Modcase 3D Review

Introduction

It is not very often that something revolutionary happens in the PC Case space. But with the rise of 3D printers, an army of new possibilities has been created. In this review, we will take a look at the Modacase 3D, a fully 3D-Printed and upgradable case!

Concept

For this review, we will focus more on the concept behind the Modcase 3D rather than a specific case itself. We wanted to do it this way due to the case being an ongoing development project. As of now, everybody is able to purchase the case and receive its blueprints in their current state. However,  these blueprints could be updated as soon as tomorrow, rendering a timestamped review completely useless.

Therefore, this review will be focused on the 3D's theoretical capabilities and currently available options while acknowledging that they may change tomorrow.

As of now, there are 3 Modes available for the case, an 8.4L, 14.5L, and 13.3L model. But this doesn't mean that you are limited to a single one. After purchasing the printing files, you will receive the files for all 3 versions as well as all the possible customization options offered for each individual case.

The sentence above already sums up the idea behind this project relatively well. You will receive everything. Once the purchase has been done, the customer will receive all the currently available files that contain all of the ever-released pieces for every version of the case. However, this does not involve a time constraint of any sort. From that point on forward, the customer will also receive any future updates that may be released at a later point. A perfect example of this would be the 13.3L version of the case released in March which now includes space for an up to 280mm radiator, a model that has not been mentioned anywhere beforehand.

This concept also means that the case that you may print on Day-0 can be upgraded down the line. Naturally, not all upgrades are feasible, if something needs to be mounted to something else, it is possible that at some later point, you may need to re-print the actual "base" of the case. On the other hand, there are also updates that have been made available where a simple print-n-switch was possible. Like the new side panel option that now comes with actual fan support, another out-of-the-blue update.

Printing

In order to be able to get a Modcase 3D case, it is obvious that access to a 3D printer is needed. Although there are print-on-demand services available worldwide, or "borrowing" a printer from another person is an option, we highly encourage you to own a 3D printer before starting this adventure. Not only does it take incredibly long to print the individual components, but if another update comes flying into your inbox, and you want to try it out immediately, owning one will make it immediately usable.

The printing process itself does not differ from any other 3D-Printed object. By using your slicer, you can import the files provided by Modcase and start printing. 
Additionally, as there are numerous mesh and other complicated pieces involved, make sure to read the Cases instruction manual carefully. There are quite a lot of highly specific settings and options that have to be set in order to correctly print every file.

If the instructions mentioned in the manual have been followed correctly, your 3D-Printer should be able to push out the first pieces in a couple of hours. 

Although "every" home 3D-Printer should be able to print Modcase's 3D, there are 2x restrictions. The minimal bed size that a 3D needs to have is 210x210mm and the printer needs to be able to print at 240°C. 

That being said, some of the pieces are bigger than said 210x210mm. In case your printer does not have a bed that big, Modcase offers additional "split" files that allow you to print bigger pieces in 2 rounds and clip the together.

8.4L Compact

The 8.4L model, sometimes mentioned as Compact, is the smallest available option as of now.  

By installing the feet in different locations, it can be used in a vertical or horizontal orientation. However, due to its small form factor, it also comes with the heaviest restrictions.

The biggest of which must be the CPU Cooler support which is limited to up to 54mm tall coolers.

Just like every other version, the PSU has to be either SFX- or SFX-L sized, and the Motherboard has to be a small miniITX one.

Another restriction that needs to be kept in mind is GPU. In this form factor, it's 2.7 Slots only- with a maximal length of 318mm and maximal height of 153mm.

Down below you will find the full spec sheet:

14.5L Large

The 14.5L model, sometimes mentioned as Large GPU, is the biggest once available and meant to house the most performance for Gaming oriented builds.

Just like the 8.4L, this can also be used in a vertical or horizontal orientation by moving around the feet.

Thanks to its bigger size, this is also the version that comes with the least amount of restrictions.

As for the CPU cooler, we can install up to 86mm high ones.

And the GPU got more room too. Allowing up to 3.7 Slots wide, up to 360mm long, and 163mm high cards, we can install some serious gaming hardware into this version.

The model we got for the imagery of this review is the 14.5L size housing a full Gainward Phantom RTX 4080!

Just like every other version, the PSU has to be either SFX- or SFX-L sized, and the Motherboard has to be a small miniITX one.

Down below you will find the full spec sheet:

13.3L Watercooling

An option that has been released quite recently would be the 13.3L H2O.

As the name already hints, the special feature of this form factor is its capability to house full-on radiators.

While the overall restrictions do not differ that much from the original 8.4L Compact model (54mm CPU Cooler, 330mm long GPUs 3.3 Slots), there is space for a full 240 or 280mm radiator above the case.

Additionally, there is an option available to make the newly added area even bigger, allowing for thicker radiators to be used, like for example an Arctic Liquid Freezer 240 or 280.

Just like every other version, the PSU has to be either SFX- or SFX-L sized, and the Motherboard has to be a small miniITX one.

Down below you will find the full spec sheet:

Available Upgrades

As mentioned before, there are numerous "updates" or customization options available for every one of the case sizes.

A perfect example would be that almost every part of the case exists in a regular- fully printed version, but also in a Mesh- version allowing for better overall airflow.

Down below, we listed all the currently available "updates" as well as the "extra" pieces that a user can use if he chooses to do so:

• Front with 92mm AIO support for 8.4L
• Side Panel with Fan Support
• Top with 12mm Button
• Top with 12mm Button + USB
• Top in another Material
• 13.3L Thicker Radiator
• Radiator Spacers
• Clips
• Riser Adapter
• Riser Nut
• Spacers
• Thumbscrews
• Washers
• Mechanical Switch
• 2.5" Holder
• 120mm to 92mm adapter
• Feet

Conclusion

We are huge fans of Modcase's 3D case as a concept. As of now, there are already numerous case sizes and customization options available, which in our opinion perfectly qualities the 3D as a matured and stand-alone product.

But the most interesting aspect for us is still the future- the upgradability that comes along with a single purchase.

Just in the timespan that we have been working on this review, the 13.3L Watercooling version of the case has been released as part of such an update. This perfectly showcased to us the dedication that Modcase puts into this project and their motivation to keep it alive, updated, and improve it over time.

Additionally, we found some of the options to be incredibly imaginative. A perfect example would be the 4-Point PCIe Riser cable holder. With its 3D-Printed thumbscrews, we were able to release it and move it significantly to the left and right. This makes sure that even if a 3D print has not been perfect, or if the margin of error has become too big, it is still perfectly usable and can be adjusted to perfectly fit underneath the GPU.

Another example would be the new Fan Bracket upgrade to fit full- 120mm case fans onto the side panels. Not only did this little update completely change the case's potential performance, but Modcase was able to do this while making sure that everything is mountable from the inside, making the screws invisible from the outside.

Overall, we love the project and believe it should be continuously updated to keep up with the most up-to-date hardware. However, we do not believe this is something for everybody. Obviously, you need to have some natural interest in the art of 3D-Printing, but we do not believe that this is enough. As there are a lot of minuscule, complicated, and complex pieces that need to be printed, we believe that prior to starting to work with the 3D Case, a customer should have gained a lot of experience with other pieces. Or in other words- this is a case solely for the Pros!

But if you are a Pro, we can absolutely recommend taking a closer look at it. Given the numerous options, the case can be customized for impressive performance while housing the latest hardware.