Introduction
XG, a division of MGE, has just launched a new all-aluminum case with a cool snakehead design, hence its name, Viper 2. We took a look on this new case from XG.
click to enlarge
Figure 1: XG Viper 2 case.
This product is available in four colors: red (the one you see on our pictures), silver, blue and black.
Viper 2 is a very light 4-bay all-aluminum ATX case (four 5 Ό bays, two 3 ½ bay plus four internal 3 ½ bay). One of the frontal 3 ½ bays is used to hold one mic input, one headphone output, two USB ports and, what is really cool, one Firewire port, a not so common feature. A door protects the bays, as you can see on Figure 2.
click to enlarge
Figure 2: XG Viper 2 front panel.
This case carries a really cool display that monitors up to three fans, CPU temperature and comes with a clock. It also has a blinking snakehead figure (frankly, what is the point of having this feature?). On the front of the case you will also find two lamps that glow blue when the system is turned on.
click to enlarge
Figure 3: XG Viper 2 display.
On Figure 4 you can see the back of Viper 2. It comes with an aluminum power supply, which helps a lot making this case very light, a place for installing a 120 mm fan (which comes with the case and glows red when the system is turned on) and seven slots for installing expansion boards.
click to enlarge
Figure 4: XG Viper 2, back view.
Inside The Viper 2
You can see how Viper 2 looks inside on Figure 5. This case comes already with a 400 W aluminum power supply. Since it is aluminum made, it helps a lot making the case lighter. It has seven screwless slots for expansion boards, meaning that you can install daughter boards without needing to use a screwdriver. You can also see on Figures 5 and 6 the back fan, which glows red when the system turns on.
click to enlarge
Figure 5: Inside Viper 2 case.
click to enlarge
Figure 6: Back fan turned on.
On Figure 7 you can see the 120-mm front fan that comes with the case turned on (it also glows red when turned on). It helps cooling the hard disk drives installed in the internal 3 ½ bays.
click to enlarge
Figure 7: Front fan turned on.
Main Features
Viper 2 main specs include:
- Application: ATX and smaller form factors derived from this one.
- Material: Aluminum.
- Power supply: 400 W in aluminum.
- Available colors: Red, silver, blue and black.
- Size: 16.5 x 10.2 x 21.3 (42 cm x 26 cm x 54 cm) (H x W x D).
- Weight: 17.6 Lbs (8 Kg)
- Bays: Four 5 Ό bays and two 3 ½ bay plus four 3 ½ internal bays.
- Expansion slots: Seven.
- Fans: Two 120-mm fans, one at the front panel cooling two of the 3 ½ internal bays, and one at the rear, which glows red when the system is turned on.
- Extra features: Two lamps that glow blue when the system is on, display showing fan speed, CPU temperature and a clock.
- More Information: http://www.xgbox.com
- Average price in the US*: USD 140.
* Researched on Shopping.com on the day we published this First Look article.
Conclusions
Viper 2 is a really cool all-aluminum case, with a very different look. What is really awesome about it is its aluminum power supply, which helps a lot making it lighter than competitor products: it weights only 17.6 pounds (8 Kg). Aluminum cases from other manufacturers weight more than that without the power supply. Since many aluminum cases come without the power supply, you will need to buy it, and you will probably buy and install a steel power supply, making the system heavier.
We think the price is right for this product. Even though you can find good aluminum cases quoted around USD 100 and this one costs USD 140, you should keep in mind that Viper 2 comes with a power supply, which is not true for other products. So, to the USD 100 you need to add the cost of a good power supply (and as far as we know MGE/XG is a really good power supply manufacturer).
In summary: cool look + very light + correct price = great product.
The only constructive criticism we have to MGE is to use only one name as the brand name. Using MGE and XG at the same time is confusing. Even though XG is a brand name of MGE, the vast majority of users dont know about this and can question if they bought the correct product or not.
Originally at http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/304
© 2004-9, Hardware Secrets, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Total or partial reproduction of the contents of this site, as well as that of the texts available for downloading, be this in the electronic media, in print, or any other form of distribution, is expressly forbidden. Those who do not comply with these copyright laws will be indicted and punished according to the International Copyrights Law.
We do not take responsibility for material damage of any kind caused by the use of information contained in Hardware Secrets.