NCASE M2 Review: RTX 4080 Super, Arctic Liquid Freezer III & Phanteks T-30s

[@matthewpatane4096]

I believe the cooler is installed upside down and thrust the AM5 offset is actually further from the CCD cores (where the heat is) and could substantially impact cooling performance.

[@chrisrussellca]

Interesting. I’ll check this. However the thermals weren’t that bad and didn’t set off any alarms. Idle temp was 45c. I have to check, thanks for your observation.

[@chrisrussellca]

Trying it now, standby.

[@kevinwatson5190]

Yeah it's definitely upside down . Checked the comments to see if anyone else noticed.

[@chrisrussellca]

@@kevinwatson5190 no big thermal difference. CCD 1 Upside down was 81.24c and right side up is 80.77c, this is the hottest CCD also. I’m logging the results with HWInfo64 to excel. This was running C24 Multicore for 10 minutes.

[@chrisrussellca]

@@matthewpatane4096 I pinned the comment so people will know.

[@Awesumsawz]

Hey, unfamiliar with your work but huge props to the camera work here. Beautiful work.

[@chrisrussellca]

Thank you, I really appreciate it.

[@thisismn]

First time seeing one of your reviews, nicely done. Really enjoyed the comparison to like models and a fair assessment of pros/cons. I'm currently waiting on my delivery of the M2 and not 100% sure which style of build I'll be doing.

[@chrisrussellca]

Thank you, you can start planning now

[@TROD..]

Another awesome video Chris! Loving the content. I modeled my T1 build after yours and it’s been running great! Keep up the awesome content!

[@chrisrussellca]

Glad you like them! The T1 is still my preferred case!

[@thenozar7603]

Hi TROD, by model, do you mean physically altered your PC build to replicate Chris' or do you mean you 3D modeled your T1 build in CAD? Sorry for the random question but I'm trying to get some experience modeling mini-ITX cases and I was hoping for some inspiration or help if you happened to have created 3D files.

[@Renegade_Rabryn]

Such a clean job you do with cable management. Those blue cables are to die for.

[@vongdong10]

Had the M1 EVO and hated it. Good to see an honest review that tells the cons.

[@chrisrussellca]

You know, I like luxurious looking cases and the M2 doesn’t quite scratch that itch for me. It’s looks good but it doesn’t look like the T1. It’s a great case is you just care about getting the best results for the size and price.

[@yanni-duff]

I just got this case and I'm planning to do top 240 AIO as intake with a conventional reference layout meaning the gpu on the bottom. I might have to play around with the motherboard placement depending on the thickness of my GPU and might consider slim fans for the AIO. Unfortunately it seems that there's ZERO information online about this configuration. No one has even tried it which boggles my mind considering it's the cleanest config by far. You get fresh intake on the radiator, ditch the riser cable and you can get a glass panel to display the whole build and those beautiful custom cables.

[@milany707]

Man, keep enjoying everyday experiencing what this case can fit , my latest: classic build ALL ASUS ROG (x670e-i/4090/sfxl850) and CPU AIO 280 top rad but without it's fans attached to it haha , enjoy yourself figuring it out because you can do more what you think with NCASE M2.

[@chrisrussellca]

I have that coming. I’m not a huge fan of tower coolers so I choose to use low profile coolers and want to build the reference layout with the IS-67 from ID Cooling with a T-30 or Lian Li TL LCD fan with the TG panel NCASE sent me. Like the other guy said, this case can do almost everything you want it to do and it comes at a relatively good price and quality.

[@yanni-duff]

@@milany707 wait I'm confused, how are you cooling the radiator if there are no fans attached? What are the temps and CPU used?

[@alihammad6318]

Excellent review! CPU thermals would probably be better if you intake from the rad and exhaust out the bottom. Or VGPU with top exhaust and vertical GPU to more closely match the T1. Currently using internal air to push through the relatively small internals of the case outwards is probably why your T1 is winning. (Little engineer note: Heat rising is due to a force called free convection, it's an EXTREMELY weak force that is outpowered as soon as any fan enters. The T1 exhausting air likely runs cooler as the negative pressure turns the whole side panel into an intake.)

[@chrisrussellca]

Tried that, the thermals are better exhausting, 47c idle vs 45c idle. Also interesting engineering note.

[@alihammad6318]

@@chrisrussellca Interesting! Thanks for sharing. I'm heavily debating T1 vs M2 for custom CPU-only loop. Definitely would choose a T-Grill with T30's, might get it anodized in silver myself.

