Review Cases
4 ATX Cases test

An element of a computer that is often neglected, the case is nevertheless indispensable for hosting your components. But with such a large range of cases on the market, it is difficult to sort out what is best for you. At the beginning of 2007, we have chosen to look at a range of cases that are top, middle and low range.

Tags : ATX Cases test, test hardware, gigabyte case

4 ATX Cases test

January 18th, 2007 - 06:00 pm ET by Manuel D. C.
  1. 1 - Thermaltake Mozart TX
  2. 2 - Presentation
  3. 3 - Mozart TX: inside
  4. 4 - The cooling arsenal
  5. 5 - Gigabyte Poséidon: outside part 1
  6. 6 - Gigabyte Poséidon: outside part 2
  7. 7 - Gigabyte Poséidon: inside
  8. 8 - Gigabyte GZ-X1
  9. 9 - Gigabyte GZ-X1: inside
  10. 10 - Enermax Pandora 185
  11. 11 - Enermax Pandora 185: inside
  12. 12 - Conclusion
Manufactured entirely of aluminium, the case weights “only” 9kg despite it being 63cm high and 33cm wide and deep. It has an alluring look with its shiny aluminium façade and rigid metallic grill which is designed in a honeycomb look. This look is currently in fashion in England with those that like tuning their cases.

 

TX présentation 5TX arrière


Less common, the two sides of the case are actually two doors that use a locket opening/closing system which can be locked with a key. The two doors contain two Plexiglas windows riveted to the metal and only the door situated at the back of the case has a place reserved for a 120mm ventilation fan.

We find it a little disappointing that Thermaltake has not thought of an easy installation method for the door so as to make assembling the PC inside the Mozart TX simpler, with the doors only being demountable with the use of a screwdriver. Fortunately installing a PC is nothing something you have to do everyday.


Portes latérales       TX présentation 4

 

With a great finish, the façade provides a lot of options with 4 USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire port, audio input/output jacks as well as an e-SATA plug and its power supply. As well as this, these ports are situated at the top of the case which makes access to them much easier.

Just below these you will find a windowed bay that allows the installation of an optional VFD screen. Such a device is offered in the Media Lab pack which contains a VFD screen, a remote control and the corresponding drivers. This is ideal if you wish to use your PC as a dedicated home cinema.

 

TX présentation 2

The other integration possibilities are numerous with 5 bays capable of taking 5”25 devices, a 3”5 bay (this allows you to install a floppy drive or memory card reader), as well as a special bay that is 7 inches.

This is so that you can install a retractable LCD 7 inch screen which is practical as a Home Cinema navigation system or so t hat you can view files like the geeks t hat we are (well, I am anyway).

 


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