CyberpowerPC's Wild Kinetic Series Case Features 18 Motorized Vents
A modern art PC case that can open and close its front vents depending on temps
Outlandish, eye-catching PC cases–especially motorized ones–are typically the kind of thing we'd expect from InWin at CES, or maybe from a Razer concept. But Cyberpower has stepped into that role this year with its Kinetic Series, a case that features 18 motorized triangular vents that react to internal temperatures, opening up to allow more airflow to your cool air-loving components.
Cyperpower tells us that the vents are controlled by 18 servos connected to a post and collar inside the chassis, similar to (but obviously more complicated than) how umbrellas work. The general idea is that the vents can stay mostly closed, dampening fan noise and keeping out more dust when temperatures are low, but start to open for more airflow when temps get steamier inside your case.
Unlike an umbrella, though, the vents on the case won't spend all their time just opened or closed, but can adjust in fine detail to "every single degree of temperature change," according to the press release. "It senses the environment and is constantly contracting and expanding to adapt to the situation with micro adjustments."
You'll also be able to adjust the temperature ranges that induce the movement of the vents. And small gaps between the vents and triangle cutouts at the top will mean there will always be some cool air available to the interior of the case, even if the vents are closed.
Of course, how appealing this all is going to be for many depends on how loud the servo motors and mechanism are. And because we haven't yet seen the case in person, that's impossible to say. The company did say it is still fine-tuning exactly how the motorized mechanism will work, but the way it moves will be the same in the final version.
Moving vents aside, it's obvious that Cyberpower was aiming for a modern art meets mid-century aesthetic look, melded with a functional design. Cyberpower's press release states the case was inspired by kinetic architecture, where parts of buildings are designed to move and change to adapt to a given purpose.
The mid-tower Kinetic Series case will be available in black or white, supports radiators up to 360 mm, up to seven 120mm fans (or five 140mm), and up to ATX motherboards.
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As you might expect with a case that includes 18 moving parts, the Cyberpower Kinetic Series won't be a budget model; the company expects it to sell for a fairly reasonable $249. And if it catches your eye, you have some time to save up, as the company says the case will go on sale sometime in Q3 of this year.
After a rough start with the Mattel Aquarius as a child, Matt built his first PC in the late 1990s and ventured into mild PC modding in the early 2000s. He’s spent the last 15 years covering emerging technology for Smithsonian, Popular Science, and Consumer Reports, while testing components and PCs for Computer Shopper, PCMag and Digital Trends.
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Colif no way that isn't a rebranded case from someone else.Reply
give one to GN to test air flow, looks aren't everything -
Pollopesca Reminds me of the old Alienware Aurora ALX with the fins that would pop up when temps got high. A novelty as a spectator to be sure, but an inevitable failure point to deal with as an owner.Reply -
jonbuder I like the concept, but others bring up some good points about longevity and ease of cleaning.Reply
I think noise might be less of a concern to potential buyers because it's likely to be part of a visually "loud" build with lots of RGB, and the noise of little motors opening and closing vents probably would be a pro instead of a con. -
husker Why would you not want maximum cooling all the time? Just remove the crazy stuff and let the air flow through a screen/filter. In fact, letting the inside get to a certain temp before opening more vents is less efficient. Now you went and let it get to a higher temp and have to catch up to where the temps would have been if the vents were always open in the first place.Reply -
peachpuff Reply
I know it makes no sense at all, lets close the vents to heat up the case and open the vents once it gets past 60c... for what purpose i dont know.husker said:Why would you not want maximum cooling all the time? Just remove the crazy stuff and let the air flow through a screen/filter. In fact, letting the inside get to a certain temp before opening more vents is less efficient. Now you went and let it get to a higher temp and have to catch up to where the temps would have been if the vents were always open in the first place.