i must say that your reasoning for discarding this case as it being ugly is based on personal preferences. if you dont like it soooo much why did you bother looking, bought this case and i love it. get compliments like crazy at lan parties and you dont have to like it, but someone else might. you guys are too critical, you probably all own kias.
I just got mine. I think the case looks cool. All the beige cases or even the new beige,,, black, been looking at them for years. I wanted something a little different then all the same ol same ol. And I am pushing 40 so take that:)
Thanks Anandtech for reviewing something a little different. I can't stand having everything look plain all of the time. Case is stong enough for my SLI setup and quiet enough to be ignored when I am across the room. The lighting is not too bright without being obnoxious. I even added a UV light to brighten up the plastic.
The only problem I have, other then the tooless case, is now I have to open the case and clean the dust bunnnies out more often.
I usually don't pay attention to cases such as these. However this one I couldnt help but to laugh at the design. Looks like a power ranger got shrink rapped around the casing.
"Why is it most modder cases look like a 14 year old metal head design them?
Diversity should not mean between a cobra and dragon. All these cases look like album covers from the 1980s."
Zak, these cases do sell. Lots of people like this kind of thing. No need to be rude. Better to write and say you would rather like something like the Hush cases to be reviewed. =)
Why do you people keep reviewing ugly, BUTT UGLY and useless cases??? This is a waste of time and not worth reading. Stick to reviewing the guts: mobos,cards, etc and leave this for someone else. You're obviosuly not getting it right.
im glad i read these comments and found more people like me who are sick of the overblown "modded" cases flooding the market now. I just want something slick, classy, and unobtrusive (why i love my antec sonata so much). Not to mention from my experience these premod cases are loud as hell and cheaply constructed.
The blue version of this case looks better than the red, IMO. Microcenter has it advertised with a 500 Watt PSU, but I think it needs to be cheaper than $99 if it going to sell.
I like the simplistic, clean style of a coolermaster case. Specifically the Praetorian, but those gaudy plastic facings of the reviewed case is definitely not my thing. Neon lighting in cases is distracting for me.
I hate these snapin standoffs on My CM-ATCS201, give me brass stand offs anytime. Yeah the paintjobs not to bad also, The thermal and noise qualities are a welcome bonus as is the stock/w-out PSU price.
hahahaha..you guys make me laugh....some of you are finding childish that style of case and that its only good for 12 years old...you wanna know something,what the hell do you think putting neon-glow,and all those shit does look like.??yup,thats it..12 years old...
hahahaha
sry...but i prefer a nice looking case like that,stylish and different,than having a big all acrylic one with 100 neons-glow that flash with the music...yup..im still young at heart even if im 30...but i personnaly found that neon and all..not for me....geez,,its a computer,,not a disco...anyways..
MY 2 CENTS!
dripgoss: I am definitely looking forward to the Dragon also. I caught a look at it at Computex from CaseTek and the LCD front panel looks outstanding (it has a pretty high resolution too, something like 200x200).
Damn, u guys are harsh. My wife chose this case (30 years old, not 12) out of all the cases on the net for her system build. I thought the same thing too when she came home with it - "oh boy, wtf is this..." But she bought it on sale at San Jose MicroCenter for $50 and, unlike the reviews, hers came with a very solid 500W MGE PSU. The rails were very solid and are powering her 6800U, A64 3000+ @ 2500 (Tt SilentBoost HSF), VNF3-250, 1GB DDR500, 2xSATA 200GB system. I added a Vantec stealth 120mm as intake to the front, a CM 80mm on the side, and turned all the other 80mm fans as out-take and the case dropped 10°C over her old Antec Solution case. CPU is 29°C idle / 40°C load (OC'ed) and ambient temp using the included probe is always 25°C!! Replaced most accessible screws with thumscrews and it seems to be a decent buy if you can find it as low as she did...
Basically, this case may not be for some, but it keeps the comp way cool, is really silent and the handles are a nice touch even if just to move around a few feet.
The acrylic applique window was a bit shoddy though and I hope they fix that in later models. Also, our box made reference to an "Overclockers kit" which didn't seem to be included in the box. And the case sides need to be finessed in order to get them to slide back on. Personally, I can't wait to check out the MGE/XGBox Dragon aluminum case when it's released. Other than these short-comings, the case ain't half bad under a desk and tucked away from your artsy fartsy, retro art-decco furnishings...
