• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Cooler Master Unveils the Ncore 100 Air SFF Chassis at CES 2025

TheLostSwede

News Editor
Joined
Nov 11, 2004
Messages
17,989 (2.44/day)
Location
Sweden
System Name Overlord Mk MLI
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard Gigabyte X670E Aorus Master
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 SE with offsets
Memory 32GB Team T-Create Expert DDR5 6000 MHz @ CL30-34-34-68
Video Card(s) Gainward GeForce RTX 4080 Phantom GS
Storage 1TB Solidigm P44 Pro, 2 TB Corsair MP600 Pro, 2TB Kingston KC3000
Display(s) Acer XV272K LVbmiipruzx 4K@160Hz
Case Fractal Design Torrent Compact
Audio Device(s) Corsair Virtuoso SE
Power Supply be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850 W
Mouse Logitech G502 Lightspeed
Keyboard Corsair K70 Max
Software Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores https://valid.x86.fr/yfsd9w
Cooler Master, a global leader in PC components and tech lifestyle solutions, today announced the Ncore 100 Air, a small form factor (SFF) PC case crafted for gamers, content creators, and SFF enthusiasts. Designed to streamline PC building and upgrading, the Ncore 100 Air features an open, tool-less design, an innovative expandable design and compatibility with the latest hardware, ensuring users can easily keep up with their performance needs while enjoying a sleek, minimalistic look.

The Ncore 100 Air builds on Cooler Master's commitment to empowering users to create high-performance PCs in small spaces. Designed with modern users in mind, this case delivers the perfect blend of power, versatility, and minimalism, supporting the latest GPUs, ITX motherboards, and SFX power supply units while maintaining an efficient thermal layout.




"The Ncore 100 Air is more than just a PC case; it's a statement for builders who value simplicity, performance, and style," said Jimmy Sha, Cooler Master CEO. "We designed this product to meet the needs of gamers and creators who want powerful hardware in a compact, elegant form. With its open frame and innovative features, the Ncore 100 Air reflects our mission to empower users with products that are as versatile as they are sophisticated."

Features
  • Ultra-Small Footprint: Compact 14.7L size, comparable to a small booklet.
  • Open and Tool-less Design: Easy-to-access frame with tool-less design for quick builds and upgrades.
  • Superior Airflow: Large mesh air vents and efficient thermal layout for optimized cooling.
  • Hardware Compatibility: Supports triple-slot GPUs up to 336 mm (extendable to 356 mm) and Intel/AMD ITX motherboards.
  • Premium Build: Anodized aluminium panels in black or white for a sleek, minimalistic aesthetic.
  • Pre-Installed Cooler Master Low-Profile Fan: Ensures efficient airflow right out of the box.
  • Dimensions: Standard: 155 mm x 212 mm x 449 mm; Expanded: 172 mm x 212 mm x 449 mm.
  • Connectivity: Includes USB Type-A and Type-C ports and an audio combo plug.

Availability and Launch Details
The Ncore 100 Air will make its debut at Cooler Master's exhibition in Las Vegas and will be available globally starting in the first quarter of 2025 through Cooler Master's retail partners, Amazon, and the Cooler Master online store.

Cooler Master Ncore 100 Air on YouTube
[Editor's note: Click above to watch the YouTube short on YouTube, as it doesn't play as an embedded video]

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source
 
Joined
Dec 5, 2013
Messages
655 (0.16/day)
Location
UK
"Cooler Master, a global leader in PC components and tech lifestyle solutions, today announced the Ncore 100 Air, a small form factor (SFF) PC case"

