A Trio of Thermaltake Towers
by Joshua Buss on August 16, 2006 2:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Thermaltake Eureka - Installation
We'll wrap up our look at the Eureka by stepping through some of the installation steps of our standard ATX test bed. First up was putting the power supply into place, which is easy thanks to the ample space above it. Next we mounted the motherboard to the removable tray, which had all the appropriate standoff positions clearly labeled just like all Thermaltake cases we've looked at lately.
As noted earlier, slipping the tray into place was easy as well. There were really no cable problems to speak of - there is plenty of room for even the most complicated server builds, and the very standard layout only amplifies this point.
A close-up of the expansion card clip shows how it supports the weight of our 6600GT video card. To undo the strip one has to lift on the green plastic tab at the top.
In another effort to simplify things the Eureka keeps the 5.25" rails behind each drive bay cover.
Once our install was completed we noticed how much the honeycomb grill acts like a standard case window, letting users see the contents of their computer - especially if there are extra lights inside. With this much venting on the side though, we worried that the case might not adequately cool the hard drives.
Many cases are designed to create a "wind tunnel" effect from the front of the case to the rear fans; all of the venting can negate that type of air flow, so the end result is almost like removing the side panels altogether. That may or may not cool effectively, but before temperature testing let's look at the third case in the comparison.
We'll wrap up our look at the Eureka by stepping through some of the installation steps of our standard ATX test bed. First up was putting the power supply into place, which is easy thanks to the ample space above it. Next we mounted the motherboard to the removable tray, which had all the appropriate standoff positions clearly labeled just like all Thermaltake cases we've looked at lately.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
As noted earlier, slipping the tray into place was easy as well. There were really no cable problems to speak of - there is plenty of room for even the most complicated server builds, and the very standard layout only amplifies this point.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
A close-up of the expansion card clip shows how it supports the weight of our 6600GT video card. To undo the strip one has to lift on the green plastic tab at the top.
In another effort to simplify things the Eureka keeps the 5.25" rails behind each drive bay cover.
Once our install was completed we noticed how much the honeycomb grill acts like a standard case window, letting users see the contents of their computer - especially if there are extra lights inside. With this much venting on the side though, we worried that the case might not adequately cool the hard drives.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
Many cases are designed to create a "wind tunnel" effect from the front of the case to the rear fans; all of the venting can negate that type of air flow, so the end result is almost like removing the side panels altogether. That may or may not cool effectively, but before temperature testing let's look at the third case in the comparison.
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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.