The Chimera MachOne: For the pros. Small meets flexible.

[Nanook]

Very excited with this new ultra versatile case. Will there be thorough instructions to describe how to switch between the Gear One, Two, Three configurations ?

 

[PlayfulPhoenix]

Can you post dimensions please?
Increase depth by 60mm to squeeze slim 280 rad to rear = perfect case (I know that there is PSU, mkay, 140 rad also good)

The exterior dimensions (including feet, protrusions, etc.) are 170 x 286 x 380mm (W x D x H).

By the way, I see vertical PSU cutout on some pictures and horizontal on the others. It differs between types?

That's correct! For the final version we're anticipating that there will be either separate rear panels, or a plate which supports both PSU orientations.

I can't wait for the case, it looks awesome ! I'm looking forward to the builds maximizing air cooling in this ! I'd also prefer blank aluminium panels, without windows. I hope that becomes an option atleast.

Here's what a blank aluminum panel looks like, for reference!

("last question i promise") how many PCI slots are there for an mATX board? I'm wondering if there's space to put a two-slot GPU on slot #4 ._.

Our prototype supports four slots currently. I believe in theory the "Core" orientation could support five, however...

Very excited with this new ultra versatile case. Will there be thorough instructions to describe how to switch between the Gear One, Two, Three configurations ?

Absolutely. We're looking into a lot of different ways to explain it - diagrams, documentation, videos, etc.

 

[jack1940]

The exterior dimensions (including feet, protrusions, etc.) are 170 x 286 x 380mm (W x D x H).



That's correct! For the final version we're anticipating that there will be either separate rear panels, or a plate which supports both PSU orientations.



Here's what a blank aluminum panel looks like, for reference!

Our prototype supports four slots currently. I believe in theory the "Core" orientation could support five, however...



Absolutely. We're looking into a lot of different ways to explain it - diagrams, documentation, videos, etc.

I want to know if this side panel can improve compatibility of down-blowing cooler.

 

[Metroversal]

Here's what a blank aluminum panel looks like, for reference!

Whoa! Not sure if it's me but is this a space grey variant? Looks glorious btw!

Also, is the aluminum exterior sandblasted or brushed?

 

[greg.chalk]

I read this review.
For my understanding, main reason for watercooling is silence and requires space for rads. Neither we can fit GTX280 in push-pull in this case for less RPM.
So this case is just big version of M1. I don't see any big improvements in cooling, just my personal opinion, don't aggro please

No aggro We just telling our opinions and it will be helpful feedback for the creators. (Maybe they will test these parameters!).

What I want to say is that it's much better for silence/performance to have below 800rpm push pull 30mm radiator than having above 1300rpm 60mm push radiator.

 

[smitty2k1]

Why this design? Were there any other sketches/prototypes?

To be blunt and honest, it feels so Junior compared to premium cases such as Dan's A4, Skyreach and the Ncase. It also looks uninspired/uninnovative, to be honest.

I guess I had way too much expectation.

Am I alone in this opinion? Anyone?

Yeah it isn't my cup of tea but I'm glad there is a lot of enthusiasm around this new concept.

I'm more into the 'specialist' style and less the 'jack of all trades'

 

[PlayfulPhoenix]

I want to know if this side panel can improve compatibility of down-blowing cooler.

Right now we aren't intending to offer a perforated side panel. This is for a variety of reasons, but two primary ones come to mind:

• Builds in the Gear Two or Gear Three are really geared (no pun intended) towards AIO's and water cooling, as they open up considerable space at the front of the enclosure that you aren't likely to use for much else. Given that these are the two configurations where the CPU clearance is most constrained - and thus when ordinarily you'd have to stick with top-down coolers - much of the use case for top-down air cooling is obviated.
• Builds in the Gear One have about the same CPU clearance as the NCASE M1, which include a selection of pretty great tower cooler options. These would then be coupled with twin 140mm fans placed at the front, which would easily flow a lot of air over the build and out the back.

Essentially, we do not think there is a strong enough use case to justify venting the side panel for us to do it.

Whoa! Not sure if it's me but is this a space grey variant? Looks glorious btw!

Also, is the aluminum exterior sandblasted or brushed?

The lighting is a bit deceptive in that photo - it's the same silver color as the others! Though I would love, love, love a space grey version for myself...

We will definitely be offering enclosures in silver and black, and for now I'll just say that we're thinking about other colors/options to provide. But nothing to share there quite yet.

The finish is brushed for all the panels.

What I want to say is that it's much better for silence/performance to have below 800rpm push pull 30mm radiator than having above 1300rpm 60mm push radiator.

You can build towards noise (which generally means higher temps and more fans spinning slower), performance (which generally means thicker radiators and faster spinning fans), or try to find an optimal balance. I think one of the things that stands the MachOne apart is that you can do all of these; it's going to be much easier to get excellent acoustic performance or excellent compute performance out of the MachOne than anything remotely near it's size class (on either side), let alone to be able to get a much better balance of the two.

 

[ATTWIFI]

For Gear 2 and 3, can a MATX board support decent water cooling? I think I see that the MATX board covers a decently large portion of space for water cooling and only enough space for normal fans. I hope I am wrong since I really want to water cool a Threadripper and a 1080 ti in side that case.

 

[scdudt]

How well does the HWLabs 280 handle the Monoblock and Titan XP with only push or pull?

