Zalman Fatal1ty FC-ZE1

The Fatal1ty-branded FC-ZE1 case is one heckuva sturdy container for your electronic essentials, but it’ll take a railgun to your bank account. We’re just a little hesitant to recommend the FC-ZE1 to everyone: The case is covered with logos and labels, and accessing the internals is somewhat awkward. But if you’re shopping for a new case, Fatal1ty’s design comes pretty close to flawless.

Getting your gear into the FC-ZE1 couldn’t be easier—sort of. While the left side of the case features an easy-access tool-less door, in order to access the right side you must bust out the included Allen wrench.
It’s a hassle when you want to access the 5.25-inch bays.

Irritating as that is, we pepped up after seeing that our hard drives would rest in the case’s snug, noise-reducing chassis. Three aesthetically pleasing red fans round out the deal, sucking air in and out of the case while giving the insides a smooth, ambient light.

Month Reviewed: February 2007
+ OWNING: Looks sharp and spacious for a midtower; pretty durable
- PWND: Mounting components in the 5.25-inch bays is a pain in the ass. You’ll love or hate the logoed exterior.
Verdict: 9
URL: www.zalmanusa.com