How many drives can be fitted to the bottom panel of the FC10?

This will depend on the motherboard used and type of power supply (i.e. the ZF240 or Nano). Below is table to show how many 3.5" drives can be fitted depending on the combination for hardware Motherboard ATX M-ATX M-ITX NanoPSU 0 x 3.5" 1 x 3.5" 3 x 3.5" ZF240 0 x 3.5" 0 x 3.5" 2 x 3.5"

What size gap is there between the heat pipes and motherboard? (for small components to pass under)

As part of the cooler assembly, the heat pipes will pass over the motherboard to reach the side panel (heat sink). This means there can not be any tall components between the CPU and heat sink side of the case, however, there is an allowance for low-profile components on the motherboard. The actual gap is approximately 12mm but we suggest that any component under the heat pipe be 10mm or less.

Will using the ZF240 with this case limit the motherboard size?

Yes, the ZF240 is different from our NanoPSUs which don't occupy space outside of the motherboard. If you are planning to use the ZF240, please check the impact it will have on motherboard size here - ZF240 - Fanless PSU (under the usage tab)

Can I use a 'passive' cooled GPU in this case?

There are a number of graphics cards on the market that are marketed as fanless and use integrated heat sinks to provide passing cooling for the GPU. The issue with these cards is that they are designed for use with 'typical' cases and depend on airflow from active cooling provided by the other fans installed in the case. As our cases tend to be very compact and do not provide any forced airflow, passive cards should not be used as they will likely overheat. If you do want to install a discreet GPU in a passively cooled case, it should be one that has specifically been designed for GPU cooling (such as the DB4), or modified to provide GPU cooling via the case heat sink.

What is the size and coverage area of the CPU mount

The stock CPU mount supplied with the case is 56 x 56mm. Depending on the arm orientation, it can adapt to cooler mounting holes that are 80-90mm apart. The stock mount can not be used with CPUs that have cooler mounting holes less than 60mm apart.

How do I know if a motherboard is compatible with the heat pipes?

There are really only 3 key points to check in order to determine if a motherboard is going to be compatible with the heat pipes (passive case cooling) ..... CPU socket location - this is less of an issue these days as most motherboards have similar socket locations (other than thin-ITX) and as the heat pipes do have some adjustment, most motherboard will comply with this. CPU socket type - this should be one of the standard desktop sockets, not an embedded or server one type that will either be too small or too large for the CPU cooler mount. Component placement - probably the most common reason for a motherboard to not be compatible is the placement of components that might block the path of the heat pipes. Typically this will be VRM cooling heat sinks or plugs, but its easy to evaluate as there should be a clear path for the heat pipes to pass from the CPU socket to the side of the case (heat sink). Additional heat pipes are available for some cases to allow for different locations and the HT4 can be used to raise the heat pipes above some components LH4 - Compatible with the FC5, FC9, FC10 SH8, MH1 - Compatible with the FC8 HT4 - Compatible with the FC8*, FC9, FC10 If you are unsure, just get in touch, send us a link to the motherboard you are considering and we will confirm its compatible.

Is it safe to use a CPU with the same maximum specified case TDP?

In the past, CPU TDP was a measure of the maximum required cooling performance of a cooler to maintain the normal operating temperature of the CPU. With the advent of performance "boosting" technologies, the specified TDP is no longer an accurate representation of the required cooling performance, but more a baseline reference. When these technologies are enabled, CPUs can boost well above the specified TDP rating and they try to take advantage of thermal overheads. It is therefore important when choosing a CPU for a fanless case to consider the actual maximum TDP that the CPU can output. Wherever possible, aim for a CPU TDP that is below the case TDP rating or consider BIOS settings that will limit the CPU to the maximum TDP supported by the case.

What CPU sockets are compatible with the case?

The current CPU mount supplied with the case features adjustable arms that are compatible with the majority of current desktop sockets Intel® Socket LGA775 LGA1366 LGA1155/6 LGA1150/1 LGA1200 LGA 2011-3* LGA1700 AMD® Socket AM2 & 2+ AM3 & 3+ FM1 FM2 AM1 AM4 Older units (pre-2019) Intel® Socket LGA775 LGA1366 LGA1155/6 LGA1150/1 AMD® Socket AM1*1 AMD® Socket AM2 & 2+ AM3 & 3+ FM1 FM2 AM4*2

You used to have a system build guide to help with compatibility, where can I find it?

The FAQ section has been designed to replace that will allow us to more frequently update customers with any information that is useful. If there is anything missing, just let us know and we will add it.

Can I place a monitor on top of the case?

