Barely any SFF PCs can fit a NH-D15 (LTT edition) inside
Everything fits like a glove, space below for a 120mm slim fan and a pair of 40mm fans (future addition)
The three fans on the GPU replaces the three 120mms on the front of most PCs
Top down, twin-linked 80mm fans provides the active updraft exhaust. Two 80mm fans provides roughly the same amount of airflow as a 120mm fan.
All cables can be bundled nicely into a cable duct/snake before exiting from the back. No more unsightly mess of cables!
165mm cooler clearance for the NH-D15!
A deflector prevents hot exhaust from the cooler entering the PSU's air intake.
Top and front is missing mesh at the moment, the rest of the side panels have to be solid to enable the wind tunnel effect for best performance. This allows for a tempered glass side without compromising on thermals, unlike other SFF cases.
Side vent for the GPU, final design has proper vents to deflect the air up and to the back.
Missing IO shield because the cut hole was 2mm too high. Should fit after more trimming.
Plenty of space at the base for cables.
Space for two 3.5" bays for storage or for IO
Adjustable brackets to properly position GPU to seal off intake from exhaust. (Pardon the rough slits, was done with a dremel drill freehand).
Skids for the base serves as a carrying handle for transporting the PC.
CAD drawing of Updraft. Everything fits better on the CAD model.
More refined vents for the GPU chamber to properly exhaust hot air up and to the back instead of just to the sides.
The NH-D15 only allows for two 40mm fans, but using a slightly smaller cooler (like the Scythe Ninja 5) allows for a 60mm fan.
Updraft MK1 - NH-D15 in a custom SFF
Updraft MK1
Size: 275 (L) x 180 (W) x 340 (H)
Footprint: 49500 mm^2
Volume: 16.8L
Motherboard: M-ITX
CPU cooler clearance: 165mm
GPU clearance: 325mm long, 68mm thick
PSU: SFX
Prototype SFF designed for maximum air cooling potential. Fits up to a NH-D15 and has the cleanest airflow throughout the case with no thermal recirculation and sealed CPU and GPU chambers. Performs as well as an open bench, and when fully built, will perform better than an open bench. The vertical chimney design potentially allows for a fan-off mode for the CPU cooler, and when combined with the fan-off mode of the 30XX cards, the PC would be able to run totally silent under light loads.
I'm planning to develop this fully and bring it to market by the end of the year.