Xolid 13 – Show-off ITX case with clear side panel and extensive compatibility

Joined
Dec 14, 2016
Messages
15
Hey, guys, I am here to share my PC case project called Xolid 13.

QiFNHHR.png


Concept Rendering


[Update] Our third prototype is finally here
Empty chassis (front) and assembled



Front panel, lower end


One configuration with ITX motherboard, 240mm radiator, full sized VGA card, and SFX power supply



Size comparison;)





Introduction:

I've always wanted to make the most out of limited space, and that's why I'm obsessed with ITX form factor. However, I'm also a greedy bastard. I like small form factor, but is unwilling to give up some fancy stuff like hybrid cooler, transparent side panel, endgame graphic cards, and other not-so-cool-but-convent stuffs like ODD and 3.5" HDDs.

I've tried many cases, but each of them has drawbacks.

Then one day, when I was complaining this issue to my friend Raiden. He then said that "heck, why don't we make one ourselves and see what others think? Maybe if enough people like it, we might make it through with the help of crowd funding platforms"

So, after months of discussing, cursing, yelling and rendering, here's our brainchild:
Xolid 13

yMSlkfJ.jpg



Specifications:

  • Case Dimensions (H x W x D): 322 x 138 x 310mm

  • Overall Dimensions (H x W x D): 336 x 138 x 317mm including feet and posterior protrusions

  • Volume: ~13.5 liters

  • Materials: 3mm/1.5 mm aluminium, (optional) glass

  • Metal surface treatment: hairline

  • Motherboard support: Mini- ITX

  • Graphic card support: dual slot cards up to 304 mm length

  • Liquid cooling/hybrid cooler support: Single 120mm or 240mm slim radiator

  • Power supply unit (PSU) support: SFX, SFX-L

  • CPU cooler support: up to 85mm

  • Optic disc driver support (optional): Slim slot loading ODDs, supports 12.7 mm drives

  • Fans: 4 x 12 cm fans (3 if opting for additional 2 x 3.5” HDD; 2 if opting for 4 x 3.5” HDD) (one fan below the graphic card must be a slim one)

  • I/O Ports (on the top of the case): 2 x USB 3.0, HD audio, power button

  • Front panel: ZERO hole, smooth surface. The chassis's logo is backlit with 2 colored LEDs

  • HDD configuration:
5 x 3.5” mounts:

1 on the back of the central vertical panel (can replace with ODD + 2 x 2.5” ones)

4 at the anterior part of the case (2 if opting for 120mm radiators, 0 if using 240mm ones)


2x 2.5” mounts: (optional)

2 on the back of “central vertical panel*” (0 if opting for a 3.5” one on the back)

Our goal is to build a small ITX case which suits most power user's need.


  • Manufacturer: probably Lian-Li or Silverstone


Other configurations:

4 x 3.5" HDDs
[

2 x 3.5" HDDs, 120mm radiator, short VGA


240mm AIO cooler with full sized VGA


The other side of the case



The other side of the case
https://i.imgur.com/xK0cYEk.png[/IMG]


Features we are considering about:

More color options for the mash/glass



Current status:
Working on our first prototype
Testing our prototype and making adjustments on the blueprint
Making some final adjustments before heading into production


LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE WILLING TO TEST OUR CASE!
 

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Last edited:
It's a nice idea and I like that it's a small double chamber design, but with a solid glass panel, the GPU is going to run extremely hot and loud. There seems to be almost no space between it and the side panel.

Also, is it called Xolid or Hexolid? Your post and title disagree on that.
 
It's a nice idea and I like that it's a small double chamber design, but with a solid glass panel, the GPU is going to run extremely hot and loud. There seems to be almost no space between it and the side panel.

Also, is it called Xolid or Hexolid? Your post and title disagree on that.

There's a 1.5cm gap between the panel and the VGA card.

Also, with two 120mm fans at the bottom of the case, we assume it should be enough even for endgame graphic cards.

We will soon be doing some tests on our first prototype, if the temperature of the GPU does go beyond the ideal range (say, 85°C = 185°F), then we will certainly consider about drilling subtle holes in the side panel.

(In fact, we did some tests with the cardboards, and the result was quite good. I didn't mention it because I think it's not 100% reliable)

It's called Xolid 13 :atongue: thanks for pointing it out. Hexolid is one of the early candidates)
 
If you want to make front LED, make sure there's a mod to turn it off. I prefer lian li's side panel pop on/off.
 
If you want to make front LED, make sure there's a mod to turn it off. I prefer lian li's side panel pop on/off.

That shouldn't be a problem the switch will probably be inside the case

As for the side panel's opening mechanism, our current design uses hand tighten screws (the 4 black screws on the corners of the panel).

Since it's hard to apply pop on/off structure on glass side panels
 
So I'm guessing no 140mm radiatiors? 240mm might not be enough for CPU+GPU, 140mm for CPU and 120mm for GPU seems safer.
 
To be honest I'd lose the optical drive option entirely to save on costs... If you're buying a box this small it's not really necessary.. In todays age I'd argue it's barely necessary period. This comes from someone with relatively slow internet connection. Worst case, I use a USB DVD drive.
 
