CPU: i7-9700k with undervolt at 1.17v
COOLER: Big Shuriken 3 with Noctua NF A12x25
PASTE: Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
GPU: EVGA FTW3 3080, 2.75 slot cared with undervolt at 937mv @ 1980MHz
MOBO: Aorus Z390 Pro Wifi
RAM: Corsair Vengence LPX @3000MHz
PSU: Corsair RM580x Gold
Cables: Pre-configured CableMod set for Corsair PSU
This is my first time building in a small form factor, and I have built 3 copmputers total in my tech journey unless you count the multiple times I have moved parts from my personal PC to different cases then the total is more like 7 lol.
So, I am not new to building, but I am nowhere near an expert, so I will keep it short and if you have any questions let me know and I'll be happy to answer.
I moved to the N-ATX from the Lian Li Lancool 2. The Lancool is fantastic case with a bunch of thoughtful features and I can;t say enough good things about it, but the foot print is quite large and I may be moving in the near future so downsizing my rig seemd like the right move.
See photos for size comparison.
The case arrived and the box had a few dings here and there but thankfully there was no damage to the case and nothing moved around inside the box.
Case assembly was simple and only took 15 to 20min. If your like me and moving parts over, I recommend cleaning your parts now.
I installed the motherboard and found that I recommend you install your cooler outside of the case. while there is a cutout in the back I found my back plate could not go into the motherboard while it was installed due to slight blockage.
I also recommend installing your cpu power cable now as getting it later will be possible, but more difficult in my experience. Once MOBO and cooler are in, try and boot the system if you can to check temps because if you need to re-seat the cooler this stage is the best one to do it at instead of at the end.
Next was the GPU and in my case the scale used for the GPU bracket was right on with my card as a 2.75slot. Unfortunately, the small piece for the pcie bracket on the card had bad threading on one side and the way my GPU sits one display port is blocked.
I was able to fix the threading fairly easily and thank fully I can use my other three ports so the one being block is no big deal, but your milage may vary.
At the PSU stage I have a PSA, if you have the front panel off so you could use it as an access for anything, make sure you re-attach it now as the PSU will block one of the points you need to bolt it on with.
Also make sure you have the PSU switched on before installation as the button is inaccesible-ish after install. You can stick something through the slates to press it, but probing with small objects on an High Wattage part like this definitely not the safest thing in the world.
Other than that PSU installation was smooth, and I needed up tucking the slack from the extension in the pocket where the switch is, which made a loop that acted as a nice channel for my CPU cable to run.
Also, I was going to install my 3tb hard drive, but ultimately decided to keep it as open as possible for cable space, which brings me to the next stage which I can only guess is the old SFF dilemma, CABLE MANAGEMENT!
That being said cable management wasn't terrible in my experience, but having CableMod cables helped a lot! If you can swing it I definitely recommend individually sleaved cables and even custom length ones to reduce excess if you can swing it.
CPU and MOBO power were fairly easy to run manage with the space between the RAM and PSU available and the mobo tray having a tie point following that same line down. Plugging them in was also easy since you can turn the case upside down for easier access to PSU slots.
Where I struggled a bit was the GPU cables. Plugging in to the PSU was no problem, but plugging into the GPU was much harder since clearance between the ATX PSU and GPU was not much and management was also not easy.
These cables have some length and needing three of them I just did my best to make a tidy cable run as I could and store it in the bottom right.
System booted up just fine and is wisper quite with the Noctua fan. I set the curve at 50% speed at 30c and have sacle up 10% speed per 10c increase with 100% being at 80c. Even at 100% Noctua fans are very quite and I just left my GPU fans on auto and doesnt go above 60% speed in most cases.
I only did some light temp testing. I ran heaven benchmark and Cinebench R23 for about an hour. My CPU cores averaged about 66c to 67c and my GPU also sat around 67c which is not bad at all. Definitely not to spicy for an SFF build!
Overall the experience with this case was excellent and will use it in the future when I eventually upgrade mobo and cpu!
If you have any questions, noticed something I may have left out, or advice to give me please feel free chime in!
