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.

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

FC9 – Fanless Micro-ATX Case

FC9

Midsize Fanless HTPC Case

The FC9 follows the same design vision as the FC10, featuring a minimalist curved exterior and exceptional hardware compatibility but in a more compact, mid-sized form factor that has a 30% smaller footprint.

The all-aluminium sandblasted finish houses a multitude of features such as Heatpipe Direct Touch cooling, universal optical drive eject button and a pivoting drive cage that makes assembly easier than ever. More than just a computer enclosure, the FC9 is a work of art that beautifully combines form and function.

The FC9 V2 (aka Alpha) takes all the great features of the original FC9 and improves upon then with small yet important changes. The drive tray has been re-design with variable drive positions, better airflow and now utilizes the new optical drive tray for easier installation and adjustment. The bottom panel has been updated with improved venting and more drive mounting locations, and USB ports have now been placed on both of the side panels for easier access and balance.

For a full breakdown of all the changes, please see the press release.

The original FC9 was launched in 2012 and was replaced by the V2 AKA the Alpha version

Overview

Specs

Dimensions

Gallery

Form Factor

M-ATX

Desktop Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboard support

PSU

Nano / ZF240

ZF240 or Nano type PSU (external AC + DC PCB)

CPU Cooling

87W

*MAX TDP,
65W Recommended TDP

Expansion

156mm

3 x Low Profile Expansion Slots (Max Length 156mm)

Drives

3.5" & 2.5"

1 x 3.5″ + 2 x 2.5″ on bracket,
3 x 3.5″ or 3 x 2.5″ on bottom (hardware dependent)

Optical

12.7mm

OPT version supports 12.7mm slot loading drive

I/O Support

2 x USB A

1 x Type-A 3.0 with 19PIN motherboard connector on each side panel (heat sink)

IR Support

Optional

Front Panel IR Window,
Support for Flirc Module

Dimensions

11ℓ

348 x 289 x 100mm
(D x W x H, 109mm including feet)
Internal - 288 x 280 x 93mm

Weight

4.4kg

4.4kg NET
5.8kg GROSS
(packed weight)

Material

AL6063

All main parts are Aluminium 6063, Extruded, CNC'd

Finish

Sandblast

Sandblast and anodized surface treatment, available in black or silver

Model

Black

SKU: ST-FC9B-ALPHA-OPT
EAN: 8718469091027

SKU: ST-FC9B-ALPHA
EAN: 8718469091003

Model

Silver

SKU: ST-FC9S-ALPHA-OPT
EAN: 8718469091034

SKU: ST-FC9S-ALPHA
EAN: 8718469091010

Features

EXTRUDED AND PRECISION MILLED PANELS

The FC9 is constructed using the same extruded profiles as the FC10 and follows the same precision meticulous machining process, hand polishing, sandblasting and finished using anodizing. This gives an ultra-premium look, feel and finish to all the parts.

PERFECTLY SUITED FOR THE LIVING ROOM ENVIRONMENT

Designed with the living room environment in mind, the fanless (no noise) cooling subtle styling and illumination, optional optical drive and IR support, all wrapped in a beautiful premium aluminium sandblasted finish, the FC9 is the ideal platform for a high-end HTPC system

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PSU SUPPORT

The FC9 is a compact case with a volume of just 11ℓ but can still accommodate the internal ZF240 when combined with a mini-ITX motherboard.

When using an external Nano type PSU, the FC9 has support for a micro-ATX motherboard ad features a dedicated drive tray for 3.5″, 2.5″ drives, and an optical version for slot loading drives.

IMPROVED HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY

Whist our previous cases all feature an adjustable heat pipe mounting solution to accommodate for different motherboard CPU locations, the FC9 is also capable of overcoming tall components such as VRM cooling heat sinks when combined with the optional HT4. This option to raise the heat pipes above obstacles on the motherboard gives the FC9 a unique height adjustment allowing for greater motherboard compatibility.

Reviews & Media Coverage

View All

ProClockers

Written Review

The FC9 Alpha is solid aluminum and absolutely beautiful Overall, the Streacom FC9 Alpha was a pleasure to build in.....

HardOCP

Written Review

The Streacom FC9 Alpha is easily one of the highest quality, best looking small form factor chassis on the market.....

Play3r

Written Review

What can I say? The Streacom FC9 isn’t just a fully functioning and elegant HTPC case; it is a lot.....

The Lab

Written Review

Και μετά από όλα αυτά φτάσαμε στον απολογισμό για το σημερινό προϊόν. Αρχικά να πω ότι δηλώνω γοητευμένη με την.....

Award Fabrik

Written Review

Wer ein edles und sauber verarbeitetes Passivgehäuse haben will und das notwendige “Klein”-Geld hat, der kommt an den FC9 nicht.....

Overclocked 3D

Written Review

First impressions are important, and boy does the FC9 make a good one. Slipping it out of it’s fabric sleeve.....

Xtreme Hardware

Written Review

Anche questa volta Streacom con il modello FC9 mette a segno un bel colpo tra i candidati ideali per costruire.....

Support

FAQs

Downloads

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

In principle, it is possible to use the unused heat sink for cooling but we have not produced a GPU cooling kit for the case and it would require custom heat pipes. In addition, it would block the ability to use the ZF240 PSU.

The optical drive bracket has been designed specifically for use with 12.7mm thick drives, so whilst it might be possible to attach it in some way, officially it is not supported.

Assuming you don’t mind the visual compromise of the case being sideways (as the bottom will be visible) plus any marking of the worktop or case because it will rest on its side, then yes, it is possible to use them in a vertical orientation but there will be a slight reduction in cooling performance. As the fins are designed for convection, having them in horizontal orientation is not optimal but the heat pipes will work in any orientation and can actually benefit slightly from being vertical. I would recommend going with a 45W TDP CPU as this will allow more headroom for the reduction in performance but you should still be OK with a 65W, especially if you take some time to optimise it for fanless cooling by undervolting and ensuring it doesn’t boost too high and push the TDP over 65W.

Whilst we are considered in many ways a boutique manufacturer, its not possible for us to produce customised versions of our cases as one-offs or in limited numbers to cater for individual requirements and modifications. We are however able to offer a customisation service for businesses (OEM / ODM) and depending on the product and type of modification, this becomes viable at relatively low volumes.

If you can’t find the information you need, please send us a message using the ‘Get in Touch’ link at the top right of the page, choose the appropriate department and we will respond with the relevant information.