So I'm guessing no 140mm radiatiors? 240mm might not be enough for CPU+GPU, 140mm for CPU and 120mm for GPU seems safer.

There isn't enough space for another 140 mm radiator in this design......

In fact, the dual 120 mm fan at the bottom of the case is intended to create a "stack effect" (blow hot air out from top of the case)
 
To be honest I'd lose the optical drive option entirely to save on costs... If you're buying a box this small it's not really necessary.. In todays age I'd argue it's barely necessary period. This comes from someone with relatively slow internet connection. Worst case, I use a USB DVD drive.

Thanks for the reply!

True, but this case is also intended to be an HTPC, we are working on a never-seen-before design, which will hopefully make the case blend seamlessly into your living room

And, if you really don't want an ODD, there is an option without one. You can put an extra hard drive in that space
 
Question…would it be feasible to have a 120mm radiator and a hybrid card, or do you think the tubing would get hairy in such a cramped space?
 
Question…would it be feasible to have a 120mm radiator and a hybrid card, or do you think the tubing would get hairy in such a cramped space?

There should be more than enough space for a 120 mm radiator and a hybrid card in our design

I think there would be space for water cooling tubing.
 
Guys,

In the past, there's always been all-metal cases or all-wood custom cases.

But that may change.

In fact, there's an inside debate of whether we should use wood (or bamboo) on the case, for decoration.

It will certainly add some texture and uniqueness to the case, at the cost of increase in price (20 USD at most, I assume)

Please let us know your thoughts!

Cheers
 
it think that it should be possible to make it thinner

by shaving 20mm in the W you should be able to lose 2l and still fit 65mm cpu coolers
and by supporting only sff psu it should be possible to reduce the D and lose some more litres.

this way you should be able to sell a 10l itx case with full liquid cooling support.
as it is now your stats are very similar to the ones of the ncase m1
 
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it think that it should be possible to make it thinner

by shaving 20mm in the W you should be able to lose 2l and still fit 65mm cpu coolers
and by supporting only sff psu it should be possible to reduce the D and lose some more litres.

this way you should be able to sell a 10l itx case with full liquid cooling support.
as it is now your stats are very similar to the ones of the ncase m1

Hey greyhound,

It's true that if we further limit the max height of CPU cooler and heat sink, we can squeeze another 20mm out.

But, we are a little concerned about the case's cooling capacity. Since there's no hole on the side of the case.

(in our design, it's a piece of reinforced glass, and if we are going to drill holes on it, we'll likely to drill on the corner or bottom of the glass, without compromising it's transparency)

Still, advice taken. Our first prototype will arrive in 2 weeks and we'll do some further tests to see if it's possible to make it thiner.

Cheers
 
Our second prototype has just arrived!

3139072


Transparent side panel
3139073


Side panel removed
3139074


The other side of the case
3139075
 
This case looks awesome. I would definitely gear it more towards a dual 120 MM AIOs to make the best use of the case since it looks like airflow may be an issue with the glass.
 
This case looks awesome. I would definitely gear it more towards a dual 120 MM AIOs to make the best use of the case since it looks like airflow may be an issue with the glass.

I guarantee you that, as long as the radiator is not too "thick", it shouldn't be an issue

The cool air would influx from the bottom of the case.

However, the efficiency of dual 120 mm AIOs may be limited when extra long VGA cards are installed...
 
Hey guys,

I know this has been a while, but we have come a long way and finally came up with our 3rd prototype (nothing major will change afterwards, except for the footstand, we are still working on that)

We are now going to test the thermals under different conditions (enthusiastic gamer/ low noise level/ with meshed side panel and with glass panel)

If you want to participate in our beta project, please message me (you will receive a new model if we make it through production)


We expect to launch it on Kickstarter in 2 months, if everything goes well
 
Love the design, seems like most cases don't have optical support/3.5 spinner support which has kept me from changing to itx.

Is it possible to add extra removeable tabs at the top or bottom so a two inch mesh screen could be added and the window could be made smaller for people worried about temps? I dig the clear glass though.
 
Love the design, seems like most cases don't have optical support/3.5 spinner support which has kept me from changing to itx.

Is it possible to add extra removeable tabs at the top or bottom so a two inch mesh screen could be added and the window could be made smaller for people worried about temps? I dig the clear glass though.

We will test if making a opening on the bottom of the glass panel makes a huge improvement in ventilation (and temperature)

As special-shaped glass will increase the complexity in manufacture and cost...

In fact, the side panel is swappable. We plan to lauch meshed side panel as well.
 
How have I not seen this until now! Omg I want this so bad. I had a lian li PC 05 with the same layout and yours is way more efficient. I'm drooling. I'd love to test this case out. I'd probably just buy a new psu just to avoid re-cabling my ghost s1. OMG this is amazing. I would trade/sell my Ghost S1 for this if the cooling is there to tame my 6950x.

Edit: I absolutely love the aluminum with mesh side panel. Give me all the airflow!
 
Dang.

I'm a big fan of Mini-ITX and this might be the best one I've seen yet. I would be ALL IN to help test such a case!!

Nice work!
 
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