Antec, Inc., the global leader in high-performance computer components, announces the High Current Gamer M series, a mid-range wattage class of hybrid modular power supplies. The High Current Gamer M series is an extension of the HCG PSU line issued in late 2010 but features hybrid modularity, allowing for cleaner systems by reducing cable clutter behind the motherboard.
Antec released the Performance One Series P280 earlier this month. With it came many updates that fixed many issues some users had with last couple of Antec cases.
March should really be officially named the mGPU month since inside 20 days we have both the AMD Radeon HD 6990 and the imminent release of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 in exactly 5 days from today. Many of you have asked about what kind of power you would need to support either one of these two beasts and my reply is the same as i have been saying for years and that is to have more power just in case you need it than need it and not have it. Now both the Radeon HD 6990 and the GeForce GTX 590 run well (or at least should for the GeForce GTX 590) even on 750W power supply units but taking into account the drop in prices i would seriously recommend using something from 800W and up especially for people with many cards and optical/disk drives. So today we bring you a review of one of the latest Antec units the High Current Gamer 900W.
Are you looking to put gaming-class power into your next build while working within a specific budget? Antec developed the High Current Gamer line for people who play games, for people who love games and spend countless hours gaming. The HCG series was designed to deliver the right balance between performance and high reliability at an affordable price.
The High Current Pro is Antec's flagship line of computer power supplies. Given that and the previous stellar performance from the HCP-1200 we have seen previously, we have very high hopes for a new crown jewel in Antec's HCP line up.
Antec serves up "raw" power with its newest High Current Pro 1200 watt computer power supply. Antec claims 80 Plus Gold certification along with gold plated terminals and a special heavy-gauge 16 AWG CPU power cable. This is the new flagship PSU for Antec, let's see if possibly survives the HardOCP gauntlet.
For a while now Antec have channelled most of their efforts into the production of gamer cases which cater for those who lean towards computer chassis that adopt more of a garish approach to case design. Antec’s Performance One Series which features the much loved P180/P182 and P183 has seen no additions until today. Today we see the successor and next instalment to this popular enthusiast series named the P280.
I was really excited to see an Antec case show up at my doorstep for reviewing. I have been a big supporter of the Antec 300 since they released it way back in March 2008, and I was excited to see what they did with the second generation of the 600 series. The first generation introduced the hot-swappable SATA drive mounted in the front panel, and the gigantic 200 mm exhaust fan on the top. The second generation updated these features to keep current with the ever changing world of computers and the demands of modern gamers.
When it comes to creating a gaming chassis it seems that the goal is to be as different or unique as possible, while still remaining efficient and functional. Yet, at the same time you have the make the chassis appeal to the buyer as well. We have seen many gaming cases pass across the test-bench here at Pro-Clockers, and they all seem to have those small differences that matter.
An external piano black finish as well as an internal black finish gives the case a sleek design. Supporting USB 3.0, multiple HDD installation methods, and a quiet design, will the Antec Solo II live up to its predecessor? Read on further to find out.
Arctic Cooling is just such a company and many of their products have withstood the test of time very well. This time out we have a relatively new cooler, the Freezer 13 Pro. It has that Arctic Cooling look that promises good performance at a reasonable price, but it also has a few new innovations that may really serve to set it apart from the crowd. Follow along as we put it through its paces and see what the Freezer 13 Pro has to offer.
If you have any experience doing system builds, then you know that your focus is on getting the best CPU/motherboard/RAM/graphics card you can for your budget. Things like the hard drive, display, and other peripherals are still important, but secondary to those core components.
More specifically, My intention is to build a full performance modern desktop in a 4U 19" RS 310 form factor chassis. I have a lot of audio, test, and RF gear in rackmount format so I was interested in integrating the PC into the rack. This has turned out to be something of a challenge. As you will see, I am hard against all three physical axes in my chosen form factor.
Laptop/notebook computer cases in 14 styles. Small lightweight cases through large overnight backpacks. Three leather products and the rest are ballistic nylon.
Every time we think the market is fully saturated with every possible computer component anyone could possibly need, a new manufacturer comes on the scene to surprise us. Case Labs has a fast growing underground following on several of the extreme enthusiast forums so we asked if we could see what all the buzz was about.
