NCASE M1 available for preorder

[geniekid]

http://ncases.com/

Crowd funded mini ITX computer case designed by the people from HardForum.  $185 before shipping.

SPCR review
Tentative revisions from R1 to R2

[jwaz]

I was just looking at this earlier today. Already have Fractal Define Mini but damn... still kind of want to pick one of these up for the hell of it.

[Freebird]

Looks really nice, I would love to do a small form factor build for LAN's

[Photoelectric]

It's really nice, though having read a SilentPCReview article on it, I feel that I'd rather go with a Lian Li they compared it to, even though it's larger (PC-V354).  Having built in a Bitfenix Prodigy and fit a lot of stuff into it, including a 240mm radiator, a full sized GPU, a fan controller, and 3 mini drives, it was irritating to fight the balance between temperatures and noise.  I ended up moving everything to a Fractal Design Define R4 for that reason.  Though if someone lives in a high noise environment, I guess it won't be as much of an issue.  Still, GPU temperature seems toasty in that review.

[jwaz]

This is Lian Li OEMed, isn't it? I think I remember that from the original Kickstarter they did.

Photo: You went from a Bitfenix Prodigy to Define R4? What about The Define Mini? Sounds like the perfect compromise.

[Photoelectric]

I got a white windowed R4 on a sale, and I think it had better temperature/noise ratio from reviews, but it's been a while now since I read those reviews.  The main annoyance with the Prodigy case was due to pump noise, which has a tonal component and also a low hum.  It sat close to me on my desk and was very audible.  The only thing I can notice from the current case is the faint tonal noise from the pump--everything else is very well concealed.  Mini ITX motherboards are really bad at allowing air coolers AND GPUs (at least mine makes them mutually exclusive), in general, so I had to with liquid cooling to keep CPU temperatures down--otherwise I will always prefer heavy duty air cooling with high quality fans in undampened cases due to noise considerations.  I've heard what people claim to be "quiet" pumps, and I think our definitions of "quiet" are not the same

[okwchin]

Here is a cardboard ncase M1

Bit bigger than the real M1


This is version 2 of my cardboard creation, made in anticipation of the real NCase M1. Dimensions for this one are now accurate, as well as its internal layout.



And then the real deal on my desk



For a case of its size, this thing really fits together nicely. Key to this case is the appreciation that its smaller size means you can't expect to fit everything. The primary goal of this case is to be as small as possible, but still fit a range of high end gaming gear. Choosing components to fit together perfectly is absolutely essential to success both through the process of installation, and through its thermal performance.



A 2.5" HDD on the outside left of the case, and 2 2.5" drives on the inside front panel (left side), SFX PSU, ducted air intake for the PSU, Noctua C14 heatsink, fits perfectly under the side panel case fan, with a Noctua slim 92mm fan for mobo cooling, GTX670 with 2 scythe gentle typhoon fans for the case bottom.


So whats the point of all this? To me its the challenge of building compact, having the power available in a small package, and one that looks good. And ultimately, along with a 60% board, and a wireless mouse, I have a gaming system that fits in my moderate backpack. Has been a daily carry to the office, and various places. I guess building is also a hobby.

[PointyFox]

That's some expensive sheet metal.

[geniekid]

This is Lian Li OEMed, isn't it? I think I remember that from the original Kickstarter they did.

Yes Lian Li was and will be the manufacturer.  They're doing orders directly through their site this time as opposed to Indiegogo.

You can see tentative revisions for round two here

[tbc]

I got a white windowed R4 on a sale, and I think it had better temperature/noise ratio from reviews, but it's been a while now since I read those reviews.  The main annoyance with the Prodigy case was due to pump noise, which has a tonal component and also a low hum.  It sat close to me on my desk and was very audible.  The only thing I can notice from the current case is the faint tonal noise from the pump--everything else is very well concealed.  Mini ITX motherboards are really bad at allowing air coolers AND GPUs (at least mine makes them mutually exclusive), in general, so I had to with liquid cooling to keep CPU temperatures down--otherwise I will always prefer heavy duty air cooling with high quality fans in undampened cases due to noise considerations.  I've heard what people claim to be "quiet" pumps, and I think our definitions of "quiet" are not the same

they exist.  high end boards from evga and asus.

got a nh d14 on mine.

