This is my review of the 9 layer version of this case.
Firstly, ignore the assembly picture here – they have now, very sensibly, reversed the assembly order.
So layer one is the bottom and 9 is the top.
As stated, you have to remove your official RPi cooler if attached. This is very easily achieved by squeezing the nylon support clips on the underside of the Pi board with a pair of small pliers etc.
The squidgy heat pads will either come away with the cooler or stay on the chips, which is not a problem.
So you start with the bottom layer of the case (layer 1) and build up – making sure, of course, to remove the protective film from each side of the layers. A tiny touch with a knife blade helps to get a first hold on the film.
When you have placed layer 3, you put your RPi 5 in place. Then place layer 4.
Then you remount your official RP cooler through the holes in layer 4 and into the RP board as normal.
Unlike other reviewers’ experiences, layer 4 which is placed between the cooler and the Pi did not hinder the cooler’s spring mounts, nor does it affect the contact of the cooler with the chips.
Once the cooler is re-attached, there is a little free play. In other words layer 4 is not trapped tight between the cooler and the Pi 5 – therefore not affecting the contact between the Pi and the cooler.
A nice touch is the, now provided, acrylic power button which locates very nicely in layer 4. So no need to poke the Pi’s on/off button with a pointy thing!
You then continue building up in order, placing your side entry GPIO ribbon cable (if installing) after layer 7.
If installing a third-party fan, rather than the official cooler, this goes on the top layer (9).
I found it easier and more practical to turn the 4 bolts upside down – so have the nuts on the top.
This makes the case much easier to build upwards and is more practical for me when removing layers to remove/replace my GPIO ribbon cable & place camera/display cables and a PCIE cable.
It also means I can put some small stick-on rubber feet on the base. Having the bolts on the base would mean having to use much thicker stick-on feet.
The quality of the acrylic and cut-outs is just excellent. Everything lines up perfectly.
The case looks great too! At just under 8 it is remarkable value!
Thoroughly recommended.
Hope I’ve been helpful 🙂
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent value - Zero Issues with RP5 and Official Coole
Lovely case! Keeps the raspberry pi nice and cool with a sleek design. Feedback would be the button they include, it doesn’t feel great pressing it as plasticky and wobbly I would prefer a more solid button for the power switch. Overall good experience.
Facile monter, le plus long aura t de retirer la protection de toutes les plaques. Le rsultat final est plutt joli, et a tient bien. J’aurais ajout des petits pads caoutchouc ou plastique pour protger contre les rayures des 4 vis qui sont bien apparentes. A part a c’est parfai
I had my official fan/sink already attached to the board. Be aware you can’t put the pi in this case with the fan already in place, you assemble half the case, seat the board, add another layer, then the fan, then finish off.
There are great instructions linked with the packaging – suggest you use them!
Basic no-frills case. Good for the price paid (5.59). I guess we will need to wait a long time for some better cases to become available (i.e. passive cooling cases) at a reasonable price, so I thought I would get this one for now as a temporary measure. Luckily the official active cooler has very low noise most of the time.
Pros:
1. Precisely cut to fit the board very well.
2. Compatible with the official active cooler fan.
3. Cut outs for the gpio, battery connector, uart connector, DSI/CSI connectors, etc.
4. Transparent layers so you can see the board inside. The top and bottom layers have protective film (on both sides) that you need to remove before assembling the case.
5. Long nuts for fitting to the bolts, so you can easily fit/remove them with your fingers and not need any tool. The nuts have a ridged surface to make them easier to grip.
Cons:
1. Unless you have a remarkably slender and nimble baby finger, then you will need a tool to reach into the recess to press the on/off button. One of their photos says: “Prepare the tool yourself” 🙂
2. If you had already fitted the active cooler (like I had), then you will need to remove it before you can assemble the case around it.
3. When the battery for the RTC eventually becomes available, there is no natural place to attach it, so it will just be dangling from the device.
This is my review of the 9 layer version of this case.
Firstly, ignore the assembly picture here – they have now, very sensibly, reversed the assembly order.
So layer one is the bottom and 9 is the top.
As stated, you have to remove your official RPi cooler if attached. This is very easily achieved by squeezing the nylon support clips on the underside of the Pi board with a pair of small pliers etc.
The squidgy heat pads will either come away with the cooler or stay on the chips, which is not a problem.
So you start with the bottom layer of the case (layer 1) and build up – making sure, of course, to remove the protective film from each side of the layers. A tiny touch with a knife blade helps to get a first hold on the film.
When you have placed layer 3, you put your RPi 5 in place. Then place layer 4.
Then you remount your official RP cooler through the holes in layer 4 and into the RP board as normal.
Unlike other reviewers’ experiences, layer 4 which is placed between the cooler and the Pi did not hinder the cooler’s spring mounts, nor does it affect the contact of the cooler with the chips.
Once the cooler is re-attached, there is a little free play. In other words layer 4 is not trapped tight between the cooler and the Pi 5 – therefore not affecting the contact between the Pi and the cooler.
A nice touch is the, now provided, acrylic power button which locates very nicely in layer 4. So no need to poke the Pi’s on/off button with a pointy thing!
You then continue building up in order, placing your side entry GPIO ribbon cable (if installing) after layer 7.
If installing a third-party fan, rather than the official cooler, this goes on the top layer (9).
I found it easier and more practical to turn the 4 bolts upside down – so have the nuts on the top.
This makes the case much easier to build upwards and is more practical for me when removing layers to remove/replace my GPIO ribbon cable & place camera/display cables and a PCIE cable.
It also means I can put some small stick-on rubber feet on the base. Having the bolts on the base would mean having to use much thicker stick-on feet.
The quality of the acrylic and cut-outs is just excellent. Everything lines up perfectly.
The case looks great too! At just under 8 it is remarkable value!
Thoroughly recommended.
Hope I’ve been helpful 🙂
Lovely case! Keeps the raspberry pi nice and cool with a sleek design. Feedback would be the button they include, it doesn’t feel great pressing it as plasticky and wobbly I would prefer a more solid button for the power switch. Overall good experience.
Facile monter, le plus long aura t de retirer la protection de toutes les plaques. Le rsultat final est plutt joli, et a tient bien. J’aurais ajout des petits pads caoutchouc ou plastique pour protger contre les rayures des 4 vis qui sont bien apparentes. A part a c’est parfai
It’s a lovely looking and solid case.
I had my official fan/sink already attached to the board. Be aware you can’t put the pi in this case with the fan already in place, you assemble half the case, seat the board, add another layer, then the fan, then finish off.
There are great instructions linked with the packaging – suggest you use them!
Pros:
1. Precisely cut to fit the board very well.
2. Compatible with the official active cooler fan.
3. Cut outs for the gpio, battery connector, uart connector, DSI/CSI connectors, etc.
4. Transparent layers so you can see the board inside. The top and bottom layers have protective film (on both sides) that you need to remove before assembling the case.
5. Long nuts for fitting to the bolts, so you can easily fit/remove them with your fingers and not need any tool. The nuts have a ridged surface to make them easier to grip.
Cons:
1. Unless you have a remarkably slender and nimble baby finger, then you will need a tool to reach into the recess to press the on/off button. One of their photos says: “Prepare the tool yourself” 🙂
2. If you had already fitted the active cooler (like I had), then you will need to remove it before you can assemble the case around it.
3. When the battery for the RTC eventually becomes available, there is no natural place to attach it, so it will just be dangling from the device.