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

Ahh i see, so the audibility for both the U9S & C14S should be similar? I did a bit of searching and heard that the C14S wont fit into the M1 without some tweaking, what are the considerations I need to take into account when installing a C14S IF it is quieter than the U9S?

As for the fan configuration how should I do it so that it would be on the quieter side?

Using the U9S -

Exhaust port - NF A9
U9S - Single NF A9
Accelero III - Remove fans, replace with 2 NF F12

-----

Using NH C14S

Exhaust port - no fan
C14S - Single NF F12 on the bottom
Accelero III- Remove fans, replace with 2 NF F12

 

Nfa12 would be my suggestion

 

U9S + Accelero + TG window - Attach one 92mm fan on the chassis as intake. Attach one 92mm fan on the right side of the sink as pull. Attach 2x120mm fans underneath the Accelero as exhaust.

C14S + Accelero + TG window - Contact Noctua and request a pair of NM-SFC14 clips. Attach one 92mm (possibly slim depending on socket placement) on the rear chassis as intake. Attach one 120mm fan underneath the C14S blowing towards the glass. Attach 2x120mm fans undereath the Accelero as exhaust.

The C14S setup is about 4C cooler, so if you want a much easier installation path without any hassle, go with the U9S.

Recommended fans are the NF-A12x25's. They're significantly more quiet than the NF-F12's.

 

No, some users have used the NH-C14S. You need to search more. There are complications such as the heatsink being too tall for a 25 mm thick fan on top, so a slim fan is needed there, if one is placed there at all. A window side panel reduces the clearance 2-3 mm more. Also, I think with a fan on the underside the power supply needs to be mounted in the ATX power supply bracket using an SFX-ATX adapter.

If you use the NH-U9S with a side window, the rear panel fan should be an intake. Also, check the Noctua installation instructions to make sure the heatsink is rotated correctly for intake from the rear panel.

Is it possible to have a 25 mm thick fan under the C14S (not the discontinued C14) without having to mount an SFX power supply in the ATX PS bracket (using an SFX-ATX adapter)?

 

Yes, one 120mm fan will fit with the PSU in the SFX position.

 

Thank you very much for all your advice. Hopefully I'll have the funds to get the cooling gear needed soon.

 

Where can I purchase the side bracket, and the screw stock set of screws?
Friend needs a side bracket for his system and I'd like to replace missing screws.

 

Oh, I didn't realise that SFFLAB don't sell those accessories for the M1. That's a bit disappointing, because when it was being sold direct there were loads of accessories, such as replacement panel kits - but now I see that SFFLAB aren't planning to restock the panel kits, which sucks - and that there might be a V6 that has panels that are incompatible with previous versions, so anyone with a current M1 is shit out of luck if they want or need replacement panels. Boo.

 

Hey Hardforum!

My M1 V5 just shipped, super exciting and should be here in a week or two!!

I want to know if i'm being realistic in terms of cooling and see what you guys/gals of my build.

MOBO: Asus ROG strix Z390-I
CPU: I9 9900K
Cooler: Noctua NH-D9L
GPU: Gigabyte 1080TI Gaming 11GB
RAM: Kingston Hyperx 3000mhz 16GBx2
PSU: Corsair SF600
Storage: 1Xm.2 , 2X2.5 SSD , 1X2.5 HD , 1X3.5 HD

im not sure what fans im gonna use yet, as i dont know how much space ill have, but i own 2 90mm Noctua fans and am ready to buy whatever else i need.

im a touring VJ so this is my touring rig (hence the SFF) but also my studio rig , so heavy loads are a daily thing.

Thanks community!

 

Almost all coolers can take the 9900K @ Stock.. The problem is that most motherboard manufactores does not deliver the stock settings for the 9900K. Most is around 170W TDP and I think the D9L is gonna struggle with that. Its should have no problem delivering the stock 95W TDP, but it does not make much sense to buy the 9900K and run it at 95W TDP. So if you want to go the easy route atleast get the U9 cooler. Otherwise you want to go to something like the Noctua C14 (discontinued) or C14S (requires you to check all parts before and making sure it will all fit.. Or maybe an 240mm AIO.
Just beaware that that will not make it possible to have 3.5" drives in your machine. Well. Yes, but then you want to drop the 1080ti. Do you really need this much GPU power for VJ'ing? Its only really Resolve that can use these higher end GPU for something. Premiere Pro does not get any benefit above 1060/1070. (What NLE do you use)?

