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SFF.Network Streacom Launches the DA2

tinyitx

Shrink Ray Wielder
Jan 25, 2018
2,279
2,338
I suggest watching Hardware Canucks' Youtube video review of this case.
Dmitry was able to fit the Kraken X52 into an Asus Z390i Gaming motherboard with two 2.5'' SSDs on the bracket.
Watch beginning at around 12:15. The main point is the orientation of the pump block and the tubing exiting from the rad faces the rear of the case. I do not think one 3.5'' HDD + one 2.5'' SSD should make a big difference from his two 2.5'' SSDs.

https://streacom.com/products/da2-chassis/

Also, I think we should not forget this DA2 is still a SFF case (even though it is far from the smallest), which means components have to be chosen carefully in order to make a good fit into it. We have all left the comfort zone of building inside a mid-tower or full tower case.

Additionally, IMHO, this kind of things (eg a standoff misaligned from the motherboard, GPU not lining up perfectly and needing some adjustment) come from the removable brackets supporting the motherboard. Any slight displacement of the brackets (say, even 1mm) on the track would the motherboard's IO and GPU's IO with their respective opening of the case.
I reckon, this is the price one has to pay in exchange for a flexibility/versatility of an adjustable mounting bracket system. I suppose, if it is a standard case with a fixed motherboard tray, then this kind of things would not happen at all. Not offering an excuse for Streacom but I personally would tend to forgive and just swallow it hard. However, if Streacom reads this, I also suggest finding ways to improve. There are things that can be improved easily (eg redesigning the PSU mounting hole to cater for Corsair SF450/600/750's power switch, offering a pair of vertical brackets as accessory).
 
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tinyitx

Shrink Ray Wielder
Jan 25, 2018
2,279
2,338
The case works open now but here are some thermals. All fans are running on stock curves and I haven't done any OC to any component yet. The GPU runs a little toasty for my taste and i don't know why... yet.

CPU (irrelevant but still): Idle 27, Gaming Load: 60, Synthetic Load: 80
GPU: Idle 50, Gaming Load: 69, Synthetic Load: 79
MB: Idle 40, Under Various Load: Max 50

Current Air coolers considering:
Noctua U9S - As suggested by bubbl3
be quiet! Dark Rock TF - Seems like a decent choice that should be able to fit

I would love to keep the X52 but I can't figure out how to do so even with one 2.5 drive

For keeping the X52 with one 2.5'' SSD, please see my post above and watch the video review by Hardware Canucks.

EVGA 1080Ti FTW3 is a big card. What temp did you get when this card was inside your previous case? It is good to compare your previous chassis with this DA2.

You can try to improve on removing its exhaust more efficiently. As it dumps exhausted air inside, I bet those air are not extracted quickly enough.
Your card exhausts air along card's top and bottom. And since the card is a tall card (143mm), its top edge gets closer to the case side panel, thus making air exhausting relatively harder. But I think 69C gaming temp is not really too high though.
However, 50C for idle temp is a little high. Check to see if it downclocks while idle. If not, you have to find out why (eg high refresh rate monitor? dual monitor? something else running in the background?)

For air cooler, I also suggest NH-U9S.
 
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bubbl3

Case Shuffler
Jul 3, 2018
149
159
If you go full air don't underestimate the importance of a good intake fan (I am working on a way to install 2 of them), this single NF-A12x25 is doing wonders for me, I have it on a curve based on CPU temps and during load I can feel so much hot air being pushed through the back panel, amazing what some good positive pressure can do.
 

Streacom

Cable Smoosher
Streacom
Sep 26, 2018
12
53
The DA2 brackets we will make available for the channel to sell them as a kit after the CNY, till the brackets are available @ your local store ( which would be probably around Q2 due to the CNY +production+shipping), we will provide the service to buy them trough our support department ( please make a ticket to theTechnical Department on https://streacom.com/contact/)
 

ShaMana

Trash Compacter
Nov 27, 2018
49
27
I disassembled the case twice to change things and the best I can figure, the standoffs are a tad short. When all are aligned, there is an observable vertical gap between the standoff and the board.

