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Deus Ex: Inception

The ultimate SFF (small form factor) console killer inspired by the Deus Ex game series. The goal of this build is to create a powerful, compact, and portable gaming system.

Color(s): Black Gold

RGB Lighting? Yes

Theme: Sci-Fi

Cooling: Air Cooling

Size: Mini-ITX

Type: General Build

Build Updates

CPU coolers: Notcua NH-L9i vs Alpenfoehn Black Ridge

CPU Delid and Liquid Metal Application

GPU cooling modification

The GPU will also get the liquid metal treatment to maximize cooling performance to prevent thermal throttling.

The Zotac GTX 1080Ti MINI is still a beast compared to today's RTX lineup. It isn't worth spending the money to jump to an RTX series card when I can pull this from an ageing rig. This build will be pushing the limits of HDPlex power supply, rated at 400W with peak loads up to 450W.

Stock fans will be replaced with Noctua 92mm slim fans.

Buffing the stock heat sink to prep for liquid metal application.

Applied liquid electrical tape around the die to protect from accidental liquid metal TIM spills/running.

The GPU back plate has a thin plastic membrane that prevents metal contact with components on the PCB. I removed a few small sections over the GPU core and the VRM so that thermal pads would transfer some heat to the back plate.

Liquid metal applied and GPU ready for reassembly.

GPU Fan Shroud and Back Plate Modifications

The stock fans are too loud so I opted for a pair of slim 92mm Noctua fans. I also painted the fans, back plate, and shroud to match the black and gold theme.

Back plate sanded and primed for paint.

More stencil cutting for the back plate design.

I found a plastic piece that would work well as the power button shroud. It looks like the "Titan Armor" effect from the game. Both pieces primed for paint.

Noctua fans removed from the stock frame and attached to the GPU heat sink. Wires soldered and well hidden from view.

Travel Case

RAM Modifications and M.2 Heatsink

The Black Ridge cooler presented another challenge regarding the RAM clearance. The G.Skill Trident Z modules are too tall so I had to replace the heat spreaders with aftermarket copper heat spreaders. I didn't want to waste the original stock heat spreaders so I modified them to turn them into M.2 heat sinks.

I purchased the NFC case feet direct from their website. Case feet and M.2 heatspreaders have been sanded and primed.

G.Skill RAM heat spread was cut to make it flat.

I reused the GPU back plate stencils for the design. Double sided thermal tape will be used to attach the heat spreader to the M.2 drive.

An alternate M.2 stencil design.

I painted the motherboard CPU back plate as well as opted for the alternate M.2 design.

RAM clearance issue solved.

Cable Sleeving and Aviation Power Cable

HDPlex Power Supply Modifications

The HDPlex 400W kit arrived and will need to be modified to fit into the NFC S4M case to remain a "brickless build" I want everything contained without the need for an external power brick. Since the HDPlex will be pushed beyond the 400W (450W PEAK LOAD) that it's rated for I want to eliminate the possibility of the unit shutting down due to heat when it peaks to 450W during gaming, and I want to prolong the life of the unit. I found a heat sink used for industrial LED applications that had the exact dimensions of the NFC S4 MINI case.

Black paint to match and top plate of the unit will be replaced by the aftermarket heat sink.

Cables sleeved to match overall color scheme of the build.

The stock HDPLex 14mm fan was too loud so I opted for a quieter Noctua 14mm fan and removed the fan frame. The fan frame will cause clearance issues later.

I replaced all the original TIM with a higher quality Gelid Ultra TIM.

Complete modified unit reassembled.

The HDPlex 400 AC/DC unit cables and the case power button have been sleeved as well.

I opted for a sleek military grade aviation connector for the power cable and used quick disconnects to allow for installing and removing the power supply.

NFC S4 MINI Case

The NFC S4 MINI will require a few serious modifications to allow for the Black Ridge CPU cooler to fit without contacting the inside of the case panels and put undue stress on the CPU and mounting frame, allow for the modified HDPlex power supply to fit as a brickless option, and to increase airflow and heat dissipation.

The stock case dimensions aren't enough for the Black Ridge cooler to fit without making contact with the side panels. Since this build is designed with travel in mind, I need to find a solution to prevent metal to metal contact and undesirable strain on the CPU and Black Ridge cooler.

The solution is a 5mm spread of both side panels. This will allow increase airflow.

New side panel mounting holes will need to be drilled and tapped to allow for the 5mm extension to each side.

I will use these 5mm stand off to keep the side panels from flexing inwards and add rigidity to the modified design.

There is now roughly 1mm of clearance between the side panels and the Black Ridge cooler.

Overall, with the stand offs the entire case feels very ridged and doesn't flex.

NFC S4 MINI Face Plate

GPU I/O Bracket Modification

The stock GPU I/O bracket does not allow for the Zotac 1080Ti MINI to fit inside the case with the HDPlex 400W power supply mounted internally above it. I thought of a solution that would shift the bracket 10mm and allow the GPU to slide towards the motherboard PCI-E slot. Originally, I modified the bracket using a Dremel tool and it turned out pretty well. However, I wanted more clearance between the GPU and the HDPlex power supply to allow for 180 degree GPU power cable adapters to fit, and to prevent the GPU from being suffocated at the top. Later, after collaborating with a friend that shared the same interest on NFC's Discord channel, we created a modified custom bracket that would provide a 14mm shift to allow for plenty of room.

A visual of the solution.

Original bracket modified with a Dremel tool.

Final custom bracket fabricated using cold rolled steel and providing a greater 14mm shift.

Clearance provided between GPU and HDPlex power supply after bracket modification.

180 degree GPU PCI-E power cable adapters.

Built-in iPad 3 HD Display

The final modification is the built in iPad 3 HD display. The side panel over the rear of the motherboard was cut to allow for the installation. I had to create a bracket for the iPad display using Autodesk Fusion 360 and then 3D printing prototypes out of ABS plastic. I also designed a clean low profile bezel for the exterior. I used an iPad to Displayport Adapter from Abusemark to power and connect the iPad display.

Abusemark iPad to DP adapter installed to rear of iPad 3 display using 3M double sided tape.

iPad 3 display rear bracket fresh off the printer.

Prototype low profile iPad 3 display bezel fresh off the printer.

Side panels after powder coating.

Interior profile.

Exterior profile. The finalized bezel will be gloss black and will not require screws to mount.

Side profile.

Finalized bezel.

NFC S4 MINI Case Panel Design

NFC S4 MINI Vertical Stand

Accessories

I opted for after market WIFI antennae to increase signal and range over the stock motherboard WIFI assembly. I had to modify the connectors by spreading them further apart allow them to fit. I also painted the G.Wolves Skoll mouse to match the build theme. I went with the Anne Pro 2 wireless 60% keyboard and added gold WASD keys and a little gold vinyl trim. I also modified a monitor arm to make it look like Adam Jensen's bionic arm from the game complete with a "nano blade" and carbon fiber vinyl wrap for effect.