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Thanks to Adam at Maxtop for providing this product to
review! As modded cases:
windows, fans, lights and all, become more and more popular with the broadening
PC enthusiast market, it is resting on the backs of case manufacturers to present
ever-more appealing packages in their high-end products. Gone are the days of
the plain grey and tan "boxes" (the term no longer does these items
justice), and even the presence of a side window or door is bordering on pedestrian.
That is why the latest product from Maxtop, the CSX-5605-AL, comes equipped and
decorated with enough specialty features to surprise today's case modder and truly
impress the average PC user. The
5605 is actually manufactured by Skyhawk,
a large Chinese PC peripheral manufacturer that sells to international distributors,
including Maxtop, who were
kind enough to provide the product we are reviewing today, as well as several
others (see 3dVelocity's reviews of the CSX-7788KEB-Win
and the Maxtop CSX-147KBF-WIN).
As a player in the new enthusiast case market, many of Skyhawk's cases, including
the 5605, are made with an aluminum alloy that is not only cooler, but tougher
as well. The aluminum structure also makes the case significantly lighter than
an equivalent steel-based box, which is ideal for anyone needing to move their
PC around at all (we're looking at you, LAN party-goers). The case was shipped
double-boxed with very thick styrofoam packing which is more than adequate protection
against any potential cuts or dings during transportation, and even if some sharp
edge HAD managed to somehow penetrate these defenses, the aluminum alloy shell
is very tough and quite difficult to scratch, another bonus. Technically
the case is relatively standard, featuring six 3.5' bays and four 5.25' bays,
with dimensions of 485x200x410mm (DxWxH). This is larger than many generic cases,
but certainly not an overwhelming size for a mid-tower, and the six 3.5' bays
leave plenty of room for several drives. The
most remarkable feature of the 5605, however, is the front panel. Set in the lower
half of the case is a large round LED screen which displays hard drive activity,
power status, time (in 24-hour format), and most usefully, case temperature. The
LED has a pleasant blue glow that looks very cool and offsets the blue and silver
coloring of the case quite well. Furthermore, the front panel is also equipped
with a mechanized sliding door, which is about half the height of the case and
can slide up or down at the press of a button, revealing either the drive bays
at the top or the LED panel at the bottom. 
But more on that later, now lets check out the case's guts and assembly! | |
