A Crowd Funded Mini-ITX Case, the NCASE M1

Subject: Cases and Cooling | February 17, 2013 - 03:51 PM | Ryan Shrout
Tagged: ncase, mini-itx, mini ITX, m1

We love us some mini-ITX products that enable us to build powerful PCs and HTPCs in smaller chassis and using smaller footprints than traditional ATX and even MicroATX designs.  We have reviewed several mini-ITX motherboards including EVGA's Z77 Stinger and even a couple of mini-ITX based pre-build computers like AVADirect Mini Gaming PC and the Digital Storm Bolt.  All of these products showcase the capability to get incredible computing and gaming horsepower in a small design. 

Recently I came across a thread in the /r/hardware sub-reddit discussing crowd funding for a new kind of mini-ITX chassis design.  In what started as a discussion on the HardForum has resulted in a design ready for prototyping and tooling. 

That is where the community comes in!  The designers have started an Indiegogo.com project to help get funding from users like you and me to enable prototype units to be built and tested.  I already tossed in a chunk of money from PC Perspective and I think once you see what they have designed you'll be interested as well.

The NCASE M1 is a new Mini-ITX case that raises the bar in performance, versatility, and design for SFF PC cases. With support for 12.5” GPUs, water or air cooling, and a variety of drive mounting options, the M1 offers unparalleled power and flexibility for its surprisingly small footprint, all wrapped in an elegant, minimalist aluminum exterior.

We've spent months perfecting the design using feedback from [H]ardForum community and Lian Li's engineers. Our goal is to take this design to production, and we need your help.

The next step before production is to test a prototype of the M1. The funding goal is the minimum we need to produce a prototype plus a small components budget to test fitment, thermals and noise.

The more funding we're able to raise, the more hardware configurations we'll be able to test for, which leads to a better product. If we achieve our funding goal, don't let it stop you from backing us! Every little bit will help make the M1 better.

Just look at the projected specifications and device support:

Dimensions: 240mm x 160mm x 328mm (250mm tall w/feet), 12.6L
Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Mini-DTX
Expansion Slots: 3
GPU Support: 12.5” (slot 1 & 2) or 11” (slot 3)
CPU Cooler Support: Up to 105mm tall; 120mm and 240mm radiators also supported
Drive Support: 3 x 3.5” HDD mounts; 3 x 2.5” drive mounts; 1 x slim slot-load optical drive mount
Power Supply Support: SFX or ATX (up to 140mm non-modular, or longer w/short GPU)
Fan Support: 2 x 120mm side & bottom mounts; 80/92mm bottom & rear mounts
Front Ports: 2 x USB 3.0, headphone and microphone

A chassis design that is built not just but a single engineer in Taiwan but rather by actual users that want to perfect a product based on the input from the community DIRECTLY - it is an incredible goal! 

I have included some additional images below but you should make sure you head over to the Indigogo.com project page and learn about the NCASE M1 and contribute any amount you can to make this a reality.  Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future we'll be able to pick up one for ourselves and showcase it on PC Perspective!

A mid-weight PSU from Seasonic, the Platinum 660W

Subject: Cases and Cooling | February 14, 2013 - 05:47 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: rosewill, PSU, Platinim 660, modular psu, 80plus platinum

If the 1000W Rosewill PSU that Lee just reviewed is more power than your system needs, [H]ard|OCP has a slightly less powerful 660W 80Plus Platinum PSU you could consider that Lee has also looked at.  At $150 it is fairly expensive for a 660W PSU, but a 7 year warranty and a Platinum efficiency rating do not come cheap.  With four 6+2 PCIe connectors and up to 55A on the 12V rail and an unparalleled peak change of 0.01v this will solidly power several GPUs.  [H] was so impressed that they couldn't think of a PSU to contrast against, this unit is miles ahead of the competition when it comes to the purity of the voltages provided.

"Seasonic's new SS-660XP comes to us boasting high end PSU features in what we can consider a smaller wattage package than what we are used to seeing. This PSU has a fully modular design, great efficiency, optional Hybrid fan control allowing fanless, silent, and normal cooling modes. Does Seasonic have another winner?"