Cases like this are exactly why I gave up on Mini-ITX and went back to Micro-ATX. Genuine "S"FF cases have not just a "small footprint" but also a small volume. Otherwise any idiot could make a 15cm (w) x 15cm (d) x 4ft tall case and call that "Small" Form Factor... :kookoo:
 

bug

Joined
May 22, 2015
Messages
13,904 (3.95/day)
Processor Intel i5-12600k
Motherboard Asus H670 TUF
Cooling Arctic Freezer 34
Memory 2x16GB DDR4 3600 G.Skill Ripjaws V
Video Card(s) EVGA GTX 1060 SC
Storage 500GB Samsung 970 EVO, 500GB Samsung 850 EVO, 1TB Crucial MX300 and 2TB Crucial MX500
Display(s) Dell U3219Q + HP ZR24w
Case Raijintek Thetis
Audio Device(s) Audioquest Dragonfly Red :D
Power Supply Seasonic 620W M12
Mouse Logitech G502 Proteus Core
Keyboard G.Skill KM780R
Software Arch Linux + Win10
supporting the latest GPUs
Sounds about right, because it looks like there's no way you'll fit a modern video card in there. But you could the GPU alone.
 
Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
250 (0.05/day)
Location
Poznan, Poland
"Cooler Master, a global leader in PC components and tech lifestyle solutions, today announced the Ncore 100 Air, a small form factor (SFF) PC case"

Cases like this are exactly why I gave up on Mini-ITX and went back to Micro-ATX. Genuine "S"FF cases have not just a "small footprint" but also a small volume. Otherwise any idiot could make a 15cm (w) x 15cm (d) x 4ft tall case and call that "Small" Form Factor... :kookoo:

Most mATX cases are almost as large as compact ATX cases, so I find mATX pointless. If you want a larger CPU cooler or graphics card in mATX, then you will end up with an ATX-size PC anyway. It doesn't change that ITX cases are getting ridiculous and many of them are also barely smaller than ATX. Another thing is that most brands release almost the same products. They moved from horizontal to vertical design, but the inside is the same. So, it has a smaller footprint but nothing else. Later they call it innovation.
If anyone wants a vertical ITX case, I guess the best option from new products is Deepcool CH170 - quite cheap, with good airflow, no stupid risers, not too large, and can install AIO, a custom loop, or a large air cooler.
 
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Messages
1,802 (0.60/day)
Location
NH, USA
System Name Lightbringer
Processor Ryzen 7 2700X
Motherboard Asus ROG Strix X470-F Gaming
Cooling Enermax Liqmax Iii 360mm AIO
Memory G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32GB (8GBx4) 3200Mhz CL 14
Video Card(s) Sapphire RX 5700XT Nitro+
Storage Hp EX950 2TB NVMe M.2, HP EX950 1TB NVMe M.2, Samsung 860 EVO 2TB
Display(s) LG 34BK95U-W 34" 5120 x 2160
Case Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic (White)
Power Supply BeQuiet Straight Power 11 850w Gold Rated PSU
Mouse Glorious Model O (Matte White)
Keyboard Royal Kludge RK71
Software Windows 10
"Cooler Master, a global leader in PC components and tech lifestyle solutions, today announced the Ncore 100 Air, a small form factor (SFF) PC case"

Cases like this are exactly why I gave up on Mini-ITX and went back to Micro-ATX. Genuine "S"FF cases have not just a "small footprint" but also a small volume. Otherwise any idiot could make a 15cm (w) x 15cm (d) x 4ft tall case and call that "Small" Form Factor... :kookoo:
Is it even possible to design an itx case that has BROAD gpu compatibility and has the small volume you desire? Videocards are so large today that I feel like it is impossible to reach that small volume without designing the entire case around specific pieces of hardware like the FF04 pictured below which is designed for, and only for, the Asus Proart RTX lineup (and, although I'm not 100% sure, that may be even limited to only specific skus within that model line).

I think the days of affordable (that's the key word) SFF cases Which you seek may be passed us....otherwise your options are limited to more or less bespoke, boutique pieces like the one below.

