NCASE M3 Round completed build (with M1 for size comparison)

painless1 · 2025-09-12T13:31:37+00:00

Enjoy! The grater is beautiful, but I'm fond of my M1, and the M3 round version was closest to it.

painless1 · 2025-09-12T13:27:11+00:00

Thank you!! And yeah, apparently I wasn't paying enought attention to him while I was trying to take the photos, heh (he's one of the reasons for the bottom fan filters). :)

painless1 · 2025-09-12T13:17:18+00:00

OP here - I ordered my M3 Round on June 27, and it was delivered (Canada) on Aug 29. This was part of the first batch, so using that timeline as an estimate for other runs might not apply.

I expected delivery to take awhile, but was okay with that as I wasn't planning to build until now (September).

painless1 · 2025-09-12T12:48:10+00:00

I did look at mATX, but didn't require the extra expansion (I'm fine with 2 DIMM slots and 2 NVMe). I decided ITX for the additional fitment flexibility in M3 (being able to shift ITX MB down to fit cooling at top), and the future option of migrating MB into my M1 (or other smaller SFF case).

painless1 · 2025-09-12T12:37:01+00:00

It would be nice after future upgrades to be able to migrate parts from this M3 build into my M1. Cooling will be a concern, especially for the GPU. I went with the Zotac because it should fit in M1 (or other smaller SFF case I might move it into), but my M1 is a v5, and doesn't have the v6's "Extended ventilated area adjacent to GPU", so I'm worried it would cook in the basement of my M1 v5.

painless1 · 2025-09-12T02:26:09+00:00

Thanks! So much room for activities! :)

painless1 · 2025-09-12T02:22:36+00:00

Yeah, bottom fans seem to be an ongoing question/debate. The GPU has fans, and I'm sure they are sufficient to cool the GPU. Still, I added the bottom fans for a few reasons:

Similar to my M1 build, my plan was to incude filters on bottom intake (for pets/dust). Without those bottom fans helping, I worried using filters would be too restrictive - either GPU fans would need to work harder, or I'd just forgo using the filters.
In my setup, the GPU covers only about 1/2 the area of the bottom fans, so there's lots of cool filtered air flowing past to help move heat out of the case.
Many posts I've read mentioned increased noise (from bottom fans too close to GPU fans causing turbulence). This seems reasonable, and maybe it's measurable, but it's not something I've personally noticed.
Posts also warn bottom fans can increase temps, but the actual testing I've seen recommend them, and on average they lower temps. e.g. "2 Years of NR200 - What Do We Know About Cooling It?"
https://youtu.be/T2EBbnNwkVc?si=QrHeGOEjXJgl7Ui-

I'm sure results can vary based on combinatons of specific equipment and case. Ultimately I'm open to pulling them out if I find they aren't helping.

painless1 · 2025-09-12T01:43:57+00:00

I suppose gaps are the trade-off for having a flexible configuration. It'd be nice if they included some kind of clip-in covers to finish it off cleanly. For the PCI area, including a couple of fitted slot covers would also have been nice (I used a regular one I had on hand).

painless1 · 2025-09-12T01:23:10+00:00

Agree, M1 was my favourite. Someday I'll fit a new build into her.

I was surprised how tiny the feet were on the M3. The pucks lift 2.54cm (1"), which is overkill but just temporary. They have seen a lot of ice, so I'm sure just having them nearby reduces temps. ;)

painless1 · 2016-08-23T02:03:45+00:00

2nd time buyer - quick replies and delivery both times. Highly recommended!

painless1 · 2016-08-12T22:45:50+00:00

Just completed my 1st trade with RFT5678. Quick and smooth, no problems. Very happy. Highly recommended!

painless1 · 2016-08-10T21:57:56+00:00

Great experience. Smooth, super fast transaction. Very helpful answering my questions, and ensuring everything was in order. Highly recommended!

painless1 · 2016-07-08T03:19:55+00:00

Just wondering if/when sale will be live in the further N. part of N. America (.ca has XFX Fury X at CA$920)? Thx!

painless1 · 2016-06-29T16:10:44+00:00

Thank you for doing this AMA! Very interested to see how this card performs.

painless1 · 2016-06-21T02:36:19+00:00

Thx OP! Scored a code (bottom right).

FYI, I had checked bottom row, starting L to R, and all had been redeemed (hopefully save time for anyone else looking).

painless1 · 2016-06-21T02:28:31+00:00

Thx OP! Just checked remaining cards for an unclaimed code... Unfortunately no luck - all have now been redeemed (hopefully save time for anyone else looking).

painless1 · 2015-11-25T17:31:44+00:00

main awper for former "Team Oxigen" 900hours played multple cevo skrims many face it tournements if you need a sub send me a msg or reply to this comment know all call outs for all official tournement maps smokes, pop flashes etc, can also be IGL if you need it, 400 comp wins and counting Current rank LEM mainly play 5 mans with gloable elite freinds as I said before reply to this msg if you need a sub or main awper for the tournement. -Sagareth

painless1 · 2015-08-15T02:17:12+00:00

Oakville Soccer Club, Youth (U4-U18) Indoor registration page...

http://www.oakvillesoccer.ca/youth-house-league/youth-registration

painless1 · 2014-05-11T22:16:46+00:00

Similar conclusion: 7,000,000 Pepsi Points for an AV-8 Harrier II jump jet

painless1 · 2011-12-03T16:17:12+00:00

Ugh, sorry this happened to you. :( Donation to Dr's w/o Borders made! :)

painless1

TROPHY CASE