New QMicra v2 Case - WOW!

[PianoMan]

This case has made me rethink what I expect from a SFF. It's so well designed that I'm wondering why I didn't move up earlier. I didn't realize how much more room and versatility could be had with just another 1-1/2" of height. And it feels... SOLID.

I just posted this on PC Design Lab's Forum:
Got it in the mail today from FrozenCPU.com. This case is outstanding! Built quality and design is superb. I don't think I've had a case which felt so "high end."

Got my system in my sig below (soon to upgrade my secondary to a C2Q), and it runs around 7-8deg C. cooler overall (came over from a MicroFly).

Love the space - it was almost easy to assemble. Everything fit together perfectly. The shell is solid, and the PCI slot holder is well done. I love how the I/O shield sits flush with the rear of the case - makes it easy to peer behind it and connect/disconnect stuff.

Of course, I do have a few bits of feedback. From how this thing's designed, looks like you all DO listen to feedback:
- I was unable to retain my PSU silicone sound absorber - it just didn't fit into the groove. Between it and modifying this beautiful case - you can see which one won.
- Is there an option in the works to install front intake fans? Not sure if they're needed, but that fascia just begs for some.
- The hard drive cage is very ingenious (only case I know of that'll take 4HDD's w/o giving up a 5-1/4" bay), but giving the option to install (making it slightly wider) some vibration grommets would be nice. The HDD's sit so far upfront (nice and cool) that they're VERY audible now.

Other than those nitpicks, I can't imagine anything that really needs to be changed. I think this case is gonna launch me into watercooling...

Some pics:
QMicra v2 Internal
QMicra v2 Detail
QMicra v2 External

Highly recommended. A tad expensive (around $300), but well worth the money, IMO. Especially considering that I won't be upgrading in a long while...

 

[swtethan]

wtf you paid HOW MUCH?

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: swtethan
wtf you paid HOW MUCH?

I agree, for $300 you could have got a full tower case with lots more room to play with, plus some additional things you probably weren't able to get due to the size of that case.

Hell, if size is a problem could of just got a HTPC desktop case for less...

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

Originally posted by: swtethan
wtf you paid HOW MUCH?

I agree, for $300 you could have got a full tower case with lots more room to play with, plus some additional things you probably weren't able to get due to the size of that case.

Hell, if size is a problem could of just got a HTPC desktop case for less...

Hell, I could've gotten a LianLi PC71B or almost even a P190+1200. It's a nice case, but definitely not worth $300.

Why couldn't you have just spend $150 on a cheaper case and sent me the extra money?

 

[Riverhound777]

Maybe it looks better in person, but seriously I thought you were going to say it cost no more than $50. I don't see anything special about it in the pics. I'd much rather have my P182. But if you happy with it, that is all that matters. But your going to have a hard time convincing this crowd.

 

[Binky]

A SFF case designed from the start for use with liquid cooling. Sounds pretty nice to me. Expensive though.

More pics here: http://www.xoxide.com/pclab-qmicra-v2-case.html

 

[aigomorla]

people have different tastes.

Dont dis someone because there budget is larger then most when they pick things out.


If it means anything to you OP, i know exactly how you feel, i get this all the time when i pick PSU, and higher end EQ for my parts. It looks like a great case, abit expensive, but great non the less.

I think the only case that would come close to it would be the falcon northwest frag box. and the DD H2G0

If your happy with it, then its always money well worth spended.

 

[QueBert]

3 external 5 1/2 bays in a SFF? "OMFWTFBBQ!" that's pretty damn nice, I just dropped the same $$$ on a Silverstone Tj07, by far the most expensive case I've bought. Who cares if people on here go "you paid too much sucker!" it the case is what you want you should buy it. That is a lot for a SFF case, but enjoy your new toy man.

can hold a full sizes PSU, a huge heatsink, ready for water cooling and the pic on frozencpu shows it with a long video card, not bad at all.

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: PCTC2

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

Originally posted by: swtethan
wtf you paid HOW MUCH?

I agree, for $300 you could have got a full tower case with lots more room to play with, plus some additional things you probably weren't able to get due to the size of that case.

Hell, if size is a problem could of just got a HTPC desktop case for less...

Hell, I could've gotten a LianLi PC71B or almost even a P190+1200. It's a nice case, but definitely not worth $300.

Why couldn't you have just spend $150 on a cheaper case and sent me the extra money?

I should rephrase myself. It's a nice case, and I was pulling your leg. Good choice, as I drop that much on cases anyways. If I went SFF, I'd probably get that case.

 

[dileepsv]

i like that case.. nice pick!

