Do you agree these are the top 3 cases of 2011

Subject: Cases and Cooling | December 9, 2011 - 12:18 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: roundup, corsair, thermaltake, cubitek

2011 has been a busy year for enclosures with an enormous amount of models hitting the stores, ranging from the bare bones $50 case to impressively engineered high end cases costing over $200.  Some new players have expanded their lines and the older players have been putting those years of design experience to good work.  Think Computers has winnowed the long list of cases they've reviewed this year down to the top three models of 2011.  As you have probably guessed, the Thermaltake Level 10 GT is indeed on the list but you will have to follow the link to find out the other two cases.

"It is December now and that means the end of the year is upon us. This past year we have reviewed quite a few products, but I think we have reviewed cases the most. Cases are such an important part of your system, it is the first thing someone looks at when you are at a LAN party. We have decided to make a list of the best cases of 2011. Keep in mind these are drawn from cases that we have reviewed so if you do not see a case in this list that is why. Read on to see what our favorite cases from 2011 were."

Here are some more Cases & Cooling reviews from around the web:

CASES & COOLING

• Xigmatek Midgard II @ techPowerUp
• Antec SOLO II Mid-Tower Chassis Review @ Techgage
• Lian Li's PC-A05FN: Alternative Thinking at a $99 Price Point @ AnandTech
• Thermaltake Spacecraft VF-I PC Case Review @ Real World Labs
• Thermaltake Commander MS-I USB 3.0 @ techPowerUp
• Cooler Master Storm Trooper Full Tower Case Review @ Legit Reviews
• Cooler Master Storm Trooper Case @ techspot
• Maingear EPIC 180 Liquid CPU Cooler @ Tweaktown
• Mounting a LGA1366 waterblock on a LGA2011 Motherboard @ Ninjalane
• Thermal Compound Roundup - December 2011 @ Hardware Secrets
• ProlimaTech Panther CPU Cooler with Nano Aluminum Thermal Compound Review @ TechwareLabs
• Noctua NH-C14 'C-Type Top-Flow' Heatpipe CPU Cooler Long-Term Review @ Modsynergy
• NZXT Havik vs Noctua NH-D14 @ OC3D
• Rosewill Blackhawk Ultra Case Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo Review @ OCC
• Two Pounds of Pure Efficiency: Zalman CNPS12X Super Cooler @ X-bit Labs
• New Leader: Phanteks PH-TC14PE Super-Cooler @ X-bit Labs
• Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo @ OC3D
• 2011 CPU Cooler Roundup: Highlights (and Not-So-Highlights) of the Last Two Years @ Hi Tech Legion

Gaming earbuds from Thermaltake for those who don't want to muss their hair

Subject: General Tech | December 8, 2011 - 05:08 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: audio, in-ear, gaming headset, thermaltake, esports

For some people having a band across the top of the head to keep their headphones on can be a problem, being uncomfortable or too distracting when making videos or any other reason.  Thermaltake have come up with a solution for anyone who wants unobtrusive earphones and microphone with their eSPORTS Isurus.  It features in-ear headphones and an inline microphone as well as a carrying pouch and several in-ear plastic moulds.  XS Reviews was a little disappointed that they needed to play with their equalizer when switching from gaming to music and between different styles of music, but after the adjustment the sound was quite good.  For under $30 the Isurus seems like a good deal for those searching for this type of product.

"Similar to the recently reviewed Azurues mouse, the Isurus gaming headset is part of the Tt eSPORTS lineup, the range announced by Thermaltake at CES in 2010 to provide additional gaming peripherals for the “world e-sport gaming area” due to “constant request” from distributors and end users."

Here is some more Tech News from around the web:

Audio Corner

• Shure SRH550DJ Review @ TechReviewSource
• SteelSeries Gaming Headsets Overview Dec 2011 @ HardwareHeaven
• Arctic Sound E461-BM Earphones Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• TRITTON AX Pro True 5.1 Surround Headset Review @ Real World Labs
• Ozone Onda 3HX Gaming Headset @ Rbmods
• Arctic Sound P321 USB Headset @ Overclockers Online
• Steelseries Diablo 3 Gaming Headset @ Funky Kit
• Pure Chronos iDock Series II Review @ Tech-Reviews

It's dead, Jim. A tricorder for PSUs

Subject: Cases and Cooling | October 28, 2011 - 04:58 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: thermaltake, psu tester, PSU, Dr. Power II

Thermaltake have updated their lineup of PSU testers with the Dr. Power II PSU Tester, giving digital readouts on the health of any PSU up to ATX v2.3.  With it you can measure your +12V, +5V, +3.3V, 5VSB and the -12V rails to within ¹/₁₀th of a volt.   Every connector is present for you to test barring the 4-pin floppy connector, which is so infrequently used that it is no great loss.  ProClockers have seen it in sale for $30 and highly recommend it to anyone who spends a fair amount of time testing and fixing PCs.

"I am sure many of you that frequent friends and family members PC station, the first thing you hear when the PC fails to boot is “I think the power supply is dead”. This may or may not be the case but in order to confirm this is to give the PSU a quick test to see if all the rails are working properly. Several companies have sent their version of this particular type of product to our lab. Today, we will be taking a look at the latest Dr Power II from Thermaltake. The Dr Power II has an over-sized display and able to measure idle rails voltage with pretty good accuracy."

