FormD was a two-man operation that began in late 2018 as a project to design the ultimate small form factor PC case. The original prototype was called SidearmD SA4, which later became the FormD T1 and sold via Formdworks.com
FromD T1 (the T comes from the front panel design, but is also a reference to Terminator-1000 or T-1000). The T1 was originally designed with the intention for the radiator to be located at the bottom of the case. This design idea was related to custom liquid cooling, if a leak occurred, it wouldn’t spill onto other components according to 3FC. This is not typically how the case is used today, being the inferior orientation.
FormD T1 has gone through 4 iterations. v1.0 (most of these units were sold in China, around 300 units, with only a few making it overseas). v1.1 was more the official release in 2020. v1.5 was skipped/complied into v2 in 2022. Version 2.0 also dropped the 2 piece front panel design and opted for single piece design. V2.1 was a smaller stealth update applied sometime in late 2022 or early 2023.
In late 2023, we learned of a controversial dispute between the two FormD cofounders: Kevin “3FC” & Dan “W360”. This dispute revolved around financials and the direction of the business, among other matters. This may explains the limited case availability throughout 2023.
3FC brought the situation to the publics attention when he split from W360 to run his own operation independently under Fmdworks.com. Fmdworks has since been rebranded formdt1.com. 3FC retained control of the existing manufacturing supply chain with T1 v2.1, after the separation and handled the the majority of the CAD/design work to best of our knowledge.
W360 handled the PR and marketing side of the business. W360 credited 3FC with final case design, CAD work, and himself with PR, marketing “the idea man, if you will” You can of course, make up your own conclusion here.
It is also likey that design elements, manufacturing and matters of business would have been decided upon by both parties.
In early 2024, W360 launched the T1 v2.5 under NCASE portfolio and a new manufacturing process. The T1 v2.5 is absent of any FormD branding and is not backwards compatible with any previous versions. The original formdworks.com website remains under the care of W360, however it now redirects to ncased.com
W360 made an attempts to undermine 3FC prior to T1 2.5 launch, by making personal request to small content creator to remove links/references to formdt1.com from their website and YouTube content.
It is ironic that W360 was leaning on shuttering the FormD project, then releases a competing product. Coincidence… It’s difficult to say, giving the manufacturing changes by NCASE. It begs the question of whether the T1 2.5 was in retaliation to 3FC or always the intention. While we have a unique prospective to the ongoings within FormD, we cannot formulate a definitive conclusion. Currently, the T1 is being sold independently by both original rights holders. We’ll update this page, if additional relevant information becomes available.