Log Why do cases for an APU-Build (no graphics card) Suck?

[PVC]

Found a new Case - Same measurements as (A09P which is about 1-inch longer than the A09). This is called A09P ARGB with optional (ARGB addressable Red, Green, Blue light strips). The ARGB lights are optional - you can just order black.

But I will have to wait until the Tariff-war has calmed down. Meanwhile my new build remains in my old A09 case, and my previous LGA1700 build is without a case - Sigh.

 

[vinnyoflegend]

Pretty cool. It'd be nice if a seller offered just the front panel/cover as they appear to be effectively interchangeable since all the front panel cabling/ports are attached...

Looks like it's only $15USD(taobao) to superbuy, probably $35-40 to ship to the US from there.

Haven't dipped into the gateway of superbuy ordering yet, but I've continued to place aliexpress orders...no tariff mayhem yet....

 

[PVC]

I've continued to place aliexpress orders...no tariff mayhem yet....

HMm? I'm fearful of placing an Aliexpress order? The "information" I have read says the tariff amount can be add-on after you have already paid??? But that doesn't seem right???

 

[vinnyoflegend]

HMm? I'm fearful of placing an Aliexpress order? The "information" I have read says the tariff amount can be add-on after you have already paid??? But that doesn't seem right???

There was one brief window when the tariffs were first declared where some people had orders coming in through a carrier notorious for collecting tariffs and tacking on "processing fees" (Fedex in particular is pretty awful. We're talking fees of $60-150 for what was actually some $3-10 tariff. UPS might also do similar. However neither carrier is common for Aliexpress orders as far as I know). Orders through USPS or other smaller carriers (for example lasership/ontrac in the east coast) made no such attempt at tariff collection during that one week.

The impact from that week was some delay when the tariff news first hit which caused a backlog of packages at customs but those eventually went through. I've been ordering things regularly this year without hiccups or tariffs so far.

In any case, I don't think I see this new version of the case on Aliexpress yet.

 

[PVC]

Search "itx case ARGB" on Aliexpress. But I no longer see $-USD-$ listings??
Two sellers on EBay and one of those is the same as the Aliexpress seller.

I had ordered A09P case twice, (one on EBay and one on Amazon). I waited 30 days for each case. After 30 days my order was cancelled! Twice!

 

[vinnyoflegend]

Search "itx case ARGB" on Aliexpress. But I no longer see $-USD-$ listings??
Two sellers on EBay and one of those is the same as the Aliexpress seller.

I had ordered A09P case twice, (one on EBay and one on Amazon). I waited 30 days for each case. After 30 days my order was cancelled! Twice!

Ah, that search does work, strange that they don't mention "A09".

I've never ordered from Infinity PC Parts before though they seem to be one of the bigger reputable storefronts.

The case shows as $48.65 for ARGB and $52.46 for non-ARGB. Make sure you set your currency/country to US and USD.

Regarding your cancelled orders, I wonder if it's due to the A09P seemingly going out of production/stock? There's another store on Aliexpress I like called "SUMER cooling store" but right now I see they only have the A09 and A09m, no sign o the A09p which I know they used to carry. And no new A09R (seems to be the new ARGB model) yet in their store.

 

[PVC]

Pfft!! I think I will roll the dice and order the A09-ARGB (or whatever it is called). I was worried about USA getting rid of the "de minimis/less than $800 import exemption" and whether it would exempt items that are already in transit.

Below; at this tine some things I read that were causing me to worry>

• "eBay" says; Effective May 2, 2025, goods of any value from China and Hong Kong will be subject to duties, and shipments over $250 may require your nine-digit Social Security number before delivery.
  
  
• "Avalara" says RE getting rid of the de minimis exemption: The de minimis provision allows many goods valued at or under $800 to enter the U.S. duty free and via an expedited entry process known as Entry Type 86. The $800 de minimis threshold is per person per day. Many countries offer de minimis exemptions, but most use a threshold lower than $800. It used to be lower in the U.S. too: Congress raised the de minimis threshold from $200 to $800 in 2016, opening the floodgates for low-value shipments.

