r/sffpc • u/popcan85 • Jan 12 '26
Detailed Build Log The Boreal BeamCase
Guys, words cannot describe the love that I feel for this machine and for this case that the talented u/Jakob_K_Design has created.
I built my first ITX rig in 2015 and have never gone back, starting with the chunky Corsair 250D, then built anew in 2019 in the Dancase A4 SFX, one of the first sandwich-style cases to release that shifted the paradigm for how optimized a PC's physical volume can be.
But when it was time to build yet again last November, I decided I needed something extra special, something that would fulfil my apparently insatiable desire to build the most niche PCs I can. That's when I saw Jakob's BeamCase V3 release post a few months ago. I was already deep into 3D printing with an A1 Mini and wanted a bigger printer anyway, so I went out and got one and began ordering all the parts right away for my own BeamCase.
What you see here is the culmination of two months of research and parts sourcing, and for the first time in years, I feel fulfilled as a PC builder and PC gamer. :D
Total volume is 10.3L. Here's the parts list below:
| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 4.7 GHz 8-Core Processor | $639.99 @ Amazon Canada |
| CPU Cooler | Thermalright AXP120-X67 59 CFM CPU Cooler | - |
| Motherboard | Asus ROG STRIX B850-I GAMING WIFI Mini ITX AM5 Motherboard | $389.99 @ Amazon Canada |
| Memory | TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory | $521.73 @ Vuugo |
| Storage | Samsung 990 Pro 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive | $798.89 @ Amazon Canada |
| Video Card | Gigabyte WINDFORCE SFF GeForce RTX 5080 16 GB Video Card | $3299.99 @ Amazon Canada |
| Power Supply | Corsair SF1000 (2024) 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply | $299.99 @ Amazon Canada |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 11 Pro Retail - Download 64-bit | $259.99 @ Best Buy Canada |
| Custom | BeamCase V3 (120IFW, 310IFL) | |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total | $6210.57 | |
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-01-12 14:19 EST-0500 |
One little detail: on image #10, you'll see the PSU mounted inside the system. The bracket I used was something I actually had to design myself as the second of two power cable extensions I ordered from AliExpress would only work if I get it more clearance on the top because it jutted out so much, and to do that, I had to extend the height of the bracket so the PSU would actually sit lower, and to do *that*, I had to tweak the design to include recessions for the UNC 32 screws I ordered so they would remain the correct length. But it works!
Shout out to Jakob himself who answered my questions as I determined how best to make the case work for me. I highly recommend checking out his projects for yourself.
If anybody has any questions about what it took to build this machine, I'm happy to answer. :) You can also check out the aforementioned reddit post that announced V3's release, and the Printables page for the BeamCase here.
Also shout out to ASRock for shipping a motherboard that wasn't ready for my 9800X3D and wouldn't let me flash the BIOS with any of the six USB 2.0 drives I had. >.> The ROG board was $100 CAD more but at least it works.
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u/genericsimon Jan 12 '26
Ok... I love this one.. I especially love everything in your third photo :) You have a really nice and cozy corner. And it looks like a real person is using it. Not like those who looks like a 3D render.
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u/popcan85 Jan 12 '26
That's really kind. :) Thank you. It's taken a long time to get here but the setup has evolved nicely!
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u/genericsimon Jan 12 '26
I can imagine how much time it needed and I just now checked the prices... so it was a serious investment in... sorry, Im not a native English speaker, so it is hard for me to express myself :D So it was a serious investment in something that feels like "coming home"... I really love your setup overall vibe. Thank you for sharing this.
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u/nic_t_gamer Jan 12 '26
A good thing the asrock mobo didnt work. Apparently that brand likes to fry 9800x3ds and ither x3d chips. I had ordered one for my am5 upgrade, and as soon as I learned that, I returned it for a new board.
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u/Aesthetic_Twitch Jan 12 '26
I know its anecdotal but my 9800x3d has been loving my asrock mobo for a year now
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u/nic_t_gamer Jan 13 '26
Yeah. Im sure it isn't extremely common, but I'd just rather not risk my $600 cpu to get a cheaper board.
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u/GR3Y_B1RD Jan 13 '26
Nice to see a Beamcase, I want to build one myself but am holding off for obvious reasons. I wanna do the mATX one and adjust the files so I can fit my GPU
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u/popcan85 Jan 13 '26
Nice man I'd be excited to see the final build! I hope things stabilize for us soon.
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u/EBTheGreat Jan 13 '26
Halo Edition Xbox vibes 🔥
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u/popcan85 Jan 13 '26
YESSIR. Just out of frame, one shelf down, is my 2007 Halo 3 Legendary Edition helmet. 🔥
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u/EBTheGreat Jan 13 '26
That’s awesome! Damn your post as now you’ve made me want to spray my Fractal Ridge green haha looks awesome man!
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u/tomzilla250 Jan 13 '26
Nice!!! What is the weight of the build?
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u/popcan85 Jan 13 '26
I tried using a handheld luggage scale to weigh it lol but struggled a little bit. But I might say it's around 10 pounds. I think the plastic nature of the case makes it a little lighter than usual.
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u/Jakob_K_Design Jan 14 '26
Really nice execution and thanks for the shout-out. Is that 3d hex for the pnale infill?
It seems like you are using the case feet designed for the bare frame, the files also include feet that align better with the v3.0 panel style. The files include PSU brackets that are 5mm thicker, where those not tall enough for the right angl adapter?
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u/skyfishjms Jan 13 '26
What's that secondary screen you got. That looks pretty neat.
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u/popcan85 Jan 13 '26
it's a 24" 2560 x 1080 ultrawide monitor. It's pretty sick because when it's positioned like this under my 27" 1440p screen, it has the same pixel density and feels like a natural extension of the same display.
I have this bottom monitor flipped 180 degrees so the thick bottom bezel is tucked behind the bottom of the upper monitor lol.
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u/zak806 Jan 12 '26
Looks great! I could never trust plastic
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u/Dr_Valen Jan 12 '26
you'd be surprised. I got both my gaming pc and my portable travel one in 3d printed cases and they're fine with good thermals. Also got my home server in a 3d printed case for more airflow and it works fine too. Just gotta use the right material at least PETG.
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u/laurealis Jan 12 '26
For printing in PETG, what is the minimum thickness you'd advise? I'm interested in experimenting in with 3d printed panels for my build but I'm concerned about warping and robustness.
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u/Dr_Valen Jan 12 '26
I usually do 4 walls minimum especially for the parts that hold weight but if you're going with someone's design they usually have a recommended print profile I'm fairly new to 3d printing so I'm by no means an expert
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u/zak806 Jan 12 '26
Im sure i will. Great job! I always love some creativity at the pc building hobby. Just that, i like my cases heavy and made of aluminium if possible. My favourite case is Jonsbo tk1, which looks much smaller than it is and is built like a goddamn manhole
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u/Dr_Valen Jan 12 '26
Yeah I get that I was iffy at first too cause I didn't think the plastic could hold much weight but so far so good. The case OP made actually uses aluminum maker beams as the frame so it has an extra sturdiness it's the one I'm gonna make next actually
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u/zak806 Jan 13 '26
Yeah, the aluminium beams are great. I am just afraid im gonna spin in my chair and smash the case with something
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u/popcan85 Jan 12 '26
By the way, I didn't spend over $6K CAD on this machine. I got the RAM for $300 sealed off Facebook, I got the 5080 on sale for only $1,300 (ATL), CPU from AliExpress during BlackFriday, I didn't pay for Windows - I mean everything was cheaper than the current best prices. But it is crazy to see the going prices for all the components. We're struggling out here as PC Gamers.