Drum Thumper
03-10-2009, 11:44 PM
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/Front%20Page%20files/modtek.png
Once again, I've purchased a case from the good folks at Xoxide (http://www.xoxide.com). This time around, the case at hand is the Modtek TBR2500. According to Xoxide's Modtek (http://www.xoxide.com/modtek2.html) page, this company is “a new brand name exploding onto the PC scene with an incredible selection of computer cases and assorted accessories.” Having worked retail for way too long, I see this as what it is: a private label brand.
As recent as five years ago, private label was something that was generally cringed at; people would associate private label with inferior products, and sometimes rightly so. However, within the last ten years businesses have seen the error of their past ways and have taken major steps to improve them. Having spent the last ten years in retail, I have seen this phenomenon first hand, and the rewards that are reaped with it.
Anyways, enough economics, lets get to the case review:
Xoxide has already impressed me once with their speedy shipment of goods, and this time is no different. This case was ordered on March third and showed up on the ninth. That's quick service.
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/1.png
This box traveled across the United States. Kudos to UPS for not dinging it up too badly.
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/2.png
As you can see, that's a pretty big box for a mid tower case. Once again, the overpack that was added to the box consisted of crumpled paper, which is more than adequate for shipping. I know of some e-commerce companies that go a bit overboard with their overpack. It's understandable to go a bit nuts if you are shipping a HDTV, but paper is quite acceptable for a $45 computer case. Plus, it's recyclable!
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/3.png
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/4.png
A 250 mm fan. 9.8425 inches for those of us who have a hard time fathoming sizes in metric.
Before I get much farther, here's the specs:
Features:
P4/K7 middle tower case
2 x Front USB 2.0, 2 x Audio, 1 x Firewire ports installed
1 x 250mm Side Fan SetSpecifications:
Dimensions: 200 (W) x 430 (H)x 440 (D) mm
Drive Spaces: 5.25" x 4 (ext), 3.5" x 2 (ext), 3.5" x 5 (int)
Fan Spaces: Front: 4 x 80mm / 1 x 90mm / or 1 x 120mm
Rear: 2 x 80mm / 1 x 90mm / or 1 x 120mm
Motherboard Support: ATX (P4/K7), Micro ATX
One last comparison:
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/5.png
The Aerocool M40 (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13692) and the Modtek TBR2500 (http://www.xoxide.com/modtek-tbr2500-case-black.html).
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/6.png
Notice that this particular screw does not hold the back panel in place. This case has a removable motherboard tray, which is somewhat of a rarity for a case in this price range. Indeed, this is the deal closer for me, as I've got decent sized hands, and get my share of nicks and scratches when I'm working on computers. From now on, all computers that I build in this form factor will have this feature, even if it means that I might pay a bit more for the computer cases. I never realized how much of a Godsend this is.
The front panel is no less impressive at first glance. However, once removed, things get interesting. The front panel boasts dual USB and one Firewire port, so there is a good tangle of cords. The front panel is also the location of my grievances:
Blue LEDs
Engraved false fronts for optical drives
Handling of cables
Of the three, the blue LEDs are truly a non-point, I personally feel that blue is getting quite overused, but that can be quickly fixed with a soldering iron and a pair of LEDs of a different color. The engraving on the false panels is also fixed somewhat easily with a small application of bondo and paint.
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/7.png
As seen in the above picture, the cable routing is held in place with hot glue. I'm all for form following function, along with 'out of sight, out of mind', but a half hearted attempt is, in a word, pitiful. Again, this is a quick fix, and it could also be luck of the draw on my point. Your mileage may vary.
Modding wise, this case has potential. The front panel has a nice glow (albeit blue) from the two leds, and that monster 250 mm fan:
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/8.png
also has a bit of potential, mainly in the form of adding LEDs. It might also be feasible to completely remove the fan and add some plexiglass, thus creating an instant window. The top panel, along with the two side panels, are easily removed as well. The paint job is flat black, and if there is a clearcoat, it is a very light clearcoat. In all actuality, this is a good thing, as the case will lend itself quite nicely to getting painted (as this one will be later this summer).
One last thing: this case is steel. However, that does not mean that it is heavy. I placed it on my bathroom scale before removing it from box and it weighed in at a very svelte 13.8 lbs (6.3 kilograms). For comparison's sake, an NZXT Tempest weighs in at a hefty 24.6 lbs (11.2 kilograms).
Final Thoughts:
For $45 (plus shipping), you cannot go wrong with this case. It is quite roomy, and comes with quite the bundle of screws, along with some rather boring looking rubber feet:
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/9.png
Again, the feet issue can be easily remedied. Overall, this is a rock solid case at a very affordable price. Looking for a computer case that isn't a boring beige box? Look no further than the Modtek TBR 2500.
