Log COOJ SF3 build, new 8.9L sandwich case.

zioNNN

Cable Smoosher
Original poster
Dec 2, 2025
9
10
Hello everyone! This is my first thread in this forum so far, but i've been following several threads over the years.

Recently, chinese case manufacturer COOJ released a new sandwich style case, measuring just 8.9L while still fitting 2.5 slot GPUs, two top 120x15mm slim fans and standard ITX components.

It was an instabuy, they pretty much nailed what I have been craving in an ITX case for years, and on top of that I already loved the MQ5 and MQ6 from them. At $99 it really is a no brainer unless you want to go water. (They will release a WC version very soon).

The build will be reusing all the parts from my previous case, the Zalman M2 Mini. It shared the same sandwich A4-style layout, but it measured around 11 Liters and only had space for a single, minuscule 80mm top fan.

PARTS LIST:
CPU: Intel Core i5 12600KF
CPU Cooler: Thermalright AXP90-X53
MB: Asus ROG B760i ITX Wifi
GPU: INNOX Twin X2 Nvidia RTX 4070 Super 12GB
RAM: 32Gb Corsair Vengeance DDR5 6400MHZ CL32
SSD: Samsung 980 1TB M.2
PSU: Silverstone SX500-LG 500W SFX-L, with custom PSU Cables from MODDIY (30cm PCI to 12VHPWR, 20cm CPU EPS, 15cm 24pin)

Here you have some pictures of the build, sadly I didn't take any before starting tk show the case alone:



You can't beat these panels. Sturdy, cero wobble, super breathables.



Added some LED strips:



Overall, i think they scored a masterpiece with the SF3, I can't think of any competitor for this case in the sub-9L category ITX, the closest I can think of would be the IQUNIX XZ-1 which costs more than double, while the S300 features much worse build quality and design and doesnt offer the dual top 120mm slim fans, and the rest of the Terras, Ncases, Formd T1s are either much more expensive, or bigger, or both.

The price is the cherry on the top, being just $99 for the basic version. (Sure, you may have to add the riser, but in my case I already had one from the Zalman).

My only grip with the SF3 is that the spine/middle tray seems to be held in place by a notch/indent, to me it doesnt feel "secured" or sturdy enough, the motherboard itself has a little wiggle of about 1-2mm if you try move it around.

Everything else, feels increible to me, hats off for COOJ.

Feel free to ask if you have any specific question.
 
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FriarPrior

What's an ITX?
New User
Dec 17, 2025
1
0
Looks great! I bought the silver version and it just arrived. I agree about the spine, but other than that, it feels SUPER sturdy.

How are your thermals and how did you set up your fans?

I am using a ryzen 9700x in mine and I think I need to reseat my axp90-x53; first time using an AMD chip.

Waiting on some shorter cables to arrive which should help my air flow.
 

zioNNN

Cable Smoosher
Original poster
Dec 2, 2025
9
10
Looks great! I bought the silver version and it just arrived. I agree about the spine, but other than that, it feels SUPER sturdy.

How are your thermals and how did you set up your fans?

I am using a ryzen 9700x in mine and I think I need to reseat my axp90-x53; first time using an AMD chip.

Waiting on some shorter cables to arrive which should help my air flow.
I definitely recommend the custom cables, mine came from MODDIY with custom lenghts and couldn't be happier.

My thermals are great, I didnt measure them but even touching the case it never gets hot, just warm, even when playing Battlefield 6 for +2H.

I have two ARCTIC P12 SLIM set as Exhaust on top of the case. They are great however you NEED to put a protective fan grill on the fan above the PSU.

Try reseating that X53, maybe apply new thermal paste or try undervolting the CPU, i didn't need to do it for my 12600kf, it works great by default.
 
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