2003 Winter Case Review Part 2: The ATX Avalanche
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Page 1:Introduction
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Page 2:Bezel, Bezel... Match My Case!
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Page 3:Bezel, Bezel... Match My Case!, Continued
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Page 4:The Review Process
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Page 5:Antec: Performance One Series P160
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Page 6:Antec: Performance One Series P160, Continued
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Page 7:Antec: Performance One Series P160, Continued
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Page 8:Antec Solution Series: SLK3700-BQE
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Page 9:Antec Solution Series: SLK3700-BQE, Continued
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Page 10:Antec Solution Series: SLK3700-BQE, Continued
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Page 11:AOpen A600 Series: A600B
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Page 12:AOpen A600 Series: A600B, Continued
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Page 13:AOpen A600 Series: A600B, Continued
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Page 14:Aspire: X-Alien
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Page 15:Aspire: X-Alien, Continued
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Page 16:Aspire: X-Alien, Continued
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Page 17:Aspire: X-Dreamer II
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Page 18:Aspire: X-Dreamer II, Continued
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Page 19:Aspire: X-Dreamer II, Continued
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Page 20:Athenatech: 400 Series
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Page 21:Athenatech: 400 Series, Continued
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Page 22:Athenatech: 400 Series, Continued
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Page 23:Athenatech: 7800 Series
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Page 24:Athenatech: 7800 Series, Continued
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Page 25:Athenatech: 7800 Series, Continued
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Page 26:BeanTech: BT85
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Page 27:BeanTech: BT85, Continued
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Page 28:BeanTech: BT85, Continued
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Page 29:BeanTech Igloo Series: IGLOO 12
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Page 30:BeanTech Igloo Series: IGLOO 12, Continued
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Page 31:BeanTech Igloo Series: IGLOO 12, Continued
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Page 32:Casetek LAN PARTY Dreamer: CK1021
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Page 33:Casetek LAN PARTY Dreamer: CK1021, Continued
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Page 34:Casetek LAN PARTY Dreamer: CK1021, Continued
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Page 35:Casetek LAN PARTY Dreamer: CK1021, Continued
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Page 36:Cooler Master: ATC-201B-BXT
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Page 37:Cooler Master: ATC-201B-BXT, Continued
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Page 38:Cooler Master: ATC-201B-BXT, Continued
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Page 39:Cooler Master: ATC-201B-BXT, Continued
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Page 40:Cooler Master Wave Master: TAC-T01-EK
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Page 41:Cooler Master Wave Master: TAC-T01-EK, Continued
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Page 42:Cooler Master Wave Master: TAC-T01-EK, Continued
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Page 43:Cooler Master Wave Master: TAC-T01-EK, Continued
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Page 44:Enermax CS-5171LBFS-B
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Page 45:Enermax CS-5171LBFS-B, Continued
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Page 46:Enermax CS-5171LBFS-B, Continued
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Page 47:Fong Kai FK-333ATX
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Page 48:Fong Kai FK-333ATX, Continued
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Page 49:Fong Kai FK-333ATX, Continued
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Page 50:Inwin IW-S564G-ATX
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Page 51:Inwin IW-S564G-ATX, Continued
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Page 52:Inwin IW-S564G-ATX, Continued
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Page 53:Inwin X Series IW-X710
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Page 54:Inwin X Series IW-X710, Continued
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Page 55:Inwin X Series IW-X710, Continued
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Page 56:Jeantech Butterfly Series 2011
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Page 57:Jeantech Butterfly Series 2011, Continued
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Page 58:Jeantech Butterfly Series 2011, Continued
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Page 59:Jeantech Butterfly Series JN424SB
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Page 60:Jeantech Butterfly Series JN424SB, Continued
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Page 61:Jeantech Butterfly Series JN424SB, Continued
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Page 62:Lian Li PC-6077
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Page 63:Lian Li PC-6077, Continued
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Page 64:Lian Li PC-6077, Continued
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Page 65:SilverStone Technology Lascala Series / SST-LC01
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Page 66:SilverStone Technology Lascala Series / SST-LC01, Continued
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Page 67:SilverStone Technology Lascala Series / SST-LC01, Continued
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Page 68:SilverStone Technology Lascala Series / SST-LC01, Continued
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Page 69:Superpower Superb Series KC2301B
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Page 70:Superpower Superb Series KC2301B, Continued
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Page 71:Superpower Superb Series KC2301B, Continued
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Page 72:Thermaltake Xaser III Lanfire Series: VM2000AD
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Page 73:Thermaltake Xaser III Lanfire Series: VM2000AD, Continued
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Page 74:Thermaltake Xaser III Lanfire Series: VM2000AD, Continued
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Page 75:Thermaltake Xaser III VM3000A: Skull Series
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Page 76:Thermaltake Xaser III VM3000A: Skull Series, Continued
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Page 77:Thermaltake Xaser III VM3000A: Skull Series, Continued
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Page 78:Conclusion: An Extraordinary Number Of High-Scoring Cases Makes Picking The Winners Difficult
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Page 79:Conclusion, Continued
Aspire: X-Dreamer II, Continued
The cooling setup on the X-Dreamer II is an interesting mix of "do it yourself ("DIY") and example. The example is the two included lighted fans in the side panel and the top of the case. Users who wish to fill out the other four fan slots in the front and the rear of the case will need to supply four additional 80mm fans. By example, Aspire is suggesting the use of lighted fans for the sharpest and most exciting appearance. With the front bezel ventilation, lighted fans show up well through the grill and compliment the six lights located in the four corners and tow mid-point sides of the front bezel. With all of the fans installed, the cooling performance was adequate, although the noise level was somewhat high. This is due to the thin aluminum and the number of fans within the case.