The GPU is misaligned simply because it's way too massive and this by proxy made cable space far less and tube space in relation as well.

I'll post some pics later today, so few things will be cleared up.

I've attempted pretty much any AIO rotation that can be mounted on the mobo, the massive radiator next to the IO shield blocks one rotation.
 

tinyitx

Shrink Ray Wielder
Jan 25, 2018
2,279
2,338
...
I've attempted pretty much any AIO rotation that can be mounted on the mobo, the massive radiator next to the IO shield blocks one rotation.

X52 mounted on Asus Z390i.

Edit 1:
It should be Z370i.
 
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ShaMana

Trash Compacter
Nov 27, 2018
49
27
Current AIO rotation is as shown. It allows mounting if the tubes are reversed than on the video shown. I've attempted to put it in with this orientation and after applying considerable force had no tangible result. Tubes are very stiff and the straight tubes connected to the rad it self do not help.

The board he uses is also a Z370i, the Z390 has a pretty sizable rad on the left as well as preinstalled IO shield, as far as i've seen it doesn't block much but it sure doesn't help. Generally this board has been a pain, should have went with the asrock, but too late for that now.

https://www.evetech.co.za/repositor...i-gaming-intel-motherboard-1000px-v1-0006.jpg
 
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tinyitx

Shrink Ray Wielder
Jan 25, 2018
2,279
2,338
Current AIO rotation is as shown. It allows mounting if the tubes are reversed than on the video shown. I've attempted to put it in with this orientation and after applying considerable force had no tangible result. Tubes are very stiff and the straight tubes connected to the rad it self do not help.

The board he uses is also a Z370i, the Z390 has a pretty sizable rad on the left as well as preinstalled IO shield, as far as i've seen it doesn't block much but it sure doesn't help. Generally this board has been a pain, should have went with the asrock, but too late for that now.

https://www.evetech.co.za/repositor...i-gaming-intel-motherboard-1000px-v1-0006.jpg

I do not have much experience of building inside a SFF case. But it seems that watercooling is gaining popularity even in the SFF circle. Stuffing a rad, pump, fans, tubings all inside a small case is really not so straight forward.
So, if you are not a hardcore watercooling fan, maybe it is time to say hello to cooler like NH-U9S?
Keep updating your build and I like to see what you end up with.
 
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tinyitx

Shrink Ray Wielder
Jan 25, 2018
2,279
2,338
The DA2 brackets we will make available for the channel to sell them as a kit after the CNY, till the brackets are available @ your local store ( which would be probably around Q2 due to the CNY +production+shipping), we will provide the service to buy them trough our support department ( please make a ticket to theTechnical Department on https://streacom.com/contact/)
For the benefit of those not knowing what CNY is, it is Chinese New Year. For 2019, New Year Day is 5th Feb.
Expect factories shutting down beginning 1st or 2nd Feb and will reopen on 11th Feb the earliest. Frankly, the slowing down of everything may continue as far to the 24th.
 
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ShaMana

Trash Compacter
Nov 27, 2018
49
27
@tinyitx I'm definitely looking at air now. Probably won't be able to OC, or at least not as i would be before but hey.

bq quiet! Dark Rock TF shows up in reviews with some better performance than the U9S (and by all indications, compatible with both the board and case), but it's a downwards oriented blower which will trap heat within the case. Any idea about will this cause significant issues for an SFFPC?
 

bubbl3

Case Shuffler
Jul 3, 2018
149
159
@tinyitx I'm definitely looking at air now. Probably won't be able to OC, or at least not as i would be before but hey.