Looks like potluck on what Power supply it really comes with to. Checked both the Newegg links and the ZZF link and none of them included the same power supply as was in the review. By the way I agree that the looks are just to far out there for me. I like most of the external features, the handles, temp display, front panel connectors on top. To bad the whole package reminds to much of a transformer toy when I look at it.
"How about looking for quality cases which are more pleasingly designed? Instead of monsters I would like to see something that would fit nicely in a modern home"
Can't say i love the design of this case. But i do like one thing better with this case than my own Antec Sonata, that be the 120MM fan behind the hard drives. Rather than my case which has the 120mm fan infront of the hard drives.
Other than that another cool review done by the guys at anandtech :)
How about looking for quality cases which are more pleasingly designed? Instead of monsters I would like to see something that would fit nicely in a modern home. Look on how expensive home cinema receivers are designed.
To make it clear Purav I'm not saying that Anandtech should look at cases on their external merits alone as you suggest many who complain about style are suggesting. In fact I don't think many of us who are complaining about style are saying that at all. Instead we are saying in many instances "What a shame that such a good case is ruined by such ugly looks". Unlike the internals of a computer where I think looks truly don't matter the chassis is really the only physical presence of the computer that you are ever ware of on a day to day basis. As such many of us would prefer not to have our chassis making a statement such as "hay look how cool I am over here Look Look Look...!" That doesn't mean that the internals of a case are not the most important thing, far from it they are the most important aspect of any case. But that doesn't mean that the external design of a case can't almost completely offset all the goodies inside, it definitely can. No matter how good the internals of a case are I am not purchase a bright yellow Pikachu case for example.
By the way I happen to really look forward to most of the case reviews here at Anandtech, they are very thorough and informative. It's not the reviews I have a beef with, it's the trend in the industry to this look that I don't like.
yeah whats up with all the cases looking like they were designed by playschool. More funky colored plastic is not better. Its a computer not an action figure
i own one of these; my friend gave it to me, but thats not important... I actually have to say i like the design, although the LED display is inconvenient located, the design is very aggressive and eye-catching. its a little big, but that size is anything but wasted, it have places for multiple fans, motherboard, power supply, Hardrive, CD/DVD burner, and other accessories for your computer. if you have the space and would enjoy a kick-ass light-show while running it in the dark, this was made for you.
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41 Comments
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k2bordr03 - Tuesday, March 1, 2005 - link
i must say that your reasoning for discarding this case as it being ugly is based on personal preferences. if you dont like it soooo much why did you bother looking, bought this case and i love it. get compliments like crazy at lan parties and you dont have to like it, but someone else might. you guys are too critical, you probably all own kias.Hunter Viking - Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - link
I just got mine. I think the case looks cool. All the beige cases or even the new beige,,, black, been looking at them for years. I wanted something a little different then all the same ol same ol. And I am pushing 40 so take that:)Thanks Anandtech for reviewing something a little different. I can't stand having everything look plain all of the time. Case is stong enough for my SLI setup and quiet enough to be ignored when I am across the room. The lighting is not too bright without being obnoxious. I even added a UV light to brighten up the plastic.
The only problem I have, other then the tooless case, is now I have to open the case and clean the dust bunnnies out more often.
And the blue is more subdued then the red.
albinodragon - Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - link
Personally I had just bought the blue version of the MGE Viper case and it hasn't arrived yet, but I am excited to upgrade my old PC using it!Regs - Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - link
I usually don't pay attention to cases such as these. However this one I couldnt help but to laugh at the design. Looks like a power ranger got shrink rapped around the casing.unclebud - Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - link
"Why is it most modder cases look like a 14 year old metal head design them?Diversity should not mean between a cobra and dragon. All these cases look like album covers from the 1980s."
laughing really hard...
Gatak - Monday, December 20, 2004 - link
Zak, these cases do sell. Lots of people like this kind of thing. No need to be rude. Better to write and say you would rather like something like the Hush cases to be reviewed. =)Zak - Monday, December 20, 2004 - link
Why do you people keep reviewing ugly, BUTT UGLY and useless cases??? This is a waste of time and not worth reading. Stick to reviewing the guts: mobos,cards, etc and leave this for someone else. You're obviosuly not getting it right.Zak
bigpow - Sunday, December 19, 2004 - link
This will match well with a Pontiac Aztec...Woohoo!
crimsonson - Sunday, December 19, 2004 - link
I have to agree,Why is it most modder cases look like a 14 year old metal head design them?