Here are some more Cases & Cooling reviews from around the web:

CASES & COOLING

• Aerocool GT-SG 700 W @ techPowerUp
• FSP Raider 550w @ XSReviews
• In Win Commander III 700 W Power Supply Review @ Hardware Secrets
• PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 850-Watt 80 PLUS Gold @ Tweaktown
• SilverStone Strider Plus ST60F-PS 600 W @ techPowerUp
• SilverStone PP06B Individual-Sleeved PSU Cables Review @ Pro-Clockers
• PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 750 W Power Supply Review @ Hardware Secrets
• BeQuiet! Pure Power L8 530W CM @ Kitguru
• Rosewill Tachyon 650W Power Supply Review @ Legit Reviews

Corsair updates their self contained watercoolers and not just with an 'i' at the end

Subject: Cases and Cooling | February 13, 2013 - 07:20 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: corsair, Hydro Series, H80i, H100i, watercooling, Corsair Link

The updated Hydro Series coolers, the H80i and H100i both feature all new tubing that might not be much more flexible than the previous models but offers improved flow rates.  As well these coolers are now able to be controlled via Corsair's Link technology, allowing you to either set the LED colour displayed or to use it as a real time temperature indicator.  As you would suspect the H100i is the larger of the two units, the H80i being 120 x 38 x 152mm and the H100i measuring 275 x 120mm x  27mm with both supporting up to four fans via the Link software.  [H]ard|OCP saw an improvement from the previous models which you can read about in their full review.

"Corsair updates its aging H80 and H100 performance liquid CPU coolers, with the new H80i and H100i models. Changes include a new cold plate design, smooth outer diameter no-kink tubing designed to further limit evaporation, and newer designed fans claiming better static pressures, and quieter operation."

Here are some more Cases & Cooling reviews from around the web:

CASES & COOLING

• NZXT Kraken X60 CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets
• NZXT Kraken X60 @ Kitguru
• NZXT Kraken X40 & X60 CPU Coolers Review @ Hardware Canucks
• Cooler Master Seidon 120M Liquid CPU Cooler @ eTeknix
• ilverStone NT01 Pro Low Profile HTPC CPU Cooler @ eTeknix
• Evercool Silent Shark CPU Cooler Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Thermalright Goes All In: SilverArrow SB-E Extreme Super-Cooler @ X-bit Labs
• Corsair H100i CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Noctua NF-A Series 140mm Fan Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Xigmatek Asgard 381 @ techPowerUp
• Enermax Ostrog Midi Tower PC Case Review @ NikKTech
• NZXT Phantom 820 Tower Computer Case @ Benchmark Reviews
• AZZA Silentium 920 Quiet Case Review @ Pro-Clockers
• Zalman MS800 Case Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Cooler Master HAF XB Mid-Tower @ Kitguru
• SilverStone Redline RL04 Case Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Silverstone Redline Series RL04 Chassis Review @ Pro-Clockers
• Nanoxia Deep Silence 1 Mid-Tower Case Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Silverstone Sugo Pack @ LanOC Reviews
• Cougar Spike Mini Gaming Case Review @ Pro-Clockers

21lbs of aluminium from Lian Li

Subject: Cases and Cooling | February 7, 2013 - 04:01 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: full tower, Lian Li, PC-A76

If you need a lot of space for your system the Lian Li PC-A76 is a good choice, at 220 x 585 x 615mm (8.6 x 23.0 x 24.2"), 11 expansion slots, two 5.25" internal drive bays, a dozen 3.5" drive bays and three 2.5" SSD mounting locations.  This is not a case that is going to fit in a small location and if you don't really need the space you might want to consider something a bit less monolithic.  On the other had a quad SLI/Crossfire system with 20TB of storage space would look lovely in this case.  [H]ard|OCP was a little disappointed with the lack of extras in the case but for a professional system this has both looks and utility.

"Lian Li is a name that is surely known inside enthusiast computer hardware circles. The company has produced cases for desktop computer builds nearly as long as there have been builders. Its new PC-A76 is all aluminum, weighing in at 21lbs, and makes you think it should be all that and a bag of chips."

Here are some more Cases & Cooling reviews from around the web:

CASES & COOLING

• Workshop Wednesday: How To Heat-Bend Acrylic Enclosures @ MAKE:Blog
• Fractal Design Define XL R2 Black Pearl Full-Tower @ Tweaktown
• AZZA Silentium 920 Case Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Fractal Design Arc Mini Review @ Hardware Canucks
• Thermaltake New Soprano Case Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Corsair Carbide 200R Compact ATX @ Kitguru
• RAIDMAX Cobra @ Computing on Demand
• NZXT Phantom 630 Modular Ultra Case Review @ Pro-Clockers
• AZZA Silentium 920 Case Review @ Neoseeker
• Cooler Master HAF XB @ Techspot
• Corsair Carbide Series 200R Mid Tower Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Closing the Loop II: New Liquid Coolers from Corsair and Swiftech @ AnandTech
• Corsair Hydro H90 and H110 @ Kitguru
• Corsair Hydro Series H90 @ techPowerUp
• Cooler Master Seidon 240M Water AIO CPU @ Tweaktown
• Zalman CNPS9900DF @ X-bit Labs
• Prolimatech MK-26 Review @ OCC
• Evercool Silent Shark CPU Cooler Review @ Pro-Clockers
• Evercool Silent Shark @ eTeknix
• Silverstone NT06-Pro Topdown SFF/HTPC CPU Cooler Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Zalman LQ320 CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Noctua NH-L9i Low Profile Heatsink Review @ Ninjalane

Win FREE Stuff! Seasonic M12II 850 watt and 750 watt PSU up for grabs!!

