Preview of the Velka 7 concept
These are the specifications that I am working towards:
- Dimensions (L x W x H including protrusions): 332 x 123 x 226 mm
- External volume: 8.7 L
- Motherboard: mini-ITX
- CPU cooler clearance: 50 mm
- Graphics card compatibility (L x W x H): 310 x 55 x 142 mm. 142 mm height can be increased by using smaller radiators and fans on top. 2.7 slots width
- PSU: SFX
- Liquid cooling support: single 120 mm or single 240 mm, 52 mm thick (includes radiator and fan). Slim fan must be used in the back
- Storage: at least one 2.5" drive when the above clearances are fully taken up by other parts
- 1.5 mm anodized aluminum exterior, 1.5 mm powdercoated aluminum and 1.0 mm steel interior
In size, it would be between the base units of the Loque Ghost S1 and Nouvolo Steck, with functionality more similar to those cases with the top hats. CPU air cooling compatibility is traded for better graphics card compatibility with the assumption that any user considering the case would be willing to consider the use of at least a 120 mm AIO for CPU cooling.
The first thing that you will notice is the horizontal orientation. Unless if there is a breakthrough, these will be the reasons for the horizontal orientation:
- keeping the front panel solid (no radiator holes in front) and the case recognizable as part of the lineup
- top covers and bottom stands waste too much space and it is impossible for me to make them adequate looking at current production quantities
- power button would take up radiator space in vertical orientation
- It is more familiar to the vast majority of people and I cannot seem to find a way to properly explain that only DisplayPort and HDMI would need to be used on top if the case were to have a vertical orientation
These are the improvements such a design would have over the Velka 5:
- All I/O located in a conventional location
- Easier to cool R7, R9, core i7, core i9 CPUs with liquid cooling
- Easier to find compatible AIB cards larger than reference
- Easier to build in if liquid cooling is not used
Target price shipped to USA: $199.99 or less.