[@xXKamoflashXx]

Great video and great build!!! Brother, there is a way to flip the case, so you have the GPU on the bottom side. On the Ncase homepage, when clicking on the case, there is an animation. As far as I see it, all you have to do is flip the back and side panels 180 degree. Can you check whether that gives better cooling? And yes the feet are indeed very short...

[@chrisrussellca]

Thanks 🙏, the GPU at the bottom is Level 5 which I tested and it wasn’t much of a improvement thermal wise.

[@AlexReyes-t9i]

I personally think the Ncase M2 will be a mighty-fine case for anyone who wants to get started in the SFF PC space, and its high configurability will make it pleasant for a large number of people. The only problem I have with this case is that it has nothing in line with the original Ncase M1 which was lauded for its simple build process and superb quality (mainly because it was designed with one goal in mind rather than trying to take on every single potential build). I also think it is quite large with the dimensions putting it about a liter or two in size above the Ncase M1

[@chrisrussellca]

Some sacrifices had to be made. I agree, it’s better to be a specialist than a generalist when it comes to quality but the quality isn’t bad but could use improvement.

[@jgalt99]

@@chrisrussellca Lot of people complaining on reddit about the newer builds. It's super easy to strip the threads from the screw holes when installing the case components. I just built a system with it today and can confirm. You really have to be careful installing the screws, they're stainless steel fine threads going into aluminum threaded holes. Two-finger tight is all they can take, if you wrap your hand around the screwdriver and tighten the way you normally would you will easily strip the threads. I used blue locktite for some added security.

[@chrisrussellca]

@@jgalt99 I’ve been seeing a lot of mixed reviews. As a case it’s good but there seems to be some QC issues and issues with quality, especially screws. Honestly something you’d expect to be top tier as it shouldn’t cost that much to send good screws.

[@Kevin15673]

1:15 that curve is intentional, it ensures the side panel is flush with the case due to being under tension once installed.

[@chrisrussellca]

Interesting, is that a thing with steel panels, my CNC aluminum panels with the T1 don’t do that. Never actually had steel panels before for any case, well not in the same design as the M2 or T1.

[@thenozar7603]

@@chrisrussellca Can't say for sure but the difference between sheet metal manufacturing vs CNC is staggering and one of the big ones is that you use much thicker, and therefore rigid parts with CNC, whereas with sheet metal as you can guess, they're flimsier as is the case with that panel. Also apologies if this was information you were already aware of, I must have misunderstood what you meant in that case

[@Kokinkun]

Would you consider flipping the AIO fans as intake and the bottom case fans as exhaust? It should help guide all the hot air from your GPU/CPU/PSU into one direction (downward) instead of the bottom fans intaking hot PSU air and the AIO intaking hot GPU air.

[@NeuralVoidSolutions]

Great review, build, and test details! I’m curious if the T1 is also inverted? I imagine you would get better thermals on the M2 with the standard config… though the inverted config looks super clean 👌

[@chrisrussellca]

Not sure, I tested the Level 5 configuration and the GPU suffered more.

[@mavevibenbtw]

how long did it take to arrive

[@chrisrussellca]

It took me about 5 business days not including weekend.

[@daboyi6868]

Hi great build, do you think I can do your Nr200p build in this case ?

[@chrisrussellca]

Yes, 100%. Do you mean the ID Cooling IS-55 with the Phanteks T-30?

[@daboyi6868]

@@chrisrussellcaYes ?

[@chrisrussellca]

You shouldn’t have any issues, you could go bigger however but if you want something super lowkey and simple then the NR200 setup would do good in the M2

[@daboyi6868]

@@chrisrussellca Thank you so much.🙏🏽

[@timan83]

7:41 I notice that when you have your AIO on the side there is no room for a 90 degrees GPU power adapter, right?

[@chrisrussellca]

It depends and you don’t really need an adapter if you have soft cables. However you can shift the bracket and or radiator down depending on your setup

[@ahmedalagbari7564]

Hi, I'm planning a build with this case once the rtx 50 cards are released. Do you know what gpu clearance you get using an sfxl psu? Love the camera work

[@N1cah25]

I noticed your motherboard is upside-down (with regard to the I/O labels). Is there enough flexibility to mount it right-side up?

[@chrisrussellca]

Yes, the cool thing about the M2 is that it has 9 official layouts. Check it out here ncased.com/collections/m-series/products/m2-round

[@Duplex39]

I'm leaning towards the T1, I want a compact case that I can take with me when a I travel (only about twice a year), I also really wanted the Arctic Liquid Freezer III but looks like that can't fit in the T1. But I think I will go an air cooled T1 for my final build, but I love seeing other options :)

[@chrisrussellca]

The LF3 doesn’t fit in the T1 in any configuration. The ATMOS is very competent however.