Subject: Editorial, Cases and Cooling | February 5, 2013 - 12:55 PM | Ryan Shrout
Tagged: seasonic, PSU, power supply, m12ii, giveaway, contest

We know that our readers love to win free stuff, and who can blame you?  Building PCs can sometimes be a burden on your wallet and we do our best to help that by showing you the best deals and occasionally having contests like this!

Our good friends at Seasonic wanted to offer up a couple of power supplies for our community and we were obviously excited to facilitate!  Here are the goods you can win:

Seasonic M12II SS-850AM 850 watt Power Supply ($130 value - Newegg Link)

Seasonic M12II SS-750AM 750 watt Power Supply ($120 value - Newegg Link)

Seasonic M12II Bronze Series has been the ever-popular power supply series of the semi modular category. Now Seasonic extends the semi-modular series by introducing M12II Bronze 650/750/850 to provide consumers a larger selection in the entry level 80PLUS Bronze certified category.

The M12II Bronze new models have built in a full protection feature including OCP, OPP,OTP, OVP, SCP & UVP and meet worldwide safety and environmental standards. The all-new M12II-650/750/850 units are the new leaders in the 80 PLUS Bronze category and another great addition to the Seasonic Retail power supply family.

If you are looking to build a new PC or upgrade your current system, either of these two power supplies will make a great backbone for all the other components. 

How do you win? 

1. Visit your favorite PC Perspective pages like our YouTube channel, Facebook page and Twitter account.  You should subscribe, like and follow us, you know...if you want to.  We'd appreciate it!
2. Also, stop by the Seasonic Facebook page and give it a look - they are always posting contests and giveaways there!!
3. Leave a comment here on this post telling us what you would be able to do better if your system was powered by one of these power supplies!

We'll pick a winner on Wednesday the 13th of February, so get your entries in NOW!  A big thank you goes out to Seasonic for supporting PC Perspective and for supporting our loyal readers!

Fractal Design Integrates USB 3.0 Support Into New Core 3000 USB 3.0 ATX Chassis

Subject: Cases and Cooling | February 5, 2013 - 09:21 AM | Tim Verry
Tagged: usb 3.0, mid tower, fractal design, core 3000 usb 3.0, Core 3000, atx case

Fractal Design has taken its budget-friendly mid-tower Core 3000 case, and updated it with USB 3.0 support on the front IO panel. The new SKU is aptly named the Fractal Design Core 3000 USB 3.0.

The new case is essentially an upgrade to the Core 3000. It is a black case with white accents on the drive carriages and PCI expansion slots. The front panel of the case features two optical disc drive bays and a dust filter covered by a mess grill. The top of the case holds an exhaust port and a new front IO panel. The IO panel includes two audio jacks, power and reset buttons, power and hard drive activity LEDs, two USB 2.0 ports, and two USB 3.0 ports.

The Core 3000 USB 3.0 case has room for two 5.25” drives and up to six 3.5” or 2.5” drives (with the top drive cage being removable). Seven PCI expansion slots, a CPU cutout, and cable management/routing holes are all standard features of the Core 3000 USB 3.0 case.

On the cooling front, the mid tower chassis comes equipped with three Silent Series R2 fans out of the box along with a total of seven fan cutouts. By default, there is one 140mm 1,000 RPM intake fan in the front, one 120mm 1,200 RPM exhaust fan in the back, and one 140mm 1,000 RPM fan attached to the top of the case.

The available fan positions are as follows:

• Front of the case:
  • 1 x 120mm fan
  • 1 x 140mm fan
• Top of the case:
  • 2 x 120mm or 140mm fans
• Rear of the case:
  • 1 x 120mm fan
• Side of the case:
  • 1 x 120mm fan
• Bottom of the case:
  • 1 x 120mm fan

The Core 3000 USB 3.0 case has a MSRP of $74.95 in the US. All in all, it looks to be a decent case for the price. You can find more information on the product page.