FormD T1 v2.1 PC Build – The Most Beloved ITX Case

The T1 case from FormD stands out as a beloved choice within the ITX community, and for good reason. Its impeccable craftsmanship is evident in every detail, showcasing precise machining without any panel gaps or inconsistencies, resulting in a remarkably solid build quality. What sets it apart is its sleek and modern minimalist design, a feature that many enthusiasts adore. The case’s standout feature is its adjustable center, allowing users to customize the middle section to accommodate either a larger GPU with reduced CPU cooler clearance or vice versa, catering to individual preferences and component requirements. While this case requires some assembly, its exceptional build and customizable features make it a standout option for those seeking a high-quality ITX case.

Parts

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

For the CPU, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D stands out as my current favorite choice. Renowned for its impressive gaming performance and efficient power consumption, this chip excels in handling modern games and applications, particularly those optimized for its sizable 3D packaged V-Cache. While the 7800X3D offers top-tier performance, there are alternative options to consider. On the Intel side, the 13600 presents a compelling choice with support for both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, potentially offering cost savings. Another Intel option is the 14600, although early reviews suggest it may not justify its higher price tag compared to alternatives. For users prioritizing overall performance, especially in production tasks, higher-end CPUs like the 7950X3D are worth considering, albeit at a considerably higher price point around $700, whereas the 7800X3D retails for $450 and has been seen on sale for under $400. Keep an eye out for potential discounts during Black Friday sales, as this CPU might see enticing deals.

Motherboard: ASUS B650E-I 

For the AM5 motherboard, we’re opting for the ASUS B650E-I, a consistent choice in my AM5 ITX builds due to its balanced feature set for gaming PCs. It offers essential fan headers for the CPU, AIO, and chassis, conveniently positioned across the top. The board’s VRM cooling design maintains a sleek black aesthetic, complemented by 2 M.2 slots—one with a black backplate and heatsink at the front, and another at the back. Noteworthy features include a Type-C header, a PCIe 5.0 slot for the graphics card, and an array of USB ports for connectivity. Additionally, it boasts 2.5G Ethernet and built-in WiFi 6E, enhancing both wired and wireless networking capabilities.

Storage: Samsung 980 Pro Single 2TB Stick

This build will use a single 2TB Samsung 980 Pro stick for storage- a widely favored mid-range drive known for its reliability. While I frequently opt for these in my builds, alternatives like the Crucial P3 offer comparable performance and are often selected based on sales or personal preference. Although I’m installing just one stick today, it’s worth noting the presence of a second slot at the back for potential future expansion needs.

RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 Memory

Given the AM5 platform’s requirement for DDR5 memory, I’ve opted for a 32GB set of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 memory. These sticks, known for their low clearance and solid aluminum heat spreaders, efficiently dissipate heat while delivering excellent performance. Although other RAM sets could work in this build, the compact design of these sticks complements the system well. Additionally, these sticks feature an XMP profile, offering overclocking options in the BIOS for achieving the advertised speeds and optimal timings.

Case: FormD T1 v2.1

The FormD T1 arrives unassembled, packaged as a flatpack. While initially daunting with its assortment of pieces, organizing everything upon unboxing makes the assembly process manageable. Available in various colors, I opted for the sleek silver finish, giving it an aesthetic akin to Apple’s lineup. Although the components are neatly laid out, I would have appreciated an organized hardware tray, especially considering the similarity of some screws. It’s wise to take a moment to sort and label them before beginning the assembly to avoid any mishaps during the build process.

Power Supply: Corsair SF750 80 Plus Platinum

We’re ready to populate the case with components, starting with the power supply. I’ve chosen the Corsair SF750 80 Plus Platinum, a personal favorite for ITX builds due to its silent operation, efficiency, and reputation in small form factor setups. With a power output of 750 watts, it meets the minimum requirements for a system with a 7800XT. During intense gaming sessions like Cyberpunk 2077 at ultra settings in 1440p, the entire system draws around 370 watts from the wall.