[@joonhojung7765]

Nice video! Love from South Korea. Would there be any plan on reviewing the Shiny Snake S400?

[@marcosquezada6430]

Does the GPU sag in this config?

[@chrisrussellca]

Yes, there are some people working on 3D files for a GPU support that would attach to the top radiator bracket. Unfortunately that would require you to get a second bracket as the M2 only ships with one bracket. They sent me two so it wouldn’t be a problem. I did have success using this bracket….amzn.to/3CPwitC

[@Frank-fb4dt]

Have no idea how you managed to just bend those AIO tubes. I have the same M2 case too, 280 LF3 and boy it was not fitting. Had to install 4080 on the side using riser.

[@somewhatideal]

Huh, I got the Sama IM01 cuz of the ability the put an matx mobo + atx psu. This posted just as my case is being delivered lol. It looks sleek, but I don't like the orientation of the PSU since it's pulling hot air from the inside of the case (if using matx mobo) Edit: just realized that the layout is almost exactly the same as the sama im01 and nr200, without the ability to add intake/exhaust fans on the top & bottom without using a riser cable for the gpu. I'm less tempted to get it now over the im01 😅

[@chrisrussellca]

Tons of customizable orientations in the M2. Your case is good too, maybe I’ll get that case on the channel.

[@EnigmasityGG]

Great video! I really like this case, but I feel like the classic layout with the GPU at the bottom and a high quality < 145 mm air cooler is the way to go. Really tempted by this case, however I just enjoy my current Dan A4 H2O build too much. The thermals on that are also insanely good, especially by SFF standards.

[@chrisrussellca]

Totally agree, thanks!

[@inked-96]

Just finished installing a 4090 with a 9800x3d, asus b650e-i, Thermaltake TH280, and 2 addional fans underneath on a NR200P V2. Max GPU temps are 67 degrees underload and 72 degrees on the CPU under gaming load after 3 hours. Very impressed.

[@chrisrussellca]

Nice setup! Enjoy! Those are some nice temps!

[@inked-96]

@chrisrussellca Thanks man. I'm glad the portable rig is finally complete. Just got some addional parts for my main rig at home. Another 9800x3d Asrock X870 Taichi 4TB Thermaltake Tower 600 Thermaltake 420 Aio. Then a 5090 upon release.

[@fffforever]

FURKMARK

[@gr4j0m3r]

My SF450 is dead TT.

[@chrisrussellca]

RIP 🪦

[@gr4j0m3r]

@@chrisrussellca Just ordered Itsonas Dark Forest 550W SFX, waiting for it to arrive, It's a local brand but looks good.

[@Erksah02]

their fan brackets are wayy too restrictive. they shold have made a straightmetal bracket that you can move for eitehr 120 140 fan support and then optional brackets for sata mounts. These panels are so restrictive and i dont know why. Everything else is practically perfect

[@chrisrussellca]

They’re also not the greatest quality, scratches on first use. I’m waiting or a company to make plastics screws that don’t scuff. I know there are some low noise screws but not for radiators

[@bk201xe]

watching this feels too much like watching that australian guy who does itx cases. watching his videos make me feel like i'm watching a dirty movie. i'm pretty sure his wife's got a bf or six and he's probably woke too. please do your own thing.

[@chrisrussellca]

Gear Seekers? That’s not really my inspiration but it’s a fantastic channel.

[@zafert85]

Your whole build just isnt balanced... I would have went for a D12L and wouldnt bother with AIO. Remove bottom intake fans, put them on top after dropping mobo all the way down

[@mopey39]

What do you mean by not balanced?

[@chrisrussellca]

Well in this orientation the 4080 is pulling air from the top, down and out the side mounted radiator, an advertised layout from NCASE. Now rather or not it’s a good layout, that’s a different story. Your setup would work but this is a partially liquid cooled build, I rarely air cool unless it’s in the T1. This is a review and the case isn’t even assembled anymore. It’s in the T1 e-white with the TGrill at the moment. So I wouldn’t use this configuration for a personal setup but just wanted to showcase a popular setup for this case. If I was using the M2 long term I’d opt to vertically mount the GPU, do a bottom intake and have the AIO exhausting to the top. I believe that’s level 9, unfortunately they didn’t have any vertical GPU kits when they sent the sample.

[@zafert85]

@@chrisrussellca Fair enough. I prefer Air coolers over AIO when there is room for a twin tower cooler like a D12L. But thats me!