Installation

While installation of the hardware was quick and simple, the wiring included in the case slowed down the process of making connections to the case fans and the power supply. We first had to move all of the wiring out of the way to the outside of the case in order to install the motherboard and drives easily.

The power supply, on the other hand, installed easily. There was just enough room between the top of the case and the support bar to slip in the OCZ PowerStream. We were also afraid that the fan at the top of the case would get in the way of installing the power supply as it has occurred in other cases that we have looked at, but the placement of the fan was perfect for the installation our test power supply.




Click to enlarge.


Thermaltake included plastic drive rails that snap on the other sides of both 3-1/2" drives as well as 5-1/4" drives for easy installation. Installing the Seagate Barracuda took seconds rather than the minutes that it would require without the tool-less drive rails.




Click to enlarge.


Motherboard Tray Benchmarking
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  • Operandi - Thursday, July 22, 2004 - link

    I agree with the above comments, it's becoming pretty clear that this isn't the type of case your target audience is looking for.
  • skiboysteve - Thursday, July 22, 2004 - link

    "Our results show that the CPU was kept at a stable operating temperature, at 56.2 degrees, which is about 40 degrees Celsius below the Athlon 64 3200's maximum recommended operating temperature."

    "System On-Time CPU
    30 43.6"

    What??
  • skiboysteve - Thursday, July 22, 2004 - link

    i have the 3000a and I love it to death, although i have to agree, there are way too many wires. I did a great job hiding them though so the window looks good.
  • Pollock - Thursday, July 22, 2004 - link

    No, #1, check some of the previous case reviews here; there ARE uglier things. Several of them.
  • TrogdorJW - Thursday, July 22, 2004 - link

    I have to agree. Sure, it's big and roomy. It also scream, "I LOVE THERMALTAKE!" Personally, I would rather make a different kind of statement with my case.

    You know what someone needs to do? Create a case with pre-installed fans and wires, with a separate power unit (a very small one should suffice) to provide all of the fans and other devices with power. They could build the system with all the fans installed and still keep the majority of wires hidden away. And they should use 120mm fans spinning at lower RPMs. *That* would be something to spend $160 on!

    Spend $160 on this monstrosity? Ugh. If you need big, there are better options. If you want silent, there are MUCH better options. If you want bright lights and gawdy flash, however, this case fits the bill. I'm sure there are a bunch of teenagers out there that think this case looks totally l33t. They're welcome to it, I suppose.
  • JKing76 - Thursday, July 22, 2004 - link

    That is truely the ugliest thing I have ever seen.

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