Scythe has launched Kama Panel 3.5” (SCKMPN-1000-35-BK), a multifunctional panel to be installed on any available 5 ¼” bay from your PC case. With this panel you can have access to one USB port, one eSATA port and audio connectors. Also, up to 2 fans can be controlled by this panel. Kama Panel 3.5" has also a card reader (SD Card, SDHC Card, MMC Card, miniSD Card, microSD Card, CompactFlash Media, Micro Drive, Memory Stick (Pro, Duo, Pro-Duo), xD Card (no Adapter required) - RS-MMC, MMC micro, Memory Stick micro (Adapter required, not included)). The product costs USD 27.
Thermaltake has increased its gaming product line with the launch of V9 Black Edition mid-tower case (VJ400G1N2Z). This case is made of zinc-coated steel (a.k.a. SECC), has four 5 ¼” external bays, two 3 ½” external bays, five 3 ½” internal bays, seven slots for expansion cards, watercooling support and screwless mechanism for installing expansion cards, optical and hard disk drives. As for cooling, this case is equipped with two 230-mm fans (one on frontal panel and other on side panel) rotating at 800 rpm and producing a noise level of 15 dBA, two 120-mm fans (one on frontal panel, which glows in red when turned on and can be replaced by an 140 mm, and other on rear panel) rotating at 1,300 rpm and producing a noise level of 17 dBA and one optional 70-mm fan installed on the motherboard tray. Also, these cases have two USB ports and audio connectors. No word on pricing and availability.
Antec will be launching soon a case that looks more like a portable stove than with a PC case. Skeleton (0761345-15125-2), as it is called, is a weird case featuring two external 5 ¼” bays, two internal 3 ½” bays, seven slots for expansion cards, a top 250-mm fan (with 3-speed control), a 92-mm fan for cooling hard drives, two USB ports, one FireWire port, one eSATA port and microphone input and headphones output. No word on pricing and availability.
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Thermaltake has launched V9, a mid-tower case series targeted to gamers. Available in two models, VJ40001W2Z (with transparent side window) and VJ40001N2Z (with solid side panel), these cases are made of zinc-coated steel (a.k.a. SECC), have four 5 ¼” external bays, two 3 ½” external bays, five 3 ½” internal bays, seven slots for expansion cards, watercooling support and screwless mechanism for installing expansion cards, optical and hard disk drives. As for cooling, these cases allow you to install an optional 120-mm or 14-mm frontal fan, one 120-mm rear fan (which comes installed on the case), one optional 120-mm or 140-mm side fan (in the case of VJ40001N2Z model), one optional 230-mm top fan and one optional 70-mm fan installed on the motherboard tray. Also, these cases have two USB ports and audio connectors. No word about pricing and availability.
NZXT has just launched Whisper, a full-tower case made of steel featuring six 5 ¼” external bays, nine 3 ½” internal bays, seven slots for expansion cards and water cooling support. Whisper also has one 120-mm frontal fan (that glows in blue when the system is turned on) and one 120-mm rear fan. On the top panel of this case you can find two USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA port and microphone input and headphones output. Whisper will reach the market next month and it has a recommended price tag of USD 139.99.
Lian Li has launched PC-XB01, a case designed for Xbox 360 consoles. This case is a chassis replacement for the Xbox 360 original chassis and has several cooling features, also reducing noise level produced by Xbox optical drive. PC-XB01 is made of aluminum, has a 120-mm rear fan and water cooling support, and it should reach the market by the end of this month. Its price wasn’t disclosed.
NZXT has increased its Crafted product line with the launch of Guardian 921, a mid-tower gaming case. This case is made of zinc-coated steel (a.k.a. "SECC"), it has three 5 ¼” external bays, two 3 ½” external bays, four 3 ½” internal bays, seven slots for expansion cards and water cooling support. Guardian 921 also has one 120-mm frontal fan, one 120-mm rear fan and a 120-mm side fan –, all of them glow in blue when the system is turned on. On the side panel you can find two USB 2.0 ports, one e-SATA port and microphone input and headphones output. Guardian 921 comes with three temperature probes which can be used to monitor temperatures from your system. Its MSRP is of USD 89.99.
