Mid-Tower Mega Roundup
by Joshua Buss on September 8, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Sunbeam Trio (cont'd)
We can also appreciate this case's ability to hold up to six hard drives in addition to an external 3½”, all of which would be held in place with the removable plastic locks. The very top smaller bay can hold the same sized drive, but must use standard screws to do so.
Looking from the right side of the case, we find the same locks, meaning that while this system is surely easy to use, it does the require the case to be accessible from both sides.
They're a simple enough design, and while other tool-less innovations that we've seen before don't allow for the possibility of missing pieces, this system does have the ability to shift the locks slightly to place drives in several slightly different positions.
Note how the second-from-top lock is locked in place closer to the front than the rest of them, and the lock below that is only partially locked.
To handle the expansion cards without the use of screws, the Trio uses sliding plastic clips. With the help of the protruding pin, these do hold the cards strongly, but it would be better if they slid back further to make putting in new cards that much easier.
Here, the clip holding our video card is almost pushed in all the way, and after it is, it clicks in place letting one know that the card is being held securely.
Here, the included 120mm fan for rear exhaust is featured, along with an included 450 watt power supply.
Overall, the Trio is rather normal in pretty much every aspect of a mid-range tool-less ATX case. A final shot of our installed test system confirms this, as the case has neither ample room nor feels too cramped, and the support for the PSU isn't quite strong enough to keep our PowerStream totally upright, but it certainly isn't loose.
We can also appreciate this case's ability to hold up to six hard drives in addition to an external 3½”, all of which would be held in place with the removable plastic locks. The very top smaller bay can hold the same sized drive, but must use standard screws to do so.
Looking from the right side of the case, we find the same locks, meaning that while this system is surely easy to use, it does the require the case to be accessible from both sides.
They're a simple enough design, and while other tool-less innovations that we've seen before don't allow for the possibility of missing pieces, this system does have the ability to shift the locks slightly to place drives in several slightly different positions.
Note how the second-from-top lock is locked in place closer to the front than the rest of them, and the lock below that is only partially locked.
To handle the expansion cards without the use of screws, the Trio uses sliding plastic clips. With the help of the protruding pin, these do hold the cards strongly, but it would be better if they slid back further to make putting in new cards that much easier.
Here, the clip holding our video card is almost pushed in all the way, and after it is, it clicks in place letting one know that the card is being held securely.
Here, the included 120mm fan for rear exhaust is featured, along with an included 450 watt power supply.
Overall, the Trio is rather normal in pretty much every aspect of a mid-range tool-less ATX case. A final shot of our installed test system confirms this, as the case has neither ample room nor feels too cramped, and the support for the PSU isn't quite strong enough to keep our PowerStream totally upright, but it certainly isn't loose.
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Phantronius - Friday, September 9, 2005 - link
My P180 is the last case I'll ever buy. I love you Antec!!!leviathan19 - Friday, September 9, 2005 - link
the 1200 is deeper yes but is still mid tower class it fixes the psu problems and more space is always better for work with itZepper - Friday, September 9, 2005 - link
Re. cases that come with PSUs. Either rate the PSU too or deduct the portion of the price that the PSU represents from the case price so you are comparing apples to apples price wise.. And I don't care for the looks of a lot of the cases on the market either. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My case is a Silverstone Berserker which many think is fugly...
.bh.
kmmatney - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
I don't see why people make such a big deal out of aluminum cases. In my experience, they are flimsier and louder than steal cases, and more prone to rattle. I don't see why anyone would pay so much money for one...at80eighty - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
DRTFA yet, so forgive me if its been coveredYou guys have any leads on cases with more fans?
with the new VGA's and CPU's i think a cooler case than a cooler-looking case is a better investment..
any pointers people?
johnsonx - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
RTFA, and no forgiveness for you!The Antec P180 is a quiet cooling dream I think. I looked at one on display over at Fry's and just about wet myself. Then I looked at the price tag and decided to stick with my old, free, boring, beige case. But if the price is no objection, I can't imagine purchasing anything else.
at80eighty - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
thanx mate! the p180 looks pretty sweet! the price is OK (just about) for me :)plus it doesnt have that HEY LOOK AT ME IM AN ATTENTION WHORE!!! look.
/hope this case shows up in my part of the world :-(
Cygni - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
I saw one case that i would even consider putting next to my desk.If you are supporting the case mfts making these hideous beasts by buying them, i personally hate you.
leviathan19 - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
why they used this one the 1200 is a better version and fix the psu problem...there is missing the pc75b and the TT shark those are nice cases too
OvErHeAtInG - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
The 1200 is much deeper, for extended-atx boards I think. Definitely not something I would get except for a big duallie rig.