Also.. I would get 2x M2 as you have the slots and small form factor builds is all about smallness. The Samsung 970 EVO is up to 2TB. I would get 2 of them if you really need storage space (hence the platter drives you have in your list) and 2x Samsung 860 EVO 4TB units. Those can fit in the front of the case. That way you have 12TB of storage all in all and still room for a big C14S cooler or 240mm AIO.

As for fans. I would go for Noctua A12X25 PWM. They are the best on the market in terms of performance pr. noise.

I can recommend the Wallye bag that they also sell. Its made for the NCase.. But maybe you already have a bag it will fit in.

As for the motherboard.. Some (a lot) will say you should go for the Asrock Phantom gaming instead.. But really. There is not really any difference in them. In the end its the CPU you will struggle to cool - not the VRM performance. So stick with the ASUS board. Its great (no matter what else people say).. They only real reason to choose the Asrock board is thunderbolt. So if you use that or need that. Then that makes it an easy choice.

 

Yeah I'm not sure what to do with my friends pc now other than getting him a new case. And he cannot afford the ncase. The bracket he could have afforded but I guess I checked too late.

 

hey thanks for the quick and detailed response!!

So firstly yes i need a strong GPU, i do real-time 3D rendering and need all the gpu power i can get. (touch designer and notchvfx) and when in the studio i use blender, C4D and many other softwares that utilize GPU.

I ordered the wallye bag on its way.

-Storage wise:
i was considering another m.2 and will upgrade to that at some point, its just expensive att he moment at those capacities and i just bought a 2TB 2.5 SSD. but I will switch out my 3.5 at some point (its a 4TB HDD). - but i will need to change this at some point.

-As for mobo i only buy ASUS...have since my first build in 2005.

-As for cooling:
im a little confused as to how the u9 would be better if its just passive? i was considering at first to just get a single fan AIO, but decided not to as i figured it wouldn't make much of a diffrence to a good noctua fan and would take up much more room and be a pain to upgrade and open up the case.
im also confused as to what you mean by checking the parts of the C14S, does it fit or not? are there different versions?
and couldn't i still fit the 3.5 under the gpu? and put two SSDs in the front and one on the side or also under the gpu?

-As for fans is this what your referring to:

https://ksp.co.il/index.php?uin=55308&select=

or this:

https://ksp.co.il/index.php?uin=42616&select=


thanks again!

 

The C14S cooler might not work with the Asus motherboard due to the gigantic I/O cover. That's another reason why the Phantom is recommended.

 

The U9S isn't passive: it ships with one 92x25mm fan and you can add a second such fan on the heatsink (although you might have better results attaching that second fan to case directly).

 

yeah my bad, looke dlike i from noctuas website...

and the u9s is 'better' then the NH-D9L ?

 

Yes. The Noctua coolers perform in line with their weight. More sink area = more weight = better temps.

 

There's not much in it at all between the U9S and D9L, maybe a couple of degrees. I have the U9S and I'm very happy with it, but they are both good coolers.

 

Just make sure that those programs/apps actually can utilise the extra GPU power, or you are wasting money/performance/noise/room for something else. Many people think that more expensive hardware yields better results. Thats not always the case.

The U9S is not passive. You get a A9 fan with it.. Buy a second to make it even better.

The C14S is big and requires you to think about what components to choose. Some will fit. Some wont. I think the Asus motherboard is okay. The C14 does NOT fit that motherboard, but I think the C14S is a little higher up and also the heatpipes are at a straiter angle. But there is no garantee as we have not seen anybody with that combination before.

Yes. The A12X25PWM.. Not the A12X15.. that is slimmer and not as good.

 

Bro, the softwares i use utilize evrey bit of gpu power (realtime 3D) and memory. i dont need to check this, i know this for fact, its my profession.

Noctua NF-A12x25 FLX - is it the same as what you recommending? (https://ksp.co.il/index.php?uin=55308&select=)

so seems like the u9s is the way to go, would you say a single fan aio would yield better results and would be a safer bet for the i9?

 

That's not the fan. FLX is a 3 pin. You want the PWM version.

Edit: I don't know about the single fan AIO. I've never tested one. I know that 2x120 AIO mops the floor with the C14S and U9S.

