DAN C4-SFX

[Schnaxelhuber]

Update:
After the release of the new RTX 3x00 FE cards I consider to not make the fliped layout (GPU on top) the default layout. It will be still possible to flip the case to get this orientation. As my test shown the best configuration for overall temps is the side mounted radiator pushing air outside the case. With the GPU on top the radiator will source fresh air over the bottom. This is already not optimal because this intace is limited by the case feet height. New founders cards will also push hot air into the radiator zone. This will made the situation more worse. If the GPU is on bottom the radiator will have more access to much more fresh air through the top panel. Maybe I am worng but I will test it with a RTX 3080 FE.

Btw: For me the new RTX cards are a big step forward and it is something like the 8800 GTX in the past.

I honestly don’t get why the new gpu cooler design should be a problem for the cpu temperatures. It’s not like the new design is creating heat energy. If anything the new design is creating less Hotspots at the sidewalls and pcb.
so I see it as a much more efficient gpu cooling at the expense of slightly worse cpu temps. but I would still prioritize better air access at the top of the case for the gpu in flipped mode. Especially with a water cooled cpu you will always be more concerned about the air cooled gpu.
i think for the system as a whole the new fe cooler design is a big win.

 

[Notional]

I honestly don’t get why the new gpu cooler design should be a problem for the cpu temperatures. It’s not like the new design is creating heat energy. If anything the new design is creating less Hotspots at the sidewalls and pcb.
so I see it as a much more efficient gpu cooling at the expense of slightly worse cpu temps. but I would still prioritize better air access at the top of the case for the gpu in flipped mode. Especially with a water cooled cpu you will always be more concerned about the air cooled gpu.
i think for the system as a whole the new fe cooler design is a big win.

Indeed. Whether the backplate/pcb of the graphics card or a PSU up against the card is stopping airflow, really doesn't make any difference. But I also don't think the coolers are the problem, but rather the insane tdp of these cards. 320-350w/tdp + overclocking is not gonna fly. With a case like C4 it might make more sense to use a 240 CLC on the GPU and an aircooler on the CPU instead. Onderclocking/volting can only do so much after all.

 

[teajanky]

I actually think 280 rads would work wonders now. I would go rad > gpu > cpu. It's still a lot of watts for just one rad tho, and with next gen consoles having a zen based 8 core cpu, it might not be the same negligible power requirements for the cpu like we're used to. At least for games a few years from now, if the whole system is maxed out with blender or something similar it will probably just throttle at some point.

 

[dondan]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but is the 300mm max GPU length the absolute max? Seeing the MSI 3080 Ventus 3x is 305mm. Other cards are even longer

These values are based on the current prototype. I am in the process of changing the sizes tu support 280 AIO this will result in case with a increased length so GPU support will be upt to 320mm.

New case size will be something like this:

width: 151mm (+3mm to support gpus with a height of up to 130mm and more water blocks)
length: 333mm (+ 18mm to support 280mm rad in the GPU zone or side mounted zone)
height: 238mm (+6mm to support triple slot GPU in the bottom or 30mm height radiator + 25mm fans in this zone for sandwich)
Volume: ~11.9L

 

[SaMandria]

I would appreciate you could give us the exact supported radiator dimentions again @dondan

 

[dondan]

Updated GPU and Radiator spec. for C4-SFX final design:

Side mounted radiator:

• perfect fit: 280 rad - 315x143x30mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans
• max fit: 280 rad - 320x143x38mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans

• Prominent 280 AIOs that will fit: NZXT Kraken X63, Z63, Corsair H115i Pro
• List of custom loop rads: https://geizhals.eu/?cat=coolwradia&xf=13043_320~13045_38~13060_2x+140mm

Note: With a set of slim fans like the upcomming Noctua A14x15 the radiator height could be increased up to 48mm



Bottom/Top mounted radiator (dep. on orientation):

• perfect fit: 280 rad - 315x143x30mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans
• max fit: 280 rad - 320x143x30mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans

• Prominent AIOs that will fit: NZXT Kraken X63, Z63, Corsair H115i Pro
• List of custom loop rads: https://geizhals.eu/?cat=coolwradia&xf=13043_320~13045_30~13060_2x+140mm

Note: For 280er radiator you have to use fans with round housing that fit between Lian Li clips like Noctua A14R. Raditor must sit on fans.