Thank you.
COOLER: Big Shuriken 3 with Noctua NF A12x25
PASTE: Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
GPU: EVGA FTW3 3080, 2.75 slot cared with undervolt at 937mv @ 1980MHz
MOBO: Aorus Z390 Pro Wifi
RAM: Corsair Vengence LPX @3000MHz
PSU: Corsair RM580x Gold
Cables: Pre-configured CableMod set for Corsair PSU
This is my first time building in a small form factor, and I have built 3 copmputers total in my tech journey unless you count the multiple times I have moved parts from my personal PC to different cases then the total is more like 7 lol.
So, I am not new to building, but I am nowhere near an expert, so I will keep it short and if you have any questions let me know and I'll be happy to answer.
I moved to the N-ATX from the Lian Li Lancool 2. The Lancool is fantastic case with a bunch of thoughtful features and I can;t say enough good things about it, but the foot print is quite large and I may be moving in the near future so downsizing my rig seemd like the right move.
See photos for size comparison.
The case arrived and the box had a few dings here and there but thankfully there was no damage to the case and nothing moved around inside the box.
Case assembly was simple and only took 15 to 20min. If your like me and moving parts over, I recommend cleaning your parts now.
I installed the motherboard and found that I recommend you install your cooler outside of the case. while there is a cutout in the back I found my back plate could not go into the motherboard while it was installed due to slight blockage.
I also recommend installing your cpu power cable now as getting it later will be possible, but more difficult in my experience. Once MOBO and cooler are in, try and boot the system if you can to check temps because if you need to re-seat the cooler this stage is the best one to do it at instead of at the end.
Next was the GPU and in my case the scale used for the GPU bracket was right on with my card as a 2.75slot. Unfortunately, the small piece for the pcie bracket on the card had bad threading on one side and the way my GPU sits one display port is blocked.
I was able to fix the threading fairly easily and thank fully I can use my other three ports so the one being block is no big deal, but your milage may vary.
At the PSU stage I have a PSA, if you have the front panel off so you could use it as an access for anything, make sure you re-attach it now as the PSU will block one of the points you need to bolt it on with.
Also make sure you have the PSU switched on before installation as the button is inaccesible-ish after install. You can stick something through the slates to press it, but probing with small objects on an High Wattage part like this definitely not the safest thing in the world.
Other than that PSU installation was smooth, and I needed up tucking the slack from the extension in the pocket where the switch is, which made a loop that acted as a nice channel for my CPU cable to run.
Also, I was going to install my 3tb hard drive, but ultimately decided to keep it as open as possible for cable space, which brings me to the next stage which I can only guess is the old SFF dilemma, CABLE MANAGEMENT!
That being said cable management wasn't terrible in my experience, but having CableMod cables helped a lot! If you can swing it I definitely recommend individually sleaved cables and even custom length ones to reduce excess if you can swing it.
CPU and MOBO power were fairly easy to run manage with the space between the RAM and PSU available and the mobo tray having a tie point following that same line down. Plugging them in was also easy since you can turn the case upside down for easier access to PSU slots.
Where I struggled a bit was the GPU cables. Plugging in to the PSU was no problem, but plugging into the GPU was much harder since clearance between the ATX PSU and GPU was not much and management was also not easy.
These cables have some length and needing three of them I just did my best to make a tidy cable run as I could and store it in the bottom right.
System booted up just fine and is wisper quite with the Noctua fan. I set the curve at 50% speed at 30c and have sacle up 10% speed per 10c increase with 100% being at 80c. Even at 100% Noctua fans are very quite and I just left my GPU fans on auto and doesnt go above 60% speed in most cases.
I only did some light temp testing. I ran heaven benchmark and Cinebench R23 for about an hour. My CPU cores averaged about 66c to 67c and my GPU also sat around 67c which is not bad at all. Definitely not to spicy for an SFF build!
Overall the experience with this case was excellent and will use it in the future when I eventually upgrade mobo and cpu!
If you have any questions, noticed something I may have left out, or advice to give me please feel free chime in!
Thank you.
