Production Steck v2.0 - Minimalist, Stackable, Sandwich Style SFF Case. Up to 3x slot GPU [325mm (L)]

[Nouvolo]

Would it be possible to create 2 variants of the top hat? Many aftermarket AIO come with +50mm height with radiator thickness and fan height added together. It would make more sense to let buyer choose the between smaller and taller top hats rather than be forced to buy 2. Also, 1 tophat vs 2 tophats aesthetics.

I have been waiting for case like this (bottom & top fans) and planned to use be quiet! Silent Loop 2 240mm (h=52mm) with the case. But I would be forced to buy smaller fans or 2 tophats to be able to use this AIO. Another popular AIO Kraken X53 seems to be h=56mm. I believe that I'm not the only one asking for taller top hat since there are just a few <25mm AIO radiator (MasterLiquid Lite 240, Eisbaer Pro Aurora 240, Eisbaer LT240) available on the market. And with <25mm rad height I refer to use of 25mm fans with the radiator.

How about second version of tophat with plus ~10mm height? Would be more than enough for many and buyers would get ton of more options to choose AIO.

The total height of a AIO liquid cooler consists of the radiator + fans, with radiators usually at 30mm (H) and fans at 25mm (H). For liquid cooling config Steck ver 2 + tophat, you can still use 30mm tall radiators, your solution is to use 15mm height fans ONLY.

Guess cost of 2 extra fans is a non-issue for SFF enthusiasts. Thin profile fans should be pretty standard procurement for SFF builds. You won't go wrong with Noctua fans.

There is no plan to make top hat or the main case taller to support 25mm fans. I have been receiving feedback to make top hats thinner, I am not going to now go back to make it bigger again

 

[MrMuscl3]

The total height of a AIO liquid cooler consists of the radiator + fans, with radiators usually at 30mm (H) and fans at 25mm (H). For liquid cooling config Steck ver 2 + tophat, you can still use 30mm tall radiators, your solution is to use 15mm height fans ONLY.

Guess cost of 2 extra fans is a non-issue for SFF enthusiasts. Thin profile fans should be pretty standard procurement for SFF builds. You won't go wrong with Noctua fans.

There is no plan to make top hat or the main case taller to support 25mm fans. I have been receiving feedback to make top hats thinner, I am not going to now go back to make it bigger again

Noctua 15mm fans are good. You are right with that. But 25mm fans are better and they come with AIO coolers.

I understand that you wan't to listen feedback given by users. That is usually the best way to evolve things to be better. But hear me out! Even if you decide to give buyer an option to choose between smaller and taller top hats - You won't be taking anything away from the users that have given this feedback (they can still get what they wanted) or anybody else either. Instead you would be giving users an option to choose if they want to use 15mm or 25mm fans or thicker radiator. Options have never hurt anyone and this way more people would be satisfied.

I bet that many people will be happy to pay ~10 dollars more for taller tophat what with they can use their AIO stock fans. The cost will still be ~40 dollars less when people don't have to buy 2x 15mm Noctuas.

The extra price is not a dealbreaker for me but there will be a number of people who don't want to:
1. pay that extra price for compatible fans
2. use 15mm fans with AIO to begin with
3. stack 2 hats to be able to use 25mm fans or thicker rads

I don't know the extra costs for manufacturing 2 sizes of top hats instead of 1 but I think few dollars extra to price will cover this extra. And does it matter if add-on component increases total manufacturing cost few dollars when it is done solely to increase the total sale count of the product? The three points I listed above will bring total sales down with 100% certainty.

 

[Timeless]

Is it possible to mount a ddc pump/reservoir inside the case like the EK-Quantum Kinetic TBE 120 or are we stuck with cpu block/pump combo and iceman reservoir?

 

[Nouvolo]

Is it possible to mount a ddc pump/reservoir inside the case like the EK-Quantum Kinetic TBE 120 or are we stuck with cpu block/pump combo and iceman reservoir?

That one uses VTX pump, which is a EK only standard. It is not compatible with DDC pump.

If you decide to use a reservoir/pump combo, then you don't need a CPU/pump combo. SFF PC cases often cannot fit a typical reservoir, which are usually designed to fit in tower cases.

