# Framework desktop compatible cases? **URL:** \ **Category:** Framework Desktop\ **Tags:** compatibility\ **Created:** [July 6, 2025, 6:16am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645 "2025-07-06T06:16:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jiromejin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/jiromejin/32/38223_2.png) [@jiromejin](https://community.frame.work/u/jiromejin)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 6:16am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/1 "2025-07-06T06:16:13Z")
Hello! I’m looking to try to find some cases for my framework desktop MB (which will ship soon this quarter) I am mainly looking for the cooler dimensions/height (with the 120mm fan) so I have somewhere to start looking. A case that peaks my interest is the Sparrow-MQ4, which says to have 70mm cooler height. If this case is not compatible, I would love a case like it, thick CNCed aluminum is what I’m after. Another reference to thick cases is Xikii, which also peak my interest, but they don’t have APU cases. Under 5L is my goal, but if its 5.5L, that’s fine. Thank you edit: would like to know the cooler height with and without the fan ---
**Author:** ![Jiral](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e56c9b/32.png) [@Jiral](https://community.frame.work/u/Jiral)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 7:37am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/2 "2025-07-06T07:37:57Z")
Have a look at the store at the Desktop page Framework lists the following heat sink specs: > 123.75 x 123.15 x 54.58mm It is not made clear what that includes but from the images I would assume that it is only the bare heat sink without fan and without mounting bracket. But something doesn’t add up here. The Framework case is only 96 mm thick, while the MQ4 is 100 mm. Why does the latter support only 70 mm cooler height? Is it because of the optional SATA drive mount? ---
**Author:** ![jiromejin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/jiromejin/32/38223_2.png) [@jiromejin](https://community.frame.work/u/jiromejin)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 8:40am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/3 "2025-07-06T08:40:10Z")
Thank you for listing that, it helps a lot With it being 55mm, I can at minimum have a 15mm thick fan on it. But hopefully the 70mm limit is wrong and I can still put a full 25mm fan on it. Hopefully its just that optional drive mount that takes away some of the height I’ll hopefully remember to give updates here, thank you again! ---
**Author:** ![Jiral](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e56c9b/32.png) [@Jiral](https://community.frame.work/u/Jiral)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 10:43am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/4 "2025-07-06T10:43:46Z")
Just be aware that you might also need to mod the mounting as the official mounting bracket needs a bit of space above the fan. I am sure however that one could get the fan mounted in an alternative way if space is tight. ---
**Author:** ![Djip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Djip](https://community.frame.work/u/Djip)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 2:15pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/5 "2025-07-06T14:15:46Z")
> [@Jiral](#): > > But something doesn’t add up here. The Framework case is only 96 mm thick, while the MQ4 is 100 mm. Why does the latter support only 70 mm cooler height? Is it because of the optional SATA drive mount? hard to say. The 70mm is for me for a normal MB with a Bracketed CPU with shim… that is ~8,5mm (?) height. so it is 78,8 mm height from the MB. In case of Framework the height are all from the MB. In the spec say: 75.88 FAN HEIGHT and a max of 83.2 mm with the FAN DUCT… On some picture the MB is mount on U2 rack that is only 88,9 mm height … So… it may need to remove the fan duct to fit… Note: I did not see this case before, but look nice! ---
**Author:** ![FW4TeePee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@FW4TeePee](https://community.frame.work/u/FW4TeePee)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 9:16am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/6 "2025-10-16T09:16:58Z")
> [@jiromejin](#): > > I am mainly looking for the cooler dimensions It’s [here](https://knowledgebase.frame.work/parts-compatibility-for-building-a-pc-with-a-framework-desktop-mainboar) ---
**Author:** ![FW4TeePee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@FW4TeePee](https://community.frame.work/u/FW4TeePee)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/7 "2025-10-16T23:41:59Z")
Also, PC Part Picker has a [spreadsheet](https://au.pcpartpicker.com/forums/topic/423766-which-sff-mini-itx-case-has-flex-psu-support-and-no-gpu) that is very useful ---
**Author:** ![FW4TeePee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@FW4TeePee](https://community.frame.work/u/FW4TeePee)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/8 "2025-10-18T23:52:19Z")
> [@FW4TeePee](#): > > It’s [here](https://knowledgebase.frame.work/parts-compatibility-for-building-a-pc-with-a-framework-desktop-mainboar) Actually, there seems to be a mismatch with measurements. According to the schematic [here](https://github.com/FrameworkComputer/Framework-Desktop/blob/main/Mainboard/FRAMEWORK_DESKTOP_MAIN_PCB_V0.pdf) the requirements may be ~82mm but even this diagram does not quite make sense. ---
**Author:** ![Lincoln\_Chen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Lincoln\_Chen](https://community.frame.work/u/Lincoln_Chen)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 4:25am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/9 "2025-10-19T04:25:43Z")
I’ve got a Lian Li Q58 and the heatsink with a Silent Wings Pro 4 _just_ fits without the FW fan cover on. ---
