how much.

illuminated.jpg


Looking at this picture I believe you could run them back over the top of the card and they would fit. It is difficult to say for sure without having the case and the card on hand.
 
Ok a heads up for anyone water cooling in the ncase. Aquacomputer makes a really nice block for the 1080/1070, looks good and cools really well. I really, really don't recommend using one in this case.

As you can see in the pics you can't use fittings on the top or it blocks mounting the radiator. Using the bottom mounts made it really tricky to connect to the reservoir. I had to use several adapters to be able to clear the radiator and make sure the side panel went on.

Ended up working out and it does a great job cooling my 1070, just a real pain. Should have gone with the Koolance.

3eac611358.jpg


5d2b47e7af.jpg
 
noinimod said:
I read through the change log for the different versions, has anyone actually upgraded from the older ncase versions to the newer ones? Did you find the upgrade worthwhile?
Click to expand...

IMO it's better to just get a new case and sell the old one, instead of ending up with a bunch of loose parts and panels with no frame to hold them.
 
After an extended shakedown, I have come to the conclusion that the Noctua Redux fans really aren't suitable as a replacement for the NF-A9 on the NH-U9S if you are doing any kind of overclocking. It was struggling to stay under 80c and would occasionally wander over during long Witcher 3 sessions. Also, the top of the case got HOT, very HOT. Even if mobo temps seemed fine that was disconcerting.

I swapped out the Redux's for the NF-A9's and added an ML120 on the side bracket. I'm impressed with the air volume on the ML120 and it does run quiet. But there is perceptible "bearing" (maglev?) noise in some situations.

My max temps have gone from ~80c peak to ~75c peak. There is a downside, they are louder than the NF-A9's, though I've been tweaking them and have them pretty silent at idle at least. When spun up though, they are much more audible.

Also, I did fan testing on the bottom fans, effectively turning them off. If done so, the 1080 quickly hits 80c during gaming and throttles down. Spinning them back up returns it to 75c. So if you have an open air cooler, I definitely think bottom fans are helpful.

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
 
DersTheSwede said:
After an extended shakedown, I have come to the conclusion that the Noctua Redux fans really aren't suitable as a replacement for the NF-A9 on the NH-U9S if you are doing any kind of overclocking. It was struggling to stay under 80c and would occasionally wander over during long Witcher 3 sessions. Also, the top of the case got HOT, very HOT. Even if mobo temps seemed fine that was disconcerting.

I swapped out the Redux's for the NF-A9's and added an ML120 on the side bracket. I'm impressed with the air volume on the ML120 and it does run quiet. But there is perceptible "bearing" (maglev?) noise in some situations.

My max temps have gone from ~80c peak to ~75c peak. There is a downside, they are louder than the NF-A9's, though I've been tweaking them and have them pretty silent at idle at least. When spun up though, they are much more audible.

Also, I did fan testing on the bottom fans, effectively turning them off. If done so, the 1080 quickly hits 80c during gaming and throttles down. Spinning them back up returns it to 75c. So if you have an open air cooler, I definitely think bottom fans are helpful.

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
Click to expand...
What if you turn your u9s 90 degrees,so that it pulls cool air from the back, instead of hot air from bottom half of case. The ML fan would then be switched to exhaust.
 
Nanook said:
What if you turn your u9s 90 degrees,so that it pulls cool air from the back, instead of hot air from bottom half of case. The ML fan would then be switched to exhaust.
Click to expand...

Well, I really don't want to go through the trouble of re-orienting the U9S. Particularly now that I'm getting good temps. Before, when running the Redux's and experiencing a very hot top, I probably would agree that a horizontal orientation may be better. But after the NF-A9's proving to have the needed static pressure to expel air out the top effectively, I think it's functioning very well. I also wanted to have the air-flow tied into the GPU to create upward movement for both. However, without testing it, it's debatable how effective that is at moving air out of the GPU area.
 
zdeco said:
Hey guys. Give me advice about gpu for ncase m1 v5. (6700k / Nh-C14(or change it to Nh-u9s?) / Sf600)
Still dont know what will buy,Gtx 1070 or Gtx 1080.
1). FE
2). Asus Strix (Non OC)
3). Evga SC
4). Evga FTW ( will it fit? )
5). МSI Gaming X (will it fit?)
6). Palit SJC (will if fit?)
Click to expand...

Assuming you are not going to use the Asrock X99 mobo I would say for best cpu cooling the C14 if you don't want to use the hdd cage and if you do want to use the hdd cage then use the U9S. The Corsair SF600 psu is a solid choice. I'll let others recommend which GPU to go with since I went with a standard GTX 970.
 
rfarmer said:
I am running a side 240mm rad and the temp on my 6600k at load is 48C, my GTX 1070 at load is 42C. I would take a look at your TIM application, the cpu and gpu should be closer than that.
Click to expand...

Very good temperatures fora single 240mm rad. What is the rpm on your fans? And what fans? If I may ask. :)
 
Victheslik said:
Hello everyone,

Is it possible to use a Intel 750 Series 2.5" U.2 (M.2 adaptor) 1.2TB PCI-Express 3.0 x4 MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) SSDPE2MW012T4M2 - Newegg.com Intel 750 SSD mounted in the inner bracket next to the SFX-L PSU. While still using a 240mm AIO on the bracket?

To further elaborate. I'm thinking of using a slot load drive in the front, while using 2 120mm fans on the bottom.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was just checking radiator dimensions and the Corsair h105 and the Thermaltake Water 3.0 have 270mm long radiators vs 275 and 276mm on others. The Thermaltake actually looks like a pretty decent AIO.
There is a bit of adjustment room on the fan mount when you mount the radiator just slide it as far toward the back as possible and if that doesn't give you enough room you can always put the end with the barbs toward the rear of the case rather than the front, giving you a bit more room.
 
Necere - Do you know what the specification of the case feet mounting screws are? I'm trying to source a longer replacement. Size + thread pitch would be helpful.


I'm all out of ideas for the WC setup. I'm still getting a fairly large differential between CPU and GPU temps. On load I'm getting in the vicinity of 75 - 80 degrees on the CPU and 55 degrees on the GPU. I'm re-mounted the CPU block more times than I care to count and made sure to bleed the system well.

Is this differential normal?

My 6600K OC is 4.5 @ 1.264V, GPU 2113MHz core, 4599MHz memory. I'm realistically pushing what can be achieved with a somewhat poor radiator location. But I would defer to the collective expertise on this board. Perhaps I should strip the CPU block entirely and check I have the jetplate installed correctly?

Finally - For those interested, the Hardware Labs Nemesis GTS is definitely the one to go for when using a bottom rad. Not only does it fit much better than a EK Coolstream 240, but the airflow is vastly better. I'm happy to report that the build quality is amazing too!

Ncase M1 New Plumbing Layout by CintaMagique, on Flickr
The GTS fits far better than the EK. The ports at the far right allow better clearance to the edge of the GPU.

Ncase M1 Radiator Profile by CintaMagique, on Flickr
The fans now side snugly inside the top of the radiator after the shroud was trimmed to fit with a dremel. I roughly traced the outline of the fans and padded the fins with some cardboard to protect them. This way there is actually better clearance to the GPU than with a slimmer radiator! The fans are a friction fit only - they're snug enough that they need to be levered out.


Ncase M1 Drain by CintaMagique, on Flickr
There is just enough space to install a drain between the two ports. This still isn't at the lowest point, but works far better than using the FrozenQ ports and tipping the case to empty the radiator.
 
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