Mid-Tower Mega Roundup
by Joshua Buss on September 8, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
DynaPower F3323
A relatively new player in the case manufacturing field, DynaPower asked us to take a look at a new server chassis of theirs, and we were pleasantly surprised, to say the least. Probably the first and foremost reason for our excitement is that the F3323 is available for right around $70 (at the time that this article was written).
One of the very first things that we noticed about the case is its weight - this isn't aluminum, and you sure can tell. But with the added weight of steel comes superior strength and sturdiness - valuable traits for a computer that probably won't be moved around too much. Out of all the cases in the roundup, this is the most solid by a pretty decent margin.
The front of the F3323 is straightforward, yet professional looking, and the solid stripe running the length of the top of the unit only adds to this appearance. Further evidence that this is first and foremost a server-oriented case is the fact that there are only two 5¼" drives, and one external 3½". Towards the bottom of the front is the coverable port cluster with nice bright icons that label each port.
Peaking around the back of the case, we see a plentifully perforated area for the main exhaust fan and that's about it. Later, we'll discuss a slight problem that we found with the PSU mounting area.
To get at the internals, we must remove the left side panel. When lifting on this latch, we realized that this was one of the easiest side panels that we've ever removed. The cover is very sturdy and the lockable latching system holds it securely in place without the need for any thumbscrews.
A relatively new player in the case manufacturing field, DynaPower asked us to take a look at a new server chassis of theirs, and we were pleasantly surprised, to say the least. Probably the first and foremost reason for our excitement is that the F3323 is available for right around $70 (at the time that this article was written).
One of the very first things that we noticed about the case is its weight - this isn't aluminum, and you sure can tell. But with the added weight of steel comes superior strength and sturdiness - valuable traits for a computer that probably won't be moved around too much. Out of all the cases in the roundup, this is the most solid by a pretty decent margin.
The front of the F3323 is straightforward, yet professional looking, and the solid stripe running the length of the top of the unit only adds to this appearance. Further evidence that this is first and foremost a server-oriented case is the fact that there are only two 5¼" drives, and one external 3½". Towards the bottom of the front is the coverable port cluster with nice bright icons that label each port.
Peaking around the back of the case, we see a plentifully perforated area for the main exhaust fan and that's about it. Later, we'll discuss a slight problem that we found with the PSU mounting area.
To get at the internals, we must remove the left side panel. When lifting on this latch, we realized that this was one of the easiest side panels that we've ever removed. The cover is very sturdy and the lockable latching system holds it securely in place without the need for any thumbscrews.
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xsilver - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
just because you like the "stealth" look it doesnt mean everybody else doeswhy is there a market for car neons?
why is there a market for phone covers and ringtones?
but good god, that thermalrock case needs to DIAF! :P
smn198 - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
http://www.chavscum.co.uk">Chavsimaheadcase - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Well its evident there is a market, but your comparing apples to oranges. Its computer part not something everyone builds themselves. If you have people buying power ranger cases that built computers, then they need a new hobbie..xsilver - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
who says you have to build a system yourself?dont your local pc store (not best buy etc) stock their cases from somewhere?
if some 10 year old (or some tryhard that doesnt know how to build his own) wants a pc, what case is he going to choose, crappy bling neons or real aluminium?
dont get me wrong -- I prefer stealth too - but I do realize that there is a market for crappy neons :P
raildogg - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
ThermalRock Eclipse looks sweet, although I'd still get a P-180.why would you pay that much for the V1000? rather get a cheaper case like a P-180
oh and primo posto! :)
OvErHeAtInG - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
I was going to to correct you with "primer poste" until I realized you typed the Italian... a race fan should know... *hits himself...*ksherman - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
I personally dont think any case should be worth so much... unless it was the MOST amazing theng ever to hit the world... which I dont think the V1000 lives up to. I personally dont like the look of the Eclipse... to flashy, and it actually looks kind of cheap. But it might look different in person. I am a big fan of the Sonata 1 so, I would guess the #2 would be better, but it doesnt seem to include a PSU from what I have seen...Furen - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
The Sonata 2 does include a PS: a SmartPower 2.0 450w. The problem with it is the fact that it's quite a bit louder than the original TruePower and the TruePower2 of the newer Sonatas.