Extra Notes: I do not know a 240 radiator or 240 AIO that will not fit.


GPU support for both layouts:

• Width: Triple slot ( up to 65mm )
• Length: 320mm length
• Classic height: up to 131mm (power socket has to be 18mm lower or 10mm if you use low profile 180° power turn)
• Sandwich height: up to 165mm (power socket has to be 18mm lower or 10mm if you use low profile 180° power turn)

Note: RTX 3090 FE will only fit in sandwich layout

 

[jaeparku]

^In a classic layout, it seems like the EVGA FTW3 3080 card will not fit.

 

[bushonpen]

Updated GPU and Radiator spec. for C4-SFX final design:

Side mounted radiator:

• perfect fit: 280 rad - 315x143x30mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans
• max fit: 280 rad - 320x143x38mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans
• Prominent 280 AIOs that will fit: NZXT Kraken X63, Z63, Corsair H115i Pro
• List of custom loop rads: https://geizhals.eu/?cat=coolwradia&xf=13043_320~13045_38~13060_2x+140mm

I am so happy that Liquid Freezer II 280 AIO will fit even if it is in the "max fit" category. It has the best performance according to GN and even if the VRM fan is practically useless in a normal size case, I think it will do some work in an ITX system. I can't wait for more information and even though I will upgrade my system when ddr5 comes out Q42021/Q12022, I will buy the C4 as soon as it is available to make sure I can get my hands on it.

 

[thelaughingman]

Updated GPU and Radiator spec. for C4-SFX final design:

Side mounted radiator:

• perfect fit: 280 rad - 315x143x30mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans
• max fit: 280 rad - 320x143x38mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans

• Prominent 280 AIOs that will fit: NZXT Kraken X63, Z63, Corsair H115i Pro
• List of custom loop rads: https://geizhals.eu/?cat=coolwradia&xf=13043_320~13045_38~13060_2x+140mm

Note: With a set of slim fans like the upcomming Noctua A14x15 the radiator height could be increased up to 48mm



Bottom/Top mounted radiator (dep. on orientation):

• perfect fit: 280 rad - 315x143x30mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans
• max fit: 280 rad - 320x143x30mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans

• Prominent AIOs that will fit: NZXT Kraken X63, Z63, Corsair H115i Pro
• List of custom loop rads: https://geizhals.eu/?cat=coolwradia&xf=13043_320~13045_30~13060_2x+140mm

Note: For 280er radiator you have to use fans with round housing that fit between Lian Li clips like Noctua A14R. Raditor must sit on fans.


Extra Notes: I do not know a 240 radiator or 240 AIO that will not fit.


GPU support for both layouts:

• Width: Triple slot ( up to 65mm )
• Length: 320mm length
• Classic height: up to 131mm (power socket has to be 18mm lower or 10mm if you use low profile 180° power turn)
• Sandwich height: up to 165mm (power socket has to be 18mm lower or 10mm if you use low profile 180° power turn)

Note: RTX 3090 FE will only fit in sandwich layout

@fabio will you do a dual 280 rad in the C4 pls ? ? ?

 

[Demthios]

Roughly how much clearance will there be between the back of the GPU and the PSU? Wondering how well the FEs will work in the sandwich layout.

 

[dondan]

^In a classic layout, it seems like the EVGA FTW3 3080 card will not fit.

