A Trio of Thermaltake Towers
by Joshua Buss on August 16, 2006 2:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Final Words
Taking this review at surface value one can see three well thought-out and generally good case designs, and hopefully a clear winner for the combination of features that individual is looking for.
A little deeper down though, this article shows that in general there is still progress being made in this industry, and perhaps more importantly there is room to develop further still. The newest of the three cases here, the Aguila, really shows the best overall customization, usability, and thermal performance to boot. For around $120 online, someone can enjoy a work of engineering that shows good craftsmanship, styling, and performance engineering as well.
For users looking for a case capable of holding an extended ATX motherboard, options are a lot more limited. We're all accustomed with the all-too-familiar look of behemoth beige server cases with more fans than drive bays, but the Eureka helps to squelch this connotation with a clean look and easy-to-use layout. It's certainly not the quietest tower case out there, but with a relatively good chance of putting a server computer in an area that might not get much traffic this might not be a big problem. The good cooling performance is enticing too, and considering an average online price of $140 there really is a lot of value for your dollar here. It doesn't hurt that the unit is built like a tank, either.
Some people really care about the looks of their new rig more than anything else, and with cases as unique as the Eclipse DV it's not hard to see why. With acceptable noise levels and cooling abilities, easy-to-use drive cages, and an industry first built-in visible optical drive, the $240 Eclipse DV has a lot going for it. It most certainly isn't going to be the first pick for a lot of people, whether because of the price, exotic styling, or need for space on both sides of the case for optimal enjoyment, but some people will see this unit simply as a "have to have it" product, and for that we applaud Thermaltake for taking a leap and running with the idea so many of us had when we saw the original Eclipse.
Taking this review at surface value one can see three well thought-out and generally good case designs, and hopefully a clear winner for the combination of features that individual is looking for.
A little deeper down though, this article shows that in general there is still progress being made in this industry, and perhaps more importantly there is room to develop further still. The newest of the three cases here, the Aguila, really shows the best overall customization, usability, and thermal performance to boot. For around $120 online, someone can enjoy a work of engineering that shows good craftsmanship, styling, and performance engineering as well.
For users looking for a case capable of holding an extended ATX motherboard, options are a lot more limited. We're all accustomed with the all-too-familiar look of behemoth beige server cases with more fans than drive bays, but the Eureka helps to squelch this connotation with a clean look and easy-to-use layout. It's certainly not the quietest tower case out there, but with a relatively good chance of putting a server computer in an area that might not get much traffic this might not be a big problem. The good cooling performance is enticing too, and considering an average online price of $140 there really is a lot of value for your dollar here. It doesn't hurt that the unit is built like a tank, either.
Some people really care about the looks of their new rig more than anything else, and with cases as unique as the Eclipse DV it's not hard to see why. With acceptable noise levels and cooling abilities, easy-to-use drive cages, and an industry first built-in visible optical drive, the $240 Eclipse DV has a lot going for it. It most certainly isn't going to be the first pick for a lot of people, whether because of the price, exotic styling, or need for space on both sides of the case for optimal enjoyment, but some people will see this unit simply as a "have to have it" product, and for that we applaud Thermaltake for taking a leap and running with the idea so many of us had when we saw the original Eclipse.
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Griswold - Thursday, August 17, 2006 - link
The first one looks like some vertical hi-fi deck with a side window - and I hate side windows.Yuck indeed.
seven9sn10s - Thursday, August 17, 2006 - link
The Aguila has a measurement of 27dB(12" above) and subjective rating of 2/10.In a previous review, the Raidmax X1 & Antec P150 both a measurement of 45dB(12" above) & subjective rating of 2/10 & 2.5/10 respectively. The subject ratings to dB measurements do not seem to be on a consistent scale. Am I to believe that the Aguila is so much quieter than the Raidmax X1 or Antec P150?? Please clear this up. Thanks.
seven9sn10s - Friday, August 18, 2006 - link
Hello???Somebody please answer.. is this Aguila case far quieter than the Antec P150/Solo? Tryin to build a system here. Thanks.
poopoohead - Sunday, August 20, 2006 - link
yeah, me too! the measurement seems so low compared to any other case they have ever tested, even the Zalman HTPC that they said was very quiet? why does the article not make special mention of the aguila super quietness?Gholam - Thursday, August 17, 2006 - link
HEC 6A rebadge, Chieftec DX rebadge... pay once for the case, and twice more for a TT sticker. No thanks.Missing Ghost - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
The Aguila with no window does not exist?! I thinkstthiel - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
"There's a law on AnandTech case reviews: no matter what they might review, a bunch of people have to show up and grouse about how the cases look like crap, or they're nice looking but too expensive, or some other opinion followed by the statement that "no one would ever buy these...."So what your saying is people have different opinions...thats very insightful.
teng029 - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
i like this case, although removable motherboard trays should be standard on cases these days.tthiel - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
Those are some seriously ugly cases.eastvillager - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
All bling, no zing.