X-bit labs

Four Mainstream Cases Reviewed: New Models in Middle Tower Class

Category: Other

by Vasily Melnik

[ 08/07/2007 | 06:45 PM ]

We would like to introduce to you four new system cases in the mainstream price segment from Asus, Gigabyte and Cooler Master. We will discuss in detail their design, features, estimate the ease of system assembly and test their thermal characteristics.

Table of contents:

• ASUS Vento 7700
  
• Package
  
• Exterior Design and Functionality
  
• Interior Design and Assembly
  
• Cooler Master ITower 930
  
• Package
  
• Exterior Design and Functionality
  
• Interior Design and Assembly
  
• Gigabyte 3DAurora 570
  
• Package
  
• Exterior Design and Functionality
  
• Interior Design and Assembly
  
• Gigabyte Poseidon
  
• Package
  
• Exterior Design and Functionality
  
• Interior Design and Assembly
  
• Testing Participants Specification
  
• Test Methods
  
• Performance
  
• Conclusion
  

The PC industry has been steadily changing its orientation towards the consumer so that the ordinary user would completely lose interest in separate components. Why bother if you can buy an assembled PC with a 3-year or longer warranty? Such a PC is sure to be free from any problems, from compatibility to thermal mode, because the manufacturer has to use quality components to avoid being returned the product. Buying separate components is mostly for enthusiasts nowadays.

But unlike the rest of components, system cases are not as much affected by this trend. Even major firms offer to assemble you a PC in a system case you choose from the available range. This approach makes sense because ready-made PCs offered for the mass user come in midrange system cases priced at $80 or less (with the PSU).

Of course, you can’t expect an original design or extended functionality from such products while the user has the right to choose the appearance of his/her PC, just to match the room interior for example. It is in this situation that the best representatives of the mid-format sector with a price of $100 and more (without a PSU) come to the fore. This is already quite expensive and the buyer can expect to have something more from such a product than from a trivial PC case.

Notwithstanding the relatively low demand for such solutions, the manufacturers pay much attention to them because these system cases also perform a marketing function, promoting other, less conspicuous and exciting, products on the market. In this review we’ll examine four system cases from the leading brands to see if they perform all of their functions well.

ASUS Vento 7700

Package

The second edition of ASUS’ system case for a gaming PC comes in a very large box:

Pretty-looking and neatly designed, this box is up to the product that is considered the top of the company’s system case range.