 

[Timeless]

That one uses VTX pump, which is a EK only standard. It is not compatible with DDC pump.

If you decide to use a reservoir/pump combo, then you don't need a CPU/pump combo. SFF PC cases often cannot fit a typical reservoir, which are usually designed to fit in tower cases.

I mean if the case doesn't support a standalone pump then I can only use a CPU/pump combo. Is there space for a standalone ddc pump?

 

[Nouvolo]

I mean if the case doesn't support a standalone pump then I can only use a CPU/pump combo. Is there space for a standalone ddc pump?

There is no reserved space for a standalone DDC pump. But most people will check for any extra space left over that can fit a pump e.g. at the end of the graphics card, especially for GPU block, that makes the card much shorter.

There wouldn't be Aquanaut in the first place, if there is room for separate DDC pump/reservoir.

 

[Timeless]

There is no reserved space for a standalone DDC pump. But most people will check for any extra space left over that can fit a pump e.g. at the end of the graphics card, especially for GPU block, that makes the card much shorter.

There wouldn't be Aquanaut in the first place, if there is room for separate DDC pump/reservoir.

I'll have to compromise and if it is LGA1700 compatible get the aquanaut. I want a pump/reservoir because it's easier to fill the loop, still this case seems pretty good.

 

[Nouvolo]

I'll have to compromise and if it is LGA1700 compatible get the aquanaut. I want a pump/reservoir because it's easier to fill the loop, still this case seems pretty good.

yea, we all hope to find some way to fit a reservoir in a SFF case . But it has to be generic enough to be a product worthwhile to bring to market. Custom size/shape reservoir for separate cases is not a feasible project.

 

[kotty]

This case looks absolutely awesome for my build. Is there any release date yet? Also will it be eligible for shipping to the EU?

 

[Nouvolo]

This case looks absolutely awesome for my build. Is there any release date yet? Also will it be eligible for shipping to the EU?

Hopefully by end of this year, progress slowed due to covid. And yes we will ship to EU.

 

[Stinkybear]

Wonder how this will end up comparing to the Geeek m5 with horizontal vs vertical movement. This looks to have better air cooling compatibility.

 

[Nouvolo]

Steck V2 Updates:
Prototyping complete, preparing for pre-production.







Update and improvement (final list)
- Supports 2.4x or 3x slots graphics card
- Supports (up to 320mm) full length graphics card
- PCIe 4.0 riser cable included at no extra cost
- Best in class ventilation :
-- support up to 4x chassis fans (120mm/15mm height)
-- over 30% increase in mesh area
- Supports flip over placement with detachable feet
- Quality upgrade with thicker (2mm) external aluminum panels
- Quality upgrade with more secure clip on panels
- Marshmallow pink color variant is back!
- Top hat & glass panel options for enthusiasts builds

Let me know what you think, and see if I can do any last minute updates.

Go sign up for our launch early access & special treat

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

 

[Stinkybear]

I think something about the feet being one more point of not lining up flush and not clean. I don't know what the solution is because it can detach and flip, otherwise it would have been cleaner to extend the front and back panel. Or can the entire bottom be one piece? I know in the C4, the move is to do something similar to the current feet so that people can remove the middle part to open it up more. Just a purely aesthetic opinion and maybe it can just be personal feet replacement.

 

[Nouvolo]

I think something about the feet being one more point of not lining up flush and not clean. I don't know what the solution is because it can detach and flip, otherwise it would have been cleaner to extend the front and back panel. Or can the entire bottom be one piece? I know in the C4, the move is to do something similar to the current feet so that people can remove the middle part to open it up more. Just a purely aesthetic opinion and maybe it can just be personal feet replacement.

It should fit better in the final production with custom cutting and bending tools. The one in the photos now is a hand made sample. The separate feet piece allows for top hats to be placed top or bottom (inserted between feet and the main unit).

I can include the feet into the main unit, but that means it will only support 1 top hat (placed at the top), and no 2nd top hat support (bottom).

 

[Stinkybear]

It should fit better in the final production with custom cutting and bending tools. The one in the photos now is a hand made sample. The separate feet piece allows for top hats to be placed top or bottom (inserted between feet and the main unit).

