NCASE M2-AC168: New SFF CPU Swallows Case with a Height of up to 168 mm 24 comments
Image: ncase
NCASE, a well-known manufacturer of high-quality small form factor (SFF) cases, has expanded its M2 series with a new model called the M2-AC168, which can accommodate even the largest CPU coolers with a height of up to 168 millimeters.
Enough Space for Large Tower Coolers
The available height even extends to tower coolers of the caliber of a be quiet! Dark Rock Elite, as well as the Noctua NH-D15 G2 models, are both exactly 168 millimeters high. So far, the M2-AC168 is the first NCAase slot that can also adequately cool current processors. The manufacturer’s other models are more likely to use water cooling. Accordingly, the manufacturer is also announcing its new slot with the “High Air Flow” feature.
The remaining features of the M2-AC168 are based on the M2 series models. Graphics cards up to 359 millimeters long are supported.
In addition, the motherboard can be installed in the Mini-ITX form factor.
There are differences in how the slot can be equipped. In addition to the “classic” orientation (the motherboard hangs vertically to the right), the M2-AC168 can also be installed in the M2 series “Flip-Flip” layout, in which the main board tray, including the entire hardware, is rotated 180 degrees, the continuous panel below. What the M2-AC168 doesn’t offer is the so-called “Vertical GPU Mount” option, sometimes also referred to as “VGPU” – not to be confused with “VGPU” (virtual GPU).
In the case of VGPU mounting, the graphics card is positioned in parallel to the main board using a riser cable, in the case of the M2 series. However, as this massively limits the space available for a CPU cooler, which in turn would fulfill the meaning of the M2-AC168, such an assembly is simply not in the cards.
The M2-AC168 will appear with two different fronts. A closed front and a mesh front for improved airflow. There are also two colors to choose from with black and silver. There is currently no further information, for example on dimensions.
Pricing and availability
The M2-AC168 cannot yet be ordered from the NCASE store. All available options are grayed out. Only the price is known and is 147.95 euros for the variant with a mesh front at the level of other M2 models with the same front.
Topics: Housing Cooling Source: NCASE
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