Cooler Master is at it again with another case on the market. After being thrilled with their HAF 932 Black Edition I thought I would never buy another case. However, once I get an up close and personal look at their newest release I might be checking out the market again. The CM Storm Trooper is a full chassis designed with extra space for all your hardware upgrades as well as a durable, built-in handle to lug it from LAN party to LAN party.
The Cooler Master Centurion C5 II Red Edition from Japan will be getting tossed on the review table today to see what it is all about. The Centurion C5 comes with the inside painted in a dark red to offset the black exterior, which makes it really stand out and look different. You will have the option to use up to four fans, two of which are included, to help keep the inside nice and cool.
Cooler Master's CM Storm line is geared towards gamers and rightfully so. The line is made up of cases, gaming peripherals, gaming surfaces, and notebook coolers. For some reason we here at ThinkComputers have not had a chance to take a look at any of the CM Storm cases. Today however we will get that chance with the recently released CM Storm Enforcer case. This case has a mean look to it hence the name Enforcer. It also features USB 3.0 connectivity, room for 2.5-inch drives and great cable management. Let's check it out!
Following the overwhelming success of the full tower HAF 932, Cooler Master extends the HAF (High Air Flow) line to a mid tower in the HAF 922. This beastly chassis comes with rugged looks, massive air flow, and Cooler Master's trademark intelligently designed interior. Building the mean, dream machine is now well within reach.
Cooler Master has been making cases for the longest and to say they have no clue what the enthusiast want must not know about the High Air Flow (or HAF) series which is one of the best selling line up which consist of the 912, 922, 932 and the X mixing in the different variation of each. And if this isn't enough to convince you that Cooler Master is one of the leaders in the gaming tower market, then take a look at the Storm line which contains the likes of the Enforcer, Sniper and the Scout.
Where you decide your hardware gets to live can say a lot about any build. A case with a huge window means you likely want to show off that $400 GPU you have sitting inside, otherwise it goes unnoticed.
This past year at CES we had barely dropped our bags off at the hotel before we hit the ground running. Our first task was to make it to the Corsair press conference.
Corsair®, a worldwide designer and supplier of high-performance components to the PC gaming hardware market, today announced worldwide retail availability of the Carbide Series™ 500R gaming PC case. The Carbide Series 500R joins the Carbide Series 400R, released in September.
Corsair®, a worldwide designer and supplier of high-performance components to the PC gaming hardware market, today announced the availability of the Special Edition White Graphite Series™ 600T mid-tower PC case. The special edition features a chassis painted in brilliant white, with the ventilation grilles, drive bay covers, and other accents rendered in the black of the original 600T for a dramatic look.
Corsair is a well known entity in the memory market and has expanded their portfolio to other products in recent years. Power supplies, SSDs and cooling products along with cases are now part of their line-up. We have taken a look at the very successful Corsair Obsidian 800D and 650D in the past and also the Graphite 600T. Today we get to look at their first chassis which sells for under 100 US Dollar by the name of Carbide 400R. It will be interesting to see what Corsair has cut from this in order to offer the Carbide 400R at such a price point.
Today we'll be checking out one of Corsairs latest cases, the Carbide 400R. Most people know Corsair for their memory products, but in recent years they have converted over to Cases and other products. Today I'll be checking out my first Corsair case. It includes support of up to 10 fans, future technologies and large components. Its sleek design not only looks good, but is functional as well, which is great for cable management and cooling. Read on further to see what else this case has in store for under $100.
Corsair's successful entry into the case world has taken quite a few people by surprise including consumers and many competitors in the case market. With the first Corsair Obsidian series, the 800D, Corsair standardized many features that were only seen in much more niche products like cable routing openings on the motherboard tray and fan filters.
Neoseeker's look at the Carbide series of cases from Corsair continues with its latest iteration, the 500R. In comparison to the rest of the cases designed by Corsair, the 500R is essentially a hybrid between the 400R and 600T. This gives it more features than the 400R including an extra 200mm fan mounted on the side panel's mesh screen for extra GPU and chipset cooling, along with a multi-channel fan controller, USB 3.0 ports, native SSD support and modular hard drive cages.
Back in August of 2009 Corsair blasted onto the scene with the much anticipated Obsidian 800D full tower case which quickly won worldwide acclaim as one of the best full tower designs on the market. Since that time Corsair has released several cases playing off that success in their graphite and carbide series. The latest iteration from their carbide series is the 500R that they sent over to Legit Reviews for a quick look.
