NCASE M1 build help for first-timer

[charww]

Thanks for the DVD link, AFD. You are a fount of good price tips. I’ll watch that one.

As for fans, WiSK has won me over with the snazzy comparison chart. Am tentative choosing a non-PWM fan to run off a 4-pin header, but the internet tells me it’s ok. Probably any of these will be fine, but opinions always welcome:
Non-PWM Coolink or PWM Coolink
or Artic F12 PWM

 

[charww]

Since I now have a complete build at my price point, you may consider your work done and done well. Thank you most sincerely.

But after more reading, I finally understand your point that the Z87 chipset isn’t needed if not overclocking. So I'm seriously considering WiSK’s suggestion of the Gigabyte H87N-Wifi
For $70 savings, these changes:
Audio Realtek 1150 to Realtek 892
1 case front USB 3.0 downgraded to 2.0 (if I’m understanding correctly), fewer rear 3.0 ports
Only 1 case fan header (haven’t found a spec saying if this is 4-pin or 3pin) which means: Unable to add a rear case fan (which probably won't be needed) and would need to use a Y-splitter to run my 2 planned case fans.

Am I understanding the ramifications correctly? Super thanks.

 

[WiSK]

GA-H87N-WIFI system fan is PWM, you can see 4 pins black SYS_FAN connector on the picture of the motherboard on Gigabyte's page. The Coolink PWM model 1201 comes with Y-splitter. So all is good

Don't think you need a rear case fan, with 2 case fans there will be enough pressure to exhaust through the vents.

 

[Phuncz]

For $70 savings, these changes:
[*] Audio Realtek 1150 to Realtek 892
[*] 1 case front USB 3.0 downgraded to 2.0 (if I’m understanding correctly), fewer rear 3.0 ports
[*] Only 1 case fan header (haven’t found a spec saying if this is 4-pin or 3pin) which means: Unable to add a rear case fan (which probably won't be needed) and would need to use a Y-splitter to run my 2 planned case fans.

It depends how much you'll miss the ALC-1150 chip for the audio, I specifically went with the Asrock Z87E-ITX motherboard because it has a "high end" chipset and headphone amplifier which I'm happy with, but not everyone would see this as a worthwhile upgrade. Since space is at a premium in the Ncase and mITX only has one PCIe slot (and lacking better options on USB), I went with it.

The USB 3.0 front header seems to be present on the Gigabyte motherboard and the Ncase M1 only has 2 USB 3.0 sockets, so this no problem.

The fans don't seem to be a problem, you can split a fan header for two fans if they aren't high RPM ones, like WiSK already explained.

I can't say it is a bad choice either. Someone mentioned that a H81 chipset would be the same as a Z87 when you don't need overclocking (I don't agree) but the H87 is a decent chipset.

 

[WiSK]

Someone mentioned that a H81 chipset would be the same as a Z87 when you don't need overclocking (I don't agree) but the H87 is a decent chipset.

I'm interested what you think about this. What are the important differences between the two chipsets H81 and H87? apart from obvious less Sata3, less USB3, no SLI and only 2 sticks of RAM.

 

[Phuncz]

I'm interested what you think about this. What are the important differences between the two chipsets H81 and H87? apart from obvious less Sata3, less USB3, no SLI and only 2 sticks of RAM.

If you just want to know the difference, RST and SRT are also missing with the H81.
But the problem with H81 mITX motherboards are they lack many options and rely on 3rd party chips for USB 3.0 ports for example. I'm not a fan of that, personally. The H81 motherboards are cheap for a reason so I also suspect lower grade components in them.

I choose my Asrock Z87E-ITX motherboard for the very capable Intel NIC and decent sound card with headphone amp, both not something you can easily add on an mITX unless you consider USB as an option for both (I don't).

 

[EnderW]

I'd recommend a motherboard with Intel NIC, not Realtek
audio chip is less important, you can always add a USB DAC
gonna be hard to get great onboard audio unless you go high end like the Asus ROG board

 

[AFD]

audio chip is less important, you can always add a USB DAC
gonna be hard to get great onboard audio unless you go high end like the Asus ROG board

True, but a good USB DAC is not cheap.. I've seen decently reviewed DACs on the cheaper end going for $40 and up, with well-reviewed models going into the hundreds. Also, depending on whether you go with a tiny USB thumb drive-sized DAC or a desktop version, it's just gonna be another piece of gear to lug around (or forget).

