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In Use :::...

Assembling a system in the case was quick and easy. Everything aligned as it should and it all just hung togther nicely.

I'm not a fan of the type of expansion card spring clip retainer thing Thermaltake have used as it can be a real ordeal getting it to clip back in place if the expansion card brackets are a little off the mark. In fact I'd sooner just use screws, better yet thumbscrews, which is thankfully still an option if you remove the retainer.

Card Retention Clip

Airflow was incredible and this case's cooling performance in my admittedly low ambient conditions was like nothing before it. That's no doubt partly attributable too the two gaping bite marks in the side panel, but if you can live with the possibility of increased maintanance they're worth it.

The front door lighting was extremely subtle and nothing like as effective as on the Tsunami, partly due to only one LED having been used. One pointing down to pick out the edges of those louvres/gills and one behind the mesh grill would certainly have lifted it a bit but I guess Thermaltake weren't putting a big emphasis on the lighting this time around. I'm sure a little post-purchase modding wouldn't take too much time or effort if it bothers you.

Front Door Lit

Conclusion

The 3DVelocity 'Dual Conclusions Concept' Explained: After discussing this concept with users as well as companies and vendors we work with, 3DVelocity have decided that where necessary we shall aim to introduce our 'Dual Conclusions Concept' to sum up our thoughts and impressions on the hardware we review. As the needs of the more experienced users and enthusiasts have increased, it has become more difficult to factor in all the aspects that such a user would find important, while also being fair to products that may lack these high end "bonus" capabilities but which still represent a very good buy for the more traditional and more prevalent mainstream user. The two catergories we've used are:

The Mainstream User ~ The mainstream user is likely to put price, stock performance, value for money, reliability and/or warranty terms ahead of the need for hardware that operates beyond its design specifications. The mainstream user may be a PC novice or may be an experienced user, however their needs are clearly very different to those of the enthusiast, in that they want to buy products that operate efficiently and reliably within their advertised parameters.

The Enthusiast ~ The enthusiast cares about all the things that the mainstream user cares about but is more likely to accept a weakness in one or more of these things in exchange for some measure of performance or functionality beyond its design brief. For example, a high priced motherboard may be tolerated in exchange for unusually high levels of overclocking ability or alternatively an unusually large heat sink with a very poor fixing mechanism may be considered acceptable if it offers significantly superior cooling in return.

The Mainstream User ~

Most of the mainstream users I know seem afraid to even move their case let alone open it up, so I'd be slightly concerned about recommending a case that may need to be opened regularly to hoover out the dust. I know I'm making a big deal about this, one that readers from other countries may think is a little over the top, but unlike some other countries where hard flooring prevails, UK homes are almost always carpeted, and hoovering a carpet throws up dust that inevitably makes it into your PC.

The Shark is a great case that, despite a few minor weaknesses does everything a good case should and does it with style. It doesn't come with anything you can't live without but if you like great cooling and bold fasion statements this is a prime candidate.

Full EMI shielding of the type not avaiable from cases with regular Plexi (Perspex) windows is also a nice bonus. Be different, make your next pet a Shark!

	NA

The Enthusiast ~

The Thermaltake case line continues to grow, and there are now some really great cases to choose from no matter what your tastes.

Great cooling, great looks, easy to work with, pre-lit, lightweight, not too expensive, what's not to like? The Shark successfully combines the features of a great, low weight, pre-modded gaming case and a solid, workable high-end mainstream case yet does so without sacrificing its capabilities or its usability.

It won't take the kicking that some of the heavier cases on the market might endure, but its virtues lie elsewhere.

Bold lines and a big heart make this a great case to own. If you like your cases with a little bite this is definitely one for the shortlist.

	NA

We're always looking for ways to make our reviews fairer. A Right To Reply gives the manufacturer or supplier of the product being reviewed a chance to make public comments on what we've said. They can explain perhaps why they've done the things we were unhappy with or blow their own trumpet over the things we loved. It's easy for us to pick a product apart but sometimes things are done a certain way for very specific reasons and here the company concerned can explain the reasoning behind their decisions.

Should Thermaltake decide to exercise their "Right To Reply", we'll publish their comments below: