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A
Closer Look:::...
A
closer look at the side panel reveals the black plastic
air guide whose job is to help the CPU cooler to draw
air in from or exhaust air out to the outside of the
case. In theory air outside the case will be cooler
so drawing it in from here rather than being fed from
the warm air inside the case helps keep CPU temperatures
lower. We know it works, but you usually have a telescopic
section that lets you adjust the guide for best effect.
Still, it's a nice touch all the same considering
so few others do it. It's held on with four screws
so it can be easily removed if you need the room for
an oversized cooler of some kind.
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Side
Panel - Rear
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Looking
from the back of the side panel latch reveals its
simple nature. It tends to be a little loose and "rattly"
for want of a better word but some of the slack can
be adjusted in the screws. It didn't seems to be a
source of noise during testing.
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Latch
- Rear
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The
front panel relies on the tried and trusted "plastic
retaining clip" method to secure it, and thus
to remove it. You need to remove both side panels
to get to the far side clips which is a bit of a pain,
end even then you need fingers like small twigs to
release one of them.
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Front
Panel Retainers
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With
the front panel off we get to see the rather large
front intake air filter. I like large, it means it
takes longer to clog completely and stifle airflow.
It should also be possible to remove the filter for
cleaning without the hassle of taking off both side
panels, which it isn't.
On
the front of the case you can make out the second
120mm fan cradle just waiting to be filled.
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Front
Fascia - Rear
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Case
Front
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You
also get access to the two screws securing the front
connector housing, or to the power and activity LEDs
if you feel like swapping them out for something different.
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Front
Connectors - Rear
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