Honestly, the case looks pretty nice. Seems pretty functional to with the side input jacks and such. It doesn't seem like i'd be good for modding though (the whole mesh thing on the side panel) but still nice. Any temps from the complete WC system?
One thing with case reviews that I like to see is a largish 'side on' view of the case with all of the components installed, as it helps give a better idea of how much space there is and how easy cable management will be (having 5 hard drives in my main PC means space and easy cable management is a serious consideration when it comes to cases, though admittedly 5 hard drives is probably higher than average) than just a picture of an empty case :).
On some occasions I understand you guys may not have the time, inclination or enough hardware to properly build a full system into every case you're given :)...but when you do so it would be nice to see.
Originally Posted by Will A very nice case that, me likes B)
One thing with case reviews that I like to see is a largish 'side on' view of the case with all of the components installed, as it helps give a better idea of how much space there is and how easy cable management will be (having 5 hard drives in my main PC means space and easy cable management is a serious consideration when it comes to cases, though admittedly 5 hard drives is probably higher than average) than just a picture of an empty case :).
On some occasions I understand you guys may not have the time, inclination or enough hardware to properly build a full system into every case you're given :)...but when you do so it would be nice to see.
Will, that's actually a good point. I try to do full installations in all my case reviews and take a LOT of pictures so why not have pics of the system in action (other than the angled shots I provided) to give you some idea of layout. The only thing is, I'm not going to install 5 hard drives as I don't have them ;) . I'll be sure to include those type of shots in the future
Originally Posted by XUntitled Honestly, the case looks pretty nice. Seems pretty functional to with the side input jacks and such. It doesn't seem like i'd be good for modding though (the whole mesh thing on the side panel) but still nice. Any temps from the complete WC system?
I didn't do any formal load testing but my AMD 3700 SanDiego ran consistantly at 34C (ambient temps of 37) with normal activity. After hours of BF2, temps never rose more than a few degrees. And that was with the fan pot turned all the way down on the radiator fan so it was silent. From about half power to full power, the fan makes a significant amount of noise due to it's location.
I actually consider the 3D Aurora a great candiate for modding. It's not like a lot of other "pre-mod" cases where they do too much to the case and don't leave much for alteration. The side vent could easily be removed/replaced with a window or something, although it would affect the cooling qualities of the case.
The side vent could easily be removed/replaced with a window or something, although it would affect the cooling qualities of the case.
thats what i was thinking.....i was thing of getting the case...ripping off the side vent and replacing it with plexi...and painting the whole thing black...
also does anyone know if all the pannels come off the case???
Originally Posted by atanum141 thats what i was thinking.....i was thing of getting the case...ripping off the side vent and replacing it with plexi...and painting the whole thing black...
also does anyone know if all the pannels come off the case???
Which panels? Both of the side panels come off. The panel with the vent is secured with the latch handle and thumbscrews. The side panel on the motherboard side is secured by just thumbscrews. The vent parts are plastic so it could easily be removed. You could damage it in the process but it could be removed.
The top panel would probably involve drilling rivets. Hope that helps
yeah....thats good to hear....i would be worried to be drilling at rivets.is it hard??..and also could they be replaced with bolts insted of rivets to make that whole process of putting it back together??
Originally Posted by atanum141 yeah....thats good to hear....i would be worried to be drilling at rivets.is it hard??..and also could they be replaced with bolts insted of rivets to make that whole process of putting it back together??
Rivets are easy enough to drill out. And, yes, you could replace them with bolts or screws should you choose. Rivets are very easy to replace afterward as well though.
Good review, It would be a nice case if the front bezel wasn't so strange and bulbous. The little gromets for the water cooling tubing is great. Although I wonder if it's big enough for me to fit some 1/2" tubing with insulation through.
The water cooling system looks nice and pactical though. For the money, it's a pretty good deal. I'd rather build my own though.
Originally Posted by Reaper_Unreal Good review, It would be a nice case if the front bezel wasn't so strange and bulbous. The little gromets for the water cooling tubing is great. Although I wonder if it's big enough for me to fit some 1/2" tubing with insulation through.
The water cooling system looks nice and pactical though. For the money, it's a pretty good deal. I'd rather build my own though.
Well, the Gigabyte kit uses 1/2" tubing and the grommet ports still had some extra room. Enough room for your insulation I couldn't say, maybe another 1/8 all the way around the tubing if I had to venture a guess. You could cut the flaps out altogether and probably buy even more room and still have the protective ring. But then, if you have insulation, you could remove the grommets completely since the insulation should protect your tubing.
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Very interesting WCing solution, not the best but for the cash not bad!
Fixed. Thanks.
:)
Great article though, case looks great :)
One thing with case reviews that I like to see is a largish 'side on' view of the case with all of the components installed, as it helps give a better idea of how much space there is and how easy cable management will be (having 5 hard drives in my main PC means space and easy cable management is a serious consideration when it comes to cases, though admittedly 5 hard drives is probably higher than average) than just a picture of an empty case :).
On some occasions I understand you guys may not have the time, inclination or enough hardware to properly build a full system into every case you're given :)...but when you do so it would be nice to see.
Will, that's actually a good point. I try to do full installations in all my case reviews and take a LOT of pictures so why not have pics of the system in action (other than the angled shots I provided) to give you some idea of layout. The only thing is, I'm not going to install 5 hard drives as I don't have them ;) . I'll be sure to include those type of shots in the future
I didn't do any formal load testing but my AMD 3700 SanDiego ran consistantly at 34C (ambient temps of 37) with normal activity. After hours of BF2, temps never rose more than a few degrees. And that was with the fan pot turned all the way down on the radiator fan so it was silent. From about half power to full power, the fan makes a significant amount of noise due to it's location.
I actually consider the 3D Aurora a great candiate for modding. It's not like a lot of other "pre-mod" cases where they do too much to the case and don't leave much for alteration. The side vent could easily be removed/replaced with a window or something, although it would affect the cooling qualities of the case.
thats what i was thinking.....i was thing of getting the case...ripping off the side vent and replacing it with plexi...and painting the whole thing black...
also does anyone know if all the pannels come off the case???
Which panels? Both of the side panels come off. The panel with the vent is secured with the latch handle and thumbscrews. The side panel on the motherboard side is secured by just thumbscrews. The vent parts are plastic so it could easily be removed. You could damage it in the process but it could be removed.
The top panel would probably involve drilling rivets. Hope that helps
It looks gorgeous.. functional.. robust...impressive.. bah i could go on forever..
GREAT review man! kudos on that..
Rivets are easy enough to drill out. And, yes, you could replace them with bolts or screws should you choose. Rivets are very easy to replace afterward as well though.
The water cooling system looks nice and pactical though. For the money, it's a pretty good deal. I'd rather build my own though.
Well, the Gigabyte kit uses 1/2" tubing and the grommet ports still had some extra room. Enough room for your insulation I couldn't say, maybe another 1/8 all the way around the tubing if I had to venture a guess. You could cut the flaps out altogether and probably buy even more room and still have the protective ring. But then, if you have insulation, you could remove the grommets completely since the insulation should protect your tubing.
pity its butt ugly :p
I can't find any on PriceGrabber or NewEgg, and I haven't checked the local stores yet.
But im guessing Gigabyte are going to make differnet cases?