You know, ever since Corsair entered the market with their PC cases their cases have been nothing other then a success story. And that's because Corsair aims at a very specific audience, the high-end to enthusiast community. Though pricy, the people that understand that investing in a good chassis show the fruits of the labor. So with that in mind my stomach turned around a little when I noticed the all new Carbide series chassis in a preview at Computex. Luckily that mockup I noticed back then changed a bit -- for the better.
When it comes to shopping for a new case, the myriad of available choices and features is always incredibly expansive. While some cases can be obtained for as little as $30 or $40, others require upwards of $300 and $400 for something that, in general, accomplishes the same task. Of course, the price premium usually results in larger sizes,
70 amps of power, tight voltage regulation, low ripple and noise, thermally controlled fan speed, all topped off with 80 Plus Bronze efficiency. All of this in a "value-oriented" power supply from Corsair, or least that is what Corsair is telling us. We put it to the test and find out if "value-oriented" is where you want to invest your hard earned PSU budget.
Corsair not too long ago was known only for its superb enthusiast memory in the DRAM market. Corsair is now a company that has been consistently expanding its product base in recent history. One of the products that Corsair has expanded into is the PC case business and it's a market segment where they have been quickly feared by other companies. The Graphite Series introduced the world to Corsair's placement into the mid-tower PC case category.
Corsair comes to us this time with a new entry into its Professional computer power supply series. Corsair claims this one is produced for enthusiasts and gamers that demand high performance, high efficiency, the flexibility of modular cables, and most importantly unflinching reliability. As always we will be the judge of those qualities.
Corsair is a well known entity in the memory market and has expanded their portfolio to other products in recent years. Power supplies, SSDs and cooling products along with cases are now part of their line-up. We have taken a look at the very successful Corsair Obsidian 800D in the past and also the Graphite 600T. Today we get to look at the smaller brother of the 800D, appropriately named Obsidian 650D. It utilizes the same inner frame as the Graphite chassis, but adds a whole list of new features to justify the higher price tag and Obsidian name.
Corsair has already launched four cases, but out of these four we've only reviewed the first one - the Obsidian 800D. It was the manufacturer's entry to a new market and a very good one at that. The case aimed at the premium market, was loaded with features and was impressively well put together and sturdy. The only downside of the original Obsidian was the huge size which meant that getting such an enormous case really only made sense to people with water cooling loops. Now corsair has addressed this problem and launched a smaller Obsidian case - the 650D. Lets find out if they've managed to keep all the things that made the 800D such an excellent case!
During our recent gaming case roundup, we compared six unique enclosures spanning from BitFenix's $60 Shinobi mid-tower to the Cooler Master's $200 HAF X full-tower. Shortly after publishing that review, some of you were disappointed that we didn't include something from Corsair's popular Obsidian series, especially its new Obsidian 650D.
When Corsair released its Obsidian 800D full-tower nearly two years ago, it was the company's first chassis, but still managed to set standards. For those who were hoping for much of the same aesthetic value and design features in a smaller package, Corsair delivers with its 650D, a premium-priced offering at $180.
Corsair really surprised us when they entered the case market with the Obsidian Series 800D full tower case. The 800D was just awesome and probably one of the best cases I have reviewed in the past 3 years. They next went to the Graphite Series with the 600T, this case was equally impressive. Today we are taking a look at the first mid tower case in the Obidian Series, the 650D. The case has many of the same features we loved on on the 800D, but also adds some from the Graphite Series line of cases as well. Is this the perfect mid tower for you? Read on to find out!
After being left so impressed with Corsair's Obsidian 650D chassis last month, we couldn't wait to take the company's Special Edition White Graphite 600T for a spin to see if it could match or surpass our expectations. Though similar in design to the original, the SE White has a couple of upgrades, and a whole new aesthetic appeal.
Corsair released the Graphite Series 600T case to the world last September but for 2011 the company is revamping the design with a new coat of paint and an interchangeable side panel that includes both a window and a fan-capable mesh option in the box.
Corsair Memory continues to expand their PC power supply offering with the introduction of four new modular power supplies in their Enthusiast Series; the TX550M, TX650M, TX750M and TX850M. Corsair designed all of the new modular power supplies to deliver clean, stable, continuous power at an affordable price for PC gamers and performance enthusiasts.
Reading the feature set of this new power supply we see that it hits on many of the things we like in a PSU; high efficiency, high performance at 50C, good cable management, and Japanese capacitors. Of course having a great marketing sheet and having a great PSU are different things. We find out if this cougar pounces.
