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Prototype SFFtime presents: U-ITX - 7L lightweight console case that fits 3slot GPUs

Mosskovskaia

Average Stuffer
Mar 15, 2019
64
27
it is well fixed (more or less the same as in regular cases, for anything more you would need custom brackets but even that is not impossible to do if needed), thickness doesn't matter much, just cards weight.
Ok, thanks for the feedback.
I was just saying that because in most cases a bigger card (more slots) is heavier but the material also comes into weight.
 

riba2233

Shrink Ray Wielder
Original poster
SFF Time
Jan 2, 2019
1,777
2,362
www.sfftime.com
Hi,

I was wondering if it makes more sense to wait for 50xx series to release and see how big the founders gpus will be, it would be a shame to drop a case just before these gpus get announced. What do you all think?
 
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Akieza7

Cable Smoosher
Jan 17, 2024
11
12
Hi,

I was wondering if it makes more sense to wait for 50xx series to release and see how big the founders gpus will be, it would be a shame to drop a case just before these gpus get announced. What do you all think?
Hi,
Personnaly I really don't care about the 5090 I just want a good case that have a console layout. Also it is very likely that they are going to use the same design. I'm more interested in midrange product than high-end product in general. (2000$ for a gpu sound ludacris to me)
 

NAKED_GOOSE

Efficiency Noob
Mar 26, 2024
7
4
I'd agree with Akieza aswell,
The case already allows for longer 3 slot GPU's when moving the faceplate outward, so I don't think compatibility will need to be altered much, even if the next gen GPU's are larger I feel it gets to the point of defeating the purpose of a small case like the U-itx, 4 slot GPU's are already supported in cases like the fractal ridge, I'm not sure there would be much room to make this case larger without having overlap in size with the larger cases,

the small size and decent hardware compatibility along with the fans all exhausting out one side of the case (excluding the FE design) being the main draw of this case for me, it wouldn't make much sense to change it in my eyes.
 

DaHans

Average Stuffer
May 11, 2018
62
26
When I want this size of Case I do not expect to fit high end hardware in there. I like small size rather than having big hardware.
Before this thread I would never have expected that therer is a 7l case which would fit a 4090 GPU.

Anyway I'm team release now. ;)
 

SFF Watercooled

Master of Cramming
Sep 26, 2020
399
172
What are the advantages of this compared to the ZS-LRTX or S59i?
For example, maybe you could shave a bit of height if you didn't care that the motherboard and GPU are facing in opposite directions
 
Last edited:

alaskanfut

Minimal Tinkerer
New User
Jan 9, 2024
3
4
I agree that it's unproductive to wait for the next generation release. Any modifications to increase compatibility would likely compromise the key selling point of the case, which to me is good compatibility in a small, lightweight console form factor. It's also worth noting that even if the 5090 has compatibility issues due to cooler sizing, the number of customers for that level of GPU is minuscule compared to those in the market for the rest of the lineup. Based on numbers from the latest Steam Survey, 11.44% of users have a desktop 4000 series GPU, while only 0.94% have a 4090. This indicates that roughly 92% of those who bought a 4000 series GPU chose a lower-end option. Delaying and possibly modifying the case to cater to a minority of purchasers who want to fit a 5090 will likely alienate a larger group of SFF customers who don’t want to be stuck with a larger case filled with unnecessary space. Of course, this is just my opinion, but I’ve seen many SFF cases over-accommodate until they become a jack of all trades and a master of none.
 

vinnyoflegend

Average Stuffer
Mar 18, 2022
77
42
Of course, this is just my opinion, but I’ve seen many SFF cases over-accommodate until they become a jack of all trades and a master of none.

I highly agree with this point. I was extremely excited for ZS Cases ZS A4S v4 refresh as I thought the v3 was perfect and just wanted them to restock. Instead v4 added compatibility from 92mm top fans and 48mm CPU cooler to 120mm fans up top and 55mm CPU cooler but it became 1mm wider than the A4 which they still sell! and gained 1.1L really defeating its own point as a smaller version of the A4.
 

Akieza7

Cable Smoosher
Jan 17, 2024
11
12
I agree that it's unproductive to wait for the next generation release. Any modifications to increase compatibility would likely compromise the key selling point of the case, which to me is good compatibility in a small, lightweight console form factor. It's also worth noting that even if the 5090 has compatibility issues due to cooler sizing, the number of customers for that level of GPU is minuscule compared to those in the market for the rest of the lineup. Based on numbers from the latest Steam Survey, 11.44% of users have a desktop 4000 series GPU, while only 0.94% have a 4090. This indicates that roughly 92% of those who bought a 4000 series GPU chose a lower-end option. Delaying and possibly modifying the case to cater to a minority of purchasers who want to fit a 5090 will likely alienate a larger group of SFF customers who don’t want to be stuck with a larger case filled with unnecessary space. Of course, this is just my opinion, but I’ve seen many SFF cases over-accommodate until they become a jack of all trades and a master of none.
1000% agree we have seen so many cases try to make everything fit and gaining volume like the dan a4 h2o the new ncase and others. We have super efficient part these days zen 4 and lower end intel chip are really good at gaming at 65w and for gpu 3 slot is great almost everything fit. 7L with a console layout (the best for transport and footprint) with these caracteristics is amazing !
 

riba2233

Shrink Ray Wielder
Original poster
SFF Time
Jan 2, 2019
1,777
2,362
www.sfftime.com
What are the advantages of this compared to the ZS-LRTX or S59i?
For example, maybe you could shave a bit of height if you didn't care that the motherboard and GPU are facing in opposite directions

One "cheats" by extending the case where the pcie connector goes and still doesn't have even remotely enough space for it, also you have to remove the pcie shield which is not something that most users would like to do. Ventilation also doesn't look optimal and it has a gaping hole above the psu. Psu cable routing is also a huge compromise.
Another one is extremely flimsy and still doesn't have enough space for the gpu power connector, and also has a gaping hole above the psu. Then there is looks etc, I think it is far from the finished product.
In general I don't like commenting on other cases but imho they are not on the level I would like a case to be, and I think that the same orientation for the GPU and CPU is a much better layout.

