Building the System: Motherboard and CPU Cooling
Ready for a build
First things first, we need to install the mini-ITX motherboard.
This is mounted easily, but there's one oddity here, with a recessed I/O cutout the I/O backplate is somewhat precariously positioned until the board is attached, and then it holds it in place. The motherboard backplate isn’t connected at the top or bottom – just the sides. Not actually problematic, just a little unusual.
Like all of the mini-ITX cases I've looked at recently, the 901 has a motherboard cutout that's basically the size of the entire motherboard.
There is a large gap between the motherboard I/O and the removable back panel, and this design does help with managing the connections considering the panel will be blocking access by default.
And speaking of the back panel, next we'll look at the unique way IN WIN makes use of this!
Liquid Cooling
Let's talk about self-contained liquid cooling options for a moment. They're popular, they look cool – er, rad – no. Never mind. But fear not – with the IN WIN 901 these ever popular AIO liquid coolers are supported, though it might not be clear exactly how this is possible at first. To answer this we just need to think back to what Obi-Wan once famously said: "Use the … removable back panel … Luke!" (Or something very similar, if I remember correctly…)
Since the rear fan mount is not big enough at 90mm to support an AIO cooler, and the only 120mm mount in the case is down below the hard drive cage (and without necessary space around it for this purpose anyway), we look outside:
Turns out IN WIN hasn't forgotten about AIO coolers with the 901. They might not be allowed inside, but they can at least hang out at the back door.
The removable back panel serves as the external mount for AIO coolers
The rad is attached with the help of some included washers, which are needed due to the fact that no proper screw holes exist on this section. Definitely feels like a mod, but it works well.
The hoses on the Corsair H75 in use here have enough length to easily pass into the case, though for AIO liquid coolers in general things will be a little tricky since the hoses are of course pre-attached to the waterblock. The waterblock/pump on the Corsair H75 used here was easy to pass through the rear fan cutout, and installation on the processor was easy.
There is a cutout above the fan opening which provides a proper space to tuck the hoses out of the way, and I was able to attach a 92mm fan here without issue.
While the hoses on the H75 were just long enough to complete the installation with the barbs at the bottom of the radiator, this isn't actually the correct method, as it turns out!
This might not be the "recommended" way to route the hoses, but it raises another possibility…
With the hoses routed through the lower opening intended for the I/O cables on the removable back panel of the case, the height of the radiator is not limited to 120mm. That's right – 240mm is possible here! Here I installed a Corsair H105 just to see how it fit:
Add 240mm support to the list (if you don't mind your PC looking like it's wearing a jetpack)
The "correct" way to install the radiator is like this, using the intended upper cutout on the removable back panel to route the hoses straight into the case:
This installation method is well implemented and allows coolers with shorter hoses as well.
I love the look of these art
I love the look of these art cases from In Win. Reminds me of my first custom build, an aluminim/plexiglass combo, but way better looking.
Wait is that a 770? I didnt
Wait is that a 770? I didnt know they made the 770 looking like the 780 or the titan. That’s pretty cool.
‘not to self’ read entire
‘not to self’ read entire article before making a comment. haha. “but it’s the OEM version which uses the TITAN cooler”
note*
note*
Hey it fools a lot of people
Hey it fools a lot of people – a couple of vendors sold the 770 with the TITAN cooler, and NVIDIA had an agreement with Best Buy stores to sell this version under their own brand, too (where I got mine, btw). Now if I could just put this cooler on an R9 290X (or if I had a 290X)… 🙂
that’s too small for my junk
that’s too small for my junk
is there a case that can hold
is there a case that can hold 2 mobs ?
I would love to have in a single box both: windows and linux machines
Two motherboards? I’ve never
Two motherboards? I've never heard of that. But really, you could just install Windows and Linux on separate drives in the same enclosure to get a fully discrete OS experience
thanks for your reply
I want
thanks for your reply
I want to have both linux and windows running at the same time
You could run a Windows
You could run a Windows virtual machine on Linux (which can run apps independently within Linux as their own VMs) or you could run a Linux VM within Windows. There is a great Tek Syndicate article about this, also available on their Tek Linux YouTube Channel.
check out mountainmods.com
check out mountainmods.com cases they aren’t cheap but some of them can house 2 computers
Caselabs would be worth
Caselabs would be worth checking as well
you might want to take a look
you might want to take a look at the haf stacker from cooler master
I find it really strange that
I find it really strange that you chose to install the Corsair cooler on the outside of the case. There’s an empty space for the cooler inside the case, so why did you not take advantage of it? Like this: http://cdn.overclock.net/c/c5/500x1000px-LL-c5949c1c_pi2k.jpeg
I was thinking this exact
I was thinking this exact thing the whole review.
That space can absolutely
That space can absolutely support a single fan cooler, but I didn't do that for a couple of reasons.
First, I wanted to follow IN WIN's instructions on external mounting. The design is actually intended for the AIO cooler to be mounted against the external wall as shown, and this is how they picture it on their site and in the instruction manual.
Of course, there's no wrong way if it fits (and I like the cleaner profile of the case on that build you referenced) But that's the problem…
The second reason is space. Problem is that interior mount leaves very little space for rear I/O. (I think there's a reason they don't have anything connected to the motherboard I/O in that photo.) It would be a nightmare to try connecting cables to the motherboard with that in place, and larger cables (like a bigger DVI cable) might not even fit back there with the cooler in the way.
Note though that the AIO
Note though that the AIO radiator is sufficiently above the GPU so chunky DVI and DisplayPort cables would protrude underneath, and therefore not be hindered.
USB cables and anything coming directly out of the I/O area could have a problem with the rad and fan inside the rear panel, but they’re flexible enough and should be OK with a slight kink in them.
But I’m still thinking H80i with the rad inside, 1 fan outside and a 92mm inside acting in a pseudo push/pull.
Beautiful case…
Thanks for the review. I
Thanks for the review. I really like mini-itx cases. This one is nice but I’m in love with the ncase m1.
You and me both. It was
You and me both. It was painful to send the M1 back!
(I think I may have developed feelings for it beyond that of "normal" friendship…)
Love it all except for the
Love it all except for the video card placement. I will check back in when an aftermarket is tested. Good review!
I’m confused by this case
I’m confused by this case where the main feature is a DVD drive bay cutout just in time for a world where 95%+ users don’t have any need for such a drive.
Is there room to install a
Is there room to install a 120 liquid cooler w/ fan between the chasis and metal back cover. Don’t really like the cooler on the outside of the case.
Technically, yes. I would
Technically, yes. I would suggest a single-fan 120mm model to keep it as low-profile as possible (to leave room for connections to the back of the motherboard). I was using a dual-fan cooler (the Corsair H75) and I wouldn't have had any room to maneuver with the cooler installed inside the opening.
Hi all I want to know about
Hi all I want to know about inwin 901. Do I can install my motherboard asus X99 Rampage V Extreme to inwon 901 case?
Does the case come with stock
Does the case come with stock fans or did you have to buy extra?