Let's face it, graphics cards these days are getting longer and longer. With current AMD and NVIDIA offerings, some users will need to consider a new case or get creative in order to install their new card. It's always prudent in a new build to consider a case that supports both current and future graphics cards, as well as any other hardware you may need. That's where Cubitek comes in with the XL-Tank case. Not only does the it support larger graphics cards, but longer PSU's up to 220mm in length and CPU heatsinks up to 190mm in height as well. Of course the XL-Tank has much more to offer than just these few features, but you'll have to read on if your keen on finding out.
Diablotek is a company who was making video cards for a while a couple of years ago. It seems like they have switched gears a little bit and now they are producing computer cases, power supplies, and accessories. Today we will be checking out one of their cases the Legend Mid Tower. This case features tool-less hard drive and optical drive installation, room for up to 4 fans and a price of under $50. Let's take a look and see if it is the perfect budget case for your next build.
The ITX form factor is great for space-saving portability. But gamers still need that extra expansion slot to support a high-end graphics card. We compare four compact cases that support double-slot cards on a tiny single-slot motherboard.
Now when most people think of Enermax most would think of power supplies and fans. Cases? Not so much. But Enermax does have cases and today we are looking at the newest addition to their Mid Tower line up: the Hoplite Series. Now, I say series because there are 3 versions of the Hoplite: The ECA3220, ECA3221 and ECA3222. The differences between the models are in the internal drive cage arrangement and whether or not it has the top drive docking station. The model we are looking at today is the Hoplite ECA3220.
Manufacturer of a variety of fabricated ATA-style cases. rackmount cases, computer cases, broadcast equipment cases and other configurations. Lifetime warranty on parts and labor.
Choosing the right case is basically the first step in any build. The right case should allow you to make the best use of your rig. Whether your looking for expandability or even just the basics, the case you choose should provide just what you want without breaking the bank. Up for review today is a new case from IN WIN that is simply called Buc. IN WIN packed loads of features into this mid-tower package. The case is mostly tool-less and even features externally-accessible hard drive bays, much like the ThermalTake Level 10 and Level 10 GT. Additionally, the case comes with three 120mm fans right out of the box. So what other tricks does this case have up its sleeve?
For those of you that do not know, LEPA is what we would call Enermax' low cost "house brand" of PSU. No, it specifications are not up to those of most worthy Enermax units, but then again, neither is the price. How does LEPA do with its second unit reviewed here at HardOCP?
HardOCP is serious when it comes to power supplies, but is LEPA? Given that Ecomaster is now the authorized agent delivering the Enermax and LEPA brands of PSUs, we have high hopes for this new-to-us LEPA branding. Is LEPA part of, "The complete product lines satisfy all players' ultimate needs?"
Lian Li has long been a trend setter in the all-Aluminum chassis field. Known for their industry leading quality, any Lian Li case will have a fit and finish that is a true delight to work with. And, while some of their designs like the PC-U6 or the Armorsuit PC-P80R get the lion's share of the attention, the more standard designs like the PC-6 continue to be copied by every one-off case company around.
Lian Li are well known for creating cases which excel on build quality, often matching high levels of workmanship with attractive design and impressive performance. That said it is very hard to make a perfect case, one which keeps up with the competition and an ever evolving market where there can be so many different requirements from customer to customer. Take the X-2000F as an example, for that chassis when we reviewed it we were very impressed by the low noise, good airflow and spacious layout. It was flexible enough to use as part of our main benchmarking system and at the same time looks great. There were two issues though, the first being the lack of support for 2.5" drives out of the box and the second that there was no 14cm to 12cm bracket for the rear exhaust to assist those who wanted to install a 12cm radiator in this location. A great case, but not perfect.
The Lian Li Mini Q PC-V354 that we reviewed about a year ago quickly became my favorite microATX computer case. This model was followed up by a Mini-ITX version called the PC-Q08, which essentially provided all the same features while supporting an even smaller form factor.
I've got the itch to do a case mod. No need for another case, but just feel like tinkering in the shop. I've got several GT/GM Gateway mATX cases sitting around collecting dust and thought it'd be fun to chop them up and make a semi-compact portable LAN/gaming just-for-the-heck-of-it case.
