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By Kayin at 2009-11-09 17:23
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First impression: not bad. The case is mild steel, and well riveted; the front is suitably heavy plastic and the entire thing is a solid, somewhat hefty affair. As first impressions aren't everything, I sat down to pull the case apart and see what makes it tick.
I hear no ticking
The thumbscrews removed easily, and that's where I first hit trouble. I first tried to pop the case side off with finger pressure. Next, I tried to lay it down and push. I attempted to speak reassuringly to it. I contemplated ancient Latin curses. Finally, I reached inside the PSU hole, grabbed the side fan, and pulled it with that AND the other side. It popped then, and slid off like nothing was wrong. I suspect shipping damage, as carriers here tend to be negligent. That however, is nothing someone with a screwdriver and a good eye can't fix. Also, NZXT didn't do that, the design is proper.
Kinda reminds me of my Malibu's valve covers
The inside is where I believe the magic is for this case. It comes appointed with 4 fans (3x120 and 1x140,) has not only wiring grommets but also zip-tie cleats built in, a hole for working with 775/1156/1366 backplates, a no-nonsense black wrinkle powdercoat, and heavy, well-constructed drive bays. It's a list of features that make a lot of sense for a case designed to be modded, and the care in construction shows: in rolled, blunted edges, consistent lines, well-tapped screw holes, and a general ease in working with the case.
Integrated cable management that doesn't suck
However, there's a bloody huge mass of cables coming from the front panel. USB, Firewire, ESATA, LEDs, switches, and a pair of fan controllers. The fan controllers and ESATA are nice additions, and ones they didn't have to include. While the fan controllers won't run Deltas they are still well designed and will handle such as Yate Loons or Scythes with aplomb. Enermax Clusters might be pushing it.
Squid!
Maybe it's an octopus?
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