Diversity should not mean betweena cobra and dragon. All these cases look like album covers from the 1980s.
Gatak - Sunday, December 19, 2004 - link
This is what I want! :) http://www.hushtechnologies.net/start.htmlAquila76 - Sunday, December 19, 2004 - link
AnadTech's case review team - Here is what 99% of your readers look for when buying a case:Subtlety
Great Cooling
Subtlety
Internal features
Subtlety
Room for expansion
Subtlety
Did my semi-sublimnal hints get the point across?
for an example of just such a case, which I received and setup last week, look here:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?desc...
mrdudesir - Sunday, December 19, 2004 - link
im glad i read these comments and found more people like me who are sick of the overblown "modded" cases flooding the market now. I just want something slick, classy, and unobtrusive (why i love my antec sonata so much). Not to mention from my experience these premod cases are loud as hell and cheaply constructed.Poser - Sunday, December 19, 2004 - link
I was a little surprised to see the comment about the internal speaker being worrysome. See the question, "The enemy within?" here for why:http://www.dansdata.com/io014.htm
TinyTeeth - Sunday, December 19, 2004 - link
Oh yeah, by the way, sorry for the double post but, is Anandtech going to review the Dragon? That case seems quite a lot more interesting.TinyTeeth - Sunday, December 19, 2004 - link
Sure, it looks a bit cool, but it ain't anything I'd like on my desk. This is something you show off at LAN parties, not using every day.Besides, the front looks plastic and a bit like it was built in LEGO.
MemberSince97 - Sunday, December 19, 2004 - link
The upcomoming Dragon looks acceptable...kmmatney - Sunday, December 19, 2004 - link
The blue version of this case looks better than the red, IMO. Microcenter has it advertised with a 500 Watt PSU, but I think it needs to be cheaper than $99 if it going to sell.Panther - Sunday, December 19, 2004 - link
is there a shortage of legitimate hardware to review around the labs?istari101 - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
I like the simplistic, clean style of a coolermaster case. Specifically the Praetorian, but those gaudy plastic facings of the reviewed case is definitely not my thing. Neon lighting in cases is distracting for me.Bonesdad - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
cmon, lets do some reviews on REAL cases. Gawd, this has to be the one of the fugliest things evar.CrystalBay - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
I hate these snapin standoffs on My CM-ATCS201, give me brass stand offs anytime. Yeah the paintjobs not to bad also, The thermal and noise qualities are a welcome bonus as is the stock/w-out PSU price.Locut0s - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
rslayerr: When I think of a stylish case I think of something like this:http://scasp.webnow.biz/upload/a0000010/en_US/prd_...
http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showimage.htm...
etc...
I don't know why you asume that when I say that the case in this review is ugly that I think that a neon glowing case is cool, I definitely don't.
skunkbuster - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
that thing is damn FUGLY !rslayerr - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
hahahaha..you guys make me laugh....some of you are finding childish that style of case and that its only good for 12 years old...you wanna know something,what the hell do you think putting neon-glow,and all those shit does look like.??yup,thats it..12 years old...hahahaha
sry...but i prefer a nice looking case like that,stylish and different,than having a big all acrylic one with 100 neons-glow that flash with the music...yup..im still young at heart even if im 30...but i personnaly found that neon and all..not for me....geez,,its a computer,,not a disco...anyways..
MY 2 CENTS!
KristopherKubicki - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
dripgoss: I am definitely looking forward to the Dragon also. I caught a look at it at Computex from CaseTek and the LCD front panel looks outstanding (it has a pretty high resolution too, something like 200x200).Kristopher
dripgoss - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
Damn, u guys are harsh. My wife chose this case (30 years old, not 12) out of all the cases on the net for her system build. I thought the same thing too when she came home with it - "oh boy, wtf is this..." But she bought it on sale at San Jose MicroCenter for $50 and, unlike the reviews, hers came with a very solid 500W MGE PSU. The rails were very solid and are powering her 6800U, A64 3000+ @ 2500 (Tt SilentBoost HSF), VNF3-250, 1GB DDR500, 2xSATA 200GB system. I added a Vantec stealth 120mm as intake to the front, a CM 80mm on the side, and turned all the other 80mm fans as out-take and the case dropped 10°C over her old Antec Solution case. CPU is 29°C idle / 40°C load (OC'ed) and ambient temp using the included probe is always 25°C!! Replaced most accessible screws with thumscrews and it seems to be a decent buy if you can find it as low as she did...Basically, this case may not be for some, but it keeps the comp way cool, is really silent and the handles are a nice touch even if just to move around a few feet.