So the ideal U9S setup would be:
1x92mm fan on the rear chassis as intake.
1x92mm fan on the right side of the U9S as pull
1x120mm fan on the right side bracket as exhaust
Accelero GPU cooler
2x120mm fans under the Accelero as exhaust

If you don't feel like modding the GPU then:
1x92mm fan on the rear chassis as intake.
1x92mm fan on the right side of the U9S as pull
1x120mm fan on the right side bracket as exhaust
2x120mm fans under the GPU as intake

 

Literally in the process of modding the GPU atm. Gotta decide on fan adapters

 

i dont think ill be modding the gpu...but thanks so much for the detailed response.
quick questions:

1x92mm fan on the right side of the U9S as pull - do you mean in addition to the stock fan or just one fan on the u9s?

1x120mm fan on the right side bracket as exhaust - what part of the brackt should it be on? like is it taking the hot air from the cpu cooler out?

2x120mm fans under the GPU as intake - is this needed if my gpu fans are pulling in air anyway?

thanks again, as i am super lost when it comes to whats logical for airflow in such a small enviorment.

 

Disregard the front mounted PSU and Accelero in the picture. The example here is the U9S + Fans. Two total blowing towards the front of the case.

The 120mm mounts on the right side of the included fan bracket (it can't fit on the left side, that's where the U9S is) internal as push. Think of this as a normal cases 120 exhaust fan. This only works if you are using the stock vented panel.

The bottom 2x120 fans are recommended but not required with a stock GPU cooler.

 

wouldnt that be pull?.. Its pulling the air out of the case.. I.E. is pulling on the hot air. As the hot air is behind it. Sorry for hair-splitting here

 

awesome, the pic cleared up a lot - THANKS.

what 92mm fan do you recommend for the rear chasis fan?

I finally found the A12X25PWM - they don't sell them in Israel anywhere (only the 3pin verion)..but amazon ships them here, so no worries.

 

("->" = air flow direction)
Fan -> bracket/radiator fins = push
bracket/radiator fins -> Fan = pull
Fan -> case -> Fan -> interior = intake
Fan <- case <- Fan <- interior = exhaust (push/pull because fan is on both inside and outside of case/bracket)

 

I generally tend to call the rear interior pull and the right fan as pull too. I like to call the 120 push because I do not pull out.


xd

But srsly tho it's push.

 

I'd go with Noctua NF-A9 PWM's or Noctua NF-B9 redux PWM's.

 

so same fan as on the u9s - got it.

M1AF - ALWAYS PULL OUT BRO

 

LOL.. completly acknowledge if I am wrong here.. But I still see it as pull.. Its is Pulling the hot air out of the case.

We call it push when we are behind the heat. IE if we are behind a rad/cooler fx.. And pull if we are in front of the heat.

Here the heat is in side the case, and the fan is the last thing that it makes contact with before leaving the case. An exhaust with nothing in front of it, will always be pull. If there would to be a rad in between the case and the fan it would of cause be push, as it has to push the air into the rad. Here there are no direct heat to air exchange, it is only pulling the air out of the case.

That is how I see it. Anyways.. It is of cause only semantics.

 

If the fan sticker is visible then it's pull.
If the fan sticker is covered then it's push.

 

I can see how push and pull relate to airflow through a radiator or heatsink, but for airflow in and out of a case I prefer to use intake and exhaust.

 

Yeah, this is the terminology that I use and prefer. Push and pull are only really relevant for radiators and heatsinks imho.

 

That is a weird way to look at it.. From where do you even look then? (top?, left side?, inside? outside?) . But with that in mind it is definitely pull as you can see the fan sticker from the outside where one would look from.

I agree 100%.

I was just commenting on the fact that pull/push terminology was being used.

 

Any word on bracket replacement orders and new sets of screws??? Really want to order these

 

Email SFFLAB and ask. Fwiw though, I don't recall replacement screw sets ever being available for the M1, whether though NCase directly or latterly through SFFLAB.

 

Maybe I'm wrong on that one but I swear I remember it. Still good advice I'm just so used to the ncase starting here that I still refer questions this way

 

It was labeled accessory kit on sfflab.

I am sitting 9n a v1 that I need the accessory kit for and new panels.

Guess I may have to buy the new version.

 

Is there any way to buy spare panel sets? The sfflabs accessory page for the M1 does not offer them. I remember the old NCASE site sold them.

 

As I posted above, it looks as if SFFLAB are out of stock of panel kits and don't plan to restock them. There's apparently a new version of the M1 coming this year (v6) but it won't maintain compatibility with previous versions when it comes to panels, so it looks like second-hand is going to be your only option for panel kits for v5 and earlier.