NCASE M1EVO Case Review & Benchmarks: Versatile but Unrefined Mini-ITX / Micro-ATX
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Date: 2024-02-12
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Comments and reviews: 20
zodwraith5745
I'd be interested in building a SFF system like this for the living room PC if they weren't so ridiculously overpriced. When you can find solid mini towers like a Coolermaster Masterbox for as little as $40 these are just idiotic. You're paying _5 times_ the price to shorten it by a whopping 5 inches. There's just so many better options to put your money towards in your build.
Many of these can't even warrant their high price by being a scrappy little startup with a lot of investment but really just built by major manufacturers under an umbrella brand to give a false sense of exclusivity. It seems like they're just taking advantage of the SFF fad and charging like Apple for it.
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I'd be interested in building a SFF system like this for the living room PC if they weren't so ridiculously overpriced. When you can find solid mini towers like a Coolermaster Masterbox for as little as $40 these are just idiotic. You're paying _5 times_ the price to shorten it by a whopping 5 inches. There's just so many better options to put your money towards in your build.
Many of these can't even warrant their high price by being a scrappy little startup with a lot of investment but really just built by major manufacturers under an umbrella brand to give a false sense of exclusivity. It seems like they're just taking advantage of the SFF fad and charging like Apple for it.
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fuzzylumpkins6034
So it does not know if it wants to be a test bench or a case but charges for both For me a test bench works amazing and saves on useless overcooling but I am only running a 6900xt in the test bench build. The configurations are a good idea but meh for the price.
Having gotten though the entire review, NOPE just nope. I love building and rebuilding all our pcs but fiddly crap like this is better thrown out the window and I see 3 major issues this case has that would make it useless for a long term case. This is for hardcore tech nerds with loads of money to waste on novelty. The original case had better execution even if it lacked size for the rotund 4090.
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So it does not know if it wants to be a test bench or a case but charges for both For me a test bench works amazing and saves on useless overcooling but I am only running a 6900xt in the test bench build. The configurations are a good idea but meh for the price.
Having gotten though the entire review, NOPE just nope. I love building and rebuilding all our pcs but fiddly crap like this is better thrown out the window and I see 3 major issues this case has that would make it useless for a long term case. This is for hardcore tech nerds with loads of money to waste on novelty. The original case had better execution even if it lacked size for the rotund 4090.
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chrisfanning5842
The biggest problem with NCase is cost and wait times for non-domestic orders. NCase don't have any international distributors so every order is shipped direct to the customer from overseas, incurs transatlantic shipping delays, sits in customs awaiting processing for up to two weeks, and then gets lumped with a non-trivial customs surcharge. They're losing the international market to Dan, Jonsbo, CoolerMaster, Fractal, LianLi, Silverstone, Steacom, Ssupd, to name just a few of the competent, internationally available ITX case manufacturers.
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The biggest problem with NCase is cost and wait times for non-domestic orders. NCase don't have any international distributors so every order is shipped direct to the customer from overseas, incurs transatlantic shipping delays, sits in customs awaiting processing for up to two weeks, and then gets lumped with a non-trivial customs surcharge. They're losing the international market to Dan, Jonsbo, CoolerMaster, Fractal, LianLi, Silverstone, Steacom, Ssupd, to name just a few of the competent, internationally available ITX case manufacturers.
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murderbymodem
I love Mini-ITX content, these small/compact cases add many complexities to a build - but to me that makes it that much more satisfying to plan and complete. Throwing parts in an ATX tower is just not fun anymore, too easy and too much wasted space.
As for the M1EVO specifically, it is not for the faint of heart. A very complex build, with terrible documentation as you mentioned. Someone new to Small Form Factor builds should definitely look into something more basic, like the CoolerMaster NR200.
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I love Mini-ITX content, these small/compact cases add many complexities to a build - but to me that makes it that much more satisfying to plan and complete. Throwing parts in an ATX tower is just not fun anymore, too easy and too much wasted space.
As for the M1EVO specifically, it is not for the faint of heart. A very complex build, with terrible documentation as you mentioned. Someone new to Small Form Factor builds should definitely look into something more basic, like the CoolerMaster NR200.