The acrylic applique window was a bit shoddy though and I hope they fix that in later models. Also, our box made reference to an "Overclockers kit" which didn't seem to be included in the box. And the case sides need to be finessed in order to get them to slide back on. Personally, I can't wait to check out the MGE/XGBox Dragon aluminum case when it's released. Other than these short-comings, the case ain't half bad under a desk and tucked away from your artsy fartsy, retro art-decco furnishings...
NesuD - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
Looks like potluck on what Power supply it really comes with to. Checked both the Newegg links and the ZZF link and none of them included the same power supply as was in the review. By the way I agree that the looks are just to far out there for me. I like most of the external features, the handles, temp display, front panel connectors on top. To bad the whole package reminds to much of a transformer toy when I look at it.klah - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
Oh, I forgot..."How about looking for quality cases which are more pleasingly designed? Instead of monsters I would like to see something that would fit nicely in a modern home"
I concur.
klah - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
"Wow, I'm at a loss for words. Who buy such a thing?"12-year olds.
diehlr - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
Why do reviewers keep picking these fugly cases to review? God damn that thing is hideous.Denial - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
Wow, I'm at a loss for words. Who buy such a thing?Nice review :)
radx - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
Can't say i love the design of this case. But i do like one thing better with this case than my own Antec Sonata, that be the 120MM fan behind the hard drives. Rather than my case which has the 120mm fan infront of the hard drives.Other than that another cool review done by the guys at anandtech :)
Gatak - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
A few of them:http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/decobox/images/de...
http://www.mini-itx.com/news/images/story0363b.jpg
http://www.mini-itx.com/news/computex2004-4/images...
http://www.mini-itx.com/news/images/story0353.jpg
http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/gramaphone-itx-hd...
http://www.mini-itx.com/news/computex2004-4/images...
http://www.mini-itx.com/news/images/story0330.jpg
Gatak - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
How about looking for quality cases which are more pleasingly designed? Instead of monsters I would like to see something that would fit nicely in a modern home. Look on how expensive home cinema receivers are designed.Look on this page for many really nice cases: http://www.mini-itx.com/
A few of them:
Locut0s - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
To make it clear Purav I'm not saying that Anandtech should look at cases on their external merits alone as you suggest many who complain about style are suggesting. In fact I don't think many of us who are complaining about style are saying that at all. Instead we are saying in many instances "What a shame that such a good case is ruined by such ugly looks". Unlike the internals of a computer where I think looks truly don't matter the chassis is really the only physical presence of the computer that you are ever ware of on a day to day basis. As such many of us would prefer not to have our chassis making a statement such as "hay look how cool I am over here Look Look Look...!" That doesn't mean that the internals of a case are not the most important thing, far from it they are the most important aspect of any case. But that doesn't mean that the external design of a case can't almost completely offset all the goodies inside, it definitely can. No matter how good the internals of a case are I am not purchase a bright yellow Pikachu case for example.By the way I happen to really look forward to most of the case reviews here at Anandtech, they are very thorough and informative. It's not the reviews I have a beef with, it's the trend in the industry to this look that I don't like.
Just my 2 cents
GnomeCop - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
sickNovaoblivion - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
should be- External visuals wont appeal to anyone
lol
Kccdx2 - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
Too true #1shoRunner - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
yeah whats up with all the cases looking like they were designed by playschool. More funky colored plastic is not better. Its a computer not an action figureLocut0s - Saturday, December 18, 2004 - link
*sigh*The following needs to be in bold in "The Bad" section:
- External visuals may not appeal to some
Or maybe a label on the box "For ages 12 and under"
|mynamehere| - Friday, April 16, 2010 - link
i own one of these; my friend gave it to me, but thats not important... I actually have to say i like the design, although the LED display is inconvenient located, the design is very aggressive and eye-catching. its a little big, but that size is anything but wasted, it have places for multiple fans, motherboard, power supply, Hardrive, CD/DVD burner, and other accessories for your computer. if you have the space and would enjoy a kick-ass light-show while running it in the dark, this was made for you.