Test System

Assembly

Installing the motherboard within the DAN A4-SFX is quite simply as you just place it and screw it down in its slot. We are using a Noctua L9i within the chassis because there are only so many aftermarket low-profile air coolers out there that fit. DAN Cases has a list of recommended units on their website, and as previously mentioned, Asetek makes a 92 mm AIO that will fit as well. You could even go for a 120 mm AIO if you end up buying the optional 120 mm bracket from DAN cases.


Adding an SSD to the floor of the chassis requires you to remove the cage first, before attaching the exterior drive and placing it within the case second. In our sample build, we just placed an ADATA SSD here.


The other option is simply a drive held in place by a set of screws on the front of the chassis. The power supply cable will be routed alongside it when closing up the unit.


Adding the PSU should really be done before you put your GPU in place so that you can pre-route cables for the motherboard and PCIe power for the graphics card in advance. It is mean to be installed with the fan facing outward, which has it pull cool air through the openings in the side panel.


Adding a long GPU like the Palit RTX 2080 is actually rather simple, with plenty of cable-routing space below it as well as room for higher, or wider, variants. As we use a GTX 1650 for our ITX temperature tests, this shorter card also fits, giving us even more room to work with.


With everything installed, the DAN A4-SFX chassis makes an excellent impression for such a tiny case and the use of space. While we have seen other compact ITX cases out there, this one really manages to keep things to the functional and useful minimum out of the box without any crazy wiring requirements.

Finished Looks

Once turned on, there is no visible element to let you know it is up and running. You will have to listen to the fans within to make sure it is. I would have loved a power LED, which some would re-purpose to an HDD activity LED instead.


if you look closely, you can see the CPU cooler and GPU coolers through the vents on the side panels, which also means these elements are getting plenty of access to fresh air. In the rear, everything is easily accessible with the power plug out of the way in the bottom-right corner.