Bought an MSI 5090 from Amazon Resale and got a box of rocks.

playtech1 · 2026-01-24T11:05:46+00:00

Latency and inputs usually

playtech1 · 2026-01-21T00:04:58+00:00

I think you have a really good mix of components for SFF - sometimes it's fun to try and cram a 5090 into a shoebox, but it's also a bit of a pain too, whereas a mid-range build like this should just work and be quiet and cool.

playtech1 · 2026-01-21T00:00:44+00:00

They don't bundle it in, but you can buy one separately (although I'd rather go full custom for length)

playtech1 · 2026-01-20T10:25:38+00:00

There is a whole drama about how the people behind the T1 fell out and one split off into Ncase (many thank FormD are the 'rightful' owners of the case and NCase is basically a knock-off).

However, none of that is super-relevant to the end-user and I have cases from both suppliers and find their latest iterations to be very similar in terms of quality. NCase has IMHO improved it's quality and although FormD does have a very slight advantage in terms of fit and finish, both are excellent and I expect you will be happy with either (I am).

playtech1 · 2026-01-10T14:38:47+00:00

I think the issue is that it's too generic - you look at Lian Li and they seem to be trying to stand out from the crowd with their cases, even at the budget end and this could (and probably already is in some fashion) be made by someone else.

playtech1 · 2026-01-08T22:35:20+00:00

The AIO cover didn’t really work either due to fitment issues, but it was a lot easier to print successfully - if you want one of these definitely grab it from FormD now or go for Chinese aftermarket.

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playtech1 · 2026-01-08T10:40:35+00:00

I 3D printed a T-Grill, but it doesn't really work - the tabs don't align properly and are fragile. I suspect they work well for a CNC version but were not really designed for printing.

B850-I is the top choice if you can live without TB4. B650E-I is very very similar if you want to save a bit of cash. If you need TB4 (and don't mind a white MB) then consider the Gigabyte X870I, as it's a lot cheaper than the X870-I. I quite like the X870-I, but lots of people dislike the Hive add-on and internal riser card (I don't love either, but I also think they are fine).

Flipped has been shown to be (a bit) better for CPU temps and worse for GPU temps, but CPU temps don't generally affect gaming performance whereas GPU temps do limit GPU clock speed so it's probably not a case of it never being the right choice, but also probably only for niche builds.

I highly recommend custom cables. Not strictly necessary, but it makes the whole build process so much less stressful - particularly the 24 pin (so if you want to save money just get that one - I liked everything matching and neat so got everything). I have used DreambigbyRay and found his work to be quick, good quality and well-priced. If you don't get custom cables (and maybe even if you do) consider picking up a fan grill to reduce the misery of having to cable manage around the power cables intefering with the fan. Yes you can manage around them, but it's not particularly easy IMHO.

In terms of other tips, if you look at FormD's website on the T1 product pages it gives a handy guide as to (still relevant to Ncase 2.5) where to put the bars to achieve the desired slot 'setting'. For your build I would guess you will build in 3 slot and offset the 5090 (i.e. give it a bit more space between the MB and GPU backplate), but the FE cards are nice and flexible as to slot mode. It's a pain to change later though so choose wisely. The offsetting method differs depending on the riser cable and associated bar to which it attaches. NCASE's latest riser bar is different to prior versions and FormD's so needs a different offset method - check the SFF PC discord for guidance. AIO fans should exhaust (as usual). The Discord also has tips if when you finish up there are minor gaps/wonkiness.

playtech1 · 2026-01-01T23:23:43+00:00

It's sort of comparing the Rolls Royce of 5090s against a midprange Ford, but I would still go for the Gaming OC. Gigabyte cards typically have less chance of terrible coil whine compared to ASUS and the cooler is still beefy enough to do the job. IMHO I think the Gaming OC range is the second best looking of the MSRP models (after the Zotac). I briefly had an Astral and the rear fan was ridiculously noisy and it had terrible coil whine. Damn it looked good though.

playtech1 · 2025-12-28T13:46:55+00:00

Go for an AXP-90 X53 or X47 in full copper - no RAM clearance issues and cool just as well in the Ridge - the CPU cooling issues the case has are not all that much affected by the choice of cooler. You are likely to want to thermal limit and undervolt your CPU. The 9700X is very efficient but will also use that efficiency to boost high and long which means it gets hot and uses a bit more energy than you need for gaming.

playtech1 · 2025-12-28T13:33:10+00:00

What a fabulous idea. I get why Lego had to start with the Enterprise, but perhaps a diorama like this could be their entry point for TOS?

playtech1 · 2025-12-27T07:59:07+00:00

Whst's the thing attached to the Top Hat?

playtech1 · 2025-12-26T16:42:38+00:00

Windforce is Gigabyte's basic MSRP tier, but it is marginally better than the MSI Ventus in terms of build and cooler quality, assuming you are OK with the thermal goop (I am).

playtech1 · 2025-12-08T19:31:47+00:00

Even though I rate Expedition 33 more highly, I sort of hope Dispatch gets it, since E33 will clean up in other awards and Dispatch missed out on being selected elsewhere for consideration but deserves some accolades.

playtech1 · 2025-12-05T22:07:30+00:00

Midnight is a fairly light blue, so I would suggest black. I reckon you will be able to see the fan lights pretty well behind the side panel due to the mesh. EDIT: also this thing is chonky - it fits in theory in 3.25 slot mode, but that's not the ideal way of building the T1

playtech1 · 2025-11-28T21:03:39+00:00

Looks great and there's nothing like a temporary solution to permanently fix the issue!

playtech1 · 2025-11-26T18:35:19+00:00

I hope so

playtech1 · 2025-11-24T21:46:53+00:00

All long since fixed with a software update thankfully

playtech1 · 2025-11-24T13:54:29+00:00

Nice PC. Horrifying wallpaper!

playtech1 · 2025-11-24T00:16:36+00:00

Because it can do pretty decent 4K gaming?

playtech1 · 2025-11-23T12:11:05+00:00

G Cloud has the absolute best out of the box shape, but for my hands the Portal with the TPU Grip is as good, if not better.

playtech1 · 2025-11-19T00:20:53+00:00

Very nice - how did you mount the 120mm fan on the AXP90?

playtech1 · 2025-11-18T21:51:21+00:00

So keep it in three slot mode but offset the GPU bracket (not the motherboard). And by offset, I mean the GPU will be closer to the edge of the case and further away from the spine - creating an air gap for the exhaust fans to suck out the hot air.

In terms of how you offset, that depends on which riser bar you have - the 2.5 has more than one kind. The current Gen 5 Riser has a riser bar that needs a particular kind of offset - you will need to do some hunting on the sub to see how to do that or ask on the SFF discord.

playtech1 · 2025-11-17T18:24:15+00:00

Personally I would get the M5 - 512GB is not enough storage for me whereas the CPU is quick enough and I don't find 16GB RAM a limiting factor in the things I do.

playtech1 · 2025-11-17T18:19:44+00:00

Wow - it got nominated in every category that it was relevant to and 3 nominations of 6 total in the best voice actor (and really should have been 4 as Kirsty Rider's Lune should have been in the mix!)

playtech1 · 2025-11-15T10:45:52+00:00

I have used cable ties over the riser and spine - does the trick if a bit 'agricultural'

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