The second smallest case from Dan Cases is less extreme than the first. The new C4 has a volume of only around twelve liters – almost twice as much as the seven-liter A4 SFX (test). More space enables better cooling, larger components and two different layouts.
With this volume, the C4 competes with the slightly larger Ncase M1. The unique selling point of the Dan housing is its flexibility. Hardware can be mounted conventionally or rotated by 90 degrees so that the graphics card is supplied with fresh air through openings on the lid. The C4 also offers the option of using the sandwich layout familiar from the A4. However, a riser card with PCIe 4.0 support is used here.
Depending on the layout, different components can be used. Coolers up to a height of 130 millimeters are possible with a normal structure, in the sandwich version there is still 60 millimeters, which allows the use of top-blow coolers of higher performance classes. In return, graphics cards with a height of 168 millimeters can be installed here, while the conventional structure is limited to 135 millimeters. This limitation is important in times of overly wide graphics accelerator PCBs. Regardless of the layout, the graphics card can be three slots wide.
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Dan C4-SFX (Image: DAN Cases)
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Dan C4-SFX 
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Dan C4-SFX 
Dan C4 -figure> p class = “p text-width”>In addition, mini and deep ITX mainboards and a 2.5 “drive, which is hidden behind the front panel, can be installed. I/O ports were an option during the development process documented in the ComputerBase forum, but are no longer part of the design in the final revision. For cooling, two 120 mm fans can be mounted on the bottom or in the lid with an inverted layout, and two more fans can work behind the left side panel. Alternatively, a 240 or 280 mm radiator can be installed in both positions.
A layout is convincing
In the test at OptimumTech (YouTube), the Dan C4 achieved on average a similar cooling performance at a comparable volume as the Ncase M1. The CPU temperatures are a little better with a normal setup; the GPU benefits in reverse. The sandwich layout is not recommended in the test. Despite the AiO cooler, the Core i9-10900K used reached temperatures around 15 degrees higher at 5 GHz than with the first layout variant. With the right structure, however, the C4 is “one of the best ITX cases” that are currently available, is the conclusion in the end.
The C4-SFX will not be available until the end of the year; the recommended price will be around 230 euros. A normal price for miniature cases in miniature series format, which is even cheap compared to the direct competitor: The Ncase M1 has to be imported and costs around 300 euros including shipping and taxes. The Cooler Master NR200P runs out of competition. In the test, it performed even better in terms of cooling performance, costs less than 100 euros – and offers more space because it is around a third larger.
DAN Cases C4-SFX Cooler Master Master Box NR200DAN Cases A4 SFX v4 ✔DAN Cases C4-SFX ✔Ncase M1 V6.1 ✔ DAN Cases A4 SFX v4 Cooler Master Master Box NR200DAN Cases A4 SFX v4 ✔DAN Cases C4-SFX ✔Ncase M1 V6.1 ✔ Ncase M1 V6.1 Cooler Master Master Box NR200DAN Cases A4 SFX v4 ✔DAN Cases C4-SFX ✔Ncase M1 V6.1 ✔ Mainboard format: Mini-ITX, Thin Mini-ITX chassis (L × W × H ): 329 × 151 × 256 mm (12.72 liters) 317 × 112 × 200 mm (7.25 liters) 338 × 161 × 255 mm (13.93 liters) Material: steel, aluminum aluminum steel, aluminum Net weight: 1 , 70 kg 1.25 kg 2.00 kg I/O ports: – 1 × USB 3.1 (USB 3.2 Gen 2) Type C 2 × USB 3.0 (USB 3.2 Gen 1), 1 × USB 3.0 (USB 3.2 Gen 1 ) Type C, HD audio slots: 1 × 2.5 & quot; (internal) 3 × 2.5 & quot; (internal) 2 × 3.5 & quot;/2.5 & quot; (internal)
2 × 2.5 & quot; (internal) extension slots: 3 2 3 fans: left side panel: 2 × 120 mm (optional)
floor: 2 × 120 mm (optional) floor: 1 × 92 mm (optional) rear: 1 × 92 mm (optional)
Left side panel: 2 × 120 mm (optional)
Floor: 2 × 120 mm (optional) Dust filter: – Floor, side panel Compatibility: CPU cooler: 130 mm
GPU: 315 mm – 319 mm < br> Power supply: 130 mm
SFX form factor CPU cooler: 48 mm
GPU: 295 mm – 306 mm
Power supply: 130 mm
SFX form factor CPU cooler: 135 mm
GPU: 290mm – 322mm
Power Supply: 130mm
SFX Form Factor Price: € 230 € 199 € 230