Mid-Tower Mega Roundup
by Joshua Buss on September 8, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Sunbeam Trio
Still, at the relatively cheap end of the spectrum is Sunbeam's Trio case. As the time of writing, it was available for as little as $70 online. For the most part, the Trio looks more like a gamer's case, but this doesn't mean that it couldn't appeal to a slightly more mature crowd either.
Opening the large plastic front door gives us a look at the four optical bays, two floppy bays, power and reset buttons and LEDs.
There are a couple of things to point out about the back exhaust, the first of which is the perforation. While the holes certainly look big enough, there's actually just about as much metal here as space for air to pass through, which is a less efficient design than the spacious hexagon cutouts that other cases have in this roundup.
To get a better idea of what the Trio looks like from the side, we're going to jump immediately to some pictures of the case with the test bed fully installed.
Still, at the relatively cheap end of the spectrum is Sunbeam's Trio case. As the time of writing, it was available for as little as $70 online. For the most part, the Trio looks more like a gamer's case, but this doesn't mean that it couldn't appeal to a slightly more mature crowd either.
Click to enlarge.
Opening the large plastic front door gives us a look at the four optical bays, two floppy bays, power and reset buttons and LEDs.
Click to enlarge.
There are a couple of things to point out about the back exhaust, the first of which is the perforation. While the holes certainly look big enough, there's actually just about as much metal here as space for air to pass through, which is a less efficient design than the spacious hexagon cutouts that other cases have in this roundup.
Click to enlarge.
To get a better idea of what the Trio looks like from the side, we're going to jump immediately to some pictures of the case with the test bed fully installed.
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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.