Lancool has launched PC-K6, a hybrid mid-tower case, i.e. its exterior is made of aluminum and its internal body is made of zinc-coated steel (a.k.a. “SECC”). This case has five 5 ¼” external bays, one 3 ½” external bay, four 3 ½” internal bays, seven slots for expansion cards and water cooling support. PC-K6 also has one 140-mm frontal fan and one 120-mm rear fan. On the top panel of this case you can find four USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire port, one eSATA port and microphone input and headphones output. The top panel of this can be removable, as well its motherboard tray. This case provides a unique installation mechanism for the hard disk drives. It comes with several thumbscrews and rubber rings. These rubber rings act like shock absorbers, preventing the hard disk drive natural vibration (because of its internal motors) from propagating to the case. Its MSRP is of USD 130.
Lian Li has launched PC-A77, a full-tower case featuring twelve 5 ¼” external bays, nine 3 ½” internal bays (six of them using 5 ¼” bays), seven slots for expansion cards and water cooling support. This case also has two 120-mm frontal fans and two 120-mm rear fans. On the PC-A77 top panel you can find one Firewire port, four USB ports, one eSATA port and microphone input and headphones output. PC-A77 also comes with a module located on its frontal panel in charge of control automatically the fans speed of four 120-mm fans. The fan speed will adjusted automatically by temperature difference, fan speed from 1,020 rpm to 1,500 rpm.
Scythe has launched Kama Panel 2, a multifunctional panel installed on one available 5 ¼” bays of your PC case. With this panel you can have access to your USB, Firewire and SATA ports, and audio connectors. Also, up to 6 fans can be controlled by this panel. Kama Panel 2 also has a card reader. The product is available in two colors: black (SCKMPN-2000-BK) and silver (SCKMPN-2000-SL). Scythe Kama Panel 2 costs USD 39.80.
Kama Panel 2 has the following front panel ports/connectors:
Lian Li has launched Tyr X500, a small version of another company’s case called Tyr X2000. Tyr X500 is a mid-tower case featuring two 5 ¼” external bays, one 3 ½” external bay, four 3 ½” internal bays, seven slots for expansion cards and water cooling support. This case also has two 120-mm frontal fans and two 120-mm rear fans. On the Tyr X500 top panel you can find one Firewire port, four USB ports, one eSATA port and microphone input and headphones output. This product will be available in the next few weeks and its MSRP is USD 390.
Lian Li has launched Tyr X2000, a super full tower case featuring two 5 ¼” external bays, one 3 ½” external bay, six 3 ½” internal bays, eight slots for expansion cards and water cooling support. This case also has three 140-mm frontal fans, one 140-mm and two 80-mm rear fans. On the Tyr X2000 top panel you can find one Firewire port, four USB ports, one eSATA port and microphone input and headphones output.
Antec has launched a new slim PC case as part of its Minuet series. The 300 model, aimed at micro-ATX boards, promises improved cooling and features a 300 W ATX12V 24-pin power supply. Other specs include 80-mm TriCool fan with three speeds, three drive bays (two external and one internal), two USB ports, one FireWire and two audio jacks. The case measures 3.8x16.8x12.7 inches and sports glossy finish with chrome accents. The package includes two stands for upright positioning. Suggested retail price is USD 89.95.
Gigabyte has unveiled two new chassis series with aluminum bezel design and internal compact wiring. The middle tower Triton sports 12 cm front and back silent fans (1,000 rpm) and adjustable ventilation hood. The Poseidon (below) adds stylish front side light beam projector and changeable side panel. Both support water cooling systems, offer tool-less design and are available in two colors: black and silver.
PC mod specialist Sunbeam has released a line of fan fixing screws with built-in leds. Installation consists of passing the wires through the holes on the fan and plugging the 2-pin connectors to the wire harness of the power wire. The screws, which sport chrome anodized finish, are available with red, blue and green leds.