1000010379.png
 
Joined
Feb 23, 2008
Messages
1,070 (0.17/day)
Location
Montreal
System Name Aryzen / Sairikiki / Tesseract
Processor 5800x / i7 920@3.73 / 5800x
Motherboard Steel Legend B450M / GB EX58-UDP4 / Steel Legend B550M
Cooling Mugen 5 / Pure Rock / Glacier One 240
Memory Corsair Something 16 / Corsair Something 12 / G.Skill 32
Video Card(s) AMD 6800XT / AMD 6750XT / Sapphire 7800XT
Storage Way too many drives...
Display(s) LG 332GP850-B / Sony w800b / Sony X90J
Case EVOLV X / Carbide 540 / Carbide 280x
Audio Device(s) SB ZxR + GSP 500 / board / Denon X1700h + ELAC Uni-Fi 2 + Senn 6XX
Power Supply Seasonic PRIME GX-750 / Corsair HX750 / Seasonic Focus PX-650
Mouse G700 / none / G602
Keyboard G910
Software w11 64
Benchmark Scores I don't play benchmarks...
Now they need to carry this perforation pattern to their other cases. It might seem like a small change, but it looks much better and less cheap like this.
 
Joined
Aug 2, 2012
Messages
2,040 (0.45/day)
Location
Netherlands
System Name TheDeeGee's PC
Processor Intel Core i7-11700
Motherboard ASRock Z590 Steel Legend
Cooling Noctua NH-D15S
Memory Crucial Ballistix 3200/C16 32GB
Video Card(s) Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti 12GB
Storage Crucial P5 Plus 2TB / Crucial P3 Plus 2TB / Crucial P3 Plus 4TB
Display(s) EIZO CX240
Case Lian-Li O11 Dynamic Evo XL / Noctua NF-A12x25 fans
Audio Device(s) Creative Sound Blaster ZXR / AKG K601 Headphones
Power Supply Seasonic PRIME Fanless TX-700
Mouse Logitech G500S
Keyboard Keychron Q6
Software Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
Benchmark Scores None, as long as my games runs smooth.
I like the GPU they showed, which allows you to use 3x 120x25 or 120x15 mm case fans. Just a shame they will only use them for their own pre-builds, but it's a step in the right direction and hopefully AIB's will follow.
 
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Messages
8,464 (3.93/day)
System Name Bragging Rights
Processor Atom Z3735F 1.33GHz
Motherboard It has no markings but it's green
Cooling No, it's a 2.2W processor
Memory 2GB DDR3L-1333
Video Card(s) Gen7 Intel HD (4EU @ 311MHz)
Storage 32GB eMMC and 128GB Sandisk Extreme U3
Display(s) 10" IPS 1280x800 60Hz
Case Veddha T2
Audio Device(s) Apparently, yes
Power Supply Samsung 18W 5V fast-charger
Mouse MX Anywhere 2
Keyboard Logitech MX Keys (not Cherry MX at all)
VR HMD Samsung Oddyssey, not that I'd plug it into this though....
Software W10 21H1, barely
Benchmark Scores I once clocked a Celeron-300A to 564MHz on an Abit BE6 and it scored over 9000.
SFF and 300W+ graphics cards are an oxymoron.
Like others here, I wish case manufacturers would stop ruining mITX cases just to provide compatibility with triple-slot, 14" long graphics cards.

There are plenty of upper-midrange GPUs that are dual-fan, compact affairs at 11" or less and those don't require defeating the purpose of the mITX form-factor.

Is it even possible to design an itx case that has BROAD gpu compatibility and has the small volume you desire? Videocards are so large today that I feel like it is impossible to reach that small volume
Nobody said you had to make all cases compatible with the largest 4090s on the market. For the last 25 years we've been quite capable of picking compact hardware to fit inside compact cases. If people really want a massive graphics card, they can pick a larger case that will fit it.

