The 11-Liter Enigma: What Fits Inside?
Streacom's FC9 is, as its name suggests, a fanless (silent) cooling case designed for Micro-ATX motherboards. Its most striking feature is its compactness.
External dimensions are 348mm in width, 289mm in depth, and 100mm in height (109mm including feet). Its volume is a mere 11 liters.
Considering that typical Micro-ATX tower cases range from 30 to 40 liters, its small stature is remarkable.
Within this volume, it can accommodate a Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX motherboard. For power, you have the choice of installing the internal ZF240 Flex PSU or opting for an external Nano-type PSU (AC adapter plus internal DC PCB).
Using the ZF240 will limit the motherboard size, so consulting the dedicated compatibility information is necessary.
The Heart of Cooling: Heatpipe Direct Touch
The lifeline of any fanless case is its cooling system, which utilizes the chassis itself as a massive heatsink. The FC9 employs a "Heatpipe Direct Touch" cooling design.
Heatpipes extending from the CPU cooler connect directly to the case's side aluminum panels (the heatsinks), dissipating heat to the exterior.
Due to this structure, tall components cannot be placed between the CPU and the heatsink side of the case. The gap between the heatpipes and the motherboard is stated to be approximately 12mm, with a recommendation that any component passing underneath be 10mm or less in height.
However, by combining it with the optional HT4 (Thermal Riser), the heatpipes can be raised to overcome obstacles on the motherboard, such as VRM cooling heatsinks. This unique height adjustment feature enhances motherboard compatibility.
Graphics and Storage: Curated Compatibility
Officially, there is no support for GPU cooling. While three expansion slots are provided, they are all Low Profile slots with a maximum length restriction of 156mm.
The use of commercially marketed 'passive' (fanless) graphics cards is not recommended. These cards are designed to rely on airflow within typical cases and risk overheating in a fanless environment with no forced air movement.
To install a discrete GPU, a solution specifically designed for chassis heatsink cooling (like the DB4) or a card modified to connect to the case heatsink is required.
For storage, the case supports one 3.5" and two 2.5" drives on the bracket, or up to three 3.5" or 2.5" drives on the bottom (hardware dependent).
The OPT version, which supports an optical drive, is compatible with a 12.7mm thick slot-loading drive.
There is no mention in the source text regarding compatibility with 9mm thick drives.
Material and Craftsmanship: The Aluminum Aesthetic
The chassis is constructed from AL6063 aluminum. All panels are extruded, precision milled, hand-polished, sandblasted, and finished with an anodized coating.
The minimalist, curved exterior exudes a premium feel suited for the living room. It features a universal optical drive eject button and one USB Type-A 3.0 port (with a 19-pin connector) on each side panel, balancing utility and design.
Net weight is 4.4kg.
Who It's NOT For: The Trade-offs of a Compact Fanless Case
This case is not the optimal choice for certain users.
Firstly, it is completely unsuitable for users looking to build a gaming PC with a high-end GPU. The supported GPU length is a very short 156mm, and cooling solutions are severely limited.
By the principles of passive cooling, simultaneously cooling both a high-TDP CPU and GPU is extremely challenging.
Secondly, it is also ill-suited for users who prioritize expandability and internal airflow above all else. The small volume demands meticulous attention to cable bend radii and routing.
Installing multiple 2.5" drives could potentially block what little natural convection airflow exists within the confined space.
Furthermore, aluminum screw holes can be prone to thread stripping with repeated assembly and disassembly, requiring careful handling.
Thirdly, users with overly high expectations for cooling performance should look elsewhere. The performance of fanless cooling is heavily dependent on the ambient temperature of the case's environment.
With no internal air movement, the temperature near the intake vents directly influences component temperatures. The specifications state CPU cooling support for a maximum TDP of 87W (65W TDP recommended).
Detailed information on compatible CPU sockets or the size and coverage area of the CPU mount is not found in the provided source text. Therefore, verifying compatibility likely requires consulting detailed resources like the previously offered system build guide or contacting the manufacturer directly.
Conclusion: What Lies Beyond Compromise
The Streacom FC9 is a "specialized" case born from the relentless pursuit of silence, compactness, and design. Fitting a Micro-ATX motherboard into an 11-liter volume while achieving fanless cooling is an undeniable technical feat.
However, this achievement comes at a cost: severe GPU limitations, cooling performance that is environment-dependent, and expandability pared down to the absolute minimum.
This case shines in specific use cases like HTPCs or office environments where silence is paramount, where its constraints are acceptable, and where its design and noiseless operation hold high value. It is not an "all-rounder" that tries to cram everything in.
It is a product of "conviction," where other elements are sacrificed for a singular ideal. That is the true nature of the FC9.