bq quiet! Dark Rock TF shows up in reviews with some better performance than the U9S (and by all indications, compatible with both the board and case), but it's a downwards oriented blower which will trap heat within the case. Any idea about will this cause significant issues for an SFFPC?
I would be very curious to see how it performs, but are you sure it clears on your motherboard? Your ASUS boars is a pain for coolers.
 

tinyitx

Shrink Ray Wielder
Jan 25, 2018
2,279
2,338
@tinyitx I'm definitely looking at air now. Probably won't be able to OC, or at least not as i would be before but hey.

bq quiet! Dark Rock TF shows up in reviews with some better performance than the U9S (and by all indications, compatible with both the board and case), but it's a downwards oriented blower which will trap heat within the case. Any idea about will this cause significant issues for an SFFPC?

Yes, the Dark Rock TF dumps air inside the case. If you are using 1080 FE which exhausts all air out the rear, I would not mind considering using the Dark Rock TF. But as your EVGA 1080Ti FTW3 dumps heat inside the case as well, to handle both components (GPU and CPU) simultaneously becomes very tricky, IMHO.

I suppose, if you are an adventurous type and like to tackle this hard-to-solve airflow management problem, then you might consider using this downward air blower. If you are not, use NH-U9S. I imagine, you cannot go wrong with a NH-U9S.
Trying Dark Rock TF is probably like a hit-or-miss. If it misses, thermal will, of course, worse than using U9S. It it hits, I suppose you will have 'marginal' thermal advantage over a U9S.
 
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bubbl3

Case Shuffler
Jul 3, 2018
149
159
Yes, the Dark Rock TF dumps air inside the case. If you are using 1080 FE which exhausts all air out the rear, I would not mind considering using the Dark Rock TF. But as your EVGA 1080Ti FTW3 dumps heat inside the case as well, to handle both components (GPU and CPU) simultaneously becomes very tricky, IMHO.

I suppose, if you are an adventurous type and like to tackle this hard-to-solve airflow management problem, then you might consider using this downward air blower. If you are not, use NH-U9S. I imagine, you cannot go wrong with a NH-U9S.
Trying Dark Rock TF is probably like a hit-or-miss. If it misses, thermal will, of course, worse than using U9S. It it hits, I suppose you will have 'marginal' thermal advantage over a U9S.
At 140mm tall, the Dark Rock TF may actually be able to get fresh air from the side panel, but yeah, it's hit or miss there.
 
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ShaMana

Trash Compacter
Nov 27, 2018
49
27
I've seen the Dark Rock TF fit over the Z390-I on some images under a specific rotation. Now the question is can it fit in the case and over my RAM sticks. They are pretty low key but still. I'll have to research but in the end i may end up with the safer choice

Here are some images of my current situation. NOTE a bunch of cables are left out, in the end i got pissed off, installed the pump and shoved everything in


Small update over the GPU situation. Today's Idle: 40C. I haven't done anything at all, so my presumption is a windows or a driver glitch. The idle frequency is as it should be, around 140 MHz. Also it seems the FTW3 has a passive mode for it's fans. It's 40 with the fans completely off and not spinning. In my previous case (Corsair 600T) the idle was about 32C but i had much better airflow there.

Oh, almost forgot. Currently the AIO fans are aimed to exhaust air out (not that they are anywhere in to begin with). I wanted to try all exhaust so the natural intake to be from the filtered back and see how it goes. My guess is that in this case will be less dust, but there are plenty of gaps everywhere now.

PS: I decided to check PSU cable mods for shorter in length cables and jesus, they would cost more than the PSU it self. I find that insane
 
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brt02

Cable-Tie Ninja
Jan 3, 2018
224
234
I'm surprised by the GPU not fitting as it satisfies the PCI size requirements for the case of Dual Slot, 330x150x50mm (LxWxH).

I'm also still not sure about the backplate issue. Mine line up with the correct standoffs. Having said that my backplate is not integrated to the motherboard, so maybe that gives me a greater degree of flexibility.

Maybe it's the same problem affecting both?

