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Introduction:::...
Once
out of its packaging the first impressions are of a very
sleek, very clean design.
Like
many aluminium enclosures before it, the aim is clearly
one of bold lines and sweeping curves and I have to say
it works well.
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The
Case
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The
headline feature for this case is almost certainly its unique
front fascia.Using tiny channels machined into the surface,
the whole front panel comes alive, seeming to bow in then
bow out again as your viewpoint changes.
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Front
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I
turned up the contrast a little in this shot so as to show
the micro-groves that are machined into the surface. The
effect is genuinely mesmerising in the right light and makes
the front seem to undulate, kind of like those holographic
stickers you can get but on a much larger scale. I don't
know how easy this surface is to manufacture but it's certainly
effective, though I'm sure it's not as easy to keep clean
as a flat surface.
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Surface
Finish
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The
rear of the case offers nothing out of the ordinary other
than the clue that it has space for a 120mm cooling fan.
That factor alone is enough to score an immediate Brownie
point with me, unfortunately it looses half a point for
that rather disappointing grill.
I
should point out that I have added the rear 120mm fan to
this case for testing purposes and that the case DOES
NOT come with this fitted as standard.
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Rear
Fan Grill
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Why couldn't they have just cut a hole and placed a finger
guard on there? Holes like this, no matter how many there
are, tend to obstruct airflow and clog with dust, even moreso
when there's no dust filter fitted as is the case with this
particular chassis.
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Rear
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It's
nice to see something other than a boring rectangular window
but the payoff is that about 40% of it looks in on nothing
more than the side of your drive cages, hardly an inspiring
view. Still, it's a bold design that helps the case maintain
its air of originality.
The
side panel, though fastened down with a pair of thumbscrews
for shipping, is of the quick-release variety. Two catches,
one of which can be locked with a supplied key, are simply
slid to the left or the right to fasten or unfasten the
side panel. It's a simple mechanism but it works well.
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Side
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SilverStone
have included the full compliment of front connectors including
four USB and a Firewire port. Some indication that cost-cutting
wasn't a huge priority can be seen in the fact that the
small, spring-latched flap covering them is actually made
from aluminium rather than silver coloured plastic as we
so often see.
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Front
Connectors
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The
edge of the front fascia is beveled right the way around
and this is echoed in the power, reset and activity LEDs
which share the same beveled accent. The buttons feel smooth
and positive which once more reinforces the quality look
and feel.
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Switches/LEDs
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Externally
then a very polished case that's sure to impress those who
see it.Other than the rather questionable rear fan grill
there's nothing really to dislike.
Okay,
let's open her up and see if the internal build matches
that of the outside.
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