Conclusion
Group photo: together with the previously reviewed Circle Full Tower Series
The two new models from ThermalRock couldn't be more different. One is sleek and light, the other bulky and heavy. The Eclipse midi tower is made of aluminum and features a spacious side window that reveals the generously apportioned insides. The trick with the split swing doors really looks great when you open up the front panel of the faux CD player.
The Mystic HTPC is a whole other ballgame, however; all the steel and plastic makes this model bulky and unwieldy. With the exception of the front side, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the Mystic apart from a 1980s model PC. Back then, most cases were mousy gray desktop affairs. Today there's a lot of noise about putative HTPCs, but the label is ill-applied to the ThermalRock Mystic, which could be more aptly described as a "retro-look desktop".
Technical Specifications
| Manufacturer | Thermalrock Eclipse RH-M040-1AW | Thermalrock Mystic RH-D050-2SN |
|---|---|---|
| Web site | www.thermalrock.com | www.thermalrock.com |
| Price | $140 | available in Sept |
| Chassis | ||
| Form factor | Mid tower | Desktop / HTPC |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) |
| Dimensions | 8.5 x 18.9 x 18.9"(215 x 480 x 480 mm) | 16.9 x 6.7 x 17.3"(430 x 170 x 440 mm) |
| Lockable | yes | no |
| Materials | metal/ aluminum | steel/ plastic |
| Can be opened with | thumb screws | thumb screws |
| Open chassis sensor | yes | yes |
| Appropriate motherboards | ATX, µATX | ATX, µATX |
| Motherboard tray | no | no |
| Chassis sides | open | closed |
| Light effects | blue LEDs | blue LEDs |
| Drive bays | ||
| 5.25" | 4x | 3x |
| 3.5" external access | 2x | 2x |
| 3.5" internal access | 5x | 2x |
| HDD cage holder | removable | removable |
| HDD cage at 90° | no | no |
| Slots for AGP/PCI | 7x | 7x |
| Front connections | ||
| USB 2.0 | 2x Type A | 2x Type A |
| Firewire 1394a | 1x | 1x |
| Audio | 2x | 2x |
| System fans | ||
| Size | 1x 120 mm | 2x 60mm |
| Fans integrated | yes | yes |
| Speed signal cable | yes | no |
| Dust filter | no | no |
| HD fans | ||
| Size | 1x 120 mm | 1x 80 mm |
| Fans integrated | yes | yes |
| Dust filter | no | no |
| Accessories included | ||
| Screws | yes | yes |
| Spacer | yes | yes |
| User manual | yes | yes |
| Installation rails for drives | yes | yes |
| Speaker | no | no |
| Other | no | audio cable |