I'll probably be going that route if I feel the need for something better than ALC1150.

 

[WiSK]

If you just want to know the difference, RST and SRT are also missing with the H81.
But the problem with H81 mITX motherboards are they lack many options and rely on 3rd party chips for USB 3.0 ports for example. I'm not a fan of that, personally. The H81 motherboards are cheap for a reason so I also suspect lower grade components in them.

Thanks. So for an HTPC or Grandma's surfing machine it could be fine, can use the HDMI for audio and doesn't need high throughput for data. But for gaming not really good enough.

 

[AFD]

SSD: Samsung 840 Evo 250GB $177.99 link

Just an FYI, the Samsung 840 Evo 250GB is on sale this weekend at Newegg for $169 (w/code #EMCYTZT4593). Might need to sign-up for their newsletter to use code, though. Good chance Amazon will match them in pricing within the week.

Thanks for the DVD link, AFD. You are a fount of good price tips. I’ll watch that one.

Yes, I spend waaay too much time online shopping

The H81 motherboards are cheap for a reason so I also suspect lower grade components in them.

Was just comparing the ASUS ITX boards in Z87, H87 & H81 and noticed that the cheaper H81 uses "conductive polymer" capacitors vs their "5k-hour solid" capacitors in the Z87 & H87. Not sure if it's a major difference, though (seems to relate to capacitor lifespan, according to their marketing).

 

[charww]

GA-H87N-WIFI system fan is PWM...The Coolink PWM model 1201 comes with Y-splitter...

Great! I appreciate the config confirmation and that fan recommendation. I’ll get that. Do you mean 120P? If I’m reading this chart correctly, 1201 is not PWM.

I really appreciate the motherboard discussion! You are all above and beyond. By now am slightly overwhelmed at all the decision factors. It seems like there are several good options - Gigabyte H87 (low price, nothing extra, good customer svc), Asrock Z87 (mid price, better audio - Thanks Phuncz), Asus Z87 (high price, more than I need, good construction). They all seem to have Intel LAN (=intel NIC? EnderW), or maybe not Asrock. I will probably watch prices and pick one, but am leaning toward GB H87.

This is niggling, but I genuinely just want to understand. Here’s why I think the Gigabyte board only supports one front 3.0 USB port. Their internal I/O connector specs say “1 x USB 3.0/2.0 header; 1 x USB 2.0/1.1 header”. Am I misunderstanding what an internal I/O connector is?

Will also watch the price of the GTX 770 to see if it drops in Nov (thanks WiSK)
AFD - Thanks again. SSD Done.

 

[WiSK]

Yes sorry Coolink 120P is the PWM model and comes with the splitter. It's from the same company that also owns the Noctua brand.

Internal USB3 connectors provide connection to two ports. See http://www.intel.com/content/dam/do...b3-internal-connector-cable-specification.pdf page 9. Pins 2-9 are for port 1, pins 11-18 are for port 2. And backwards compatibility for USB2 is via pins 1,7-9,11-13,19. NCase M1 will include something like this adapter http://www.sharkoon.com/?q=en/content/internal-usb30-y-adapter-cable but then longer . You can see it in the following picture (black cable with blue plug).

 

[charww]

Thanks for taking the time to explain that! I'm glad to understand better. I wouldn't have figured that out anytime soon.

Thanks and Cheers.

 

[EnderW]

I don't think you can really go wrong with any of those motherboards. One thing I would recommend, especially for a newbie is to go for one of the more popular boards (# of newegg reviews is a good indicator) as there will be more info online and better chance of other people catching any oddball problems with it.

And yes, LAN and NIC are the same. Looks like most boards come with Intel NIC/LAN now which is a good thing. This wasn't the case in the past.

 

[charww]

Thanks for the reassurance and advice. I'll keep an eye on the reviews. I may also try to find out what the bios looks like for each board.

 

[EnderW]

$15 rebate on ASRock board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157374

 

[AFD]

$15 rebate on ASRock board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157374

Great find! That's an awesome board for that price.. lots of nice features.

 

[EnderW]

Great find! That's an awesome board for that price.. lots of nice features.

mSATA slot on the back is awesome for a stealth install

 

[m600kf]

motherboard and psu are nice choice

 

[WiSK]

I'd jump at $150 or less for the Tactical LP or $130 or less for the Sport LP if they ever go on sale again. I feel kinda dumb for not buying back when the price was at least "reasonable", hoping it'd drop down near it's lowest price at some point.. really don't think that will ever happen.