**Author:** ![FW4TeePee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@FW4TeePee](https://community.frame.work/u/FW4TeePee)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 4:55am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/10 "2025-10-19T04:55:15Z")
I came across this [very interesting thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/framework/comments/1ndf6el/framework_desktop_mainboard_cpucooler_clearance/) on Reddit. The nett of it is that a stated mfg clearence of 69mm to 71mm should do the trick > [@Lincoln\_Chen](#): > > I’ve got a Lian Li Q58 and the heatsink with a Silent Wings Pro 4 _just_ fits without the FW fan cover on Using the example that @Lincoln_Chen provided the stated cooler clearence for the Q58 is 67mm This is a really significant insight relative to the [FW recommended 92mm](https://knowledgebase.frame.work/parts-compatibility-for-building-a-pc-with-a-framework-desktop-mainboard-amd-ryzen-ai-max-300-series-Hk1CHsgrll) ---
**Author:** ![FW4TeePee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@FW4TeePee](https://community.frame.work/u/FW4TeePee)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 4:55am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/11 "2025-10-19T04:55:45Z")
> [@Lincoln\_Chen](#): > > I’ve got a Lian Li Q58 Nice! You have to provide a photo tho 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lincoln\_Chen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Lincoln\_Chen](https://community.frame.work/u/Lincoln_Chen)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 10:26am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/12 "2025-10-19T10:26:07Z")
![IMG_20251019_201549](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/3X/2/e/2e2b0ea23f533532cbd14987a1a9e28f65ffc3c6.jpeg) ![IMG_20251019_201517](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/3X/6/6/6650ec01d959b8fb2055a26fb94e164ceaa424dc.jpeg) ![IMG_20251019_201451](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/3X/7/2/7233d50289d6fe6f0571c8bcacea855695870332.jpeg) ![IMG_20251019_201439](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/3X/e/a/eada746c4509ce15e85b2623c3b08b7c34550bc3.jpeg) Have at it! ---
**Author:** ![DE\_SOUSA\_Daniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/53a042/32.png) [@DE\_SOUSA\_Daniel](https://community.frame.work/u/DE_SOUSA_Daniel)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/13 "2025-10-19T15:29:18Z")
Very nice installation! ---
**Author:** ![DE\_SOUSA\_Daniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/53a042/32.png) [@DE\_SOUSA\_Daniel](https://community.frame.work/u/DE_SOUSA_Daniel)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/14 "2025-10-19T15:29:58Z")
Has anyone installed the Framework motherboard in the Cooj Sparrow-MQ4 case? If so, did you use the FLEX 350W or 600W power supply that can be buy with this case? So, what about the noise from the power supply and the case in general? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![FW4TeePee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@FW4TeePee](https://community.frame.work/u/FW4TeePee)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/15 "2025-10-19T20:00:59Z")
That’s a phenomenal build! Thanks for the photos @Lincoln_Chen ---
**Author:** ![Lincoln\_Chen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Lincoln\_Chen](https://community.frame.work/u/Lincoln_Chen)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/16 "2025-10-19T20:32:41Z")
Thank you. I’m quite pleased with it, even though it’s held together by hopes and prayers. ---
**Author:** ![Peter.Smink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Peter.Smink](https://community.frame.work/u/Peter.Smink)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/17 "2025-10-20T22:08:50Z")
Nice. I also canceled my desktop order and switched to the mainboard only: so now I’m back in control to have a silent PSU (and one with bigger fans). This even makes it easier to add an extra graphics card in future when the hardware gets outdated after a few years. ---
**Author:** ![FW4TeePee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@FW4TeePee](https://community.frame.work/u/FW4TeePee)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2025, 9:21am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/18 "2025-10-22T09:21:34Z")
Just for reference, there are two builds on Reddit with small cases One [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/framework/comments/1ndylin/tiny_38_l_case_build_for_framework_desktop_128gb/) Another [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/framework/comments/1o7c1dm/my_custom_4l_framework_desktop/) ---
**Author:** ![FW4TeePee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@FW4TeePee](https://community.frame.work/u/FW4TeePee)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2025, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/19 "2025-10-22T23:49:27Z")
And [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/framework/comments/1o0l7yz/framework_desktop_mainboard/) is another, in a LZmod 4L mini A24-V3 ---
**Author:** ![FW4TeePee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@FW4TeePee](https://community.frame.work/u/FW4TeePee)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 12:08am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645/20 "2025-10-23T00:08:19Z")
An alternative approach to getting a case for the Framework motherboard is to make/print one. I haven’t seen anyone do this specifically for the Desktop yet but there is [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/sffpc/comments/1oas008/beamcase_sandwich_v30_udate/) for maker inspiration. It uses [MakerBeam](https://www.makerbeam.com/) aluminium as the skeleton but there are loads of alternative sources for these [Next page](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-desktop-compatible-cases/71645.md?page=2)