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The first thing we do is take the computer case out of the box. Pictured here is our new Thermaltake brand Tsumani Dream case.
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We chose this case for a number of reasons. The two most important reasons were functionality and cost. For starters, it is cooled by 2 (front and rear) 120mm cooling fans, which creates excellent airflow through the case. Also, the 80mm fan on the side of the case inducts cool air in to the case keeping the interior tempurature nominal and the PC running smoothly. The case also has a side loading 5 bay, 3.5in rack with shock absorbing rubber rings, which is removable. Additionally, it has an easy to use rail system for the 5.25in bays. The top of the case has a popup door with 2 USB 2.0 ports, a firewire port, and audio in and out ports. Lastly, the case features a plexiglass panel to see the guts of the computer. The case came with both the rear 120mm cooling fan with blue LED light built-in and front 120mm intake fan. This case is entirely aluminum thus making it very light weight. We paid about $115.00USD for this case, without a power supply. With the power supply, lighting kit, and shipping the total cost was $240.21 |
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Now that we have the case out, we look inside of the case (at the right) and under the 3.5in removable rack, we find the cases parts box. We will get in to this box and see what it contains in a minute. As we look at the back of the case (below and to the left), we see the 120mm blue LED cooling fan that came with the case. The wires that are hanging down are for the popup ports on the top of the case. |
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From this view, we can also see the green expansion card locks. These are another feature of this case that are supposed to make installing expansion cards easier, however we ended up removing this peiece all together so we could properly install our expansion cards. We put it back at the end of the build. The gap at the top of the case is where the power supply will go.
When we look at the back of the case, (right) we can see the exhaust for the rear cooling fan, as well as the motherboard adapter panel which holds the ports for all of the connectors that are built on to the motherboard that appear of the exterior of the case. The panel that comes with the case is not the correct one for our motherboard, so we will be replacing this later. Also, note the expansoin card slots underneath the motherboard panel. We will have to remove these covers as we install expansion cards. Above that, you can see the opening where the power supply will go. This opening is a standard size for all full size cases. Our power supply will fit in to it very nicely and should present no problems. Lastly, the cables hanging out of the back of the case are for the USB, firewire and audio ports on the top of the case. Since we will not be hookings those up, we put them through this opening to get them out of the way. We will worry about these later.
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The last view of the case we will look at is the motherboard side of the case. It is necessary to access this part of the case in order to properly secure and install the mother board. The image at left shows you what our cases motherboard anchors will go in to.On some case designs, this whole panel folds down, making installing motherboard easy, however ours does not, so this can make installing a mothboard more difficult. In situation, since our case is so large and open on the interior, moving around should present no problems.
Now that we have examined the case, lets have a look at that parts box that came with the case. We can see at right that the box the parts for the case come in is quite large, this is becuase it houses all of the cases screws, rails and other materials needed to put the case together correctly. Lets have a look at what is in this box.. |
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