Yes, the top panel can support a monitor up to 20kg in weight, just be careful not to scratch the surface :p

FC10 – Fanless ATX Case

How many drives can be fitted to the bottom panel of the FC10?
This will depend on the motherboard used and type of power supply (i.e. the ZF240 or Nano). Below is table to show how many 3.5" drives can be fitted depending on the combination for hardware

Motherboard ATX M-ATX M-ITX

NanoPSU 0 x 3.5" 1 x 3.5" 3 x 3.5"

ZF240 0 x 3.5" 0 x 3.5" 2 x 3.5"
What size gap is there between the heat pipes and motherboard? (for small components to pass under)
As part of the cooler assembly, the heat pipes will pass over the motherboard to reach the side panel (heat sink). This means there can not be any tall components between the CPU and heat sink side of the case, however, there is an allowance for low-profile components on the motherboard. The actual gap is approximately 12mm but we suggest that any component under the heat pipe be 10mm or less.
Will using the ZF240 with this case limit the motherboard size?
Yes, the ZF240 is different from our NanoPSUs which don't occupy space outside of the motherboard. If you are planning to use the ZF240, please check the impact it will have on motherboard size here - ZF240 - Fanless PSU (under the usage tab)
Can I use a 'passive' cooled GPU in this case?
There are a number of graphics cards on the market that are marketed as fanless and use integrated heat sinks to provide passing cooling for the GPU. The issue with these cards is that they are designed for use with 'typical' cases and depend on airflow from active cooling provided by the other fans installed in the case. As our cases tend to be very compact and do not provide any forced airflow, passive cards should not be used as they will likely overheat. If you do want to install a discreet GPU in a passively cooled case, it should be one that has specifically been designed for GPU cooling (such as the DB4), or modified to provide GPU cooling via the case heat sink.
What is the size and coverage area of the CPU mount
The stock CPU mount supplied with the case is 56 x 56mm. Depending on the arm orientation, it can adapt to cooler mounting holes that are 80-90mm apart. The stock mount can not be used with CPUs that have cooler mounting holes less than 60mm apart.
How do I know if a motherboard is compatible with the heat pipes?
There are really only 3 key points to check in order to determine if a motherboard is going to be compatible with the heat pipes (passive case cooling) .....
1. CPU socket location - this is less of an issue these days as most motherboards have similar socket locations (other than thin-ITX) and as the heat pipes do have some adjustment, most motherboard will comply with this.
2. CPU socket type - this should be one of the standard desktop sockets, not an embedded or server one type that will either be too small or too large for the CPU cooler mount.
3. Component placement - probably the most common reason for a motherboard to not be compatible is the placement of components that might block the path of the heat pipes. Typically this will be VRM cooling heat sinks or plugs, but its easy to evaluate as there should be a clear path for the heat pipes to pass from the CPU socket to the side of the case (heat sink).
Additional heat pipes are available for some cases to allow for different locations and the HT4 can be used to raise the heat pipes above some components
1. LH4 - Compatible with the FC5, FC9, FC10
2. SH8, MH1 - Compatible with the FC8
3. HT4 - Compatible with the FC8*, FC9, FC10
If you are unsure, just get in touch, send us a link to the motherboard you are considering and we will confirm its compatible.
Is it safe to use a CPU with the same maximum specified case TDP?
In the past, CPU TDP was a measure of the maximum required cooling performance of a cooler to maintain the normal operating temperature of the CPU. With the advent of performance "boosting" technologies, the specified TDP is no longer an accurate representation of the required cooling performance, but more a baseline reference. When these technologies are enabled, CPUs can boost well above the specified TDP rating and they try to take advantage of thermal overheads. It is therefore important when choosing a CPU for a fanless case to consider the actual maximum TDP that the CPU can output. Wherever possible, aim for a CPU TDP that is below the case TDP rating or consider BIOS settings that will limit the CPU to the maximum TDP supported by the case.
What CPU sockets are compatible with the case?
The current CPU mount supplied with the case features adjustable arms that are compatible with the majority of current desktop sockets
Intel® Socket

LGA775

LGA1366

LGA1155/6

LGA1150/1

LGA1200

LGA 2011-3*

LGA1700

AMD® Socket

AM2 & 2+

AM3 & 3+

FM1

FM2

AM1

AM4
Older units (pre-2019)
Intel® Socket

LGA775

LGA1366

LGA1155/6

LGA1150/1

AMD® Socket

AM1*1

AMD® Socket

AM2 & 2+

AM3 & 3+

FM1

FM2

AM4*2
You used to have a system build guide to help with compatibility, where can I find it?
The FAQ section has been designed to replace that will allow us to more frequently update customers with any information that is useful. If there is anything missing, just let us know and we will add it.
Can I place a monitor on top of the case?
Yes, the top panel can support a monitor up to 20kg in weight, just be careful not to scratch the surface :p