Internals and Chilly Bits!
After removing the side panels we are left with a sturdy aluminium framework. There is space for 6 x 3½ inch devices (5 hidden, 1 exposed) and 4 x 5¼ inch devices. Installing devices into these bays is very easily done. It’s just a matter of a few screws to hold the device in place. I prefer this method compared to cases with runners and clips that secure the devices in place.
The motherboard tray is held in place by four thumbscrews and can be quickly removed for hardware upgrades or maintenance. Also on the motherboard tray are the expansion slots for PCI/AGP cards. It’s a beautiful sight to see a row of thumbscrews holding these blank slots in place. It makes it very user friendly and simple to use.
When installing the power supply in the case you need to first install the mounting bracket to the PSU. This can be done outside of the case, which prevents any mishaps that may scratch the case. Once the mounting bracket is installed to the PSU it’s just a matter of sliding into place and fixed with 4 screws. Dual fan PSU’s have no problems with this case as the opening at the rear for the PSU is quite a bit larger and concealed with the mounting bracket.
I mentioned earlier that the case has 3 x 80mm fans; two at the front of the case (4 pin fans) and 1 at the rear (3 pin fan). This is ample enough cooling to cool a powerful computer. The 2 intake fans are positioned at the front of the case blowing air across the 3½ inch devices. The rear exhaust fan helps to keep the system temperatures at a suitable level by blowing the warm air out of the rear, keeping a nice flow of cool air through the system. The fans used in the case are sleeve bearing fans, model number: A8025-21CB-3BN-P1. Unfortunately I was unable to find any technical details about the fans but I’m assuming they will run around 2000rpm with a noise level of about 25 dBA.