I am guessing the de minimis exemption must go away because of related fentanyl issues. But maybe I can get an ITX case first. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[PVC]

Ordered from AliExpress - Infinity PC Parts Store - Mini ITX HTPC Desktop Case 5V ARGB Front Panel 4 USB Ports Supports 1U Power Supply Compact Design for ITX Motherboard Server - black with argb - $43.82

 

[vinnyoflegend]

Cool. Hope it gets to you swiftly.

The tariffs and de minimis removal have gone back and forth so many times that I don't think it should be taken seriously unless there's some real enforcement plan along with capacity to carry it out. Honestly, I think that's why it's been business as usual so far outside of some businesses pre-emptively raising prices because they can.

 

[PVC]

Any Day now
From AliExpress
Import clearance complete
Your order nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn has cleared customs. Please click below to track your delivery status or see more details.
Mini ITX HTPC Desktop Case 5V black with argb

 

[PVC]

I got it! I got it!
I got → your number on the wall

I will take pictures later. The front-panel has 4 USB ports , plus a Headphone port, and the On-Off switch.

The front-panel ports use thinner cables than the previous model A09 case. The thinner cables are much better than the previous stiff-and-almost-unbendable cables on the A09 case. So I think that cable routing will be much easier!!

I believe the two Black front panel ports are USB-3, and the two Blue ports are USB-2. I will verify this later.

The front panel On-Off switch is smaller (about 1/3 the size of the previous A09 case) and it's firm, not loosey goosey like the switch on the previous A09 case.

 

[PVC]

Wow - the entire A09P front panel (along with the cables) is easily removable and/or replaceable.

• Three stubby L-shaped clips hold the front panel onto one side of the case-front
• Then three screws (accessed from inside the case) secure the front panel onto the other side of the case-front

Also, the case-front ARGB lights seem to be optional (by unplugging the ARGB bars) it you don't like the lights.

 

[PVC]

• Done!! You can build with the front panel off the case!!
• And, then put the front back on when all the ribbons and cables are connected.
• It make cable routing a breeze.
• That one USB ribbon for the (four front-case USB ports) 2-Black, 2-Blue, all plug into the same USB2 motherboard header so it appears that they are all USB2. Nice place to plug-in my wireless mouse/keyboard dongle.
• Oh, the two ARGB coloured strips are modest (not bright) so ARGB lights are a welcome addition.

I got lazy and didn't take any pictures
This A09P ARGB is the Best ITX tiny case that I have seen for an APU Build/no-graphics card.

 

[vinnyoflegend]

Awesome. Glad you were able to get it quickly. I think many shops froze shipping to the US and raised prices now

 

[ignsvn]

I got lazy and didn't take any pictures

Cmon man share something with us

 

[PVC]

Okay, okay, okay. Hang on.

 

[PVC]

A09P-ARGB vs older A09 (@vinnyoflegend and I think the intermediate A09P not pictured, is no longer available)

From the Top (as you can see, the case is the same dimensions). But now you have that extra addon panel for the cables!!

It fits real nice & compact;

Three screws will release the front panel. Guess what this means. It means there are no difficult cable routing issues!!

Top-down view of the front panel opened:

• The 3-Screws
• The 3-Case screw holes
• The 3-L-Shaped hinges which secure one side of the front paned onto the case
• The 3-threaded posts for securing the front panel's other side securely to the case

 

[rfarmer]

What's SFF without difficult cable routing?

 

[vinnyoflegend]

Nice! It should be noted that the original A09 front panel also can be removed after taking off 3 screws, but since there's not much clearance it doesn't help

 

[PVC]

Awesome. Glad you were able to get it quickly. I think many shops froze shipping to the US and raised prices now

Ordered from AliExpress - Infinity PC Parts Store - Mini ITX HTPC Desktop Case 5V ARGB Front Panel 4 USB Ports Supports 1U Power Supply Compact Design for ITX Motherboard Server - black with argb - $43.82

Yup, my same seller (Infinity) is over $61 USD now - ??