Upgrading from my Ncase M1

exhashdotdot · 16 Dec 2025 at 10:17

I'm thinking of upgrading from my Ncase M1 due to it's lack of modern Radeon GPU compatibility (only the 9070 XT Reaper fits and I've already had one which didn't have satisfactory fans).

As a result, I'm considering other ITX cases. The path of least resistance looks to be simply opting for the Ncase M2 or even M3 but they're a bit larger. On the other end of the spectrum, something like the Fractal Terra or Formd T1 (322 mm and 325 mm respectively), but then I'd need to get a smaller cooler for my 5700X3D.

Are there any other ITX cases I shouldn't sleep on? Apologies if this is the wrong forum; I wasn't sure if it should be here because I'm talking about *cases* specifically.

Arcane · 16 Dec 2025 at 14:17

NR200 and all its variants? Not a fan of the V3 however.

exhashdotdot · 17 Dec 2025 at 09:39

Arcane said:
NR200 and all its variants? Not a fan of the V3 however.

It's a good suggestion though I'm a bit overwhelmed with the different variants of NR200 - especially as some are sandwich and some are classic layouts. I feel like if I'm going to go full sandwich I might as well try and get a Formd T1

ATIorNvidia · 17 Dec 2025 at 12:36

I'd just get the M2, it isn't that much bigger and you have the option of using M-ATX motherboards down the line.

hornetstinger · 17 Dec 2025 at 12:37

How tight is the fit? I've taken a angle grinder to a case before to mod something to fit.

bakes0310 · 17 Dec 2025 at 13:03

Pick the ncase M3 and do a build log. It's the next case I'm going with, so it would be good to see how you get on.

exhashdotdot · 2 Jan 2026 at 10:49

bakes0310 said:
Pick the ncase M3 and do a build log. It's the next case I'm going with, so it would be good to see how you get on.

I can report that I've just put an order in for an M3 so I'll post some pictures for you when it arrives; I really hope I don't get obliterated by customs but what can you do?

bakes0310 · 2 Jan 2026 at 13:14

exhashdotdot said:
I can report that I've just put an order in for an M3 so I'll post some pictures for you when it arrives; I really hope I don't get obliterated by customs but what can you do?

OMG no way, im super jealous which M3 did ou get? Did you buy any accessories? What spec is going inside.

exhashdotdot · 2 Jan 2026 at 13:25

bakes0310 said:
OMG no way, im super jealous which M3 did ou get? Did you buy any accessories? What spec is going inside.

I opted for the grater model and I didn't get any accessories (it's expensive enough as it is!). I'm making room for a 9070 XT (tried 2 different 9070 XT reapers and the fans were bad in both) which will be incorporated into my current PC (5700x3D). The CPU cooler is a C14S which is pretty big; I'm hoping I can squeeze some additional 140 mm fans inside.

bakes0310 · 2026-01-17T20:59:12+0000

exhashdotdot said:
I opted for the grater model and I didn't get any accessories (it's expensive enough as it is!). I'm making room for a 9070 XT (tried 2 different 9070 XT reapers and the fans were bad in both) which will be incorporated into my current PC (5700x3D). The CPU cooler is a C14S which is pretty big; I'm hoping I can squeeze some additional 140 mm fans inside.

Update please.

exhashdotdot · 2026-01-17T21:29:06+0000

bakes0310 said:
Update please.

Haha, yes of course. I think I'm all set up but I'm still fiddling with a few things:

Some things I'll comment on when it comes to this case:

The machining is undoubtedly premium.
Even with the instructions, it's quite a difficult build. There's lots of different types of screws; many many places for them to go; some parts are reversible and some aren't; having an extra pair of hands helps.
As you can see from my picture, the case is very flexible. I'm amazed I'm able to fit a 120 mm (maybe even a 140 mm) fan at the front whilst still packing various other fans, a giant GPU, etc.
When compared to the Ncase M1 it's bigger, but not ridiculously.
I don't like that it's no longer toolless; it was amazing with the M1 that you could just pop the side panels off; now you need to remove screws for the same functionality.
This is the same for accessories; it should really come with a side fan mount, extra dust filters, various covers etc like how the Ncase M1 had.
It probably is worth the money.
I didn't have to pay customs/duty etc
It took about 11-12 days to arrive.

bakes0310 · 2026-01-18T13:06:59+0000

exhashdotdot said:
Haha, yes of course. I think I'm all set up but I'm still fiddling with a few things:

Some things I'll comment on when it comes to this case:

The machining is undoubtedly premium.

Even with the instructions, it's quite a difficult build. There's lots of different types of screws; many many places for them to go; some parts are reversible and some aren't; having an extra pair of hands helps.

As you can see from my picture, the case is very flexible. I'm amazed I'm able to fit a 120 mm (maybe even a 140 mm) fan at the front whilst still packing various other fans, a giant GPU, etc.

When compared to the Ncase M1 it's bigger, but not ridiculously.

I don't like that it's no longer toolless; it was amazing with the M1 that you could just pop the side panels off; now you need to remove screws for the same functionality.

This is the same for accessories; it should really come with a side fan mount, extra dust filters, various covers etc like how the Ncase M1 had.

It probably is worth the money.

I didn't have to pay customs/duty etc

It took about 11-12 days to arrive.

Thank you looks great.
What made the screws hard to work out where they go and why did you need someone to help. I've watched YouTube videos of people doing it by themselves.
Are you glad you went with the case?

exhashdotdot · 2026-01-18T13:42:26+0000

bakes0310 said:
Thank you looks great.
What made the screws hard to work out where they go and why did you need someone to help. I've watched YouTube videos of people doing it by themselves.
Are you glad you went with the case?

The screws are all small and look the same. They are labelled in the instructions but it's actually quite hard to tell which are flat, which are cone shaped, etc. They also don't give you many spares (if any) so it's a bit tricky; it's ultimately me being stupid though.

Regards to help, it's just quite heavy, unwieldy and obviously full of expensive things; it's just easier to have someone prop something up / hold it in position - mainly the front and back panels.

I'm very glad I went with the case. It's extremely premium, fits a huge amount of components and cooling options and looks great. Again, my main bug bear is that they don't give you many free accessories / spares like they did with the M1 which is a bit of a shame considering how expensive it is. One particular example is that the feet are very small (lots of people ened up replacing them) - I feel they should've just included some larger rubber feet.

Happy to answer other questions

bakes0310 · 2026-01-18T17:48:47+0000

exhashdotdot said:
The screws are all small and look the same. They are labelled in the instructions but it's actually quite hard to tell which are flat, which are cone shaped, etc. They also don't give you many spares (if any) so it's a bit tricky; it's ultimately me being stupid though.

Regards to help, it's just quite heavy, unwieldy and obviously full of expensive things; it's just easier to have someone prop something up / hold it in position - mainly the front and back panels.

I'm very glad I went with the case. It's extremely premium, fits a huge amount of components and cooling options and looks great. Again, my main bug bear is that they don't give you many free accessories / spares like they did with the M1 which is a bit of a shame considering how expensive it is. One particular example is that the feet are very small (lots of people ened up replacing them) - I feel they should've just included some larger rubber feet.

Happy to answer other questions

Sorry if you posted up your full specs but I can't see it. What's the cooler?

exhashdotdot · 2026-01-18T19:53:13+0000

bakes0310 said:
Sorry if you posted up your full specs but I can't see it. What's the cooler?

Noctua C14S