A Mini-ITX Case for Enthusiasts, by Enthusiasts, Crowdfunded

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The NCASE M1 Prototype is a bona-fide enthusiast mini-ITX case. Yes, you read that correctly

We're not trying to get you to read an article about a so called "high-end" HTPC case, what we have here is a community designed and crowdfunded project to make a mini-ITX enclosure that will house the most powerful CPUs and hold the most brutal graphics cards. Combine this with the the capacity for internal watercooling and it's clear that the NCASE M1 prototype is something that PC enthusiasts can and should get properly excited about.

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Niels Broekhuijsen
Niels Broekhuijsen
Contributing Writer

Niels Broekhuijsen is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He reviews cases, water cooling and pc builds.

30 Comments Comment from the forums
  • master_chen
    Whoah...that looks even more interesting than BitFenix's Prodigy...can't wait to get my hands on this baby.
    Reply
  • freggo
    With Lian Li behind it this could be a sweet little quality case.
    Not sure if $160 is a bit on the high side, will have to see the details when it is actually available.
    Reply
  • foxmulder_ms
    Like it.
    Reply
  • back_by_demand
    I like the idea, the only issue that I can see is that exhausting lots of heat outside the case is not as good as not producing lots of heat to begin with
    ...
    If this was to be used as a HTPC, for example, it could potentially be placed in an enclosed cupboard with a glass front so IR remotes can be used, but heat exhausted from the case would just build up in the cupboard and the ambient temperature would overwhelm whatever cooling solution you used
    ...
    Sat on a desk, fine, sat in a cupboard, not fine
    Reply
  • truprecht
    This is clearly intended for high-performance graphics (3-slot cards) and overclocking (240mm radiator), not an HTPC. There are already plenty of similar HTPC-appropriate cases, for example:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112339

    That said, I don't know why Lian-Li wouldn't just make the case without the kickstarter rigmarole. There don't appear to be any radical new features that aren't already included in some existing Lian Li case.
    Reply
  • Non-Euclidean
    I really wonder why it needs watercooling. Arent we getting away from CPUs that produce prodigious amounts of heat? If so, then wouldnt fans be sufficient for the graphics card? Or is the driving force behind this to have a small case for you to burn up overclocked AMD CPUs in?
    Reply
  • truprecht
    Non-EuclideanOr is the driving force behind this to have a small case for you to burn up overclocked AMD CPUs in?
    The intent is to sell them in colder climates with AMD CPU's as combination gaming computers / space heaters.
    Reply
  • Cazalan
    The airflow doesn't look very good.

    3 - 120mm in, 1 80mm out.
    Reply
  • Onus
    Too expensive. If one can buy a modest, but decent, ATX or mATX case for $60-$70, why not mini-ITX at that price? Is engineering and construction that much more difficult?
    Reply
  • MrSlavw
    160 - 200$ ... ? I think the main concept of "mini " is lost.
    Reply