Introduction

In Win has just released a new version of their BUC mid-tower case, dubbed BUC 101. (By the way, the correct pronunciation is “buck,” not “bee-you-see” – which would be kind of funny.) This new case comes with several unique features. Let’s take a look at them.

What first caught our eye, besides the unique design of this case, was the top-notch quality of the plastic parts used on the top and front panels.

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Figure 1: In Win BUC 101 case

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Figure 2: In Win BUC 101 case

The left panel of the In Win BUC 101 is meshed, supporting two 120 mm fans. The mesh comes with a magnetic air filter attached to it. See Figures 3 and 4.

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Figure 3: Left panel

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Figure 4: Magnetic air filter

The Front Panel

The In Win BUC 101 has three external 5.25” bays, with meshed covers and air filters. An external 3.5” bay is available below the In Win logo, hidden by a lid. This feature certainly improves the aesthetics of the case.

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Figure 5: Front panel

At the bottom part of the front panel, the In Win BUC 101 has a 120 mm fan. This fan has a vented plastic lid in front of it, and it features an air filter. Unfortunately, the manufacturer doesn’t publish the specifications for this fan, which uses a standard three-pin fan power connector. The case comes with two adapters for installing fans directly to the power supply.

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Figure 6: Front panel

The case comes with two USB 2.0 ports and the traditional audio jacks between the external 3.5” bay and the front fan. The product also has two USB 3.0 ports on the top panel.

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Figure 7: Buttons and connectors

The Top Panel

The In Win BUC 101 comes with several unique features on its top panel. It has a 3.5”/2.5”docking bay, with a rubber mat for protecting the storage device. The SATA connectors come protected with a plastic cover, and an “eject” button is available in order to make it easier to remove the storage device.

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Figure 8: Top panel

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Figure 9: The 3.5”/2.5” docking bay

On the mid-section of the top panel, the reviewed case has two USB 3.0 ports, which come protected with a rubber lid. The USB 3.0 ports use an internal connector, so make sure you install a motherboard with an internal USB 3.0 header.

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Figure 10: The USB 3.0 ports

Finally, on the rear part of the top panel there is a 120 mm fan using the exact same configuration as the front fan: a vented plastic lid is in front of it, and the fan has an air filter. Unfortunately, the manufacturer doesn’t publish the specifications for this fan, which uses a standard three-pin fan power connector.

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Figure 11: Top Fan

The Bottom and Rear Panels

The bottom panel has an air filter for the power supply fan.

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Figure 12: Bottom panel

The rear panel and the interior of the In Win BUC 101 are painted black.

On the In Win BUC 101, the power supply is installed at the bottom of the case.

The case comes with a 120 mm fan installed on its rear panel, but again, no specifications for this fan are provided. This fan uses a standard three-pin fan power connector.

This case has seven expansion slots with vented covers.

The In Win BUC 101 has two holes using rubber covers for hoses of liquid cooling solutions. These holes are 0.8” (20 mm) in diameter.

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Figure 13: Rear panel

The rear panel has a loop for installing a padlock or warranty seal, preventing unauthorized people from opening the computer.

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Figure 14: Loop for padlock or warranty seal

The side panels are fastened to the case using two plastic latches each. Therefore, the removal of the side panels doesn’t require tools.

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Figure 15: One of the side panel latches

Let’s now take a look inside the In Win BUC 101.

Inside the In Win BUC 101

Both panels are attached to the chassis using plastic latches, as explained before, so you can open your case without using tools. The motherboard tray has a huge hole for you to access the backplate of the CPU coolers without having to remove the motherboard from the case, several holes for you to route cables behind it, and several holes for you to fasten cables using cable ties.

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Figure 16: Overall look

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Figure 17: A view behind the motherboard tray

In Figure 18, we have another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using individual plastic mechanisms. The In Win BUC 101 supports video cards up to 11.4” (290 mm) long.

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Figure 18: Overall look

The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. It can be installed with either its bottom fan facing up or facing down, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside of it. As already discussed, the case comes with an air filter for the power supply fan.

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Figure 19: Power supply compartment

The Disk Drive Bays

The In Win BUC 101 has three external 5.25” bays and one external 3.5” bay, all using tool-less installation mechanisms. There are five internal 3.5”/2.5” bays, and the external 3.5”/2.5” docking bay about which we already talked.

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Figure 20: Disk drive bays

Each 3.5”/2.5” bay is a small drawer. See Figure 20. The installation of 3.5”/2.5” devices requires the use of screws, but the screws for 3.5” devices use rubber rings in order to reduce the vibration, and thus noise, of hard drives.

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Figure 21: One of the 3.5”/2.5” drawers

Main Specifications

The main specifications for the In Win BUC 101 include:

• Style: Mid-tower
• Application: ATX, and smaller form factors
• Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
• Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
• Available colors: Black
• Side panel: Meshed
• Dimensions: 19.5 x 7.9 x 20 inches (496 x 200 x 508 mm) (H x W x D)
• Net weight: 17.5 lbs. (9.6 kg)
• Gross weight: 21 lbs. (7.8 kg)
• Bays: Three external 5.25” bays, one external 3.5” bay, one 3.5”/2.5” docking bay, and five internal 3.5”/2.5” bays
• Expansion slots: Seven
• Maximum video card length: 11.4” (290 mm)
• Maximum CPU cooler height: NA
• Fans: One 120 mm fan on the front panel, one 120 mm fan on the top panel, and one 120 mm fan on the rear panel
• Optional fans: Two 120 mm fans on the left panel
• Extra Features: Loop for padlock or warranty seal
• More Information: http://www.inwin-style.com
• Average Price in the US*: USD 90.00

* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.

Conclusions

The In Win BUC 101 is a very interesting case for users looking for a case with a unique design. Its construction quality is excellent, and it comes with a terrific price tag.

Strong Points

• Air filter for the power supply, front, top, and side fans
• Vented slot covers
• Support for six 3.5”/2.5” devices
• One external 3.5”/2.5” docking bay with rubber mat and “eject” button
• Tool-less installation mechanisms for 5.25” devices
• Anti-vibration mechanisms for 3.5” devices
• A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
• Holes for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
• Holes for fastening cables using cable ties

Weak Points

• Could have a fan speed controller