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Introduction:::...
The
model I had to look at was the VA3000SWA, a silver finished
case with an "X" style side window.
Taking
it out of the box I nearly tossed the thing across the room,
I just wasn't expecting it to be quite so light. Fortunately
I didn't, and was rewarded with the sight you see below.
The front door is brushed aluminium with a chrome-like accent
strip about half way down.
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Front
View
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Ventilation
cuts have been made on the lower section of the door. These
are stylishly done, and though they don't look overly efficient
at letting large volumes of air through, the door has a
reasonably large gap down its hinged left hand side that
also lets air through.
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Front
Door Vent
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The
column-like structure on the right of the door is actually
just the handle, well that and a feature designed to offer
a touch of architectural style, and a single LED sits hidden
behind both the top and the lower segments shining outwards.
These serve as the power-on indicators and add that touch
of class in dim light.
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Front
View
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The
Right-hand-side of the case features only the two-stage
front lock and a small flaired area that gives a clue to
a rather nice feature we'll look at later.
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Side
View
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Meanwhile
over on the "business" side it's all happening.
The huge side window is equipped with a 92mm cooling fan,
not a cheaper 80mm fan as we so often see. The side panel
is of the quick-release variety courtesy of those two black
latches, one of which is lockable for (slightly) added security.
Those
two monster thumbscrews you can see on the rear are primarily
there for shipping so as soon as you get the case you can
take those out and switch them over to the other panel instead.
You
can see that air gap in the front door that I mentioned
too in the below picture.
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Side
View
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From
the back it all looks hopeful too. That's not the most open
fan vent I've ever seen but it's better than most. It's
designed to accomodate a 120mm fan with holes for a 92mm
fan too if you prefer.
There
are no vents pressed into the back around the expansion
cards so Thermaltake clealy feel there's ample airflow inside
the case to not have to worry about it.
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Rear
View
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External connectors ore provided in the shape of a FireWire
port, two USB ports, a mic socket and an earphone socket.
These are tucked away behind a spring-loaded door on the
top face of the case which, to my mind at least, is a poor
place to have them.
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Top
Connector Flap
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Having
the ports on top of the case in this way means a brace of
cables running full-length top to bottom inside, plus you
lose the benefit from them if you stand anything on top
of the case or if you stand the case on your desk. Why can't
manufacturers can't just position these connectors about
half way up the case on the front face? (not the side because
if you're close to a desk side or wall it stops you using
a Flash drive). This may be a bit of a compromise but here
at least they're equally avaiable on the floor, on the desk
or even with a water cooler external unit perched on top.
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Top
Connector Flap Open
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That's
the main external features covered and so far it's a very
accomplished piece of kit. Stylish design and generally
sensible functionality are undermined slightly by the lack
of weight that gives a feeling that the case isn't as substantial
as some. It won't take the same hammering an Antec might
but don't be fooled, it's probably as solid as it can be
for a case of such low weight.
Let's
have a quick look at the windowed side panel and the interior:
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