X-bit labs

Four Mainstream Cases Reviewed: New Models in Middle Tower Class (page 19)

Category: Other

by Vasily Melnik

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

Interior Design and Assembly

The internal layout is a classic of the genre:

The only surprising thing here is the two-bay top box for 3.5” devices. One external bay should be enough and the HDD cage might be made larger by one bay. Anyway, the case allows to install three HDDs – quite enough for its class. The drives are fastened in the lengthwise bays by means of sliding locks.

The single difference is that the 3.5” bays are not equipped with stoppers, but the locking effort is so strong that the devices are unlikely to get out of their places anyway. The HDD cage is supposed to be removable:

You can unfasten the two screws on the left and take it out of the case, but you don’t have to do so to install your HDDs. The front panel has to be detached before you begin to assemble the system.

There is a foam plastic plate on its reverse side that prevents the bay brackets from being forced back. You must remove it before you install your drives. There is a small dust filter in the bottom part of the panel:

Its mesh cell is too large, unfortunately, yet it keeps dust away mostly. The fan is fastened on the case with screws and you’ll need a screwdriver to take it off.