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

[rfarmer]

Hi all I have a V5 Ncase and just added a 3080 FE model to replace a deshrouded 1080Ti. Fits nicely but the way it directs air through the back end of the card means it’s not working well with the current cooling solution. It probably doesn’t help that my cabling is an unholy mess.

so.

current cooling setup is a Dark Rock TF CPU cooler and two noiseblocker fans as intake in the bottom of the case. It’s not enough And the FE is hitting 81c in Timespy with the side off. So I need to completely rethink the cooling and prepared to swap it all out for something else.

I prefer not to use water, even AIO, because there’s just more to go wrong and a custom loop is beyond my ability.

I’m already using the shorter cable set for the SF600 which helps reduce the amount of stuff in the case and have ordered the custom Corsair 12-pin cable so I don’t have to use the adapter which came with the FE - that will also help with clutter. I have a Corsair SF750 on order but in the meantime it’s sort of working with the old SF600 so I may see how that goes with bit of undervolting and perhaps send it back. I expect that the 750 with all that headroom will be generally quieter though and I can repurpose the 600.

so where should I go? A Noctua NH U9S will allow me to put a 120x25mm fan next to it on the bracket to improve airflow. Do I keep the bottom 120x25mm fans or replace them With something else?

if AIO is the way to go, which one? And again do I stick with the bottom fans as they are?

Grateful for any thoughts or suggestions please.

quick summary of specs;

CPU Intel i7 8700k delidded But not overclocked
gigabyte Z970N wifi motherboard
Be Quiet! dark Rock TF cooler exhaust left side (which seems like a waste of the dust mesh TBH)
Some ram with heat sink removed because that cooler is a beast
SF600 gold PSU exhaust right
RTX 3080 FE
2x Noise Blocker e loop 120x25mm fans intake bottom

im never going to have a picture-perfect clean setup but I do want one which maintains reasonable temps and doesn’t sound like a 747 taking off.

The best setup I have seen so far is rear fan as intake, NH-U9S blowing toward front of case, 2 bottom intake fans and a 120mm fan on the bracket as exhaust. This way both the CPU and GPU exhaust go out the side and the CPU isn't recycling the hot air from the GPU. I'm running a delidded 8700k in my Ghost with a NH-L12 Ghost Edition and cooling is really good, the U9S should be even better.

 

[Buttoneer]

Hi rfarmer thank you! I recall you were helpful ‘back in the day’ when I put the original setup together. I’m not looking to do anything whizzy, just want to be able to put the side on the case and not have it turn into a storage heater.

I used to run (and still occasionally use) a Silverstone ML-07 based system and that runs on positive pressure and I am a real fan of that arrangement. I only ever had to open it up once and it was remarkably dust free. On the other fand my Ncase needs regular dusting off.

To me, exhausting a fan out through mesh is a huge waste and feels really wrong but if it gives the right temps then I’ll go with the (air) flow.

I can go for a nice black NH-9 and chromax 120mm fan to keep the dark and moody going - what’s the normal recommendation for a rear fan? Just a 92x25 noctua there as well?

 

[rfarmer]

Hi rfarmer thank you! I recall you were helpful ‘back in the day’ when I put the original setup together. I’m not looking to do anything whizzy, just want to be able to put the side on the case and not have it turn into a storage heater.

I used to run (and still occasionally use) a Silverstone ML-07 based system and that runs on positive pressure and I am a real fan of that arrangement. I only ever had to open it up once and it was remarkably dust free. On the other fand my Ncase needs regular dusting off.

To me, exhausting a fan out through mesh is a huge waste and feels really wrong but if it gives the right temps then I’ll go with the (air) flow.

I can go for a nice black NH-9 and chromax 120mm fan to keep the dark and moody going - what’s the normal recommendation for a rear fan? Just a 92x25 noctua there as well?

I agree, I am not a fan of exhaust out the side but with the peculiar exhaust of the FE it seems to work best. Yes just a 92x25 which you can also get in Chromax, I have one on my NH-L12 GE.

 

[Buttoneer]

In terms of the fan spec I’m quite confused about what is needed. There’s lots of options. I assume 4 pin & 12v for the Motherboard connector and variable control I think but I suspect I don’t want ultra low noise as much as efficiency. So assume a 92x25 (not 14) for the back and an A or S class 120x25 for the side bracket and I’m golden. Or more likely beige

 

[Buttoneer]

Fun fact - the Airflow from the card now impacts my M2 SSD which means it flies way over its limits and causes the system overheat. I have an M2 slot on the back of the motherboard which I can use instead but that was an unexpected development and direct result of the airflow from these beastly cards.

 

[Buttoneer]

I Have a V5 case and due to circumstances outside my control have to replace the motherboard with something more modern. I would therefore like to get the new front plate which is currently out of stock on the Ncase site. Are there other sources for this part?

 

[Bullz]

Hi my pc is already running in open build. Ncase is only on the way to me. Unfortunately, the first of the three fans has a bearing damage with me I hope the exchange that I get a 2 te and then send the old back ( caseking )

Gigabyte B550I Aorus Pro AX
5600x
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 OC
Noctua NH-U9S
Corsair SF Series SF750

a few questions would have arisen with me now.

1.) Fan damage with the first fan... is that automatically a replacement or can you possibly replace the fan itself ? For 960 euros the grinding annoys me tremendously. Is not a coil whine.

2.) I can not mount my 2nd fan on the NH-U9s there where the connectors are ( IO Shield ) is a massive protection / heat sink in the way. But according to the pictures I can mount it at the rear fan ( ) so I don't need to worry when the case is there ? In order to fit the second NF-A9 to the back of the case, I needed to remove two of the anti-vibration pads from the fan. This way it fits snuggly between the back-left corner of the case (when looking at the case front-on) and the rear IO panel/box of the motherboard. This seems to work well - there's no vibration - however I'm unsure if this is safe long term due to how snug the fit is. ". Maybe you bought the wrong motherboard for the case ? The C14s would not improve the problem either or ?

thanks