Since there will be a “wall” separating the power supply from the rest of the case, the power supply unit must be installed with its 120- or 140-mm fan facing down, unless you won’t use the panel that separates the power supply from the video cards and other expansion boards. As you can see on Figure 13 this case has a mesh with a dust filter to match the power supply fan and also a space for the installation of an additional 120-mm fan. This optional fan can only be installed if you use a power supply with standard length. The case comes with one spare 120-mm fan for you to install it here, below the motherboard or on the center bar (more about that in just a second).
click to enlarge
Figure 13: Power supply chamber.
Daughter boards are fastened to the case using individual screwless mechanisms. These mechanisms are opened and closed from outside the case and not from inside, as usual. We like this new design, as the latches are easier to manipulate when installed outside the case.
If you pay attention this case has eight expansion slots, not seven as usual. The eighth slot (the lowest one) does not have a screwless fastening mechanism, however.
click to enlarge
Figure 14: Screwless mechanism for fastening daughter boards.
On Figure 15 you can see the two rear fans and the top fan. Pay attention to the lever located on the right-hand side. This lever controls the height and angle of an optional 120-mm center fan (see Figure 16). The case comes with this fan, but you have to choose where you want to install it: on this lever, on the bottom part of the case near the power supply or below the motherboard, behind where the CPU is installed. Like all other fans from this case it uses a standard 4-pin peripheral power connector, not allowing you to monitor its speed.
click to enlarge
Figure 15: Rear and top fans.
click to enlarge
Figure 16: Lever that adjusts the height and angle of the optional center fan.
As mentioned, you can install a 120-mm fan below the motherboard, behind where the CPU is installed. If you paid attention, this case has three optional places for a 120-mm fan, but it only comes with one extra 120-mm fan. Behind the motherboard tray Spedo Advance Package has also a cable organizer.
click to enlarge
Figure 17: Case viewed from the right side.
Let’s now take an in-depth look on the disk drive options from the reviewed case.
