Vertical M-ITX Case - Geometric Airflow SFF Tower

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This is my take on the vertical SFF (Small Form Factor) tower concept. 
While inspired by existing vertical cases, I designed this specifically to prioritize maximum airflow and component compatibility without compromising the minimalist aesthetic.

The side panels feature a geometric pattern which allows for exceptional passive and active cooling. 
The case is designed to handle high-end, heat-generating components by letting them breathe freely.

📏 Dimensions & Volume

• Footprint: 170mm (W) x 210mm (D)
• Total Height: 385mm (including feet)
• Chassis Volume: ~11.6 Liters (excluding the 60mm tall feet)

⚠️ Difficulty Level: Advanced

Please read before printing. This is an advanced DIY project, not a snap-together kit.

• Assembly: Relies heavily on M3 heat-set inserts. You must be comfortable installing these.
• Tolerances: Like all SFF builds, space is tight. Cable management requires patience and planning.
• Specific Hardware: Requires specific cable lengths (Riser, USB-cables) and correct screw types to fit.

🛠️ Assembly Guide & Tips

The build process is designed to start from the bottom up:

1. Base Assembly: Start by mounting the main internal plate (motherboard/spine) into the “Foot”.
2. Component Installation: Install the Motherboard, GPU, and the PSU extension cable onto the plate while it is mounted in the feet.
3. Lower Chassis: Use the small printed "plugs" to align and connect the feet to the lower chassis section.
4. Work Upwards: From here, it is intuitive—simply work your way up, stacking the sections. As mentioned, this is not a simple build, but the result is a sturdy, high-performance tower that looks great on the desk.

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Tested Hardware / Reference Build

This case was verified with the following high-performance components. Use this as a size guide for your own parts selection:

• GPU: ASUS Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB PRIME OC 
• CPU Cooler: Thermalright AXP120-X67 ("Optimized" for 67mm height coolers), 10mm gap between fan and chassie.
• Motherboard: ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi (Mini-ITX).
• PSU: Lian Li SP850 V2 SFX (Standard SFX form factor).

Printing Recommendations

• Material (Exterior): I strongly recommend PETG-CF (Carbon Fiber PETG). It provides a premium matte finish that hides layer lines and offers the necessary heat resistance for a gaming PC.
• Material (Internal): ABS, ASA, or PETG is recommended for the structural skeleton.
• Filament Usage: The complete build requires slightly over 1kg of filament.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

To complete the assembly, you will need:

1. PCIe Riser Cable: 200mm length is required for this layout.
2. M3 Heat-set Inserts: Standard brass inserts.
3. M3 Screws: Various lengths, mostly 8,10 and 12mm.
   Socket head is recommended for the exterior, but Countersunk screws are required under the GPU and for the Top Plate above the PSU.
4. Power Button: 12mm diameter.
5. Front USB-A: Dual Panel mount extension cable (50cm length).
   • Mounting info: 21mm c/c spacing. Requires small screws (approx. M1.5).
6. Front USB-C: Panel mount extension cable (50cm length).
   • Mounting info: 22.5mm c/c spacing. Uses M3 screws.

 

If you like this design and the focus on thermals, please leave a like and share your make! :)

Here is some of the parts I've used:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003232741565.html 
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008518641649.html 
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007661811920.html