[Photoelectric]

Yeah, they do, but the ASUS board for the Ivy bridge generation wasn't a good value vs ASRock, and the EVGA's Stinger even less so.  I followed technical discussions on them pretty well for a while.  Might be better selection for the current generation.

[JaccoW]

How much does this thing weigh? It is a very cool looking case but you know... shipping it to Europe

EDIT: Whoops nevermind. I found it on the website.
It is a nice case and I was planning to build a new PC later this year... hmmm. Let's think on this for a while.

EDIT 2: Sod it, ordered.

[agodinhost]

Damm, my wallet is already empty!

[dorkvader]

I've always wanted to do a build like this, and this case is certainly the one to do it in, but sadly my current computer is not due for replacement until 2015/16.

Hopefully there'll be more by then.

[okwchin]

Probably won't be more of this case specifically due to its fairly narrow market base, and once off type production. The compromises required to achieve a satisfactory build puts of too many buyers for the larger case brands to take up such cases, or at least this has been the case to date.

Fortunately, the ITX market is starting up warm up, and I would expect there to be more options from the big names in the future.

Honestly though, unless you want something compact, once this case goes under the table, I forget that its even there, and the space I have saved is irrelevant. You can get cases that are quieter, more flexible, higher capacity, and without compromises by going for a larger case, and almost definitely saving money too.

I however am very happy to have bought into this case (or two).

[JaccoW]

I have my case on my desk and I look forward to having a giant screen, badass keyboard and a lot if power sitting there. I have a 20kg tower case as well but it's too expensive to put it at a place that I would probably hit with my feet all the time.

[False_Dmitry_II]

There aren't any AM3+ mITX though.

I ended up using this for my smaller build. I didn't even use any of the drive bays at the top, only the one on the bottom of the case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147166

[okwchin]

http://imgur.com/a/zOoA2

Photo gallery collation of user builds. Some are especially impressive

[Neal]

I have a v1 of these, might get an extra. absolutely LOVE it.

Just waiting for a few parts to come out so I can build my dream ITX rig. 

[agodinhost]

damm, I want one, no ...
make it two!!!
 

[dorkvader]

http://imgur.com/a/zOoA2

Photo gallery collation of user builds. Some are especially impressive

http://i.imgur.com/mq1j4y6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GJZWs0w.jpg

These two are my fav.

[daerid]

Yup... definitely going to pick one of these up for my new recording computer build.

[Zombly]

Case isn't pretty enough for me.. I have the EVGA Hadron, and I still prefer it over this.., and the Hadron was $199 with a Gold Rated PSU installed..


e// I understand that EVGA is a huge corporation compared to this, but just making my point

[Emmiya]

Here's a quick build log from mine, way back when it was first released.
It's a pretty nice case, assuming you don't want to go all-out. Keeps reasonable temps(34C idle all around, about 45-60 under load)
Reasonably you're not going to fit more than a 550W PSU in there, and you're limited to a single graphics card with one 240x120 radiator. Some people have managed to make water-cooling work, but I have never even set up a loop so didn't want to risk frying £2k worth of components.

[Coreda]

CPU cooler max height: 130mm... well that severely limits the choices, even more so than my EVGA Hadron Air.

Nice modular internal design though, not so much a fan of the kind of plain exterior though.

[okwchin]

CPU cooler max height: 130mm... well that severely limits the choices, even more so than my EVGA Hadron Air.

Nice modular internal design though, not so much a fan of the kind of plain exterior though.

I absolutely love the clean simple exterior . I find other cases too busy and lacking in elegance….

To each their own!

[Coreda]

I absolutely love the clean simple exterior . I find other cases too busy and lacking in elegance….

To each their own!

I also love functional exteriors Some can be a bit too similar in to the minimalist box-like designs out there though, but this case is definitely one of the nicer designs available, especially as it's one of the very few in the SFF size.

[JaccoW]

CPU cooler max height: 130mm... well that severely limits the choices, even more so than my EVGA Hadron Air.

Nice modular internal design though, not so much a fan of the kind of plain exterior though.

That's ehy most people go for AIO watercooling solutions such as the Corsair series.

[JaccoW]

I received my panel kit a few days ago and I can pick up the case itself this afternoon. Now I still have to save enough money to actually build the damn thing. XD


Its really tiny btw.