The SF750 comes with high-quality braided cables that are easier to manage in compact cases. However, I’ll be using custom cables designed for Corsair Type-4 power supplies, which I ordered for a previous build. These cables offer exceptional flexibility and ease of routing, crucial in tight spaces like this case. While the included cables should work adequately, investing in custom ones from companies like CableMod or ModDIY can improve cable management significantly and streamline the overall build process.

AIO: Cooler Master Liquid 240 Atmos

For this build, I’ve opted for an AIO cooling solution, specifically the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240 Atomos. This AIO is relatively new and highly impressive in terms of performance and design.

Upon unboxing, everything is neatly organized, making it easy to find the right socket and accessories for installation. One aspect I particularly appreciate is that the fans come pre-installed, a convenience that I wish more coolers offered. However, due to the specific requirements and limited space in this build, I’ll be replacing the pre-installed fans with ones that better suit this setup.

Slim Fan: Noctua a12x15

To complement the slim Noctua fan in one position, I’ve opted for an A12x25 Chromax Black fan in the other. Placing this fan directly over the power supply cables, I’ll also be adding a fan grill to ensure that none of the wires come into contact with the fan blades, enhancing both safety and airflow efficiency in the build.

Radiator Fan: 12×25 Chromax Black Fan

To complement our slim Noctua fan, I’m using an A12x25 Chromax Black fan in the other position. Since this fan sits directly over the power supply cables, I’m also adding a fan grill to prevent any wires from contacting the blades. This setup not only ensures efficient cooling but also protects the system’s components. 

Moreover, this configuration operates incredibly quietly. Under a full gaming load playing Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p for 2 hours, the noise level measures around 47dB. Meanwhile, the 7800X3D CPU maintains a very reasonable temperature of 72ºC. The redesigned dual-chamber pump in the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240 Atomos appears to be quite successful in maintaining optimal performance and noise levels.

GPU: Gigabyte 7800 XT Gaming OC

It’s time to install the GPU, and for this build, I’ve chosen the Gigabyte 7800 XT Gaming OC. This GPU offers excellent value at the $500 price point, competing closely with NVIDIA’s 4070 while being $100 cheaper and offering more VRAM. It’s a strong choice for high-range performance, especially if you don’t require NVIDIA features like DLSS. Although AMD’s FSR competes in upscaling technology, DLSS still holds an advantage in my opinion.

Paired with a high refresh rate 1440p monitor, such as the one from Gigabyte I’m using, the 7800 XT performs admirably. In Cyberpunk 2077 at ultra settings 1440p without upscaling or ray tracing, I’m achieving XXX fps. Even in demanding games like the initial section of Alan Wake 2 at high preset 1440p, I maintain a consistent 60 FPS.

This CPU-GPU combination also excels in content creation and streaming, for which I’ve been using the Loupe Deck Live over the past month. It’s a powerful and compact customizable console designed for multitasking, featuring adaptable touch buttons, analogue dials, and tactile buttons that can be personalized for various tasks. 

The Loupe Deck integrates seamlessly with Stream Labs, allowing for quick control of live streams with actions like scene switching, microphone mute, and volume adjustments in real-time. Customizing it is straightforward, and its compatibility with Stream Labs suggests more features are on the horizon.

In the FormD T1 case, GPU compatibility is robust, accommodating oversized GPUs up to 3.25 slots and 325mm in length, depending on CPU cooler height and spine configuration. Users opting for larger GPUs like the 4080 or 4090 Founders Edition may consider acquiring a custom flexible 12-volt high-power cable for optimal performance.

Step-by-Step Assembly Guide 

  1. Lower the CPU into the socket, ensuring the arrow on the top right aligns with the socket arrow. Once it’s in place, lower the latch to secure it.
  1. Align the pins on the RAM with that of the motherboard and press down until it clicks.
  1. Install Samsung 980 Pro drive.
  1. Prepare the FormD T1 Case

Assess the compatibility of your chosen GPU with the FormD T1 case, ensuring it fits within the specified dimensions and slot requirements.

