TheGreatSatan
03-12-2007, 12:44 PM
InWin BT611 (retail: $48.00)
I've been meaning to build a HTPC for some time now and was in the market for case to use. I looked at many low profile cases with the MATX design and went with the InWin BT611. The dimensions are as follows:
Height: 3.6 inches; Width: 12.4 inches; Depth: 15.9inches
The real plain box arrived at my doorstep in good shape and inside was the case very well packaged with plastic on the first layer and Styrofoam all around with no possible room for movement.
http://imageigloo.com/images/2432pic01.JPG
Inside the box is a goody bag of case feet that allow you to stand the case on its side, a PSU cord, a bag of screws and expansion bay covers, and 1 I/O shield.
http://imageigloo.com/images/9972pic02.JPG
The case is wrapped in SECC Japanese steel measuring at 0.8mm. The case is real easy on the easy on the eyes and features solid lightweight construction to keep your components safe.
http://imageigloo.com/images/1304pic03.JPG
http://imageigloo.com/images/2596pic04.JPG
http://imageigloo.com/images/165pic05.JPG
The front panel cleverly disguises 2 USB ports and 2 audio jacks. Under the main panel there's one 5.25 inch bay and one 3.5 inch bay.
http://imageigloo.com/images/3502pic06.JPG
http://imageigloo.com/images/4080pic07.JPG
The rear is pretty basic. There are four expansion slots and access to the 240 Watt PSU that's included with the case. Unfortunately, there's no rear exhaust. It would even be nice to have a couple 20mm fans back here. It does, however, come with a rear I/O shield already included. Obviously with no idea of what motherboard you're planning on using, this feature seems like a big waste of money for InWin.:confused:
http://imageigloo.com/images/7154pic08.JPG
A couple of screws remove the top shell. Let's take a look at the right side. Here is your lone exhaust fan near the PSU and the back of the 3.5 inch drive. You can also see the extra 3.5 inch internal bay for your hard drive under the primary 3.5 bay.
http://imageigloo.com/images/2775pic09.JPG
http://imageigloo.com/images/862pic10.JPG
The exposed case is where it gets interesting.
http://imageigloo.com/images/7850pic11.JPG
http://imageigloo.com/images/9599pic12.JPG
The bays are all attached to each other with sliding locks which is nice since there are no screws to lose. From the exposed left side you can see the 80mm PSU intake and the side exhaust.
http://imageigloo.com/images/6508pic13.JPG
The drive bays come off real quick for easy install and maintenance.
http://imageigloo.com/images/9582pic14.JPG
As for cooling there are several vents that allow for the natural rise in heat off the motherboard and out of the top of the case.
http://imageigloo.com/images/6560pic15.JPG
In summary, there could have been some better features added by InWin, such as a more tooless design for the mounting of drives and expansion devices. It seemed odd that they did make it easy to remove the bays, but never thought to keep the tooless theme going. The tiny wattage PSU isn't anything to brag about either. I know with small form factor cases you'll usually get small wattage PSU's, but there are plenty of other companies out there throwing in at least 300 watts. With the demand of higher power components it almost seems obvious. Also, there's just no way you can use a top of the line TV/Video card inside because the case isn't nearly tall enough. I didn't play around with standing the case upright, but I am glad that they thought of adding it. Also, I do like the tooless bay removal and the lightweight chasis. The external design is real clean and nearly seamless.
So...
Pros: Lightweight, seamless design, removable bays, included PSU, ability to stand case upright.
Cons: No rear exhaust, tiny wattage PSU, half tooless design, too low of a profile for a decent HTPC.
:) :) :) out of :) :) :) :) :)
I've been meaning to build a HTPC for some time now and was in the market for case to use. I looked at many low profile cases with the MATX design and went with the InWin BT611. The dimensions are as follows:
Height: 3.6 inches; Width: 12.4 inches; Depth: 15.9inches
The real plain box arrived at my doorstep in good shape and inside was the case very well packaged with plastic on the first layer and Styrofoam all around with no possible room for movement.
http://imageigloo.com/images/2432pic01.JPG
Inside the box is a goody bag of case feet that allow you to stand the case on its side, a PSU cord, a bag of screws and expansion bay covers, and 1 I/O shield.
http://imageigloo.com/images/9972pic02.JPG
The case is wrapped in SECC Japanese steel measuring at 0.8mm. The case is real easy on the easy on the eyes and features solid lightweight construction to keep your components safe.
http://imageigloo.com/images/1304pic03.JPG
http://imageigloo.com/images/2596pic04.JPG
http://imageigloo.com/images/165pic05.JPG
The front panel cleverly disguises 2 USB ports and 2 audio jacks. Under the main panel there's one 5.25 inch bay and one 3.5 inch bay.
http://imageigloo.com/images/3502pic06.JPG
http://imageigloo.com/images/4080pic07.JPG
The rear is pretty basic. There are four expansion slots and access to the 240 Watt PSU that's included with the case. Unfortunately, there's no rear exhaust. It would even be nice to have a couple 20mm fans back here. It does, however, come with a rear I/O shield already included. Obviously with no idea of what motherboard you're planning on using, this feature seems like a big waste of money for InWin.:confused:
http://imageigloo.com/images/7154pic08.JPG
A couple of screws remove the top shell. Let's take a look at the right side. Here is your lone exhaust fan near the PSU and the back of the 3.5 inch drive. You can also see the extra 3.5 inch internal bay for your hard drive under the primary 3.5 bay.
http://imageigloo.com/images/2775pic09.JPG
http://imageigloo.com/images/862pic10.JPG
The exposed case is where it gets interesting.
http://imageigloo.com/images/7850pic11.JPG
http://imageigloo.com/images/9599pic12.JPG
The bays are all attached to each other with sliding locks which is nice since there are no screws to lose. From the exposed left side you can see the 80mm PSU intake and the side exhaust.
http://imageigloo.com/images/6508pic13.JPG
The drive bays come off real quick for easy install and maintenance.
http://imageigloo.com/images/9582pic14.JPG
As for cooling there are several vents that allow for the natural rise in heat off the motherboard and out of the top of the case.
http://imageigloo.com/images/6560pic15.JPG
In summary, there could have been some better features added by InWin, such as a more tooless design for the mounting of drives and expansion devices. It seemed odd that they did make it easy to remove the bays, but never thought to keep the tooless theme going. The tiny wattage PSU isn't anything to brag about either. I know with small form factor cases you'll usually get small wattage PSU's, but there are plenty of other companies out there throwing in at least 300 watts. With the demand of higher power components it almost seems obvious. Also, there's just no way you can use a top of the line TV/Video card inside because the case isn't nearly tall enough. I didn't play around with standing the case upright, but I am glad that they thought of adding it. Also, I do like the tooless bay removal and the lightweight chasis. The external design is real clean and nearly seamless.
So...
Pros: Lightweight, seamless design, removable bays, included PSU, ability to stand case upright.
Cons: No rear exhaust, tiny wattage PSU, half tooless design, too low of a profile for a decent HTPC.
:) :) :) out of :) :) :) :) :)