R5 Induction
Though its filter panel can be removed separately, pulling the entire R5 face gives us a better view of its dual 120 mm intake fans. These feed air directly through its widely-spaced hard drive cage to combine excellent drive cooling with minimal flow restriction.
More R5 Dust Prevention
Rosewill R5’s separate slide-out filters ease the servicing of power supply and optional bottom-mounted intake fans.
R5 Drive Support
Rubber grommets on the R5’s trays dampen the vibrations of 3.5” mechanical drives, but 2.5” SSDs are screwed directly to the tray. Offset mounting allows 2.5” drive connectors to assume the 3.5” drive’s position, though there's really no point, since the R5 doesn't have any backplane connectors.
Zalman MS800 Plus
The most expensive case in part two of our round-up, Zalman’s MS800 Plus uses extra features like a triple-drive backplane to justify its pennies-under $100 price.
A larger triple-bay cover visually sets this case apart from the non-backplane, non-plus version.
MS800 Plus Ports
A six-fan speed controller knob rests between two USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports on the MS800 Plus top panel, in front of headphone and microphone jacks and behind power and reset buttons.
Behind The MS800 Plus
Equipped to support seven expansion slots, users of high-end graphics might want to take advantage of the MS800 Plus’ external liquid cooler support. That’s in addition to the case’s top-panel liquid cooling radiator capability.
A slight side panel protrusion adds a little extra room for behind-motherboard cable management.
Inside The MS800 Plus
Designed around ten 5.25” bays, the MS800 Plus loses three of its original quick-mounting clips to secure its bottom-mounted backplane with screws.
MS800 Plus Cable Management
Extremely little space exists between the MS800 Plus motherboard tray and its right-side panel, mandating the side-panel’s protrusion exclusively for over-the-top ATX12V/EPS12V cable routing. The tray steps inward at the front to make room for other cables, including main and PCIe power leads.
MS800 Plus Induction
A single 92 mm fan at the back of the MS800’s backplane pulls air past its hard drives and into its graphics area. That fan is factory-connected to a dual-speed controller on the backplane itself, though its three-pin connector makes motherboard or top-panel speed control a viable option.
More MS800 Plus Dust Prevention
Open-cell foam inserts in face panel covers protect drives, while a slide-out filter at the MS800 Plus’ bottom covers the power supply intake and optional 120 mm base-fan mount.
