DAN Cases A4-SFX Window Kit Prototype Test





Introduction:



I plan to offer a Window Kit for the A4-SFX in summer 2017. It will be accessories so you can buy it separately. I plan to sell each side for its own,

so you can decide if you need only one side or both. Therefore I worked with Lian Li on two samples. One with tempered glass and the other one is made

out of acryl. The design isn’t final so if you have wishes or ideas to the design don’t wait and write your comment in the thread.







Acryl/Plexi Version:



I use a 3mm thick acryl glass for this version. The acryl version is a bit darker then the tempered glass one. The quality is nearly on the same level

as the tempered glass version. Every corner is rounded so it looks really high grade. After I removed the protection foil the first time the acryl is

static charged. This means the panel attracts hair and dust. Wiping the panels with a wet cleaning rag will stop that forever.

For the final price the acryl is around 10€ cheaper.





(click for higher resolution)







Tempered Glass Version: I use a 3mm thick acryl glass for this version. The acryl version is a bit darker then the tempered glass one. The quality is nearly on the same levelas the tempered glass version. Every corner is rounded so it looks really high grade. After I removed the protection foil the first time the acryl isstatic charged. This means the panel attracts hair and dust. Wiping the panels with a wet cleaning rag will stop that forever.For the final price the acryl is around 10€ cheaper.(click for higher resolution)



For the tempered glass version I had trouble getting what I want. In Taiwan the tempered glass market is controlled by the government, so it is very hard

to get every thickness and color. For the needed 3mm version it was impossible to get it in tea black, so I have to use the default version.

Furthermore tempered glass has restriction for the holes. I had to use a 5mm diameter for the mounting holes and the distance from the holes to the outer

surface has to be 18mm.



Every corner is rounded so it looks really high grade. The corners have a green gloss that is typical for not colored tempered glass. I have no static charged

problem with the tempered glass panels.







(click for higher resolution)







Temperature Values: For the tempered glass version I had trouble getting what I want. In Taiwan the tempered glass market is controlled by the government, so it is very hardto get every thickness and color. For the needed 3mm version it was impossible to get it in tea black, so I have to use the default version.Furthermore tempered glass has restriction for the holes. I had to use a 5mm diameter for the mounting holes and the distance from the holes to the outersurface has to be 18mm.Every corner is rounded so it looks really high grade. The corners have a green gloss that is typical for not colored tempered glass. I have no static chargedproblem with the tempered glass panels.(click for higher resolution)



I spend the last two days of testing the panels in different benchmarks and with different heatsink. All tests were made on my Socket X99 Setup with a

six core Intel i7 5820K and a Nvidia GTX 1070 Founders Edition. In the test are two new coolers present, that I managed to mount on the 2011-3 socket.

The new Thermalright AXP100H and the secret (nearly sold out). I spend the last two days of testing the panels in different benchmarks and with different heatsink. All tests were made on my Socket X99 Setup with asix core Intel i7 5820K and a Nvidia GTX 1070 Founders Edition. In the test are two new coolers present, that I managed to mount on the 2011-3 socket.The new Thermalright AXP100H and the secret Nexus 7000 Low R2

I will give you more information about the coolers later.

If you review the temperature test you will see, that temperatures will be much higher with the window kit. While gaming the temps and GPU fans speed on a

passable value, but after I start heavy benchmarks like 3D Mark and Prime95 the temps are rising in bad regions. I did a bit of research and found out what the problem is.

The glass is mounted with 5mm stand offs with the idea to have a small gab, that will help the exchange of hot air and yes this works, but not as good as

expected. At the beginning of every test the temperatures are in a good range, but for every minute the test will run longer the temperatures increase more and

more like a helix of temp death.

To explain why the temps are higher, I have to explain why the default panel will work so well:











The fan can suck fresh air directly from the outside. Nearly 90% of the air will be taken from the outside and not from the inside. The fan creates positive air pressure inside the case, because of blowing air inside. This pressure will force hot air to move outside on the top.





Now I will explain it for the window panel:











The fan suck fresh air not directly from the outside, because there are no venting holes in the glass. So nearly 80% of the air will be used air from the

inside. I thought the gab will be enough to getting new fresh air, but a small 92mm fan is not strong and fast enough for this. So only 20% of the air will be air from the gab. The window kit isn’t closed enough, so the fan isn’t able to crate positive pressure because the air can move everywhere.





These two reasons will increase the temp more and more, because the fan recycles hot air. It will stop at the point, where the 20% exchange through the gab

is enough for holding the temperature.







Conclusion:



For myself, I am very happy with the look, quality and feel of the new side panels. I made the decision to use them permanent on my system and living with

higher temps because benchmarking is not my daily business.



But the best surprise for me of the new test is the Nexus 7000 Low R2, it looks so great and is so powerful. But the best thing it is currently the best

heatsink for the A4 and it will also work with the default panels. (I will offer a how-to later)







Your decision:



Now it is up to you. Keep in mind that I used a 140W TDP CPU with the window.











Do you like the design of the panel? What is your favorite version tempered or acryl? Do you think the results are ok or should I redesign the panels? What is more important design or good cooling. Adding holes will make the visibility worse.





If you think you have a idea that can change everything or an optimizing to the current design like round corners for the glass, please use the attached picture to visualize your idea.

(click for higher resolution)





With best regards and thank you for reading and supporting me