Zalman Debuts Two New Z9 Cases

By Wolfgang Gruener
published

Zalman has expanded the existing Z9 case series with two new "Plus" models.

The company is offering the Z9-Plus base model and the Z9-Plus DIII, which will ship with a 2-channel fan controller and an internal digital thermometer.

Both cases are virtually identical with the Z9 mid tower cases that have been offered for nearly two years, and offer three 5.25-inch slots and five 3.5-inch drive bays, one of which can be used to install two 2.5-inch devices.

The cases include three 120 mm fans, positioned with blue LEDs behind a mesh grill on the front, back and side. Buyers can choose to replace the 120 mm fans on the back and side with a 140 mm version. Prices are expected to start around $50.

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Wolfgang Gruener
9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • sacre
    Not too fond of the oh so common rectangle shape. For me its got to have a curve or two, something a little different than the box design.

    The Vento 3600 looks great, using it right now. Unfortunately its got terrible cooling characteristics.
    Reply
  • abbadon_34
    give me a big box with standard screws for cheap and i'm happy. no plastic, nothing proprietary, no fan control and temperature display.
    Reply
  • spentshells
    Designed in 2002
    Reply
  • spartanmk2
    To be expected of a $50 case :/
    Reply
  • sincreator
    The Z9 plus series of cases are actually real good for the money, and there are a ton more features than what they list here. Side mounted HDD's, pre-drilled holes for water cooling, internal temperature sensor, comes with 3 120mm blue led fans, up to 7 120mm fans can be installed(3 can be 140mm), 4x USB 3.0 ports, well built construction(same as antec 300), large cutout on the motherboard tray so you dont have to remove the motherboard when installing an aftermarket cooler, and lots of room for cable management.

    For only $50 you get ALOT of features you would normally only find on $80+ cases. I actually nabbed my Z9+ for only $34.99 with free shipping. lol. NCIX has them on sale all the time, and the cases get exellent reviews from websites and the customers that bought them. Too bad Tom's hasn't looked at reviewing them yet. Hopefully they will be in the next budget case review/roundup.

    http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=57910&vpn=Z9%20Plus&manufacture=ZALMAN%20TECH&promoid=1306#CustomerReviews This is the one I have that is getting replaced with the new models. Full list of reviews from sites and people in the link as well.
    Reply
  • f-14
    sacreNot too fond of the oh so common rectangle shape. For me its got to have a curve or two, something a little different than the box design.The Vento 3600 looks great, using it right now. Unfortunately its got terrible cooling characteristics.
    apple would sue them then since they think they invented rounded corners on stuff, apple is even trying to sue my dead great great great grandfather for making a table with rounded corners over 200 years ago.
    Reply
  • alextheblue
    sacreNot too fond of the oh so common rectangle shape. For me its got to have a curve or two, something a little different than the box design.The Vento 3600 looks great, using it right now. Unfortunately its got terrible cooling characteristics.Didn't your experience teach you anything? Function > form.abbadon_34give me a big box with standard screws for cheap and i'm happy. no plastic, nothing proprietary, no fan control and temperature display.I used to agree with you, a long time ago. I still value simplicity, and I still don't care for screwless case designs. But I've found that the right kinds of improvements to design and materials can reduce noise and vibration, or even improve cooling. Depending on your goal and budget.
    Reply
  • cmi86
    Hey hate all you want the X9's still offer twice the features and quality of any other case at it's price point so its a winner in my book.
    Reply
  • blazorthon
    CMI86Hey hate all you want the X9's still offer twice the features and quality of any other case at it's price point so its a winner in my book.
    IDK for sure about being that much better than any other case at their price points, but I'll admit that they are at the very least among the best in class for their price points.
    Reply