Small PCs should be cooled passively. An overview of Akasa cases

Details of models for AMD platforms...

Minicomputers with UCFF motherboards are usually quite noisy and not suitable for places with higher pollution levels. However, there is a large selection of fanless solutions in the Akasa range, including waterproof designs or server rack-formatted cases. For a convenient overview across the current models, we have a comprehensive overview of alternative Akasa cases for both AMD and Intel platforms.

Disclaimer: This article was commissioned by Akasa and is paid for. However, the company did not interfere in any way with its content and the only requirement was to present the current portfolio of passive cases for AMD Ryzen and Intel Core mobile platforms.

Different Akasa cases for different purposes

If anyone is really serious about passive cases, it’s Akasa. In fact, they have been involved with them for a long time across multiple formats and especially in larger numbers of different models, ensuring highly varied compatibility. Lots of cases means a lot of time you have to invest in getting your bearings. But we’re going to speed things up for you. We’ll do that with one big chart of basic parameters and a brief description of which type of application each case is suitable for.

The cases from this article are compatible with AMD Ryzen 5000 and 4000 processors with a “U” at the end of the designation (i.e. processors with a cTDP of 10–25 W) and Intel NUC 11 (Tiger Canyon) and 10 (Frost Canyon) builds with Tiger Lake (NUC 11) and Comet Lake (NUC 10) generation processors.

In the case of the AMD platform, the Akasa cases are alternative solutions to the Asus PN-51-S1, PN51-E1, PN50-E1 and Gigabyte Brix cases. The Intel variants are for NUCs, where it may not always be a replacement for the original case, but you can buy just the motherboard with the processor that you install in the Akasa case. Then there is no “waste” (original case with no further use).

One thing all Akasa cases have in common, they use their aluminium shell for cooling. The heat from the processors (and in some cases from behind the motherboard) is absorbed by the aluminium blocks, which then send it to the finning, and that is in contact with the air of the outside environment. Most Akasa cases have free positions for SMA connectors for WiFi and for the COM serial port, over and above the external features of motherboards. The COM serial port is still used in industrial environments and in shops they connect cash registers through it.

The comparison chart below gives an overview of all parameters. For some this may be enough for orientation, for others it may not be and therefore the article continues with further chapters. In these, we will briefly describe their strengths, which then shows who they could be interesting for. You can order the cases from, for example, Amazon UK (1, 2, 3, 4) or Amazon Germany (1, 2, 3, 4).

* With the cables included in the package. The connectors on the motherboard are covered for dust and splash resistance.

Minicomputers with UCFF motherboards are usually quite noisy and not suitable for places with higher pollution levels. However, there is a large selection of fanless solutions in the Akasa range, including waterproof designs or server rack-formatted cases. For a convenient overview across the current models, we have a comprehensive overview of alternative Akasa cases for both AMD and Intel platforms.

Details of models for AMD platforms…

Newton A50

Najlacnejšia skrinka pre platformu AMD a pritom sú podporované aj dosky s najvýkonnejším procesorom Ryzen 7 5700U. Skrinka podporuje dosky z Asus PN-51-S1, PN51-E1, PN50-E1 a umožňuje pripojiť až štyri displeje s rozlíšením 4K pri 60 Hz. Môže sa tak jednať o nízkorozpočtovú možnosť do kioskov, ale uplatneno Newton A50 nájde doma pre multimediálne centrum.

Turing A50 MKII

The Turing tower will be a better match (than the Newton A50) for a home theater. In contrast, it is designed for both vertical and horizontal positions. And not just for the feet, but especially for the orientation of the ribs, which should not be significantly less effective in either position. Cooling will be very decent overall, with enough margin for higher ambient temperatures. With a weight of three kilograms, this is the heaviest case of this review, which also has the largest radiating area of the heatsinks.

Turing ABX

Slightly lower or slimmer (depending on orientation) compared to the A50 MKII is the Turing ABX cabinet. But the key difference is that it no longer supports Asus boards, but Gigabyte ones – from Brixes with Ryzen 4000 (GB-BRR3H-4300, GB-BRR5H-4500, GB-BRR7H-4700 and GB-BRR7H-4800). Dual orientation is a feature here too, but unlike most other cases (like the Turing A50 MKII) it doesn’t support VESA mounting to the monitor back or room wall.

Minicomputers with UCFF motherboards are usually quite noisy and not suitable for places with higher pollution levels. However, there is a large selection of fanless solutions in the Akasa range, including waterproof designs or server rack-formatted cases. For a convenient overview across the current models, we have a comprehensive overview of alternative Akasa cases for both AMD and Intel platforms.

… and Intel NUC (11 and 10) for multimedia, office…

Newton CTN

The cheapest case not only for Intel NUC 11, but also overall. At the same time, it has the smallest volume, the lowest weight, which is also related to the lower TDP and official support for boards with Tiger Lake processors only in the Core i3 class. This case is attractive for both cheaper office builds or HTPCs.

Newton TN

Larger dimensions (especially in depth), wider support. Although the Newton TN is twice the price, it also supports Core i7 Tiger Lake motherboards.

Turing TN

Just like for the AMD platform, there are long or wide cases for Intel processor builds as well. Again, there are two models, but this time the dimensions do not differ anymore. The difference is that the TN model (A-NUC68-M1B) supports the newer NUC generation – 11 (Tiger Canyon).

Turing FX

The same option (albeit with slightly different port equipment based on the motherboard designs) is also available for NUCs 10 – Frost Canyon with Comet Lake processors. Cooling capacity is high here, even for Core i7s, and hopefully with a high enough margin for warmer days. We know from our own tests that Akasa prefers to quote a lower TDP, rather than setting it to the limit (according to some “optimal” conditions) and then dealing with the hassle of overheating and instability of the systems.

Minicomputers with UCFF motherboards are usually quite noisy and not suitable for places with higher pollution levels. However, there is a large selection of fanless solutions in the Akasa range, including waterproof designs or server rack-formatted cases. For a convenient overview across the current models, we have a comprehensive overview of alternative Akasa cases for both AMD and Intel platforms.

… for a server rack and harsh environments

Plato TN

Now this is a case from a different dough. It has the lowest profile, which is important here to make the Plato TN fit the 1U format in height. To mount it in a server rack, you need to buy an additional rail for 28.50 euros, labeled A-NUC39-FP03. The advantage of a passively cooled PC in a server environment is clear – any worries about dust cleaning are eliminated.

Pascal CTN

The cheaper of the two cases with IP65. The Pascal series is not only dust-proof certified, but is also supposed to be splash-proof. However, the cooling performance is only on par with the needs of the Core i3 1115G4.

Pascal TN

For more powerful processors, a variant with a larger finned area – Pascal TN – is again available. Both of these cases are also unconventional in the way of connecting connectors for external devices. This is done via two-meter cables that are screwed onto the thread on which you can see the caps in the illustration photos. Naturally, this is for sealing reasons – normal connectors are leaky.

English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš

• Contents
• Different Akasa cases for different purposes
• Details of models for AMD platforms...
• ... and Intel NUC (11 and 10) for multimedia, office...
• ... for a server rack and harsh environments