I would reverse the air flow, having the radiator intake and the back fan as exhaust. Will give you better temperatures all round

The AIO defaults fan speed to liquid temperature, with the stock curve being too relaxed IMO. You can change that in CAM to set fan speed against CPU temperature, which will increase fan speeds a lot more quickly and reduce temperatures.

Where are you getting your MB temperatures from? I would advise you to HWinfo64 6.00 to get VRM temperatures. They are the same values that the motherboard uses to balance load across the VRMs. The other temperatures are rather meaningless in comparison.
 

ShaMana

Trash Compacter
Nov 27, 2018
49
27
@brt02 I'm using HWMonitor latest ver. It shows pretty much the same temp as HWInfo. Just checked it's ~40C. When the mobo was out the case the temp was pretty much the same. As for the AIO i would have played around with the curves and fans, if it actually went inside, but for now it's an ornament on top of the case so no need to change anything too much

I'll probably disassemble the whole thing and try to align the mobo better, that said, if I'm right, there isn't much to be done. Still, it will take me at least an hour doing so don't really have motivation for it right now.
 

bubbl3

Case Shuffler
Jul 3, 2018
149
159
Was cleaning up my closet and found an H7 Quad Lumi, then decided to do something for science :D

Here it is, I know I'm crazy lol


Also fixed the alignment, once the mobo is in, loosening all the screws and pushing the mobo forward seems to work, check the alignment in the photo, it also eliminated the gap, yay :)

This install is not for the faint of hearth, listen to me, don't do it lol, as you can see in photo you will also have to remove the wifi/bt module to fit the second fan and be able to close the case (I don't care, I don't use it).

Was it worth it? Well, temps are the same, but boost clocks for CPU and GPU are higher and are sustained under load, also it is nice to know something like this is viable, the H7 is 145mm tall and turns out you can actually fit a cooler at the declared limit :D
 
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Tazpr

Master of Cramming
Aug 7, 2018
553
429
Hi there DA2 owners! I was having a think and was curious if the rail system would allow usage of an HD Plex 400W NanoATX PSU inside the case with either a subtly mounted internal brick or external brick and if this would be a way of mounting through and through radiator configs like a 280+140mm radiator where the PSU mounts and over the Motherboard?

Is there space for this if the HD Plex was mounted on the bottom of the case in from of the graphics card or at the top but up against the front edge? Just seems like a potential solution for cramming heaps of cooling into the case or freeing up additional space.
 

selectallfrom

Chassis Packer
Jan 7, 2019
18
35
Was cleaning up my closet and found and H7 Quad Lumi, then decided to do something for science :D

Here it is, I know I'm crazy lol


Also fixed the alignment, once the mobo is in, loosening all the screws and pushing the mobo forward seems to work, check the alignment in the photo, it also eliminated the gap, yay :)

This install is not for the faint of hearth, listen to me, don't do it lol, as you can see in photo you will also have to remove the wifi/bt module to fit the second fan and be able to close the case (I don't care, I don't use it).

Was it worth it? Well, temps are the same, but boost clocks for CPU and GPU are higher and are sustained under load, also it is nice to know something like this is viable, the H7 is 145mm tall and turns out you can actually fit a cooler at the declared limit :D

Thanks for posting this! I have a H7 Plus on the way and was hoping it would fit, even if it potentially means sacrificing the wifi/bt module (which I also do not need).
 

bubbl3

Case Shuffler
Jul 3, 2018
149
159
Thanks for posting this! I have a H7 Plus on the way and was hoping it would fit, even if it potentially means sacrificing the wifi/bt module (which I also do not need).
Happy to help! After some testing have it on a super quiet fan curve (this is with the Noctua fans, not sure how it would work with the cryorig ones):
After 1h of PUBG never went over 65C, my 2080 Ti FE goes up to 83C in PUBG but that is whitin normal and I do prefer to have it quiet, I may play with the GPU fan curve a bit to see to have it just below 80.
 
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