So I think it's becoming a norm to have M.2 slot on the back of ITX motherboards. Even the ROG Strix AMD board mandates NVME on the rear slot if wanting to occupy all of the M.2 slot. However, not all ITX case has rear opening for a better ventilation of the rear m.2 slot. Case in point, I just bought Cougar QBX, and the rear opening covers the M.2 slot. You can fit an m.2 SSD there, but it's pressed against the structure for the 2.5" drive slot of the case. I'm not risking my already hot NVME pressed against anything.
The same goes to Fractal Design Nano S, the opening is barely big enough for an M.2 slot, and if you put an NVME there the two 2.5" drive definitely going to suffer from the heat radiation since it's on top of the M.2 slot.
My question is, how do we identify cases that has generous rear motherboard opening for M.2 slot(s)? My dream ITX build involves Asrock X299E-ITX or whatever AMD TR has to offer (HEAVY emphasis on the dream part), and I noticed that its M.2 slots are on the backside. So I think rather than waiting for a specific motherboard, I think it's best just to look for a case that has generous opening that supports M.2 slot well, like my current case Evolv ITX... Love hate the case, awesome ventilation and WC support, but not too keen with the size.
Is there any criteria I can identify? Or there are none, and public forums are the only way to know it?
The same goes to Fractal Design Nano S, the opening is barely big enough for an M.2 slot, and if you put an NVME there the two 2.5" drive definitely going to suffer from the heat radiation since it's on top of the M.2 slot.
My question is, how do we identify cases that has generous rear motherboard opening for M.2 slot(s)? My dream ITX build involves Asrock X299E-ITX or whatever AMD TR has to offer (HEAVY emphasis on the dream part), and I noticed that its M.2 slots are on the backside. So I think rather than waiting for a specific motherboard, I think it's best just to look for a case that has generous opening that supports M.2 slot well, like my current case Evolv ITX... Love hate the case, awesome ventilation and WC support, but not too keen with the size.
Is there any criteria I can identify? Or there are none, and public forums are the only way to know it?