Steck - Minimalist, Stackable, Sandwich Style SFF Case. Up to 3x slot GPU [325mm (L)]

[Nouvolo]

==================================
Steck is available now from our online store.
We are offering a 10% discount for SFFF community.
*Use discount code "STECK-SFFF" at checkout.
==================================

Steck ver 2.0 - A Minimalist, Stackable, Sandwich Style SFF Case

Features

• Supports 2.4x or 3x slots & 320mm (L) graphics card
• Best in class ventilation :
  • supports up to 4x 120mm chassis fans (15mm thickness)
  • over 30% increase in mesh area (over previous version)
• Supports flip over placement (top & bottom symmetry)
• Detachable / customizable feet
• Precision laser cut (2mm) aluminum external panels
• Secure clip on interlocking panels
• Marshmallow pink color variant is back!
• Top hat option for AIO or custom liquid cooling (240mm radiator)
• Glass panel option for RGB & internals showoff

 

[Nouvolo]

Steck V2 development history can be found here

 

[Allhopeforhumanity]

==================================
Steck is available now from our online store.
We are offering a 10% discount for SFFF community.
*Use discount code "STECK-SFFF" at checkout.
==================================

Congrats on the launch!

 

[knightofzeus]

can we pre-order the Marshmallow pink?

 

[Nouvolo]

can we pre-order the Marshmallow pink?

Thanks for your interest. But we would prefer not to take the money until we are at the later stage of our production, based on our experience. But we can say at this stage we are 99.9% certain that Frost White & Marshmallow Pink will reach the market.

 

[Nouvolo]

13 Oct 2022 Update :
I have lined up a few YouTubers to showcase Steck. Still waiting for some others to reply. Will announce the list once I get all the replies back.

 

[Nouvolo]

Thanks for the review by Sheen from Machines & More

 

[Nouvolo]

Thanks for the review by Sheen from Machines & More

LOL, I just re-watch the video and seems that M&M has made a mistake in the fans configuration. The bottom fans should be pulling air from the bottom of the case. But he has installed it to blow air out at the desk..., probably explains why he had some "strange" results. Just unfortunate

You can refer to 7:34 and 13:33 of the video

 

[Allhopeforhumanity]

LOL, I just re-watch the video and seems that M&M has made a mistake in the fans configuration. The bottom fans should be pulling air from the bottom of the case. But he has installed it to blow air out at the desk..., probably explains why he had some "strange" results. Just unfortunate

You can refer to 7:34 and 13:33 of the video

View attachment 2132

Top and bottom exhaust is the ideal configuration on similar chassis like the SM570/580, as it helps dissipate the GPU heat that exits along the "long edges" and forces all intake to be through the side panels. Did bottom intake not lead to significant heat re-circulation in your testing? Also, in my experience blowing air down at the desk actually reduces the dust ingress as otherwise it would be pulling in any that would settle on that desk area.

 

[Nouvolo]

Top and bottom exhaust is the ideal configuration on similar chassis like the SM570/580, as it helps dissipate the GPU heat that exits along the "long edges" and forces all intake to be through the side panels. Did bottom intake not lead to significant heat re-circulation in your testing? Also, in my experience blowing air down at the desk actually reduces the dust ingress as otherwise it would be pulling in any that would settle on that desk area.

Your point is valid on "GPU" temp. M&M's review temps are on CPUs.

I think it can make a difference to the CPU temp depending on the CPU cooler. Bottom fan exhaust could be okay if the CPU cooler fan is pulling air in (i.e. downward blowing fan on to the CPU), similar to a GPU. But for coolers such as NH-L12S, that pushes air out, it may be better to push more air in from the bottom. Otherwise, in that case, there is no in take at all.

We did our temp test with NH-L12S. Anyway M&M compare temps of Steck with other cases using different coolers... wonder why he chose different cooler and wonder if the coolers themselves can make a difference.

 

[Nouvolo]

Further more 10:42 of

Top and bottom exhaust is the ideal configuration on similar chassis like the SM570/580, as it helps dissipate the GPU heat that exits along the "long edges" and forces all intake to be through the side panels. Did bottom intake not lead to significant heat re-circulation in your testing? Also, in my experience blowing air down at the desk actually reduces the dust ingress as otherwise it would be pulling in any that would settle on that desk area.

Furthermore, another point of interest, at 10:42 of the video, the cooler orientation seems to be in (4), based on Noctua diagram. Don't know if that will make a big difference though.

 

[Allhopeforhumanity]

We did our temp test with NH-L12S. Anyway M&M compare temps of Steck with other cases using different coolers... wonder why he chose different cooler and wonder if the coolers themselves can make a difference.

It sounded to me like it was what he had on hand that would fit the package, and he specifically wanted to show that in his case he could fit a taller cooler than the dimensional spec. I'm sure that there is a difference: thermal mass, thermal resistance, fin pitch induced impedance, etc will all contribute; but all that said my Scythe BS3 has out performed my L12S by a few degrees (likely primarily due to the full size 25mm fan).

I think it can make a difference to the CPU temp depending on the CPU cooler. Bottom fan exhaust could be okay if the CPU cooler fan is pulling air in (i.e. downward blowing fan on to the CPU), similar to a GPU. But for coolers such as NH-L12S, that pushes air out, it may be better to push more air in from the bottom. Otherwise, in that case, there is no in take at all.

The L12S can be configured to as either push or pull (just gotta flip the fan), in MM's config he was using the Scythe BS3 as intake, so bottom exhaust should be helpful. However, as you can see at 6:20, the fins are oriented horizontal which would be sub-optimal with bottom exhaust (but may be a limitation of his motherboard).

Furthermore, another point of interest, at 10:42 of the video, the cooler orientation seems to be in (4), based on Noctua diagram. Don't know if that will make a big difference though.

Having heatpipes in that orientation will negatively affect performance. Basically, gravity is now fighting the capillary effect reducing the conductivity of the heatpipe. In my experience, this can increase temps by as much as 2-3 C, but those values are totally dependent on the thermal mass of the cooler and the size of the heatpipes relative to the CPU wattage.

 

[Nouvolo]

Steck is now available in all colors : Matte Black, Frost White & Marshmallow Pink
Thanksgiving and early Xmas sale is on right now!

Nouvolo Steck - Minimalist Small Form Factor SFF PC Case

Steck is a (Small Form Factor) SFF PC Desktop case with a minimalist design, and supports standard mini-ITX components and full length graphics card (300mm). The Steck bundle includes an expansion unit that supports AIO Liquid Cooling and comes with RGB friendly tempered glass panels.

www.nouvolo.com

 

[DASBOOT]

Can two tophats be stacked at the top? Is there any problem with mounting the rails under the top support bracket rather than on top to gain more rad clearance for an AIO??

 

[DASBOOT]

I guess you do not really understand the design of your own case? If you cannot answer the above simple questions. And no one out there has tried stacking
or had AIO clearance problems.

 

[Allhopeforhumanity]

I guess you do not really understand the design of your own case? If you cannot answer the above simple questions. And no one out there has tried stacking
or had AIO clearance problems.

I dont think you can stack the hats easily. I wanted the opposite on the 1.1 versions, and 3d printed thinner ones for 15mm fans. The V2 might be different though. I'm not sure how much Nouvolo monitors these boards anymore; you'll likely get a faster answer if you ping him on his vendor page.

 

[Nouvolo]

Can two tophats be stacked at the top? Is there any problem with mounting the rails under the top support bracket rather than on top to gain more rad clearance for an AIO??

yes you can stack two tophats, one on top of each other. Mounting rails will not change position. ie You just can more clearance eg for thicker rad.