What should Mini-ITX case support high-end hardware look like? The Primary purpose of designing i 100 is to try to push the cooling performance and hardware support capabilities to the limit of an ITX case, while keeping the volume within a reasonable size, and ensure the performance of the new generation of CPU/GPU is released. It also satisfies the users’ expectations, the need of compactness.
The Priority of product design is listing basic function, the ID design, the Concept. The final version of i 100 Pro can support 360/280 radiator/AIO cooler, 166mm height air cooler, and 373mm length graphics card. Adjustable single or dual chamber layout, supports three different kind of cooling systems. All the intake with filter(380μm) to keep dust out. Space for full size ATX PSII or SFX power supply, and 3.5” HDD storage.
With supporting flagship hardware, how does i100 manage to keep its size small? For width control: we ensure the height supports flagship air cooler, by cancel the cable management space behind the motherboard, and using the space next to the fans at top or bottom for cable routing. A cable hole is designed between the power supply and the motherboard to form a better routing path. (The motherboard backplane cable routing design used in today’s ATX case may not suitable for reduced size ITX case) For the length control:To reduced chassis length, support only most brands of 360/280 radiator.
GPU Vertical mounting + AIO/ liquid cooler Multi-chamber installation, CPU and GPU in different chamers ( PCI-E raiser cable included) ·GPU support: 345-373mm (L)*160mm(H) *62mm (W) max (Install side mounted dual SSD : 345mm (L), w/o SSD : 373mm(L)) ·CPU cooler height : 77mm max ·Radiator support: 360/280/240/120 (fan +radiator max thickness : 55mm) ·Fan space: 6*12cm / 4*14cm cooling fan ( Optional) ·PSU support: w/o bottom fan: ATX PSII/SFX : 175mm max length W bottom fan: ATX PSII / SFX:150mm max length
Due to there is one fan on the rear side on Reference design graphics card, and exhaust hot air toward the PSU, it is recommended to use SFX power supply to increate the gap for ventilation.
GPU horizontal mounting +Air cooler Single chamber installation, support flagship air cooler, long graphics card, and standard ATX PSII power supply. ·GPU support: 345-373mm (L)*160mm(H) *62mm (W) max (Install side mounted dual SSD : 345mm (L), w/o SSD : 373mm(L)) ·CPU cooler height :166MM max ·PSU support: ATX PSII/SFX : 140mm max length ·Fan space: 3*12cm / 2*14cm cooling fan ( Optional)
GPU horizontal mounting +AIO/liquid cooler Single chamber installation, support 360 AIO/radiator, long graphics card, and SFX power supply (115mm max). ·GPU support: 345-373mm (L)*160mm(H) *62mm (W) max (Install side mounted dual SSD : 345mm (L), w/o SSD : 373mm(L)) ·Radiator support: 360/280/240/120 (fan +radiator max thickness: 55mm) ·PSU support: SFX 115mm max length ·Fan space: 3*12cm / 2*14cm cooling fan ( Optional)
How to solve the common problem of venting issue with glass side panel The first issue cause heat dissipation cause by the glass side panel, due to there is no vent on the panel, i 100 Pro provide the solution through the six points below:
·Dual 3 x 12cm fan mounting points on top and bottom to form a vertical air circulation . ·Increase the gap between the side panel to the vertical mounted graphics card, based on the maximum thickness of the flagship graphics card RTX3090 (60mm), the space between graphics card to case side panel is about 20mm. ·Increase the gap between vertical mounted graphics card to PSU, the back panel of graphics card to ATX PSU is 12.5mm, to SFX PSU is 35mm. ·Offset the bottom fan to ensure it blow the air directly into the gap for ventilation. ·Low wind damping nylon 380 μm dust filter . ·Adjustable dual layers case stand design to increase the ventilation space under the bottom of the case.
The ventilation gap between vertical graphics card and side tempered glass panel. Offset the bottom fan design to ensure it blow the air directly into graphics card and the ventilation space.
Based on the maximum thickness of the flagship graphics card RTX3090 (60mm), the gap between the graphics card to side panel is 20mm. Base on the reference design of RTX3080, the gap between the graphics card to side panel is 36mm.
The ventilation gap between horizontal graphics card and side tempered glass panel. Directly insert the ventilated space between the horizontal graphics card and the side tempered glass panel. Taking the RTX3080 graphics card width 112MM as an example, the distance between the graphics card and the side glass is 59MM.
Adjustable single / multi-chamber design By flip and shift the motherboard tray, and interchangeable rear panel part, i 100 Pro can realize two motherboard layouts in single or multi-chamber, capable to support air cooler with 166mm height.
PSU bracket/ cable management bracket with three mounting points design In order to meet the requirement of different installation of liquid / air cooler and ATX PSU/SFX PSU, i 100 Pro’s power supply mounting bracket has three different mounting points.
Cable routing space The 52mm cable routing space next to 360 radiator at top, and intake fan at the bottom of the case. There are cable routing space next to both side of the PSU, SFX : 17mm+35mm / ATX PSII: 7mm+20mm. There are two cable openings between PSU to motherboard, it can meet the cable routing requirements of GPU vertical or horizontal mounting. There is a cable management bracket under the PSU, which can hide the power cables
To meet the need of dust-proof design. Top, bottom, and graphics card’s rear panel all fitted with ultrasonic molded Low wind damping nylon 380 μm dust filter.
Method of improvement points
There was no dust filter on exhaust venting opening in most cases. From our actual use and testing, we notice the dust may accumulate on the surface next to the opening for exhausting hot air after system shut down, especially near the surface next to the big vent holes on the PCI bracket.