Preview: Thermaltake Level 10 By Blueonblack

[blueonblack]

A new story entry has been added:

Preview: Thermaltake Level 10 By Blueonblack


http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/fpbanners2/ttlevel10.png (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/frontpage/?q=node/382)

Like everyone, I’ve got my own tastes and my own needs when it comes to computer cases. I’ve seen some absolutely gorgeous cases from companies like Zalman, Lian Li, Hiper, and NZXT; cases that I would be proud to own and to put my hard-earned hardware into. It looks like the folks at Thermaltake have raised the bar with what, to my eye at least, is the best-looking and most functional chassis I have seen to date.<!--break-->



There are a LOT of computer cases out there. We’ve all seen the huge variety, from dozens of manufacturers, with features geared toward the modder, from the simplest side window to chrome to LCD screens to lighting in every color of the rainbow (and some that aren’t found in nature). Call me jaded, but it’s not often something comes along any more that really excites me. As some of you have read in my previous scribblings, I’ve had my love affair with shiny, sleek and blue. I’m an extremist, as anyone who knows me will agree, so when that affair was over, I went to the other extreme, looking for function with a smooth sleek, low-profile unobtrusive design that still had style. Those are harder to find, let me tell you.

Guys, I’m excited. The team at Thermaltake has once again captured my eye, and they have outdone themselves. Thermaltake has been around the industry since 1999, and since their inception they have made some awesome products. Who hasn’t heard of the Armor series? They’ve got other names you’ve probably heard. The Golden Orb (and it’s siblings Max, Blue, Ruby and Du). The Toughpower series of PSUs. The Kandalf and Lanbox series of cases. The BigWater water-cooling systems. How many of those names did you know before I listed them? Well, they’re about to add another.

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the engineers at Thermaltake have teamed up with the people at BMW Designworks to create what I can only describe as an example of function in art: the Level 10.




http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3862732812_c2081f4390.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3862732812/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)


Yes, that’s a full-tower computer case, with all the goodies we’re used to (and some we’re not), nestled into this beautiful package. While the Level 10 isn’t due for release until mid-October, we’ve landed some outstanding photos, which show the things that make the Level 10 what it is. (Click on the "Hi-Res" link below each photo for a real close-up view.)




http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3861967929_4ae9a26629.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3861967929/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)


Obviously entirely different from the standard case design, the Level 10 is a modular concept, each major portion of your machine fitting into its own section. The PSU, the optical drives, the hard drives and the motherboard each have their own place in the scheme, and one entire side is dedicated to cable management.





http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/3862747366_a59b98f116.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3862747366/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)


Each of the three main modules (mainboard, PSU and optical drives) swings open on hinges and the cover of the module is completely removable, allowing easy access to your hardware.







http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2534/3862743240_f3d9549ee3.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3862743240/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)


The hard drives are also easily removed, each one being housed in its own individual hot-swappable enclosure, which slides out toward the left side. No screws to worry about here. In addition, when a hard drive is fully installed, it depresses a button inside the mounting area, which in turn lights a red LED on the front of the enclosure. That's right, red. There is not a single blue LED on this case. A huge plus in my book.






http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2578/3862754110_e51f6eb4bb.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3862754110/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)


The designers haven’t forgotten about security, either. Each of the modules is held shut with a lock on the right side of the case. Locking them isn’t required to secure them, but it’s an excellent option for your expensive gear.






http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/3861990327_8b12d1b5f4.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3861990327/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)






http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/3862768812_67fb71304a.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3862768812/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)

Unlocking these also allows the entire right side of the level 10 to be removed for access and cable management. No unsightly cables inside the modules when you show off your machine.


By now you’re probably wondering about cooling. That was one of the first things I thought of, too. With each major component enclosed in its own tiny space, what about the heat? I haven’t tested it, obviously, but the solutions look effective to me.






http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3861978309_5d23dc8df8.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3861978309/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)

The PSU compartment is generously vented front, rear and bottom, to allow fresh airflow through the unit.






http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3861991591_a6ed237a91.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3861991591/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)


The main compartment for the motherboard (ATX or microATX) and primary hardware is vented front and rear, with a 140mm intake and a 120mm exhaust fan included, positioned to flow from the bottom of your mainboard, where most heat-generating video hardware is located, to the top, where it will carry away the heat from your CPU. With these two large fans creating airflow in this small space I would think the cooling would be more than effective. The cover for this module also has extra space directly over the CPU socket, to allow for larger air coolers.





http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3861977237_24da5bbf35.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3861977237/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)



Looking at the hard drive cradles, you can see the vents in the bottom. These are to allow airflow from the dedicated hard drive fans that the Level 10 features.




http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3862768160_dc729a18d2.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3862768160/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)



In the above photo, you can see the hole for airflow. This hole is present between each hard drive, and allows easy airflow up the shaft, provided by the two 60mm fans included. This combined with the solid aluminium extruded heatsink that runs along the column the hard drives mount into should be more than adequate to cool the hottest drives.




