X-bit labs

Thermaltake Tai-Chi System Case Review (page 5)

Category: Coolers

by Vasily Melnik

[ 01/17/2006 | 01:54 PM ]

The hard disk drive bay is hidden behind a solid wide three-slot bracket:

and it is very hard to remove. Since the front panel has become almost completely solid, the designers had to integrate a small ventilation grid into the front HDD bay bracket, although it is still too small to ensure proper airflow. Therefore, the slit in the lower front panel is still the major air source for the front case fan.

In order to prevent the front panels from opening accidentally, there is a magnetic lock attached to the case:

and a contact metal plate on each of the opening panels:

simple and effective: no external locks or clips that would spoil the exterior.

The rear panel is pretty standard. Take a look yourselves:

Just like in the Armor case, the rear panel can be removed and replaced with the corresponding panel for the BTX mainboards. There is also a number of ventilation holes at the rear end of the top panel, which purpose is a little bit confusing:

because they get almost completely blocked once the PSU is installed.