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/misc/fourfive.png
Once again, I've purchased a case from the good folks at Xoxide (http://www.xoxide.com). This time around, the case at hand is the Modtek TBR2500. According to Xoxide's Modtek (http://www.xoxide.com/modtek2.html) page, this company is “a new brand name exploding onto the PC scene with an incredible selection of computer cases and assorted accessories.” Having worked retail for way too long, I see this as what it is: a private label brand.
As recent as five years ago, private label was something that was generally cringed at; people would associate private label with inferior products, and sometimes rightly so. However, within the last ten years businesses have seen the error of their past ways and have taken major steps to improve them. Having spent the last ten years in retail, I have seen this phenomenon first hand, and the rewards that are reaped with it.
Anyways, enough economics, lets get to the case review:
Xoxide has already impressed me once with their speedy shipment of goods, and this time is no different. This case was ordered on March third and showed up on the ninth. That's quick service.
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/1.png
This box traveled across the United States. Kudos to UPS for not dinging it up too badly.
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/2.png
As you can see, that's a pretty big box for a mid tower case. Once again, the overpack that was added to the box consisted of crumpled paper, which is more than adequate for shipping. I know of some e-commerce companies that go a bit overboard with their overpack. It's understandable to go a bit nuts if you are shipping a HDTV, but paper is quite acceptable for a $45 computer case. Plus, it's recyclable!
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/3.png
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/4.png
A 250 mm fan. 9.8425 inches for those of us who have a hard time fathoming sizes in metric.
Before I get much farther, here's the specs:
Features:
P4/K7 middle tower case
2 x Front USB 2.0, 2 x Audio, 1 x Firewire ports installed
1 x 250mm Side Fan SetSpecifications:
Dimensions: 200 (W) x 430 (H)x 440 (D) mm
Drive Spaces: 5.25" x 4 (ext), 3.5" x 2 (ext), 3.5" x 5 (int)
Fan Spaces: Front: 4 x 80mm / 1 x 90mm / or 1 x 120mm
Rear: 2 x 80mm / 1 x 90mm / or 1 x 120mm
Motherboard Support: ATX (P4/K7), Micro ATX
One last comparison:
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/5.png
The Aerocool M40 (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13692) and the Modtek TBR2500 (http://www.xoxide.com/modtek-tbr2500-case-black.html).
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/6.png
Notice that this particular screw does not hold the back panel in place. This case has a removable motherboard tray, which is somewhat of a rarity for a case in this price range. Indeed, this is the deal closer for me, as I've got decent sized hands, and get my share of nicks and scratches when I'm working on computers. From now on, all computers that I build in this form factor will have this feature, even if it means that I might pay a bit more for the computer cases. I never realized how much of a Godsend this is.
The front panel is no less impressive at first glance. However, once removed, things get interesting. The front panel boasts dual USB and one Firewire port, so there is a good tangle of cords. The front panel is also the location of my grievances:
Blue LEDs
Engraved false fronts for optical drives
Handling of cables
Of the three, the blue LEDs are truly a non-point, I personally feel that blue is getting quite overused, but that can be quickly fixed with a soldering iron and a pair of LEDs of a different color. The engraving on the false panels is also fixed somewhat easily with a small application of bondo and paint.
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/7.png
As seen in the above picture, the cable routing is held in place with hot glue. I'm all for form following function, along with 'out of sight, out of mind', but a half hearted attempt is, in a word, pitiful. Again, this is a quick fix, and it could also be luck of the draw on my point. Your mileage may vary.
Modding wise, this case has potential. The front panel has a nice glow (albeit blue) from the two leds, and that monster 250 mm fan:
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/8.png
also has a bit of potential, mainly in the form of adding LEDs. It might also be feasible to completely remove the fan and add some plexiglass, thus creating an instant window. The top panel, along with the two side panels, are easily removed as well. The paint job is flat black, and if there is a clearcoat, it is a very light clearcoat. In all actuality, this is a good thing, as the case will lend itself quite nicely to getting painted (as this one will be later this summer).
One last thing: this case is steel. However, that does not mean that it is heavy. I placed it on my bathroom scale before removing it from box and it weighed in at a very svelte 13.8 lbs (6.3 kilograms). For comparison's sake, an NZXT Tempest weighs in at a hefty 24.6 lbs (11.2 kilograms).
Final Thoughts:
For $45 (plus shipping), you cannot go wrong with this case. It is quite roomy, and comes with quite the bundle of screws, along with some rather boring looking rubber feet:
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/modtek/9.png
Again, the feet issue can be easily remedied. Overall, this is a rock solid case at a very affordable price. Looking for a computer case that isn't a boring beige box? Look no further than the Modtek TBR 2500.
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/misc/fourfive.png