[Sent]

Which shipping option did you choose?    Still waiting on my V2.  It's gonna take forever. 

[Heezy]

I received my panel kit a few days ago and I can pick up the case itself this afternoon. Now I still have to save enough money to actually build the damn thing. XD

Show Image

Its really tiny btw.

Awesome casing! It cost about 50$ shipping for me

[JaccoW]

Which shipping option did you choose?    Still waiting on my V2.  It's gonna take forever. 

TW Air I think. Mind you, I'm from the Netherlands so perhaps simply have a better connection.

I received my panel kit a few days ago and I can pick up the case itself this afternoon. Now I still have to save enough money to actually build the damn thing. XD

Show Image

Its really tiny btw.

Awesome casing! It cost about 50$ shipping for me

I hope so! I have to pay something like €36 for import duties. Which is not bad considering. :)
I'll pick it up in a few hours but I will have to wait a few months to save up for everything and for some of the parts I want to become available.

[Heezy]

Which shipping option did you choose?    Still waiting on my V2.  It's gonna take forever. 

TW Air I think. Mind you, I'm from the Netherlands so perhaps simply have a better connection.

I received my panel kit a few days ago and I can pick up the case itself this afternoon. Now I still have to save enough money to actually build the damn thing. XD

Show Image

Its really tiny btw.

Awesome casing! It cost about 50$ shipping for me

I hope so! I have to pay something like €36 for import duties. Which is not bad considering. :)
I'll pick it up in a few hours but I will have to wait a few months to save up for everything and for some of the parts I want to become available.

Make sure you post some build logs pictures! I'm planning to grab the black one. Did you tick the optical drive option? Would it spoil the look?

[Sent]

TW Air I think. Mind you, I'm from the Netherlands so perhaps simply have a better connection.

Hmmm, could be.  I think that's what I chose as well.  I had actually forgotten about it until I saw your post.  )

Make sure you post some build logs pictures! I'm planning to grab the black one. Did you tick the optical drive option? Would it spoil the look?

Are you waiting for them to have some extras after everyone's received theirs?  Optical drive...bah.  Who uses that these days?  )  I think it looks cleaner without it...even though it's pretty damn well integrated.

[JaccoW]

You know me, I will be making pictures of everything.
I ordered the black one and a separate silver panel kit for if I ever wanted to change it to match my setup. For now I have a black aluminum TKL so I want to make it match that one.

I did order an ODD. I have several Blu-Ray movies that I plan to use this with so I will be putting a slimline slot-loading one in. Those things are expensive though...

It will be watercooled and I already have a small planned build-log @bit-tech. It will feature an external res with a custom bracket and the entire case will have a black/red/orange/white theme.

[Heezy]

TW Air I think. Mind you, I'm from the Netherlands so perhaps simply have a better connection.

Hmmm, could be.  I think that's what I chose as well.  I had actually forgotten about it until I saw your post.  )

Make sure you post some build logs pictures! I'm planning to grab the black one. Did you tick the optical drive option? Would it spoil the look?

Are you waiting for them to have some extras after everyone's received theirs?  Optical drive...bah.  Who uses that these days?  )  I think it looks cleaner without it...even though it's pretty damn well integrated.

Not really, just broke now. I'm planning to get one by the end of the year, and then get some watercooling for it. 

You know me, I will be making pictures of everything.
I ordered the black one and a separate silver panel kit for if I ever wanted to change it to match my setup. For now I have a black aluminum TKL so I want to make it match that one.

I did order an ODD. I have several Blu-Ray movies that I plan to use this with so I will be putting a slimline slot-loading one in. Those things are expensive though...

It will be watercooled and I already have a small planned build-log @bit-tech. It will feature an external res with a custom bracket and the entire case will have a black/red/orange/white theme.

True, I'm gonna get the black one just to match my cheat, and maybe do a little modding? Anodize some of the panels to red, and probably a logo as well.  It'll be my main PC, and I'll probably stream some dota 2 on it.

[okwchin]

Look forward to seeing how your build comes together!

I still have another V1 in the box unopened, waiting to be built one day....

[JaccoW]

@Trynds: Yeah, that would be awesome. I was thinking of anodizing the little interface panel where the front USB ports and power button are. Black with a red mouth...