A Trio of Thermaltake Towers
by Joshua Buss on August 16, 2006 2:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Thermaltake Aguila - Installation
Looking towards the back of the case from the inside we can see the new clips Thermaltake has designed to hold expansion cards in place.
Notice how these simply slide laterally, putting pressure on cards in the exact direction that they need it, and how they can then be secured with the provided screws. It's a little clunky given the reliance on screws at all, considering if one has to use screws (period) they might as well use normal expansion card screws. However, even without using them the clips snap pretty tightly, so technically calling them tool-less is still somewhat correct. In any case, they're still an improvement over the sometimes downright incompatible green clips.
The actual install of our test bed into the Aguila was very straightforward. While we had a lot of options for the optical drive placement, nothing would have really compromised the ease of installation save for choosing the vertical bay.
This main image showing the completed build sure shows how a PSU with modular cables could really help keep cable clutter down to a minimum. Also note how it takes a decently long power cord to get to the SATA hard drives because of the sideways mounting design. All things considered there is still quite a bit of room to tuck extra cables out of the way though, and even using our side-facing IDE channel wouldn't be too difficult in the compact chassis.
As for the view, with our windowed version of the case the install was plenty visible thanks to the good design of the window which also worked well on the Eclipse DV. Also, the side vent was placed well even if it's not completely necessary in our build.
After finishing the build we wanted to take another look at the finished product. While not quite as subdued as the Eureka, the Aguila overall has a simpler theme for its design than many of Thermaltake's latest cases, and choosing one of the two windowless options available with the case would only further this design direction. More importantly than the looks, however, is the fact that after everything is completely installed the computer felt very sturdy yet thankfully lightweight.
In the accessories area Thermaltake includes an optional PSU support bracket, more than enough case screws, the keys, and two more items a little less standard.
A micro-fiber cleaning cloth for the case will be appreciated by many, and small plastic films with self-adhesive tape can help ensure no contact is made with the case when using a BTX motherboard or components which stick out more than usual.
Looking towards the back of the case from the inside we can see the new clips Thermaltake has designed to hold expansion cards in place.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
Notice how these simply slide laterally, putting pressure on cards in the exact direction that they need it, and how they can then be secured with the provided screws. It's a little clunky given the reliance on screws at all, considering if one has to use screws (period) they might as well use normal expansion card screws. However, even without using them the clips snap pretty tightly, so technically calling them tool-less is still somewhat correct. In any case, they're still an improvement over the sometimes downright incompatible green clips.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
The actual install of our test bed into the Aguila was very straightforward. While we had a lot of options for the optical drive placement, nothing would have really compromised the ease of installation save for choosing the vertical bay.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
This main image showing the completed build sure shows how a PSU with modular cables could really help keep cable clutter down to a minimum. Also note how it takes a decently long power cord to get to the SATA hard drives because of the sideways mounting design. All things considered there is still quite a bit of room to tuck extra cables out of the way though, and even using our side-facing IDE channel wouldn't be too difficult in the compact chassis.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
As for the view, with our windowed version of the case the install was plenty visible thanks to the good design of the window which also worked well on the Eclipse DV. Also, the side vent was placed well even if it's not completely necessary in our build.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
After finishing the build we wanted to take another look at the finished product. While not quite as subdued as the Eureka, the Aguila overall has a simpler theme for its design than many of Thermaltake's latest cases, and choosing one of the two windowless options available with the case would only further this design direction. More importantly than the looks, however, is the fact that after everything is completely installed the computer felt very sturdy yet thankfully lightweight.
In the accessories area Thermaltake includes an optional PSU support bracket, more than enough case screws, the keys, and two more items a little less standard.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
A micro-fiber cleaning cloth for the case will be appreciated by many, and small plastic films with self-adhesive tape can help ensure no contact is made with the case when using a BTX motherboard or components which stick out more than usual.
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raskren - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
I'm tired of these Nite Brite cases designed for the 15 year old boy. Come on! How about something a little more professional? I don't need or want giant holes, windows, or cases covered in LEDs!JoshuaBuss - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
despite what the majority of comments seem to point to, the fact is Thermaltake's cases sell like hot-cakes. people like them.. and no, I'm not just talking about 15 year old boys. different strokes for different folksOperandi - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
Nickelback, the Chevy Cavalier, and Huffy bikes sell like “hot-cakes” too yet all three suck, hmm… how about that?People like them sure but based on the comments here not the Anandtech demographic.
JoshuaBuss - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
trust me, the 'active anandtech comment posters' demographic is nothing like the 'active anandtech reader' demographic ;)Le Québécois - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
Amen !Forbin85 - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
I have to agree. What's with the doors on the front too?I actually just bought myself a Coolermaster Centurion 534 for my Conroe build.
bob661 - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
I have a red Aspire aluminum case. I can't find my case anywhere anymore so I'm assuming it's been discontinued although steel versions can be found. Very simple design with side facing hard drive trays damn near the same as the Aguila. I'll have this case for a LONG time before I give it up. BTX will probably be the only way I'll change it.AMD4ME2 - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
I personally like screws! to hold in my expansion cards! I work on alot of machines daily and seriously... I'm sick of opening computers and finding expansion cards bouncing around in the case because of some wimpy screwless design.SilthDraeth - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
"Once our install was completed we noticed how much the honeycomb grill acts like a standard case window, but frankly we appreciate the ventilation and EMF shielding it provides more than just the cool factor."Just how much EMF shielding do you think an aluminum grill provides? And you mention that you like the ventilation, while at the same time, you express your worry over your hard drives getting to hot???
and
"This decision is interesting for a case designed more for sever use though, considering it sacrifices airflow over the hard drives, which shows up as considerably higher temperatures for our system hard drive and MOSFETs."
I guess you can say the case is designed for servers. I actually thought it was a small form factor case, instead of an ATX case for building your own standard computer in.
On a positive note I like the Aguila's design, but I still do not think it touches the Coolermaster Praetorian.
JoshuaBuss - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
good point. I'll see if I can re-word that.