Edit: Found a review of the 280

http://www.xtremerigs.net/2016/02/25/hardware-labs-nemesis-280-gtx-radiator-review/2/

 

[Phuncz]

Another question - is this going to be made by Sliger or Lian Li?

https://smallformfactor.net/forum/t...-small-meets-flexible.7475/page-5#post-100310

Can confirm it's not made by Sliger.

 

[Windfall]

Fastest growing thread EVER. As @Josh | NFC said, its OVER 9000000000000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Boil]

Okay, it looks like this is going to be THE chassis I have been looking for...

One that can hold an ITX build with full-sized (reference) GPU & SFX PSU, all cooled by an EKWB 280 Phoenix...

I would want to do something like this (from a Necere design thread)...

This would be a 'Gear One' build, but watercooled...

Two questions (@Wahaha360 @PlayfulPhoenix )...

One - Might there be room between the AIO & GPU (single slot because full cover waterblock) for 90 degree fittings on the GPU...?

I am thinking 90 degree fittings out of the AIO, up to 90 fittings on the front side of the GPU, running in series thru the GPU, barb fittings out of the back side of the GPU & curving down to the motherboard and into barb fittings on the CPU...

Should be a very clean setup...

Two - Might there be room for any fans (dual 120mm x 25mm) fans on the rear of the chassis to exhaust...?

EXCITEMENT...!!!

 

[isabirov]

No aggro We just telling our opinions and it will be helpful feedback for the creators. (Maybe they will test these parameters!).

What I want to say is that it's much better for silence/performance to have below 800rpm push pull 30mm radiator than having above 1300rpm 60mm push radiator.

Push - pull for 30mm rad is meaningless. All 30 mm rads are already optimized for low rpm.
When I see pictures of the case, I'm already convinced to pay )) but it doesn't match my requirments for water-cooling. I'm so sad now.

 

[Nanook]

I may have missed these:

• Can this case be flipped, so that cables come out of case on the bottom?
• Timing?
• Cost?

Can’t wait.

 

[uniqz]

Push - pull for 30mm rad is meaningless. All 30 mm rads are already optimized for low rpm.
When I see pictures of the case, I'm already convinced to pay )) but it doesn't match my requirments for water-cooling. I'm so sad now.

How about a 60mm rad with slim fans in push pull? The way it looks it could probably fit the additional 5mm but I have no idea how slim fans in push pull would perform.

I may have missed these:

• Can this case be flipped, so that cables come out of case on the bottom?

Can’t wait.

I second that question and add to it by asking if it could be flipped 90° to the rear so that the IO is at the back and the radiator is above the MB. would mean a larger footprint but it wouldn't be as high. For that the feet would be removable though and the underside needs to look good enough to be the new front so I don't have high hopes.

 

[Boil]

I second that question and add to it by asking if it could be flipped 90° to the rear so that the IO is at the back and the radiator is above the MB. would mean a larger footprint but it wouldn't be as high. For that the feet would be removable though and the underside needs to look good enough to be the new front so I don't have high hopes.

So, you want a NCASE M1 that sits on its side & supports a 280mm radiator...?

 

[vex_sb]

I find really interesting that someone is making case " watecooling ready" but fail at first step - thinks that 1 280 rad will be enough. And it won't even or stock speeds, let alone OC.

DA2 case have waay more flexibility

 

[uniqz]

So, you want a NCASE M1 that sits on its side & supports a 280mm radiator...?

I don't specifically want that but it would be a nice option. I am basically just throwing ideas in to see if they had thought of that. and no, not really an M1, I would probably use it in the back to back configuration so more like a Dan C4 with more radiator space.

I find really interesting that someone is making case " watecooling ready" but fail at first step - thinks that 1 280 rad will be enough. And it won't even or stock speeds, let alone OC.

DA2 case have waay more flexibility

That is simply not true. A 60mm thick 280 radiator is plenty to cool a GPU and CPU. People go crazy with the radiator space they build into their systems because either they:

• like the looks or
• think CPU and GPU need to be sub 40° under full synthetic load and everything higher is unacceptable or
• they want to massively overclock with 1.4 vcore and more or
• simply because they have the space for a lot of radiators in their massive ATX cases and money to burn

Also the DA2 does not realistically fit more radiator capacity than the Mach One

 

[vex_sb]

I have shift X now and slim 240 and fat 120 inside, already burned one ddc pump with temps around 70 degrees on full gaming load od slight OC'd 980ti and 6600k ( 1.280v ) . Why ?? Bcs the airflow is bad.

The used Nemesis can take 275w in push configuration, and that is not enough.
And yeah ofcourse i want to OC the system .

This will probably be expensive case, so they have to have in mind people with watercooled vga and cpu, hard tubbing etc...

I am pretty sure DA2 will fit more rad surface but can't tell for sure untill i get my hands on one.

 

[Wahaha360]

I have shift X now and slim 240 and fat 120 inside, already burned one ddc pump with temps around 70 degrees on full gaming load od slight OC'd 980ti and 6600k ( 1.280v ) . Why ?? Bcs the airflow is bad. For high end gpu and cpu you need more than 280 rad. I would glady put least possible amount of rads
And yeah ofcourse i want to OC the system when it's on the water.
This will probably be expensive case, so they have to have in mind people with watercooled vga and cpu, hard tubbing etc...

I am pretty sure DA2 will fit more rad surface but can't tell for sure untill i get my hands on one.

You can fit dual 280mm rad in the Mach One, 280x55mm push-pull in the front, 280x45mm on the side like the M1, but you didn't hear it from me.