http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3862757072_fc86f38894.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3862757072/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)


And just for the sheer beauty of the thing, here are a few "glamor shots":


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3862741922_4d92f9c9c2.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3862741922/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/3861953885_90de10fcf8.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3861953885/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/3862755838_a50b0008b3.jpg

Hi-Res (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermaltakeinc/3862755838/sizes/o/in/set-72157622035632015/)



I won’t say any more except to say that you should go to www.ttlevel10.com and see this thing for yourself. Granted, the Level 10 is a radical design, but that’s not a bad thing. It seems most of the cases that I really like are all-or-none pieces; either you'll love it like I do or you'll hate it completely. The Level 10 is the most extreme example I've seen. Like any radical design, the Level 10 isn’t for everyone, but I for one am sold. It’s beautiful, it’s functional, it’s easy to work with, and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I wonder how well saliva comes off of that slick black finish?



The Thermaltake name, TT starburst, Level 10 name , and all images on this page are copyright Thermaltake USA (http://thermaltake.com).

[Zephik]

That beast is going to cost a fortune I just know it.

[Waynio]

I think the cost would depend on what materials were used also, but yeah I doubt its cheap :).
Teamed up with BMW, Wow :)
Best manufacturer anniversary case I have seen yet, pretty awesome piece, I never thought I would say that about a consumer case, looks like they thought of everything on this including an extension for bigger heatsinks, truly unique for a consumer case :up:.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Given the way the past eight years of new BMWs have been styled, courtesy of Chris Bangle, I'm shocked that this even looks acceptable, much less gorgeous. I also assumed it was a not-so-functional showpiece at first, but it seems to have won me over.

I won't be getting one; none of us likely will. But I'd keep it if I was given one, that's for sure, now that this 'closer look' has kept me from dismissing the case.

[Oneslowz28]

I won't be getting one; none of us likely will. But I'd keep it if I was given one, that's for sure, now that this 'closer look' has kept me from dismissing the case.

I actually think several people from this site will end up buying one. We have people here who spend $1000+ for a new Intel CPU when it comes out and can not wait the 4 weeks until it drops by $400 bucks. This case design is revolutionary, It is the perfect example of "out side of the box" thinking. Thermaltake raised the bar with this case. It is by far the best looking case I have seen from the case manufacturers or even the modding community.

Nice preview blueonblack.

[Zephik]

You know... this thing wouldn't be too difficult to make when you think about it. Granted, it would be much easier to just buy the damn thing, but I have a feeling its going to be $400 minimum up to a $1000 maximum. Being an anniversary case... those are never realistically affordable.

I'd say that if they offered it for $200 or less, I'd definitely save up for one. And I don't even own a PC! I use a laptop! lol

Anything much more than $200 I'd just build myself though. It wouldn't be nearly as nice, but at least I could incorporate some of my own design ideas into it and at the end of the day say that I made it from scratch. I doubt it would even cost more than $150 to build out of something cheap like plexi or lexan?

Man I hope its cheaper than not, I really want one!

[slaveofconvention]

One rumour I heard had an expected price of $750 - and on top of that, a strictly limited production run - we'll have to wait n see what happens next month :)

[FuzzyPlushroom]

I actually think several people from this site will end up buying one. We have people here who spend $1000+ for a new Intel CPU when it comes out and can not wait the 4 weeks until it drops by $400 bucks. This case design is revolutionary, It is the perfect example of "out side of the box" thinking. Thermaltake raised the bar with this case. It is by far the best looking case I have seen from the case manufacturers or even the modding community.

Having rethought the pricing (I assumed it would be more than it's anticipated to be), I suspect you're right after all. Nobody here would buy a case in the four-digit range, but if it was five, six, seven hundred, a few folks would justify it - and, better yet, mod it.

EDIT: 1,000! Word.

[Oneslowz28]

I think it would look awesome with a very well planned water cooling setup.

[BlackMask]

I think it looks really good, but not $750 good.... now maybe if they threw a bmw badge on it ;)

[BuzzKillington]

Wow. That case is going to cost a fortune. I wonder how limited it will be... 100? 1000?

[OvRiDe]

As for pricing .. I have seen a few reports saying it will ship in October for $690. It will most likely be a limited run, so all bets whether that price is solid are off.

[slaveofconvention]

I just found a couple of UK dealers offering this case as a pre-order for £499 - at the current UK/US exchange rate of $1.63-£1 that's a little over $800. Having said that - we always get screwed here in the UK on computer parts prices, so I wouldn't be surprised to see $650-700 in the US

Edit: just found this...
http://a-power.com/product-13313-0-3
$834 - this could be the first time in history something computer related is cheaper here than in the states!!! lol

It won't last - and unsuprisingly, it's "temporarily out of stock" uh huh - for anyone thinking of buying one, I suggest going anywhere EXCEPT this store - it's a personal thing but to me, this seller is just lying to get pre-orders - if they SAID available for pre-order that'd be different. Do you really want to give ANY money to someone who lies to you from the start?