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Aerocool ExtremEngine 3T Aluminum Computer Case

Thursday, March 2nd, 2006 | Computer Case Reviews, News | View Comments

The Aerocool ExtremEngine 3T case is built around the bigger is better mentality clear from this cases design. The case is big and designed with lots of circulation for cooling in mind.

The most unique thing about them is their airplane turbine shaped fans, with one huge 25cm one directed over the CPU in the side panel. This design allows a huge amount of air to pass through the system, but is reported to create very little noise at the slowest settings. Their are 3 knobs to control the speed of the 2 fans that are supplied, leaving an extra one for an extra fan if you choose to install one.

The looks are nothing to write home about, but are decent enough. Considering the great cooling that comes from so much air passing through the system, I would overlook the looks for the functionality of the system.

Accessibility through the opening front doors is easy and their are no extra covers for the USB ports at front. Certainly worth having a look at.

LINK

Cooler Master Centurion BTX-B541 Case

Tuesday, February 28th, 2006 | Computer Case Reviews, News | View Comments

3dgameman reports on the Cooler Master Centurion BTX-B541 computer case.

Featuring a mostly steel construction with a little aluminum it weighs in at 7 kilograms, features 2 large and 2 small bays at the front.

It comes in cool black coloring with a little silver trim at the two sides of the front panel. Removable front panels to access air filters are a neat extra and the power and reset buttons are styled nicely.

There is a full compliment of ports at the front, which are not hindered by a panel.

Installation of parts is made easier by tool free bays covers at the back. There is adequate room inside for those things you need to install, it also takes an ATX power supply if needed, making it that little bit more useable.

LINK

Thermaltake Armor Case VA8000

Sunday, January 29th, 2006 | Computer Case Reviews, Reviews | View Comments

Thermaltake Armor case VA8000 with its strong and protective shield is one of the sturdier cases around. The model is basically a fully compatible Water Cooling System. There are plenty of spaces for fans so the Thermaltake Armor VA8000 provides great cooling for computer systems.

Since the Thermaltake Armor PC Case VA8000 is equipped with a number of fan slots, it provides great cooling. There are two 120 mm fans on the front and rear of the chassis and an additional 90 mm fan on the top of the chassis, allowing good airflow through the whole case. The fans inside the Thermaltake Armor Case, being 120mm in diameter allow a greater flow of air through the case (almost double that of an 80mm fan) meaning more cooling without extra noise.

The Thermaltake VA8000 even contains retaining holes that hold all types of water-cooling kits. As Thermaltake are also in the market for water-cooling systems, they are suited to make installing their name brand water-cooling sytems as easy as possible. Although water-cooling systems haven’t really caught on with the non-techy crowd, the options available for an easy add-on system make it that much more accessible.

Here is the list of the major features of the Thermaltake Armor Case VA8000:

• 10 External 5.25” Drive Bays
• 6 Internal 3.5” Drive Bays
• 7 Expansion Slots
• 2 Front USB Ports
• 1 Front FireWire Ports
• 2 Front Audio Ports
• 2 90mm Fans
• 2 120mm Fans
• Power Button Reset
• Back Panels

Thermaltake Armor case VA8000 is black, breaking from the mould of traditional grey PC cases, but nothing spectacularly bold. One of the more notable features is the ability to relocate the power and reset switch into any of the drive bays. A nice option, although the usual placement is good enough for me, but why complain, I’d rather have more options than less, as long as they don’t become cumbersome.

Pros

• Optimized airflow
• Excellent thermal management
• Maximum flexibility
• Cheapest price
• Maximum expandability and accessibility
• Minimized noise level
• Optimized internal space

Cons

• Limited warranty

The Thermaltake Armor Case VA8000 is a great choice for those who want to implement a hassle-free water cooling system, or just a case with a lot of space inside. And with decent looks to boot.

Thermaltake Tai Chi Aluminum Full Tower Case

Friday, December 16th, 2005 | Computer Case Reviews, Reviews | View Comments

Most of the time I get to look at budget range cases, and as cool as they can be at times they are always just budget cases. They all follow a similar mold and most often just alter some of the looks for what people want to see.

But not with the Thermaltake Tai-Chi

Thermaltake have taken a massive leap in the right direction in producing a case of exceptional quality. It’s not just good, its excellent. There is something special about coming across a product that is truly solid and great. Just like I feel about a audiophile sound system, this case oozes coolness.

Features…

• All aluminum
• Really solid
• Spacious interior
• Easy to upgrade to liquid cooling

Well, enough of the praise. The case is an all aluminum deal with cooling fins running down both sides of the case. The front has a split door and there is a grill at the bottom of the case to bring new air in when warm air is expelled.

The massive case design (it really is massive) is a wonder to work on as there is always enough space to do things inside it. It is designed, with pre-cut holes, to take a water cooling system, most likely their own if you were to ask them. There is another model available that combines the Thermaltake Tai Chi with one of their water cooling solutions.

The case is solid and includes all the usual extras that we have come to expect from cases, like Firewire, USB and audio ports. There is a 120mm fan which is joined to a 3 hard drive rack that goes in the case. There are enough DVD drive size bays for anything you would want to install too.

The Thermaltake Tai-Chi is heavy, at around 17kg it really needs to handles that are included to carry it around.

I could not recommend this case to the average computer user. It’s price just makes no sense for someone who doesn’t really love their computer. But with that said the case really is a wonder. It has everything you could need, looks to match and solid build. It is futureproof enough that it could last a decade or more. It really is just gorgeous.

Pros

• Good looks
• Solid build
• Spacious interior
• Nearly tool-less design

Cons

• Expensive (but worth it)
• Cheapy PCI card retaining clips

Aspire X-plorer ATX case with clear sides

Wednesday, November 16th, 2005 | Computer Case Reviews, Reviews | View Comments

The X-plorer is aimed at the mid-range custom computer case market. At around 60 dollars of so it lacks a few of the features of its more expensive brothers and sisters. It’s still a good case for the money, but as you will see it has a few issues that might stop it from becoming a true winner.

It’s basic features are…

• Standard ATX size
• 80mm fan at top and front included
• 5 fan speed controller
• Temperature display
• Good paint job

Of all the Aspire computer cases, this one disappoints a little in terms of things that needed to be thought about.

One of the most notable omissions in the lack of a simple guide to installation of parts. Seeing as the guide is aimed at the mid range, there is a good chance that someone who buys it is attempting their first case upgrade. You can find instructions on the Aspire website.

The case has been cleverly designed upon Intel’s Air Guide Design Guide. Intel basically specifies some things that need to be on a case to make it have good airflow.

Well the cases overall airflow is okay. There is space for 2 80mm fans at the front (not included) and space to upgrade the back 80mm fan to a 120mm.

The case still looks good and does do a good job in terms of styling. As with other Aspire computer cases it has a removable motherboard tray, making installation a snap.

So although the case might make it in the looks department, you are probably better off with one of their other cases, which are fantastic buys.