  1. Secure this to each of the panels using the longer countersunk screws (CSM3-8). 
  1. Grab one of the side struts, orient it with the indent towards the back of the case, and secure it on the GPU side, which is the side closest to the top strut just installed, with 2 more long countersunk screws.
  1. Grab the shift IO bracket and position it on the back panel with these 2 small tabs facing toward and up against those 2 struts just installed, with the cutout toward the top of the case.
  1. Secure that through the back panel with a short-countersunk screw (CSM3-5) and to the top strut with a long-countersunk screw.
  1. Next, grab the riser bar. With the hooked side oriented up, attach one end to the IO bracket with a long-countersunk screw. For the other side, use the standoffs. Depending on the GPU slot position, the combination of standoffs needed will vary. In 3 slot mode, use just the 2 long standoffs, which can then be secured to the side strut using a short-countersunk screw.
  1. There are 2 different sizes of the smaller standoffs. A few of them are just slightly longer than the others and are supposed to be used for the motherboard, so try not to mix those up. This is another reason why supplying this hardware in an organized tray would be beneficial.
  1. Attach the PSU bracket to the top strut on the motherboard side, or the opposite side of those top strut mounting holes, and secure it using 3 flat head screws—2 through the top strut and 1 into the back panel.
  1. Grab these 4 motherboard standoffs and screw them into the 2 positions on the top strut and the 2 positions on the riser bar.
  1. Install the power button, which can be installed on either side of the case. Slide the plastic button top through the side hole, grab the actual button, align it with the 2 holes with the white button facing toward the plastic piece, and then secure it with 2 short countersunk screws.
  1. If using a 2.5-inch drive, it can be secured to the front panel using the holes toward the top of the case.
  1. With the power supply fan oriented toward the outside of the case, secure it to the PSU bracket with the 4 screws included with the power supply.
  1. Place the riser cable over the strut and grab the motherboard, align it with the 4 standoffs, and secure it into the case with 4 flat head screws. Push one end of the riser cable into the PCI express slot and then secure the other side to the riser bar with 2 flat head screws.
  1. Run the power supply cable from the top of the power supply unit, then across the bottom over the riser bar to the cutout at the bottom of the case and secure it with 2 long countersunk screws.
  1. Start plugging in the CPU and motherboard power connections, the PCI express power cables for the GPU, and the power switch to the front panel connectors.
  1. If planning to air cool and install a couple of standard fans at the top, use the long fan brackets. 
  1. Use a Noctua 12×15 Chromax black fan and the short AIO brackets for the case. Shorter 6-32 radiator screws are needed to attach it. These can be ordered separately, or an Arctic P12 Slim fan will include them.
  1. Insert the 12×25 Chromax black fan in the other position. This fan will be directly over the power supply cables, so add a fan grill to prevent any wires from hitting the blades.
  1. Position the water block into the case and then secure the second side strut with 2 more long countersunk screws. 
  1.  Plug the radiator fans into the motherboard and attach the AIO by sliding the brackets over the recesses on the side struts. Before securing it, make sure no cables are caught in the fans, then screw it into the strut.
  1. Grab the AMD standoffs from the Atmos box and screw those into the existing backplate around the CPU socket.
  1.  Attach and secure the 2 mounting brackets for the water block. Apply a bit of thermal paste to the CPU.
  1. Plug the AIO pump cable into the pump header on the motherboard, and lower the cooler onto the CPU. When securing a CPU cooler, tighten 1-2 rotations in an X pattern to apply even pressure.
  1. Plug the breakout box into the motherboard and SATA power, then run the second cable from the pump to the box. Tuck this away behind the front cover on the GPU side.
  1. Grab the GPU bar and attach it with 2 short flat-head screws. 
  1. Lower the card into the case, align it with the PCIe slot, and gently push the card into the slot until the PCIe slot locks.
  1. Use another short flat-head screw to secure the GPU bar to the case and connect the 2 8-pin PCIe power cables.
  1. Slide on the 2 side panels, and slide on the top panel.

 The build is complete!

FormD presents the FormD T1 as the ultimate backpack-able PC, although its size may not comfortably fit into a standard-sized backpack. For portability, users may find it more suitable for larger camera gear bags or similar options when traveling with this setup. Despite the challenge of a more involved case setup process compared to alternatives like the Fractal Terra, the FormD T1 stands out for its meticulously machined components and overall build quality. This attention to detail makes the extra effort worthwhile, resulting in a highly satisfying build experience.