4070S are available from just about every manufacturer at under 10" length, and Asus make a 227mm 8.9" Dual variant.
4070TiS are available under 10" from Gigabyte, Palit, MSI, Inno3D, Gainward, Zotac - to name just a few.
The AMD reference 7800XT is only 10.5" and Powercolor makes an extremely compact 10" 7800XT that even adheres to the ATX slot height limit that everyone else violates:

1736522231386.png

So it depends what you mean by "BROAD gpu compatibility".
Yes, you do need to be careful you don't buy the biggest fattest GPU you see, but even towards the high-end, there is wide availability of compact models from a broad range of vendors, it's not like these are unicorns you need to go out on a quest to track down.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Dec 5, 2013
Messages
655 (0.16/day)
Location
UK
Is it even possible to design an itx case that has BROAD gpu compatibility and has the small volume you desire?
I don't think it is, but that's actually my point. Most people likely to buy 3x fan triple-slot GPU's paired with 360mm radiators, etc, are the least likely to want to stick them in the smallest case due to 1. Airflow and 2. Limited PSU's. And those who most benefit from smaller cases (ie, those with actual SFF components, just end up with the same +80% wasted space that they "downsized" MATX / ATX from. Even many "2-slot" GPU are now more like 2.5x slot but since half the "overly tall tower" ITX cases with vertical motherboard have the GPU facing down, (instead of sidewards onto a side intake) you still need that extra slot underneath it to actually get air under it to breathe, and now a "4 slot ITX" has just reinvented MATX but with the usual excessive ITX price premiums for "reasons".

As Chrispy said, half these "S"FF cases are simultaneously too large for actual SFF components, whilst high end users with 300-600w GPU's will quickly find "powered by SFX PSU's" is less than ideal. Even though Corsair sell 750-1000w SFX PSU's, they're cooled by a small 92mm fan that gets much noisier under load vs 120-135mm ATX PSU fans, at which point the novelty quickly wears off and you start wishing you bought normal sized ATX case for a normal ATX PSU for half the price...
 
Joined
Oct 28, 2012
Messages
1,207 (0.27/day)
Processor AMD Ryzen 3700x
Motherboard asus ROG Strix B-350I Gaming
Cooling Deepcool LS520 SE
Memory crucial ballistix 32Gb DDR4
Video Card(s) RTX 3070 FE
Storage WD sn550 1To/WD ssd sata 1To /WD black sn750 1To/Seagate 2To/WD book 4 To back-up
Display(s) LG GL850
Case Dan A4 H2O
Audio Device(s) sennheiser HD58X
Power Supply Corsair SF600
Mouse MX master 3
Keyboard Master Key Mx
Software win 11 pro
I don't think it is, but that's actually my point. Most people likely to buy 3x fan triple-slot GPU's paired with 360mm radiators, etc, are the least likely to want to stick them in the smallest case due to 1. Airflow and 2. Limited PSU's. And those who most benefit from smaller cases (ie, those with actual SFF components, just end up with the same +80% wasted space that they "downsized" MATX / ATX from. Even many "2-slot" GPU are now more like 2.5x slot but since half the "overly tall tower" ITX cases with vertical motherboard have the GPU facing down, (instead of sidewards onto a side intake) you still need that extra slot underneath it to actually get air under it to breathe, and now a "4 slot ITX" has just reinvented MATX but with the usual excessive ITX price premiums for "reasons".

As Chrispy said, half these "S"FF cases are simultaneously too large for actual SFF components, whilst high end users with 300-600w GPU's will quickly find "powered by SFX PSU's" is less than ideal. Even though Corsair sell 750-1000w SFX PSU's, they're cooled by a small 92mm fan that gets much noisier under load vs 120-135mm ATX PSU fans, at which point the novelty quickly wears off and you start wishing you bought normal sized ATX case for a normal ATX PSU for half the price...
It’s really not that loud, by the time you’ll reach a +600watts total power consumption, the other components will probably be nosier in such a small space. And SFF users tends to undervolt the like of the 4090, by default that GPU use a lot of power for a meager benefit. High-End SFF users are usually big tinkerers I’ve seen ~10 liters build with a 4090 and i9 13900k that were heavily tuned (and still faster in games compared to the skus below it)
IMG_3704.jpeg
 
Top