A look at the front-mounted ports and the LCD display of the X-Dreamer II.
The X-Dreamer II includes an LCD temperature monitoring backlit display in the center of the front bezel. Our testing revealed that the readings were fairly accurate. Overall, we liked the appearance of this temperature gauge. Hidden behind a flip-up door are two USB 2.0 front-mounted ports and a MIC and headphone jack. Although Aspire shows a knockout for the 1394/Firewire port, none was included in our sample case. This comes as no surprise, since the company is requiring the customer to purchase extra fans; thus, keeping costs down is a key factor in the overall design of this case.
Overall, we would rate the X-Dreamer II as above average. While it has a good grouping of features plus a power supply for a reasonable suggested retail price, it does not necessarily stand up well to cases that cost $30 US additional. Still, those penny pinchers or thrifty consumers in the crowd will be pleased to note that the X-Dreamer II offers an attractive appearance and the illusion that it costs more than it actually does. Aspire's X-Dreamer II delivers a product at a price point, and that will most likely be the overriding factor in the decision to purchase this case. We still recommend that you consider spending a little more to get a little more.
- Introduction
- Bezel, Bezel... Match My Case!
- Bezel, Bezel... Match My Case!, Continued
- The Review Process
- Antec: Performance One Series P160
- Antec: Performance One Series P160, Continued
- Antec: Performance One Series P160, Continued
- Antec Solution Series: SLK3700-BQE
- Antec Solution Series: SLK3700-BQE, Continued
- Antec Solution Series: SLK3700-BQE, Continued
- AOpen A600 Series: A600B
- AOpen A600 Series: A600B, Continued
- AOpen A600 Series: A600B, Continued
- Aspire: X-Alien
- Aspire: X-Alien, Continued
- Aspire: X-Alien, Continued
- Aspire: X-Dreamer II
- Aspire: X-Dreamer II, Continued
- Aspire: X-Dreamer II, Continued
- Athenatech: 400 Series
- Athenatech: 400 Series, Continued
- Athenatech: 400 Series, Continued
- Athenatech: 7800 Series
- Athenatech: 7800 Series, Continued
- Athenatech: 7800 Series, Continued
- BeanTech: BT85
- BeanTech: BT85, Continued
- BeanTech: BT85, Continued
- BeanTech Igloo Series: IGLOO 12
- BeanTech Igloo Series: IGLOO 12, Continued
- BeanTech Igloo Series: IGLOO 12, Continued
- Casetek LAN PARTY Dreamer: CK1021
- Casetek LAN PARTY Dreamer: CK1021, Continued
- Casetek LAN PARTY Dreamer: CK1021, Continued
- Casetek LAN PARTY Dreamer: CK1021, Continued
- Cooler Master: ATC-201B-BXT
- Cooler Master: ATC-201B-BXT, Continued
- Cooler Master: ATC-201B-BXT, Continued
- Cooler Master: ATC-201B-BXT, Continued
- Cooler Master Wave Master: TAC-T01-EK
- Cooler Master Wave Master: TAC-T01-EK, Continued
- Cooler Master Wave Master: TAC-T01-EK, Continued
- Cooler Master Wave Master: TAC-T01-EK, Continued
- Enermax CS-5171LBFS-B
- Enermax CS-5171LBFS-B, Continued
- Enermax CS-5171LBFS-B, Continued
- Fong Kai FK-333ATX
- Fong Kai FK-333ATX, Continued
- Fong Kai FK-333ATX, Continued
- Inwin IW-S564G-ATX
- Inwin IW-S564G-ATX, Continued
- Inwin IW-S564G-ATX, Continued
- Inwin X Series IW-X710
- Inwin X Series IW-X710, Continued
- Inwin X Series IW-X710, Continued
- Jeantech Butterfly Series 2011
- Jeantech Butterfly Series 2011, Continued
- Jeantech Butterfly Series 2011, Continued
- Jeantech Butterfly Series JN424SB
- Jeantech Butterfly Series JN424SB, Continued
- Jeantech Butterfly Series JN424SB, Continued
- Lian Li PC-6077
- Lian Li PC-6077, Continued
- Lian Li PC-6077, Continued
- SilverStone Technology Lascala Series / SST-LC01
- SilverStone Technology Lascala Series / SST-LC01, Continued
- SilverStone Technology Lascala Series / SST-LC01, Continued
- SilverStone Technology Lascala Series / SST-LC01, Continued
- Superpower Superb Series KC2301B
- Superpower Superb Series KC2301B, Continued
- Superpower Superb Series KC2301B, Continued
- Thermaltake Xaser III Lanfire Series: VM2000AD
- Thermaltake Xaser III Lanfire Series: VM2000AD, Continued
- Thermaltake Xaser III Lanfire Series: VM2000AD, Continued
- Thermaltake Xaser III VM3000A: Skull Series
- Thermaltake Xaser III VM3000A: Skull Series, Continued
- Thermaltake Xaser III VM3000A: Skull Series, Continued
- Conclusion: An Extraordinary Number Of High-Scoring Cases Makes Picking The Winners Difficult
- Conclusion, Continued