 

[firewolfsm]

This site says you could have fed 1,500 African children for one day with that money.

No lie, I actually did the math and that's not an exaggeration.

 

[ChefJoe]

Looks good enough to pick up when it goes on a clearance sale. I don't think I could pay more than $150 for a case, personally, but you gotta do your part to stimulate the economy.

 

[dileepsv]

Originally posted by: firewolfsm
This site says you could have fed 1,500 African children for one day with that money.

No lie, I actually did the math and that's not an exaggeration.

heh i bet only about half the money that sum1 sends to africa actualy gets to those who need it. good thought tho..wat i do is juz donate to fundz.

 

[djnsmith7]

Wow, that's a LOT of money for that small case...I hope you find a way to get your money's worth out of that case...

 

[PianoMan]

LOL. Thanks for all the replies - I didn't think I'd get THIS much feedback - thanks even for the "OMFG/WTF/Holy Shit - how much did you pay?" posts.

It's A LOT of dough, I'd admit - remember, it's got my older 939 system in it. That C2Q system I was waiting for is on hold for awhile.

I don't show in the pics - it DOES have a specially designed bracket that goes around the CPU area which will hold a dual fan radiator. I haven't watercooled at all, and I won't have to modify the case (much) to go there.

Here's the bracket:

Radiator/Fan Cooling Bracket with Hard Drives

There's another hard drive bracket on the other side of the drive bays - up to four without mods or using up the externals. I don't think I found a SFF/HTPC case that would do that. I almost settled on a Silverstone SG03, but at 2 (maybe three) HD's and short HSF's, I tore myself away and began looking at this one. This case easily fits a 9500/9700, the Noctua UH-12F, and while it's talked about, you may be able to get a Thermalright Ultra-120 w/mods, but I'd hate to take a dremel to either the case or HSF.

But that doesn't matter - here's with a radiator instead:

With a Radiator

It also fits a GTX easily, though with the GT out, I won't be doing any large vid cards or SLI soon:

With a GTX

It's only a file server/media encoder/web surfer right now. But I've got an itch to watercool that Manchester.

Thanks for some of your kind words, and some of your "WTH" comments. Everyone has their opinion. This case has awesome features, and really gains a whole new appreciation when you use it. There's nice design touches here and there (who needs TWO USB ports in the front?). It is expensive - but unlike the MicroFly, I won't be upgrading from this within a year...

 

[PianoMan]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
Why couldn't you have just spend $150 on a cheaper case and sent me the extra money?

Hehe - sure. But I never found a case for $150 that's this small and does everything I want. My venerable P180 is outstanding, but I can't tote that around very easily. Much less that it'll overpower the bedroom. The better half does have more say in what I put on the desk/dresser of the bedroom. She even calls it ugly - broke my heart. But I quickly got over that after I turned it on.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: PianoMan
She even calls it ugly - broke my heart. But I quickly got over that after I turned it on.

LOL... my EX told me my computer was my real girlfriend, and i was cheating on it by going out with her. lol.....

:T

 

[PianoMan]

LOL, aigomorla!

I'm gonna have to hit you up once I decide to jump into water. Wait until the wife sees what I'm gonna be shoehorning in this next... :roll:

 

[Skott]

One has to understand that the Qmicra cases are made in the USA. (Forget the NY town its made in) Made of top quality metals and not massed produced in large quantities. Hence the high cost. Its designed to be completely pulled apart and modded in any fashion limited only by the enthusiast's imagnation. Thats its niche. High end enthusiasts that love to mod SFF cases. The Qmicra V2 is also designed to be used with watercooling built in to it as well which most SFF cases cant do. I consider them to be the cadilacs of the SFF cases. Expensive? Yes. Well worth it though if you got the moola to buy one.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: PianoMan
LOL, aigomorla!

I'm gonna have to hit you up once I decide to jump into water. Wait until the wife sees what I'm gonna be shoehorning in this next... :roll:

heh you know where to find me. :T

Originally posted by: Skott
One has to understand that the Qmicra cases are made in the USA. (Forget the NY town its made in) Made of top quality metals and not massed produced in large quantities. Hence the high cost. Its designed to be completely pulled apart and modded in any fashion limited only by the enthusiast's imagnation. Thats its niche. High end enthusiasts that love to mod SFF cases. The Qmicra V2 is also designed to be used with watercooling built in to it as well which most SFF cases cant do. I consider them to be the cadilacs of the SFF cases. Expensive? Yes. Well worth it though if you got the moola to buy one.

Very well said. I personally am a MountainMods fan tho :T

 

[PianoMan]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
heh you know where to find me. :T

Good to hear! :thumbsup: