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Before we go onto the install of the components I'd like to point out that this case has rolled edges. So you won't cut yourself all up on this one. A few years ago I built a computer for my sister inlaw. Ordered a cheap case for 25 bucks. In my life I've never had so many cuts from working on a computer. It was a cheap case from China and I firmly believe that company did not know what a file or deburr tool was.
Installation of the components was pretty straight forward. The motherboard tray isn't removable, but to me that isn't a big deal. I have yet to own a case with one so it don't bother me at all. Installation of the CD-Rom was easy. Something kind of cool to point out is the drive covers. They were designed to hide the cd drives. When I had the face on the CD-ROM I wasn't able to put the drive cover back into its place. Even with the bezel on the CD-ROM removed it is still tricky. I had to pop the whole front off of the case put the drive cover on and then put the case front back on. Because of the way the clips on the drive cover are made it clips on the inside. To me with a feature like this, the drive covers need to clip on the outside so that the front of the cd drive doesn't have to be removed. Its no biggy to me. This is my server and the drive is rarely used anyways.
Now what kind of a case would this be without a cold cathode in it. First of all, with a window to show off the inside (even though this case isn't the cleanest on the inside) its only proper to light it up. The Cold Cathode kit was provided by SVC and expect a review of its own shortly!
Final Thoughts...
Overall this is a very nice case. It is pretty much screwless which is really nice. Makes it easier to swap drives around. For a midtower case it has plenty of room and isn't too cluttered. The CD Drives can be hidden, which for your everyday user might not be something that you would want in a case. But if its being used as a server, and the CD-ROM is rarely used its kind of nice to be able to hide it. Because of this you wouldn't have to buy a silver colored drive. A pre-modded side panel with a window is a big plus. I like to see the inside of my computers and with this there will be no need to mod it. Just drop in a cold cathode and your set!
On the downside of things, the cooling of this case is a bothersome area. It really needs to have at least 1 spot in the rear for a exhaust fan. The motherboard standoff's are another area of concern that I have. Even though the plastic standoffs work, I wasn't real fond of the sheet metal screws. The metal standoffs in my opinion are much more secure and easier to work with. This case also does not include a power supply. Now for some people that probably isn't a big deal. But if your a system builder it would make life a lot easier to have at least a decent 300W supply possibly a 350W supply.
Other than these couple minor detail it is an excellent case. It may not be for you power users but if your building mid ranged systems and want something stylish yet inexpensive then this case would serve its purpose! Thanks goes out to Colorcases for sending us this fine case!
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