MSI, the world’s premiere computer hardware and systems manufacturer, today announces a new line of computer cases aimed at PC enthusiasts that will be exclusively distributed by Pro-Com Products in North America. The Interceptor Series is designed to meet the rigorous demands of overclockers and gamers, yet provides extensive functionality and flexibility for everyday users.
To me, NZXT has always been one of those manufacturers that lurks in the background of the market and is seen with new products every now and then. It reminds me of an auto manufacturer like Maserati -- everyone knows the name and the quality behind it, but you don't see one every day and you generally take a second look. NZXT has a rich legacy of having some of the most well-designed cases, inside and out. Each new product stays fresh and doesn't look like a repeat, which I enjoy a lot! I've only been able to review two or three other NZXT cases, but I've liked every one of them, so I'm hoping that this review will be no different.
NZXT introduces the newest design in their Classic series, the H2 Silent mid-tower. Building upon the success of their previous Hush mid-tower and Whisper full-tower chassis, the H2 incorporates the latest case upgrades and technological advances into a compact mid-tower frame, utilizing quieting features and a classic styling that practically screams NZXT.
These days NZXT has their finger on the pulse of the custom build community. With a wide variety of case designs and varying price points there is a NXZT chassis for just about everyone. I have even made an NZXT case the foundation for many of my builds ever since I first discovered their Guardian case back in 2004 and a Tempest EVO still holds my long suffering backup PC today!
NZXT's latest PC case is called the NZXT H2 Silent Classic Mid-Tower PC Chassis which is designed to run whisper quiet. It runs so quiet that it's too bad NZXT already used the Whisper name for another one of its case models. NZXT employs noise dampening foam to help keep the noise inside the case and not out in the user's environment.
NZXT comes to us touting its HALE82 PSU telling us it has high working efficiencies, 100% Japanese caps, a modular design, and "Keeping it Safe" over voltage and short circuit protections. And considering this is a unit built by Seasonic, it might just be one that is worth looking at. Is it anything special though?
The 80 Plus performance specification requires certified power supplies to be at least 80% efficient or greater at 20%, 50% and 100% of their rated maximum output power whilst maintaining the power factor level above 0.9. The award scheme has been extended since the introduction of the basic 80 Plus accreditation with the addition of several more levels above and beyond what was originally required and now includes bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels with required efficiency levels as high as 94%. Platinum rated power supplies are rare but more and more manufacturers are now producing gold rated units with a maximum efficiency requirement of 90% at 50% loading.
The Phantom 410 isn't a direct replacement to its full tower sibling. Instead, NZXT decided that releasing a mid tower variant would be a better choice as it could coincide on the market with its full tower brother while appealing to a slightly different target audience.
NZXT, a company built upon gamers’ dreams, hopes to create products that put consumers first. With the objective of designing unique products catered for hardware enthusiasts and gamers, NZXT has grown into a globally renowned brand recognized for dedication towards creating the next great gaming product.
In order to break out of the normal mold NZXT took a different route than the other manufactures and paired up with PC Modder/Builder Craig Brugger (craigbru). Together they worked together to design the Phantom.
NZXT is known for the extravagant, over the top cases, but what happens when they take the same ideas and throw them into a budget case? You get the NZXT Source 210 and the NZXT Source 210 Elite, both which can be found for under $50. Today we'll be looking at the Source 210 Elite, which features a tool-free drive installation, cable management, and plenty of cooling options. Both versions of the Source 210 can be found in both white and black, but read on further to get a look into the Elite black model.
NZXT are back with yet another new case -- this time we are graced with an addition to their classic series. The Source 210 Elite is a compact mid-tower case designed for first time builders seeking a low cost chassis to house their hardware. The Source 210 is available in 2 different versions -- standard and Elite. The standard giving USB2.0 and no top mounted fan whilst the Elite provides USB3.0 and a top mounted 140mm exhaust fan. Both versions also give buyers the option of having a black or white chassis.
When choosing a case for your new build it is important to consider the direction you wish to take with your build. Depending on where you wish to take it, you may need a case with the right features to accommodate your build over its lifetime. NZXT has been making excellent cases for sometime now, and today it has a new case up for review, the Source 210.
NZXT comes back to us again with another "don't break the bank" gamer case. Much like the recently released NZXT Tempest 210, the NZXT Source 220 is a smaller mid-tower with the class to spruce up your room while keeping more cash in your pocket. Its simple design allows for location in any room -- no arguing with your significant other about having that gaudy yellow RAIDMAX Blade in the living room. It's time for class, and at a price you can afford.
