Aspire X-Cruiser
First up is a relatively mid-range priced semi-gaming themed case from Aspire. While a lot of Aspire's cases are almost too gaudy for us to consider in an article like this, the front door of the X-Cruiser is a little cleaner looking.
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Especially in the black color that we received, the glossy plastic and metal really stand out against the chrome-colored plastic on the door - something that will either make or break this system for the majority of people looking at cases in this price range. By examining the front to start, we'll begin to get an idea what this chassis has to offer.
Click to enlarge.
The front is dominated by the three included analog meters, which (from top to bottom) are sound, temperature, and fan speed gauges. The entire front is a left side-hinged plastic door that conceals the four 5¼" and two 3½" drive bays, as well as the intake for the optional front-mounted dual 80mm fans.
Click to enlarge.
The front port cluster is located on the right side towards the bottom, and not only sports the usual dual USB, Firewire, and audio jacks, but also has a volume control for both the headphone jack, and a fan controller for one case fan. A small magnet holds the door shut, and underneath that is the chrome plastic power and reset buttons along with the power and HDD activity LEDs.
Click to enlarge.
Turning the case and looking at the left side, we see the prominent rounded window with a blue fan shroud covered by a filter and logo-stamped metal. No fan actually comes mounted here, but the dual exhaust fans will pull air in through this shroud to help cool the CPU. There are also extra cooling vents in the plastic right above the expansion cards.
Click to enlarge.
Before we take a look inside the X-Cruiser, a quick glance at the back shows us that at least the case offers space and mounts for a 120mm in the rear, even though only an 80mm fan is included.
Click to enlarge.
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Quanticles - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
$200 for a case really isnt that bad when you're paying $400 for a GPU, $300 or more for a CPU, $200 on memory, etc etc etc. If you're building a budget system, then of course this would be a horrible buy. But if you're building a nice system, then you might want a nice case. I have a black v1000 w/ window and it looks great, and was great to work with. As far as noise, I have 4 120mm fans in here, but the system is nearly silent with the help of a cheap sunbeam rheobus.OvErHeAtInG - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Exactly. Check out the V1100 , it comes with sound-damping precautions. I'm a 3-year user of the PC60 (old kind before they changed it) and I still love it. Yes, a little loud, but hey. Drooling on the V1100.flatblastard - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
...to only include one fan with their best-looking case. Then the P-180 comes with 3 fans, more features/functionality and doesn't really cost that much more than the sonata. I guess the Sonata is the better value overall considering the included PSU but damn that P-180 doesn't look too shabby either. Dang ole decisions, decisions...man, i tell ya whut....man, dang ole Antec man.swtethan - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
made the right choice buying one :-)imaheadcase - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Because half of those cases just screamed "Burn me in the nearest fire!". lolI mean seriously, why do case manufactors make these crap cases, I would rather have a plain beige case than something made with freakin lights all on the outside covered with cheap plastic peices. Not to mention looks like they had there 3 year olds draw out the designs on ourside.
I don't care care if its the best case in the world inside, if its ass on the outside im not buying it. I can get the same thing in beige..hehe
Some of those look ok though..except.
1. Aspire: Oh please tell there designers to stop asking there 3 year old kids to do there work for them. This case screams crapplastic. it would prob melt if your coffee was to close..
2. Dynapower: This one does not look half bad, the drive bays could use a all black cover or a matching grill cover.
3. Sunbeam: Pretty cool looking case. Remove the lame blue circles though, all the stuff you can do when on the PC, who is going to glance at that anyways when most are on the floor or out of the way.
4.coolmaster: What would make it cool is without the pillars of salt on the side...hehe Remove those it would look sweet.
5. Both Antec cases: Looks good to me. Antec seems to make some nice cases in the budget area.
6. ThermalRock: What in gods name is that red circle for? That ruined the front of case, without that red circle it would look good.
7. Lian Li: Ohhhh Ahhhh! me likey alot.
Bonesdad - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Gotta agree on the Coolermaster case...I got the Centurion 5 last year...glad I didn't wait. The older Centurion 5 is a really nice looking, well made case that looks like it was made for someone with a level of maturity over 16 years old. I can see using this case for many years to come...manno - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
you're not kidding out of all those cases the only ones I would touch with a 10' foot pole were the Antech's, and the Lian Li. For the love of god stop putting side windows on your cases it's drinking beer with a straw tacky.Tamale - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
a LOT of people still look for windows on the side - it's still a fad that's 'catching on' to most people.Quanticles - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
I have a window so I can check my watercooling easier. Besides, they look cool.ElFenix - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
no, they look dorktastic.