Jump! Now at the 'Egg for $149.99 and $127.99 respectively

 

[GBH2]

Jump! Now at the 'Egg for $149.99 and $127.99 respectively

You can get individual sticks of the Tactical LP for ~ $55 each after code. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo

 

[AFD]

Jump! Now at the 'Egg for $149.99 and $127.99 respectively

How high?

I actually caught a steal when they randomly had the Tactical LP listed for only $139 (plus 5% off mobile code).. so $133 shipped. Price jumped back up to $155 right after I bought them!

Good looking out, though - thanks WiSK!

 

[charww]

I lucked out with a coupon + sale price, so $118 for the 2x8 Crucial Ballistix from newegg.
I have everything except the mobo, GPU and PSU. No sales on those yet, but I may buy soon anyway.
In the meantime, while I await case, I am making my carry bag.
Planning computer building is fun.

 

[AFD]

I lucked out with a coupon + sale price, so $118 for the 2x8 Crucial Ballistix from newegg.

In the meantime, while I await case, I am making my carry bag.

Nice! Wanna see pics of your carry bag.. you should stitch in the NCASE logo on the side

Planning computer building is fun.

Agree!

 

[charww]

Wanna see pics of your carry bag.. you should stitch in the NCASE logo on the side

I'm nearly done, so I could post pics soon. Happily, it is lighter and smaller than the laptop bag I've been carting around. The logo would be fun! But I'd need a nice digital file of the logo to print off.

I have a new question for everyone, please...

I’d like air filters, at least for intake… I'm really not sure how many filters the case comes with. (2?) What are your recommendations for filters? The demicflex magnetic? Should I cover all the vents or just the intake? dust There's been some discussion of custom filters on the main thread, but I'm confused. It doesn't seem like a vital component, but I want to do this well.
Thank you!

 

[AFD]

I'm nearly done, so I could post pics soon. Happily, it is lighter and smaller than the laptop bag I've been carting around. The logo would be fun! But I'd need a nice digital file of the logo to print off.

I have a new question for everyone, please...

I’d like air filters, at least for intake… I'm really not sure how many filters the case comes with. (2?) What are your recommendations for filters? The demicflex magnetic? Should I cover all the vents or just the intake? dust There's been some discussion of custom filters on the main thread, but I'm confused. It doesn't seem like a vital component, but I want to do this well.
Thank you!

I was under the impression that the M1 shipped with 4x Lian Li filters, but so far in the unboxing pics/vids, I've only been counting 2.

Necere submitted a design to Demci this week (for side & bottom filter) and if approved, we can order them direct. No offense intended to Necere, but I may wait until my case arrives and see if my earlier Demciflex design will work first, and then have a set custom made (1-piece large oversized filter attached to the inside of each side panel, and 1 smaller 1-piece filter covering both 120mm bottom fan openings).

According to Demci's website, it seems that only the intakes should be filtered. For most of us, that would be the bottom, the left side, and possibly right side depending upon PSU orientation.. leaving the top and back open for positive pressure to keep any dust out.

One of my concerns is keeping dust from falling through the top, when powered down or at idle. I'm considering placing a looser, less fine mesh or open cell filter under the top panel, hopefully to catch any debris that would otherwise fall through the top panel's vent holes. Not quite sure how I will attach something like that, though.


EDIT: There are indeed 4x Lian Li fans included, at least w/The_Cheese's prototype.. not 100% sure about normal shipments.

 

[charww]

Thank you for explaining! So.. it sounds like I'll be fine with the filters that come with the case, but if Necere does post the Demci custom filters for order (looks like next week, possible), I may order those. Not so complicated then.

 

[charww]

Wanna see pics of your carry bag.. you should stitch in the NCASE logo on the side !

Posted! In main thread, since there was some discussion there about carry solutions. Still trying to figure out how to add a logo. Hrm. Or racing stripes.

 

[AFD]

Posted! In main thread, since there was some discussion there about carry solutions. Still trying to figure out how to add a logo. Hrm. Or racing stripes.

Just saw that, very nice! I asked if Necere would be willing to post up a photo of the NCASE logo, in case you would want to do that.. hopefully he is able.

You should do racing stripes w/NCASE in the middle! >> ====== NCASE ======