This is true

 

[Aleksander]

Updated GPU and Radiator spec. for C4-SFX final design:

Side mounted radiator:

• perfect fit: 280 rad - 315x143x30mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans
• max fit: 280 rad - 320x143x38mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans

• Prominent 280 AIOs that will fit: NZXT Kraken X63, Z63, Corsair H115i Pro
• List of custom loop rads: https://geizhals.eu/?cat=coolwradia&xf=13043_320~13045_38~13060_2x+140mm

Note: With a set of slim fans like the upcomming Noctua A14x15 the radiator height could be increased up to 48mm



Bottom/Top mounted radiator (dep. on orientation):

• perfect fit: 280 rad - 315x143x30mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans
• max fit: 280 rad - 320x143x30mm (LWH) + 2* 140x140x25 fans

• Prominent AIOs that will fit: NZXT Kraken X63, Z63, Corsair H115i Pro
• List of custom loop rads: https://geizhals.eu/?cat=coolwradia&xf=13043_320~13045_30~13060_2x+140mm

Note: For 280er radiator you have to use fans with round housing that fit between Lian Li clips like Noctua A14R. Raditor must sit on fans.


Extra Notes: I do not know a 240 radiator or 240 AIO that will not fit.


GPU support for both layouts:

• Width: Triple slot ( up to 65mm )
• Length: 320mm length
• Classic height: up to 131mm (power socket has to be 18mm lower or 10mm if you use low profile 180° power turn)
• Sandwich height: up to 165mm (power socket has to be 18mm lower or 10mm if you use low profile 180° power turn)

Note: RTX 3090 FE will only fit in sandwich layout

Sounds like a great case! And one of very few small cases that can fit the new gen GPUs.

When can I buy it??

 

[fish.ch]

When can I buy it?

Dan is probably not going to give ETA or anything, but realistically speaking not this year. Don't get high hopes for at least first half of next year either. That's assuming Dan would be happy with prototype of current ('final') design and everything else goes smoothly.

 

[dondan]

RTX 3080 compatibility list:

here is the Nvidia RTX 3080 compatibility list. Some cards may fit (!) if you use a low profile 180° power socket adapter.
Furthermore some cards that are too long may be also fit if they are deshrouded, because the heatsink and pcb may shorter than the fan shroud.

Card	Sandwich	Classic
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080	not fit (length)	not fit (length, height)
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 OC	not fit (length)	not fit (length, height)
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3080	fit	not fit (power socket)!
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 OC	fit	not fit (power socket)!
EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 FTW3 Gaming	fit	not fit (height)
EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 FTW3 Ultra Gaming	fit	not fit (height)
EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 Black Gaming	fit	fit
EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 Gaming	fit	fit
EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 Ultra Gaming	fit	fit
Gainward GeForce RTX 3080 Phoenix	fit	fit
Gainward GeForce RTX 3080 Phoenix GS	fit	fit
Gigabyte Aorus GeForce RTX 3080 Master	fit	not fit (power socket)!
Gigabyte Aorus GeForce RTX 3080 Xtreme	fit	not fit (power socket)!
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3080 Eagle OC	fit	fit
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming OC	fit	fit
INNO3D GeForce RTX 3080 iCHILL X3	fit	power socket height!
INNO3D GeForce RTX 3080 iCHILL X4	fit	power socket height!
INNO3D GeForce RTX 3080 Twin X2 OC	fit	fit
MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio	not fit (length)	not fit (length, height)
MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming X Trio	not fit (length)	not fit (length, height)
MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X	fit	power socket height!
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Founders Edition	fit	fit
Palit GeForce RTX 3080 GamingPro	fit	fit
Palit GeForce RTX 3080 GamingPro OC	fit	fit
PNY GeForce RTX 3080 OC XLR8 Gaming	fit	fit
PNY GeForce RTX 3080 OC XLR8 Gaming Epic-X	fit	fit
Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 Trinity	fit	fit

 

[DeLarge]

Will the bottom section of the case be removable like it is on the M1 V6?

thanks

 

[iwe]

Any thought if you are going to do redesign of the case based on the new GPU?

 

[fish.ch]

Any thought if you are going to do redesign of the case based on the new GPU?

On this very page there's updated specs alongside 3080 compatibility table?

 

[Leith]

Since you are German as well (as I think, could be totally wrong ), will the availability still be prioritized in th US first ?

 

[jaeparku]

Since you are German as well (as I think, could be totally wrong ), will the availability still be prioritized in th US first ?

we don't even have an estimated target date range yet..no point in asking for which country will be prioritized yet ?

 

[wykydtronik]

I want one ?