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chassis

Lian Li Rethinks the Motherboard Tray, Launches PC-9N Chassis

Posted 02/22/2013 at 9:55am | by Paul Lilly

12

Comments

The PC-9N uses a railing mount design in place of a traditional motherboard tray.

Lian Li has a new take on the motherboard tray of old. Rather than use a slab of steel with a single CPU cutout, the motherboard tray in the PC-9N features several rectangular cutouts, giving way to what Lian Li calls a "railing mount" design. This is supposed to help with thermal performance, as it allows air to flow up and under the motherboard, and also provides additional cable routing options.

» Read More

NZXT Phantom 820 Review

Posted 02/20/2013 at 5:04pm | by David Murphy

5

Comments

Good looks, solid installation, a few eyebrow-raising quirks

If you’re big on case lighting—you Cylon fan, you—you’re going to absolutely love NZXT’s latest Phantom chassis. It’s rare to see such attention to detail paid to simple illumination, as with the three separate strands of lighting found on the exterior, interior, and rear of NZXT’s Phantom 820. Cooler still, you can manually cycle through a variety of colors for the lights, so as to find the one that matches whatever mood you’re in at any given moment.

» Read More

Thermaltake New Soprano Review

Posted 02/14/2013 at 12:11pm | by David Murphy

9

Comments

A soprano could sing inside of this case and you’d never hear it

Finding a chassis that successfully combines practical noise dampening, useful features, and cooling can be a bit of a needle in the haystack sometimes—but in this case (pardon the pun), that’s Thermaltake’s New Soprano. The solid construction of this chassis creates an upgrading or installation experience that’s free of frustration. Our only complaint with the case, if you can really call it that, is that it lacks pizazz.

Note: This review was taken from the February 2013 issue of the magazine.

» Read More

NCASE M1: An Ambitious Attempt to Mold a Mini ITX Case for Enthusiasts

Posted 02/14/2013 at 7:22am | by Paul Lilly

5

Comments

What started off as a two-man pipe dream is now a crowdfunding campaign with backing from Lian Li.

Desktop PCs are shrinking, and if you need evidence of that, just take a look at Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) to see where mainstream systems are ultimately headed. Where does that leave power users and gamers? Well, there still exists a healthy array of full tower desktops and enthusiast-grade components, but for those who want to venture into smaller territory, the next frontier might be the mini ITX form factor. Dell's already gone there with its Alienware X51 PC, but why stop there? Two guys from [H]ardOCP's forums asked themselves the same question, and the answer they came up with is that if they want a mini ITX case intended for PC enthusiasts, they'd need to design it themselves. And so they did.

» Read More

Fractal Design Announces Arc Midi R2 Computer Case

Posted 01/24/2013 at 10:56am | by Paul Lilly

5

Comments

Arc Midi R2 will be available to purchase in March for $110.

Fractal Design is bringing back its Arc Midi enclosure for an encore performance. Now in its second act (we awarded the original an 8/10 verdict), the new Arc Mini R2 once again has high-performance computer systems in mind and is able to accommodate "even the thickest radiators in both the top and front panels without extensive modifications." If you're not interested in wartercooling, Fractal Design includes three Silent Series R2 fans along with an integrated fan controller.

» Read More

Azza Genesis 9000 Review

Posted 01/22/2013 at 3:50pm | by David Murphy

8

Comments

Our love for this feature-packed case runs deep

How do we love thee, Azza Genesis 9000 full-tower case? Let us count the ways. Is it your gorgeous, pearl-white (or charcoal) chassis? The thin, blue or red lit-up lines that adorn your body and provide us with fond memories of the oh-so-delightful Tron: Legacy? The ample space within your interior that allows us to install a motherboard, a kitchen sink, and two power supplies at once? The list continues.

» Read More

ECS Hosts Custom Case Mod Competition, Cash and Prizes Up for Grabs

Posted 01/15/2013 at 6:01pm | by Paul Lilly

3

Comments

Top 5 participants will be flown to Taipei, Taiwan for a shot at the grand prize.

Fancy yourself a case modder? Always wanted to be a millionaire? If you answered "yes" to both questions, you should consider entering the ECS Modmen Custom Case Mod Competition. You have until February 28, 2013 to enter and gather up votes, at which time the top 5 vote-getters will be flown to Taipei, Taiwan where a panel of judges will determine the overall winner. Now, about becoming a millionaire...

» Read More

Post CES 2013: Silverstone Parades Case and Cooling Products

Posted 01/15/2013 at 10:34am | by Paul Lilly

4

Comments

A $50 case from Silverstone is on tap for 2013.

The whirlwind of product announcements and general craziness that accompanies the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is now in our rear-view mirror, and unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to stop by Silverstone's booth. Fortunately, Silverstone essentially brought its booth to us, toting several products to San Francisco that were previously on display at the convention, including a small form facor case that only costs $50. When's the last time you could say that about a Silverstone chassis?

» Read More

CES 2013: Cases, Coolers, and Gaming Accessories [Video]

Posted 01/11/2013 at 10:32am | by Paul Lilly

1

Comment

Cooler Master came prepared with plenty of products to show off.

The folks at Cooler Master made the most of their suite at the Consumer Electronics Show by cramming it full of computer cases, air and liquid coolers, power supplies, and gaming accessories, including several unreleased products. Master of cool and Maximum PC Online Editor Jimmy Thang captured nearly 20 minutes of video touring Cooler Master's hardware, along with its CM Storm division.

» Read More

CES 2013: We Case Out NZXT's Phantom 630 Chassis [Video]

Posted 01/10/2013 at 7:29am | by Paul Lilly

2

Comments

NZXT's monstrous Phantom 630 enclosure holds up to nine drives.

To quote Clash of the Titans, "Release the Kraken!" Actually, NZXT already did that back in October, the Kraken being a self-contained liquid cooling system and not a giant squid-like monster that eats sailors for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. NZXT had its Kraken on display in its suite at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), along with its new Phantom 630 computer case. The Phantom 630 is the kind of case that will make a cable management guru froth at the mouth, and we captured it on video so that you can, too.

» Read More

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The PC-9N uses a railing mount design in place of a traditional motherboard tray.

Good looks, solid installation, a few eyebrow-raising quirks

A soprano could sing inside of this case and you’d never hear it

What started off as a two-man pipe dream is now a crowdfunding campaign with backing from Lian Li.

Arc Midi R2 will be available to purchase in March for $110.

Our love for this feature-packed case runs deep

Top 5 participants will be flown to Taipei, Taiwan for a shot at the grand prize.

A $50 case from Silverstone is on tap for 2013.

Cooler Master came prepared with plenty of products to show off.

NZXT's monstrous Phantom 630 enclosure holds up to nine drives.

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