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kemosobe
I'm curious if you guys have any plans to review the NZXT H6 Flow. After your HYTE Y60 review, I loved the fish tank style cases with the side intake and have been looking them up and first thought about getting the Montech King 95 since it's cheaper than the Y60, but then also learned about the H6 Flow and it being even cheaper and am deeply thinking about getting it for my next PC build this year, but would also just love to see what yall think about it.
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I'm curious if you guys have any plans to review the NZXT H6 Flow. After your HYTE Y60 review, I loved the fish tank style cases with the side intake and have been looking them up and first thought about getting the Montech King 95 since it's cheaper than the Y60, but then also learned about the H6 Flow and it being even cheaper and am deeply thinking about getting it for my next PC build this year, but would also just love to see what yall think about it.
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defekto.
Very interested in the legal stuff surrounding NCASE. I ordered a T1 from FormD and that never got delivered, first time I got scammed on the Internet. The support at first was helpful but then just completely gave up on resolving the Issue. Thank god for credit card charge backs.
I really want the T1 but all my trust towards NCASE is gone so the only way to get it is on the used market.
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Very interested in the legal stuff surrounding NCASE. I ordered a T1 from FormD and that never got delivered, first time I got scammed on the Internet. The support at first was helpful but then just completely gave up on resolving the Issue. Thank god for credit card charge backs.
I really want the T1 but all my trust towards NCASE is gone so the only way to get it is on the used market.
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Saeverix
I just gave up on my ITX adventures. I currently have the Corsair 2000D which is getting way too hot and noisy, due to lack of airflow. Then I ordered the Fractal Ridge to discover that my GPU would not fit. I am back to a good and performing ATX build, using the NZXT H6 Flow case. I don't have the patience and money (200-300 euros for a good ITX case) to continue on the ITX road.
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I just gave up on my ITX adventures. I currently have the Corsair 2000D which is getting way too hot and noisy, due to lack of airflow. Then I ordered the Fractal Ridge to discover that my GPU would not fit. I am back to a good and performing ATX build, using the NZXT H6 Flow case. I don't have the patience and money (200-300 euros for a good ITX case) to continue on the ITX road.
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jolness1
Hey hey it’s my case! Glad you guys could check it out since I couldn’t swing a new build by the time it showed up. The 15 SSDs are nuts who asked for that
My 7 year old is going to be stoked when I show this to him. We watch GN together and he told me your computer is going to be a star dad! When I said I was sending it to you guys. Thanks for being so easy to work with.
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Hey hey it’s my case! Glad you guys could check it out since I couldn’t swing a new build by the time it showed up. The 15 SSDs are nuts who asked for that
My 7 year old is going to be stoked when I show this to him. We watch GN together and he told me your computer is going to be a star dad! When I said I was sending it to you guys. Thanks for being so easy to work with.
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tommyb6611
Yes, more compact size ITX cases please. Lets see them how they compare to ATX towers.
A friend of mine is saying they suck because no space inside and no airflow and bad thermals.
I want to build in the future an ITX system (gpu at the top to breathe air) and replace my gaming laptop and never look back at a gaming laptop ever again.
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Yes, more compact size ITX cases please. Lets see them how they compare to ATX towers.
A friend of mine is saying they suck because no space inside and no airflow and bad thermals.
I want to build in the future an ITX system (gpu at the top to breathe air) and replace my gaming laptop and never look back at a gaming laptop ever again.
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KellicTiger
Well I get that adding additional test is time consuming. I remember watching gamer's Nexus reviews of the steam deck and showing how thermal patterns with airflow could be seen. I would love to see that being done with these cases. That way you can see where air is coming in and out depending on the setup being used
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Well I get that adding additional test is time consuming. I remember watching gamer's Nexus reviews of the steam deck and showing how thermal patterns with airflow could be seen. I would love to see that being done with these cases. That way you can see where air is coming in and out depending on the setup being used
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FischOderAal
I was eyeing the M1 Evo, coming from the original M1, but have a T1 sitting on the bench now. Just waiting for parts to get started.
Funny that the parting between NCase and Lian Li was bad, too. Because the parting between W360 and F3C for the T1 was bad, too. Guess who is the culprit in these cases...