I can include the feet into the main unit, but that means it will only support 1 top hat (placed at the top), and no 2nd top hat support (bottom).

Yeah. I figured it was more for flexibility with that feature. Can the middle of what I'm calling the feet hat be removed or is it needed for stability. I guess that look is more like V1 but might also help with exhaust.

 

[Nouvolo]

Yeah. I figured it was more for flexibility with that feature. Can the middle of what I'm calling the feet hat be removed or is it needed for stability. I guess that look is more like V1 but might also help with exhaust.

if you mean the bottom panel, yes it is a separate part from the feet. You don't have to use the og feet. There are extra mounting holes for mod feet. You can mix and match your own, ie those 4 piece screw on feet

And you can remove the bottom panel altogether if you want. You don't need it for structure strength. It is included as bottom fan cover.

 

[Allhopeforhumanity]

Steck V2 Updates:
Prototyping complete, preparing for pre-production.


Update and improvement (final list)
- Supports 2.4x or 3x slots graphics card
- Supports (up to 320mm) full length graphics card
- PCIe 4.0 riser cable included at no extra cost
- Best in class ventilation :
-- support up to 4x chassis fans (120mm/15mm height)
-- over 30% increase in mesh area
- Supports flip over placement with detachable feet
- Quality upgrade with thicker (2mm) external aluminum panels
- Quality upgrade with more secure clip on panels
- Marshmallow pink color variant is back!
- Top hat & glass panel options for enthusiasts builds

Let me know what you think, and see if I can do any last minute updates.

Go sign up for our launch early access & special treat

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

Looks like a great list of improvements to me. I particularly like the hollow mobo/PSU spine for easy access to rear mounted M.2s and breathability with the pass through GPUs this gen.

3 questions: Have there been any improvements to the tolerances in the V2? It was one area that the V1 lacked a bit relative to alternatives like the DanCase and Ghost. Secondly, it looks like the power button has migrated to the rear and looks closer to the V1 than the V1.1 switch; if it's lit will it be less bright/obtrusive than the V1? Lastly, if we are already on your mailing list, do we need to sign up again specifically for V2 news?

 

[Nouvolo]

Looks like a great list of improvements to me. I particularly like the hollow mobo/PSU spine for easy access to rear mounted M.2s and breathability with the pass through GPUs this gen.

3 questions: Have there been any improvements to the tolerances in the V2? It was one area that the V1 lacked a bit relative to alternatives like the DanCase and Ghost. Secondly, it looks like the power button has migrated to the rear and looks closer to the V1 than the V1.1 switch; if it's lit will it be less bright/obtrusive than the V1? Lastly, if we are already on your mailing list, do we need to sign up again specifically for V2 news?

- Tolerances should be better, now that I have gained some more experience on the manufacturing side.
- The LED problem was already fixed for ver 1.1, so I don't see a problem there
- No need to sign up again if you have purchased previously from the online store. I will only send email to existing customers, and the more recent sign ups (e.g. from 2022). Don't want to spam ppl.

 

[Allhopeforhumanity]

The LED problem was already fixed for ver 1.1, so I don't see a problem there

I only asked because in the 1.1 the button was a cloudy semi-opaque white with a dimmer LED, but this button looked more like the 1.0; so I just wanted to confirm that the LED was still similar to the 1.1

 

[Nouvolo]

Finally can afford to buy a RTX 3070 Ti , I can confirm that the new Steck V2 will fit this 323mm (length), 140mm (height), 56mm (thicc) card.

But for custom loop, I would recommend to go for 120mm (H) card, as GPU water block usually sticks another ~20mm higher with the ports. An already 140mm tall card plus another 20mm will be ~160mm total height and will not fit in this case unless you choose to give up the fan/radiator near the card's top end. That will be ok if the feet is removed or installed on the other end, and have the case flipped over, and the top hat fit on the other end (single top hat only).

MSI GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GAMING X TRIO 8G

MSI GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GAMING X TRIO features the TRI FROZR 2 thermal design, brings the most advanced technology for ultimate cooling performance. It features the new TORX FAN 4.0, core pipes and airflow control.

www.msi.com