I agree that it's unproductive to wait for the next generation release. Any modifications to increase compatibility would likely compromise the key selling point of the case, which to me is good compatibility in a small, lightweight console form factor. It's also worth noting that even if the 5090 has compatibility issues due to cooler sizing, the number of customers for that level of GPU is minuscule compared to those in the market for the rest of the lineup. Based on numbers from the latest Steam Survey, 11.44% of users have a desktop 4000 series GPU, while only 0.94% have a 4090. This indicates that roughly 92% of those who bought a 4000 series GPU chose a lower-end option. Delaying and possibly modifying the case to cater to a minority of purchasers who want to fit a 5090 will likely alienate a larger group of SFF customers who don’t want to be stuck with a larger case filled with unnecessary space. Of course, this is just my opinion, but I’ve seen many SFF cases over-accommodate until they become a jack of all trades and a master of none.

that is a 100% valid point and I agree, I was just thinking if I need to add another millimeter in length or height :)
 
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zouldier

Cable Smoosher
Oct 4, 2023
10
13
I'm also on team release here. You can always add these changes on the next revision of this case in the future, if any, which will cover more newer products which might deviate with the current set of standard sizes, should you really want them to be accommodated by this case. But then again, just as what others mentioned, such larger components would be better suited for other cases instead of this as it will also demand more powerful CPU which will also require more powerful cooling which might not fit in this case as well.
 

Apache

Case Bender
New User
Mar 3, 2018
2
4
I'll throw my 2 cents in the ring since everyone else is. For me personally, and I am admitting that I am definitely an outlier in this, I wouldn't mind waiting on this case for the RTX 50-Series and Radeon 8000-series to be announced and perhaps even available on the wild.

I am one of those people that stuffs high-end, enthusiast tier hardware in my SFF cases. I am currently running a 4090 FE and 12900KS in a Fractal Ridge, and that is coming from a 3090 XC3 with the same 12900KS in a Sentry 2.0. The ONLY reason I changed cases was to fit my 4090 FE. I started modifying my Sentry 2.0 to fit the 4090, but honestly just ran out of time to finish that project and doing the case swap was just easier.

If this case fits my current 4090 FE and potentially the upcoming 5090 FE (assuming that it isn't priced completely insanely) then this WILL be the next case I go to as it doesn't seem like the Sentry 3.0 will ever actually come out, and if it does they have already said that they aren't interested in supporting high-end hardware for it.

Just my 2 cents. Do with it what you will.
 

Snerual

Cable-Tie Ninja
Jul 3, 2020
199
231
For decades, GPUs and other AIBs were designed so that they would fit in cases, not the other way around.

Nowadays the only reason they can justify the ridiculous costs they charge for small dies is by making the GPUs themselves gigantic. It's a psychological trick mainly... If we let this trend continue, soon there will be no SFF anymore since the GPUs themselves will be 20l in volume. (and cost $4000)
 

milesvw

SFF Lingo Aficionado
Dec 20, 2022
138
101
For decades, GPUs and other AIBs were designed so that they would fit in cases, not the other way around.

Nowadays the only reason they can justify the ridiculous costs they charge for small dies is by making the GPUs themselves gigantic. It's a psychological trick mainly... If we let this trend continue, soon there will be no SFF anymore since the GPUs themselves will be 20l in volume. (and cost $4000)
Well, conversely the standard full-length is 312mm for the last 40 years (See AT standard, which is where ATX came from). And since ATX has 7 slots. Technically any card 312mm or less and 7 slots wide or less could be conforming.

I also find it hilarious that the 'sag' problem was never really an unsolved problem. There was always a plastic slot for the card to fit in at the other end. If the card wasn't long enough just add a bracket to slide into that slot. Hop on eBay and look for some Quadro cards and you'll eventually see some of those brackets.

Source: been messing with computers since late 1980s/early 90s.

Real problem is just pushing the tech with poor engineering like 500w cards on Molex 3.0 connection. And deciding there are enough whales to support xx90 or x9xx series of cards.
 

Sj_b

Minimal Tinkerer
New User
Jan 17, 2024
4
3
Any update on a new release window? I've been thinking about downsizing again and this case is perfect for my needs, it feels like I've been waiting for almost a year now :(
 

riba2233

Shrink Ray Wielder
Original poster
SFF Time
Jan 2, 2019
1,777
2,362
www.sfftime.com
Any update on a new release window? I've been thinking about downsizing again and this case is perfect for my needs, it feels like I've been waiting for almost a year now :(

Hi, yes it is going a bit slower than expected but I will do my best to finalize the packaging design so I can order the first batch with next round of cases.
 

zouldier

Cable Smoosher
Oct 4, 2023
10
13
While everyone is waiting for your availability announcement, are you able to give the latest pics for this case as a teaser on what we can expect on the final product once we place our orders?
 

riba2233

Shrink Ray Wielder
Original poster
SFF Time
Jan 2, 2019
1,777
2,362
www.sfftime.com
While everyone is waiting for your availability announcement, are you able to give the latest pics for this case as a teaser on what we can expect on the final product once we place our orders?

These are the latest prototype photos, and the final product should look basically the same (the stand will use thicker material):