Your case is often the piece that really says something about you. Wild with colors or subtle and plain - the case says something about your style. In the end it all comes down to getting all your hardware inside; this is where size starts to count. Suddenly having the biggest video card on the market to support your e-ego soon becomes an issue when trying to cram it in a small case, no innuendo intended. However, just because you have all the parts in the world doesn't mean you don't want a small sleek case to conceal it all.
Today we get to look at one of NZXT’s latest cases. This new addition comes accompanied with the infamous “Tempest” nametag, which we’ve seen on many popular NZXT products in the past. The NZXT Tempest 410 Elite is equipped with a sleek design, honeycomb mesh, and a complete tool-free installation.
NZXT added two mid-tower case offerings to its Tempest series today that feature custom solutions for dual-radiator watercooling systems and dual "touch-powered" 120mm front fans with removable filters. The Tempest 410 and Tempest 410 Elite are available for $79.99 and $89.99. Today, we are kicking the tires on the Tempest 410 Elite to ensure enthusiasts and overclockers get the most bang for their buck for their next mid-tower case upgrade.
NZXT are back with another release - this time from the Crafted Series. The original Tempest and Tempest EVO achieved much success for its great design and features. NZXT are back with yet another version of the popular Tempest named the Tempest 410. The Tempest 410 is available in standard and Elite versions. The standard comes with 2 pre-installed fans and a solid side panel whilst the Elite comes with 3 pre-installed fans and a Perspex side panel window -- the difference in cost between both models is just £5.
The enclosure or case as it is also know can make or break any build. For instance, picking an enclosure that does not plan for expansion for larger graphics cards or more hard disk drives could put you in a position where you need to shop for another. It is important to consider the direction you wish to take with your build and plan it out before selecting the case that is right for you. So what does the right case have to have? Does it need to support water cooling or maybe it needs to have enough space for a large heatsink that sports 120mm fans. No matter what you need in a case NZXT has you covered and for review today we have the Tempest 410 Elite. The Tempest 410 Elite is part of NZXT's Crafted Series which consists of many other cases, but more specifically the Tempest, Tempest 410, and Tempest EVO. What sets the Elite Edition apart from the original Tempest 410 is the included side panel window and a second front 120mm intake fan. However, that is not all NZXT packed into this relatively wallet friendly case. Both the Tempest 410 and 410 Elite have a storage compartment for added convenience. While I could reveal more it would spoil the surprise so lets first take a closer look at the Tempest 410 Elite.
Manufacturers and distributors offering computers, mother boards, video cards and computer cases. Products available on-line or through a reseller network.
OCZ comes to us with a new "High-Performance" computer power supply that sports 650 watts along with fully modular cable management. OCZ tells us "this power supply remains rock solid and stable" under typical load environments. Will this new OCZ offering come in looking worth its $90 price tag and Bronze efficiency rating?
The Silencer 760 power supply is rated for a combined, maximum output power of 760 watts (836W peak) at up to 50°C ambient air temperature (internal case air temperature). Like previous Silencer models, the 760 unit features Active Power Factor Correction, universal AC input, and uses a single 80mm fan for cooling. And as you might expect, the 760 is NVIDIA SLI Certified (up to 2 x GTX470 graphic adapters).
Quick release fasteners for rack mount products. Unique release fastening system for rack mount products, no tools are required to install, remove or use.
It seems everyone is putting out PC cases, I didn’t know MSI was until this one arrived for my review, in fact it’s not even listed on their website yet, but I have it and it’s not bad. Today for review I have the Interceptor Series Nighthawk ATX Mid Tower PC case from MSI. The case is a bit small, but it still has plenty of room for even the largest of video cards along with room for several hard drives and more.
Rosewill is a Newegg brand, along with ABS Systems; and in a recent turn of events, has decided to enter the Enthusiast market with High End products like their Lightning & Capstone Series of PSUs made by Super Flower and their diverse Case Line-up from multiple OEMs. Early this year, I got a chance to look at the Rosewill Thor XL-ATX Gaming case and decided it was worthy of our Editor's Choice award. This current iteration of the Thor comes in at $129.99 with Free Shipping and a 1 Year Warranty.
Seasonic is well known by computer hardware enthusiasts, and for a good reason. It builds some of the best power supplies in the world. Let's see if its new X-Series 660 watt unit is up to our plethora of high heat tests.
