3DVelocity would like to thank Soldam Corporation and especially Miho Takei for their help and generosity in providing this case for review.

Introduction :

Do you have any idea how much it hurts to receive a case for review and to find that the damned thing has a better paint job than the car you're driving? No? Well let me tell you.....it hurts like hell! Having said that, at £379 ( $539 ), it almost costs as much as the car I'm driving!

Soldam's WinDy series of cases (and originally coolers) have been on the scene for a long time, and are generally thought of as being innovative, high quality enclosures built with that little extra attention to detail, and the MT-Pro 1100 is no exception. This Aluminium beauty breaks away from the usual brushed finish in favour of a sleek three coat metallic (Pearl Mica) finish. The front is actually ABS rather than Aluminium, a good choice as it allows a bit more flexibility in terms of design and styling.

I'm the first to admit that I've not been a big fan of the Aluminium case trend. The problem is that they've always tended to look a little too industrial for my tastes, with perfectly flat fronts and that brushed finish. Maybe I'm just cheap, but if I'm gonna shell out £300+ on a case, I want it to look at least a little stylish, and this is were the 1100 has the edge.

With its clean, sleek lines, it looks classy without being too plain. I think it needs a splash of colour on that front panel still, maybe a red or gold emblem or stripe, but that's a nice, rainy day mod I can look forward to.

Let's take a look at the specs before we go too much further.

Product name	MT-PRO1100 Supremo Plus
Dimensions (H / W / D)	455mm / 195mm / 480mm (17.9" / 7.68" / 18.9")
Weight	7.0kg (15.43lbs)
5.25" Bays	4
3.5" Bays	2
3.5" Inner Bays	6 (mini godzilla bay)
Case Form Factor	ATX
Power supply unit	WiNDy Varius 335W (P4 Ready)
Power supply voltage	90 to 264volt
Power Connectors	3 (4PINFDD) , 6 (4PIN)
Power cord length	550mm/ Max. 900mm (21.66" / Max. 35.4")
Case fans	2 (in front and side (dust filtered)), 1 in rear
Fan size	80mm(3.15") (front,side,rear)
Structure	High tension aluminium monocoque chassis VIII
Material	Body : A5052 Mask : ABS Exterior 3 layers of coating
Optional Kit	Available
Emblem	MT-PRO1100Supremo Original emblem
Thumb screws	2
Internal treatment	Almite (excluding some models)
Power LED	Green
HDD LED	Yellow
Other features	USB port × 2 ( in front)

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External Features :

The minute you lift this case out of its sturdy packaging, you're left in no doubt as to its breeding. This thing oozes quality from every square inch of its glossy chassis. As with all Aluminium cases, it's light too, tipping the scales at a mere 7Kg.

The snag of course with a high gloss finish like this is that every time you touch it, you're left with a fingerprint that screams to be cleaned off. Since getting this case, I've been fighting an irrational urge to get up early on Sunday mornings and Simoniz it. In fact I'm considering starting a self-help group for MT1100 owners who have been struck with the same symptoms.

In addition to the four 5 1/4 and two 3 1/2 front bays, the only visible features are the power switch and LED's. A rather over-generous four HDD LED's are present, and of course one for power. At the bottom of the front panel is a sping latched door which swings open to reveal an additional two front facing USB ports and a reset switch.

This may be simply because I've got fat fingers, but I had a real problem pressing the recessed reset switch, and to be honest, I have absolutely no idea why Soldam decided it even needed recessing when you consider it sits behind a flap where it is very unlikely it will be pressed accidentally. The nice thing about the two USB ports is that, unlike with some other cases, these don't just loop through from one of your rear ports, they actually have a motherboard connector allowing you to use extra two ports supplied by many boards/chipsets these days, bringing your total to four.

Oh dear!! Switching to the left hand side panel reveals a bit of a letdown. This grill has the airflow potential of a well blocked sink. Considering the good quality 80mm fan that sits on the other side of the panel, it really is a shame to see it suffocated by such an awful grill design. That said, I guess its better than not having a fan their at all.......just!

 

Just look at the back of this case! Beautiful doesn't even begin to describe it. See! that's how a fan grill should look. I spent several hours agonizing over the fact that once under my desk, this glorious combination of mirror finish Aluminium and blue anodizing would never be seen again. What a waste! Bottom right there is the case serial number.

 

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