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| | THERMALTAKE
VA8000BWS
Best Price $138.92 |  | Thermaltake VA8000BWS Silver Armor Case Super Tower
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| Product Reviews from Amazon.com (Rating System 1 to 5) |
| Review | Rating | Last Updated | big
I really like this case! very roomy except for the power supply area can be kind of tight with newer/larger psu's. had to remove the extra hard drive cage to have my enermax psu intalled. No problem though, 11 full bays besided the little 3 drive 3.5 cage.Highly recommend for DIYer. NOt sure what the difference is in the newer version | 5 | Today | Great case design... so so manual
The case is great. It is light and has lots of features. The movable bays are great and the 120cm fancs keep things cool. And it looks nice. The only thing is I wish it came in black (I know there is a black Armor, but it is made of steal not Aluminum) and the manual was better written.
The worst part of the manual is the very confusing part about how to install the PSU clip. The manual is basically useless even with the pictures they provide (I am amazed how the managed to make the 5 pictures they took of the clip installations completely useless and unhelpful) and you have to figure it out yourself. | 5 | Today | good design -- manual could be better
As a novice, this was my first go at PC building from the ground up and I chose this case to fix an ongoing overheating and ventilation problem on my last one. The manual had pictures and was fairly straightfoward and simple -- until I got to the installation of the PSU. Nowhere does it say to remove the ceiling fan (which fortunately I had done anyway) and, here's the killer -- oh yeah, that seemingly fixed clear plastic ceiling fan BRACKET will also slide up and off. Just about killed myself trying to install the PSU around it and cut up my hands in the process. Once you realise the bracket is removable (no screws or anything, just figure it out for yourself) it was clear sailing.
Another example is a long brace shaped like a toothbrush to hold the PSU in place -- the extreme close up pix in the manual don't actually give you any context as to where to put it. Just huge grey lines. It's more trial and error at working out where it goes. Experienced users probably never face this issue!
Everything else was incredibly easy. Few screws needed on the actual case. Good quality build and look. Oh and bear in mind you only get two bays available for a floppy drive (ie have a bracket to hold it) so PLAN AHEAD -- I didn't and had already pulled the wire grille off one slot at the front before realising it could never hold my floppy. Then had to do a patch job to try and return the grille to its former state - possible, but never as good.
All in all this whole effort was an easyish job for a novice and as a case I strongly recommend it. Improve the manual and it would be perfect!
PROS: Cool look. Doesn't lower the temp so much as expel hot air quickly and very very effectively (problem solved). Case lockable (although all keys and locks apparently same for all units). Few screws needed due to clever plastic lockdown system on cards and drives.
CONS: Manual leaves out vital stuff. Easily scratchable case so handle it carefully. Door needs two hands to open and something to brace it, like a knee or foot! | 4 | Today | Good TT Staff
This is a good case. Look nice. But a little small for me and no good to silent PC. | 4 | Today | Spacious, organized and good thermal flow
This is a giant tower very spacious to work inside, removable hard drive bracket.
This case has exceptionally good thermal flow because of the mesh up front, behind and the top. But this mesh design means noise is NOT at all insulated. One annoying feature was the screwless assembly: it doesn't work ! the brackets to hold add-on card are very loose without screw tightened. If you don't fit screws the card doesn't stay in place annoying when you are attaching/detaching cables. I actually have to remove entire screwless assembly and manually fit screws.
Also beware of the size it is extra ordinarily tall, therefore may not fit in conventional computer desks. Besides these minor issues nothing really to complain about.
Pros: Good looks (brushed alumnium), light weight for its size, spacious, organized drive bracket, excellent thermal flow
Cons: Expensive for the class (considering w/o power supply), screwless system does not work correctly for add-on cards, noisy (since open mesh) | 4 | Today | Overall an excellent case
It's very light, and also very deep, which makes it easy to install the motherboard. The clips that hold the drives seem flimsy, but they work well. All the leads for the power and reset switches, LED's and top usb and audio jacks are well marked, and the wires are plenty long.
This case has lots of room. It comes with two 120mm fans, but be aware rpm's are only 1400 on those. They are very quiet though..
And if you never used aluminum cases before- don't over tighten any of the mounting screws- just snug them.
The negatives are:
The case is expensive.
The power supply mounts sideways in this case. The rear drive cage sits right in front of the bottom intake fan for the psu, blocking the airflow into the power supply.
Also- the case comes with a bracket that mounts behind the power supply to help hold it in place. I bought an Enermax psu, which has a lip on it. Because of the sideways mounting I was not able to use the bracket as the lip was in the way.
There is a top 90mm fan for exhaust. I find the holes on the top of the case above the fan to be rather small.
The drive bays covers are a PITA to remove. I'm not crazy about the metal mesh either. It's a good idea, but the mesh is made from steel, and if you bend those little tabs that hold it in place they *will* break off. I think they should have used some kind of spring stainless steel that was more flexible for this. Despite the cons, I like the case, and I would buy one again. | 4 | Today |
| * Pricing and product information always changes and we disclaim any responsibility for its accuracy or completeness - it is subject to change without notice.Actual product and pricing information should be always checked on the merchant web site before completing your purchase. Shipping charges are estimated on UPS ground within the US. |
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