Sometimes, being a case manufacturer means that you have to do something special to get noticed. It isn't always the flashy designs or the obnoxious graphics that gets your product known. Sometimes, it is just good craftsmanship and a good design that gets people like me excited. With a slew of case manufacturers out there, Sentey thinks they can get your attention with their Burton Chassis.
Sentey isn't a brand that immediately springs to mind, but perhaps things are about to change? The company's main manufacturing plant is based in Shenzen, China, with headquarters in Florida, USA, and an operations center in Walnut, California, along with new distribution centers in Latin America. Sentey was created with the goal of providing high end computing products that meet the need of the computer enthusiast.
Today for review I've got a PC case from a company called Sentey, it's the GS-6400R Arvina and it's a big case with a ton of room in it. The case has a built-in card reader and an SATA port on the top that works with the included SATA data and power cables that come with the case. The Arvina has more than enough room for the largest of video cards, along with space for five hard drives.
We have another offering from Sentey and their "Extreme Division" line of cases today. This time we are going to take a look at their GS-6000 Optimus mid-tower case. Previously we looked at the Arvina GS-6400 which came away with top honors. With the Optimus, Sentey looks to be going for a budget version of the Arvina in the mid-tower size. The Optimus comes in two varieties, the GS-6000 which is all black and the GS-6000R with red highlights; we have the former on hand today.
Seventeam is a longtime PSU builder that has just recently started focusing on the enthusiast market in North America and it shows in its marketing. Today's 750 watt power supply is touted as, "Meets ATX 12V V2.3 standard," is Windows 7 Ready, and carries the 80Plus Bronze badge that is described as "High Efficiency."
The SilverStone ST45SF power supply is rated for a combined, continuous output power of up to 450 watts at 50°C. That's important, as some less reputable manufactures limit their power supply's advertised capacity by specifying a lower operating temperature (25°C) in the fine print.
We specialize in reusable shipping, travel and storage cases. Featuring Mobile Rack Cases for telecommunications and electronic equipment, to a full line of plastic molded shipping cases for computers, laptops, and electronics. We also carry a complete assortment of lightweight Aluminum Cases for shipping and storage. Our goal is to ship our high quality, hard shell cases the same day as you place your order, whenever possible.
Thermaltake has been manufacturing cases for 12 years now, and has come to be pretty well respected in the enthusiast market segment with offerings of various types. Its LANBOX and Element cases make for solid products in today's competitive small form factor market.
Everyone has heard that size does not matter right? Sometimes that can be true, but normally in the world of computer cases if you want all of the features then you need to opt for a full tower chassis. Well that's not the case any longer, no pun intended. We have seen a number of manufacturers packing in the features we love in full tower cases down into smaller mATX style chassis. Giving us the ability to choose where we want to house our precious components. One manufacturer that takes the case building designs to the limits is Thermaltake. They are well known for some radical designs such as the Level 10 that broke the traditional case style and then took the design even further with the revamped Level 10 GT. While those designs are well thought out for your home build they are too heavy and bulky for LAN party travel.
Thermaltake has around since 1999 and has been putting out cases, coolers, and power supplies for enthusiasts of all levels. Today we are looking at their newest addition to their case line up, the Galaxy Episode Chaser MK-1. It is what Thermaltake is calling "Extra Big ATX Tower." Coming in at 22.4", tall 9.3" wide, and 22.9" deep it's not the biggest case we have looked at, but it is larger than the average ATX full tower. With its size the Chaser MK-1 has room for CPU coolers up to 180mm tall and video cards up to 33cm or 13 inches in length. The Chaser MK-1 also has 8 expansion slots and a security lock for peripherals.
I have been reviewing Thermaltake cases for quite some time and over that time period I have looked at both good and bad cases. One thing I've always liked about Thermaltake cases was that they were geared towards gamers and were really stylish and flashy. Thermaltake sort of went away from that look with the Element series of cases, the newer Armor cases are more on the lower-end and the Level 10 cases are out of most people's price range.
Thermaltake has a large number of chassis lines, but it's time to welcome another: Chaser. The first model, MK-1, features a bold, gamer-esque design and borrows many cues from the Level 10 GT. It features an HDD dock, a headphone holder, and tons of cooling capacity. At $150, is this a full-tower that should top your list?
