I am planning my first SFF build, made lots of research and just came across the Dan C4-SFX.
My first impression was very good but now I think this is going to be just another premium case that are not perfect for me.
Seriously, in the ~10 liters segment this case has strong and premium competitors: T1, S1 (with a top hat) and M1. Especially Ghost S1 with its hats gives you plenty of options. And if you prefer classic layout, you have the M1. Moreover S1 w L tophat is almost the same size and its look is more premium.
In my opinion C4 should be bigger. There is no point in doing just another 10 L case (or smaller). There is really nothing to choose from in the 12-14 L sandwich-style segment and this is where we need a premium case. Sliger SMxxx is not premium enough (awful vents, acrylic window, moderate look).
I understand that you want to create a smallest possible watercooled-enabled case but in my opinion, adding 2 more liters is almost not noticeable but it would have SIGNIFICANT impact on thermal performance. We could put a 30 mm rad + normal 25 mm fans on top, and slim (15 mm) or normal (25 mm) fans on bottom, use sandwitch layout with glass panel and have very good thermals. Even a full custom loop with separate DDC pump. That would be something to many. Currently NO premium SFF case offers that.
I was really thinking about purchasing M1 but I really just hate one thing about this case - you cannot use watercooling and glass panel at the same time as the rad could only be mounted on the side. Even if it could be mounted on the bottom, it does not make any sense as the GPU would be blocking all the airflow. In my opinion classic GPU layout is a very bad idea when using non-vented side panels, as there is almost no airflow from/to the bottom.
Please notice that even if a fan technically can be mounted at the top or bottom but there is very little clearance (like 1 cm) between it and GPU, PSU etc., its performance is much decreased and the noise is much more audible. A premium build is a build that gives you premium look, premium performance, but also premium noise levels. And saving every half-a-liter to be able to tell "this is smallest watercooled case" is in my opinion not the best way to create premium products. Premium products do not need slogans, they has to be the best in what is really important.
