Enclosure Acer U320 and clones

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Just ordered the Mars Computing MC-Elite, which is a clone (or just relabeled version) of the Acer U320.
Seen this case a few months ago being discussed on r/sffpc, and somebody pointed out a few days ago, that there actually is a version available in Europe, from Mars Computing.

So, as I was very frustated last week about several failures in terms of delivery (eg. supermarket delivery not only managed to "forget" more than half the ordered goods, but also had me running after the delivery guy, with a severe strained leg, to tell him he indeed did forget half of it) ... I decided to treat myself to something nice

Ordered on Thursday evening, while trying to figure out how to get the rest of my grocery stuff via eg. Amazon, arrived yesterday afternoon (Saturday), only got to properly unpack right now.

Case is found on Amazon Germany, and thus, probably also the rest of Europe, as Mars Computing is - I think - a company from Spain; Ordered in black, 17ish L, allows for mATX + ATX PSU, 240 AIO sidemounted, up to 135 mm air cooling (could also be 150 without the side mount), got both feet and handles in identical looks, and weights only about 3 kg. Price is 50 Euro including shipping w/ Amazon Prime (original US price acc. to reddit: 29 USD).

Pictures coming soon, gonna post them in my blog and then repost selected ones here


cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Fun little case, I opened it and took a few pictures. Gonna use it for the "traditional" pre-build of the workstation.
Comes with three 92 mm fans preinstalled, sadly all molex

Probably gonna use the following components:

• MB: Asrock Z690 PG-ITX/TB4
• CPU: i5-12400
• CPU Cooling: I am tempted to try the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE, to test the maximum height (and if it fails, I'm just going with the SI-100)
• RAM: 32 GB RAM, Corsair Vengeance 5600, CL 36
• Storage: SK Hynix P41 as main system / boot drive
• PSU: Fractal Design Ion+ SFX 650 Gold (SFX-L) .. or if all fails, the horrible FSP Dagger Pro 850
• GPU: Inno3D RTX 4070 Twin X2 OC White Stealth with "hidden" power connector
• Case fans: Replacing them with a few 92 mm Noctuas or Scythe ARGBs; there might be even enough space on the bottom for 120 mm fans, so I gonna try with a few, eg. I got those unused, pristine Arctic P12 ARGB sitting around

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Wanted to give it a try and do a "traditional" build before I move all the final parts into the A4-H2O.

Uhm, no.

NOOOOOOO!

Ugh.

The case itself is good, but all the decisions made for its "assets" are .. questionable. This one feels similar in build quality, at least the shell itself, as the Tacens cases. But from there, it rapidly drops down in quality; actually, it feels like somebody came up with a good idea, did a prototype that was promising but still rough on the edges - and then their boss came and ripped it from their hands, added the cheapest of the cheapest everywhere, et voila! 17L case that could have been ... SO. MUCH. BETTER.

but isnt

Enough. Gonna put this one away.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Yeah, gonna build in this case eventually, but not with my brand-new birthday present.
Leftover parts maybe, just so I build a DECENT one for once. And then? Maybe if a relative or friend is in need .. donate it to them.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Doing an interim build in the U320 - the OBS streaming system is being migrated into it, as I want to finally get the Mesh-mATX done. Also, because I need the desk space, after having moved all my stuff, esp. the desktop setup, into new rooms. The AP201 is currently positioned behind my monitors, but the setup really isnt that nice .. so Mesh-mATX, APU edition, here we come!

BTT: Building with the following components: i5-13500, MSI B760I Edge Wifi, 32 GB DDR 4 (Corsair LPX), Silverstone Vida 240, Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 V1 (51 mm tall), Fractal Design Ion SFX Gold 650W (SFX-L).

Basically whats in the Meshroom S right now, sans the PSU, because I fear using an SFX-L PSU would become a huge PITA with an mATX board; it certainly was already a huge finger cramps inducing PITA in the original Meshlicious, until I came up with the idea of moving the PSU to the other side of the case. No need to go that far, the U320 should, in theory, have no qualms with whether I use an SFX or an SFX-L unit.

.. but we will see.

Re my comments about the disgusting PCI slots: Same cheap garbage setup as in the SGPC K77 Lite. Apparently extremely expensive to just create a simple stamp-out that allows for hooking in the PCIe profile of the GPU. Shouldnt be too much of a bother for the Asus Phoenix.

First big PITA: The installation "manual" is rudimentary AF. You dont even know which of the supplied screws are for what; should be simple enough, probably gonna figure them out on the go.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

There is a different manufacturer which apparently sells the same case under their own brand, called Newway. Available on Amazon Germany, too: https://www.amazon.de/NEWWAY-PC-Gehäuse-kompatibel-Micro-ATX-Metallwand-Weiß/dp/B0DQQ27Q68

The difference to MC = Mars Gaming is, that they directly supply a manual. Its still not that good, but much better than the shoddy xeroxed A4 sheet of paper gracefully supplied by Mars Gaming.

They also offer direct support for any issues etc. Still, the horrid design choices, esp. with mounting the PSU and top fan bracket, I'd rather avoid this case. When money is being saved at the most wrong place. Pretty sad, this case would have much more potential if not for those flaws.

cu, w0lf.