Today I've got another case for review, this time from Thermaltake. The case is called the Chaser MK-1 and it's big with bold styling and lots of features that anyone building a system can appreciate. The Chaser MK-1 has USB 3.0 ports built-in, 33cm fans to keep the system cool and it has a hard drive docking station built right into the case so you can quickly and easily access hard drives when you need to.
A good case isn't just all about looks. Ideally a good case is something that not only keeps your precious components safe and cool, but also looks great while doing it. Thermaltake, a leading manufacturer of heatsinks, power supplies, and chassis might just have what you are looking for with their full tower Chaser MK-I.
Most cases will always be very much like one another, but every now and then something truly unique pops up. The original Thermaltake Level 10 case is a good example of this, really one of a kind looks combined with premium price tag. Now Thermaltake has used the same basic idea to make another case - the Level 10 GT, and as there's going to be so much to show, lets just dive straight in!
Most enthusiasts would remember the astonishing "Level 10" case which Thermaltake co-designed with BMW Group Design Works USA and released a couple of years ago. Whoever remembers the (otherwise remarkable) Level 10 case also remember the ludicrous price tag which kept the sales of the product very, very low. Thermaltake claims to have fixed that with their release of the newly released Level 10 GT case, a product sharing a similar design but much more functional and far more sensibly priced and which already won the reddot design award for 2011. Today we are having a thorough look at it.
Cases come in all shapes and sizes and while there are some truly unique designs out there the majority of them are simple square boxes with complex façades to hide the inner workings. This practice is quite common and allows designers to add just about any of the commonly accepted cooling technologies and then choose to highlight those features to disguise them as something else.
If you don't think e-sports is all the rage right now you are seriously out of touch with what is going on in the PC scene. Every popular manufacturer of cases, cooling and other gear are quickly making a point to add an e-sport category to their product line. One company that may have made a bigger splash than most would be Thermaltake.
Thermaltake has been known for solid desktop computer power supplies when it comes to big power. We have been using Toughpower 1200W PSUs on our testing benches for literally years. Today we see a new Toughpower 1200 watt PSU, but does it keep up with the times and deliver what is expected?
Thermaltake Technology Co. Ltd., founded in 1999, manufactured the world's first turbine cooler for the Intel Pentium and AMD Athlon series processors in 2000. The Golden Orb was followed by the all copper Volcano 7 cooler in 2001 the same year Thermaltake became Intel's premier cooler solution provider in Asia Pacific. The company has moved on since then and now includes enclosures, power supplies, coolers for most applications, HDD enclosures, DC cooling fans and gaming accessories in its product line.
Thermaltake was a leader in the field of high power computer PSUs many years ago, and in fact we still use those 1200 watt units in testing. Today we are seeing another top end Toughpower PSU enter the market, this time packing a huge 1500 watts of power supposedly at high efficiencies.
Topower Computer Industrial Co. Ltd., founded in 1986 in Taiwan, originally started as a manufacturer of switched mode power supplies. Their product line has now expanded to include computer power supplies, speakers, 19" racking systems, chassis, server cases, CD/DVD duplicators, coolers and accessories. Topower products are manufactured in China with offices located in Europe, Canada and the USA to support their international sales growth.
Topower steps into the big leagues with its new 1000 watt "Gold" power supply that is part of its Nano Series PSUs. You probably realize from the "1000W" and "Gold" in the name that Topower thinks very highly of its new non-modular beast. We put it to the test and see if it is gold as Topower would have you believe.
VisionTek, once know solely by enthusiasts for its Made-in-the-USA video cards, now just a former shell of itself, has been quietly diversifying its business to help its bottom line. Today we look at a 700 watt VisionTek power supply that we saw being sold on special and decided to pick one up for ourselves and put it in the grinder. Quality buy or pig sty?
Xigmatek hasn't been around the PC aftermarket for as long as some other companies, but they've certainly made a splash, marketing some very innovative designs (including pioneering work in the direct touch heatpipe design) to good reviews from customers and the press alike. We've gotten the chance to evaluate most of the coolers and cases in their lineup and been very impressed. This time out we've got Xigmatek's Gaia SD 1283 cooler in the lab for evaluation.
Zalman is a well known brand when it comes to silent or quiet cooling solutions for both CPU and GPU needs. Zalman does however build a few power supplies for desktop computers and recently we found one for sale that was downright cheap, so we decided to pick it up from a local retailer and put it to our tests.