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I was eyeing the M1 Evo, coming from the original M1, but have a T1 sitting on the bench now. Just waiting for parts to get started.
Funny that the parting between NCase and Lian Li was bad, too. Because the parting between W360 and F3C for the T1 was bad, too. Guess who is the culprit in these cases...
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powerpower-rg7bk
I totally would like a murder-mystery-not-really tracking of that ITX design mastermind. As bonus, sneak those details of that lawsuit, or maybe not because it is so intricate to that web of industry connections. Just need to the full tack board full of photos, string and pins to connect everything.
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I totally would like a murder-mystery-not-really tracking of that ITX design mastermind. As bonus, sneak those details of that lawsuit, or maybe not because it is so intricate to that web of industry connections. Just need to the full tack board full of photos, string and pins to connect everything.
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Nunkuruji
The versatility can also probably carry it forward well for reuse for upgrades, able to adapt to changing dimensions. For my money, the flipped layout is what I like, omitting my irritation with riser cables, and not having the feet problem. The C4-SFX being more specifically built to that layout.
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The versatility can also probably carry it forward well for reuse for upgrades, able to adapt to changing dimensions. For my money, the flipped layout is what I like, omitting my irritation with riser cables, and not having the feet problem. The C4-SFX being more specifically built to that layout.
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D-One
I definitely want to hear about the designer's backstory. 'All ITX cases that people like' being tied to a single person while also having a minimalistic non-gamery design says a lot. The only reason my new system is not SFF is due to the insane price of decent small mobos where I live.
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I definitely want to hear about the designer's backstory. 'All ITX cases that people like' being tied to a single person while also having a minimalistic non-gamery design says a lot. The only reason my new system is not SFF is due to the insane price of decent small mobos where I live.
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bobbybyrne1899
I would've been interested if they offered a way to stand the whole case up on it's back like the NZXT H1. That would resolve the ground clearance issues and further reduce it's desk footprint. To me, a smaller case is more beneficial when it's taking up less desk space.
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I would've been interested if they offered a way to stand the whole case up on it's back like the NZXT H1. That would resolve the ground clearance issues and further reduce it's desk footprint. To me, a smaller case is more beneficial when it's taking up less desk space.
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gamersnexus
Hey guys have you ever compared cpu air coolers when sitting the motherboard face up vs motherboard face sideways I'm thinking you all test on benches meaning the fins are up and condensation occurs as intended, but in cases most of the fins are not higher than the cpu
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Hey guys have you ever compared cpu air coolers when sitting the motherboard face up vs motherboard face sideways I'm thinking you all test on benches meaning the fins are up and condensation occurs as intended, but in cases most of the fins are not higher than the cpu
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RonaldBrowen3
So Then, Most ITX Cases are Designed by one guy. Then That one guy basically controls the market, and now he is slap suiting other companies trying to break into the market basically Damn, sometimes I hate the way the market works.....
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So Then, Most ITX Cases are Designed by one guy. Then That one guy basically controls the market, and now he is slap suiting other companies trying to break into the market basically Damn, sometimes I hate the way the market works.....
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NickVu1
I am looking for a case that fits the GPU normaly without the extension, like the dan case c4. fitting an matx is even better. I cant see the quality being a deal breaker tbh. But I will wait tosee the C4 v2 if it is any good.
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I am looking for a case that fits the GPU normaly without the extension, like the dan case c4. fitting an matx is even better. I cant see the quality being a deal breaker tbh. But I will wait tosee the C4 v2 if it is any good.
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tbullock79
Something just occurred to me. What are all those people who built itx systems with Cablemods adapters going to do now that they are recalled In most cases, like this one, cards wont fit without the adapter.
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Something just occurred to me. What are all those people who built itx systems with Cablemods adapters going to do now that they are recalled In most cases, like this one, cards wont fit without the adapter.
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Criiies
Crazy how the fractal terra has shaken the SFF case market, particularly companies like ncase making milled aluminium cases. They suddenly have to actually compete and cant be comfy with their boutique pricing.
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Crazy how the fractal terra has shaken the SFF case market, particularly companies like ncase making milled aluminium cases. They suddenly have to actually compete and cant be comfy with their boutique pricing.
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