Here are some more Cases & Cooling reviews from around the web:

CASES & COOLING

• JouJye 620w and Cougar CMX 700w @ Funkykit
• NZXT HALE82-850-M 850 W @ techPowerUp
• NZXT HALE90 850 W @ techPowerUp
• Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 1050W Fully Modular Power Supply Review @ ThinkComputers
• High Power Direct12 BR 850 W Power Supply Review @ Hardware Secrets
• OCZ Technology ZS Series 750w Power Supply Review @ OCIA
• Antec HCP-750 80 Plus Gold @ AnandTech
• Thermaltake Toughpower 1200W Power Supply Review @ Real World Labs
• Corsair TX550M Power Supply Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Enermax Platimax 600 W Power Supply Review @ Hardware Secrets

Thermaltake's Shock One headset is virtually 5.1 surround sound

Subject: General Tech | October 14, 2011 - 02:03 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: audio, thermaltake, shock one, 5.1 headset

It can be difficult to implement true surround sound into a headset without having a serious amount of speakers located all over the headband and ear cups, however simulated surround sound can be produced from just two speakers.  The technology behind virtual surround sound has matured and [H]ard|OCP's testing could get realistic surround sound from these headphones, after a fashion.  They needed to do quite a bit of tweaking in order to properly get the environment to sound correct but had nothing but trouble with dialog; voices were indistinct when they utilized the virtual 5.1 surround settings.  The gaming performance was also sub-par, which leads them to recommend avoiding these headsets in lieu of similarly priced competitors models.

"While Thermaltake is a familiar brand name to PC enthusiasts, the company is one of the newest competitors in the PC gaming headset market. We take its USB model, featuring DTS Surround, for a spin to tell you if it is worth your hard earned dollar or if the competition in this segment of the PC audio market is simply too steep already."

Here is some more Tech News from around the web:

Audio Corner

• Philips Fidelio DS7700 Review @ Tech-Reviews
• Plantronics Audio 995 Digital Wireless Stereo Headset @ kitguru
• Jabra SUPREME Bluetooth Headset Review @ Tech-Reviews
• Sennheiser RS 170 Headphones Review @ Tech-Reviews
• Head-Direct HiFiMAN HE-300 Headphones Review @ Tech-Reviews
• Radiopaq Duo Headphones @ XSReviews
• ASUS Xonar Essence STX Audiophile Sound Card and Headphone Amp Review @Hi Tech Legion
• Edifier M3300SF 2.1 Speaker Set @ OC3D

Is Thermaltake's new UFO case really out of this world?

Subject: Cases and Cooling | October 5, 2011 - 05:30 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: thermaltake, Thermaltake Spacecraft VF-I, VN60001W2Z

The newest member to Thermaltake's eSPORT lineup of enclosures is the Spacecraft VF-1, a steel mid tower enclosure for mATX and ATX boards.  The red components to the tool less drive installation does add some nice highlights to the interior of your case and the space behind the backplate and back side panel allow you to run your cable behind the scenes to keep a nice clean case.  One unique feature is the ability to securely attach a radiator to the top of the case, which not only makes sense but is a great space saver.  If you feel you could use a UFO under your desk then drop by Benchmark Reviews for a look.

"What do you look for in a case and what is the most you are willing to spend? Today's case isn't exactly high end and to match that it doesn't have all of the features and extras you would expect if you were shelling out cash in the €100+ range. System builders and budget gamers this one is for you, Thermaltake have released the Spacecraft VF-I Mid-Tower PC Case model VN60001W2Z and online retailers are listing it between €50~€65 and Benchmark Reviews has got an early peek at it. For that price you get a sturdy little case with a small side window, tool free drive mounting, removable air intake filters, room for video cards up to 320mm long, room for CPU coolers up to 168mm tall and also room for a 120.2 (240mm) watercooling radiator in the roof. This should prove to be an interesting review so please read on."

Here are some more Cases & Cooling reviews from around the web:

CASES & COOLING

• BitFenix Merc Alpha: Just How Much Can $39 Buy? @ AnandTech
• SilverStone Temjin TJ08-E Evolution Case Review @ HardwareHeaven
• NZXT Tempest 210 @ Tweaktown
• CM Storm Trooper Case Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Corsair Carbide 400R Computer Case @ Benchmark Reviews
• Fractal Design Core 3000 Case Review @ eTeknix
• Sentey Optimus GS-6000 Mid-Tower ATX Computer Case Review @ Tweaknews
• Cooler Master Storm Trooper @ Tweaktown
• Bitfenix Outlaw Case Review @ Hardware Secrets
• ooler Master HAF 932 Advanced @ kitguru
• Silverstone Temjin TJ08-E (Evolution) mATX System Enclosure reviewed in Metku
• Xigmatek Pantheon Full Tower Case Review @Hi Tech Legion
• Cubitek XL-Tank Full Tower Case @ Bjorn3D
• Thermal Compound Roundup - October 2011 @ Hardware Secrets
• Cooler Master Hyper 612 PWM CPU Cooler Review @ ThinkComputers
• Enermax ETS-T40 T.B.Vegas Duo @ Hardwareoverclock
• DeepCool Ice Matrix 400 CPU Cooler @ Kitguru
• Corsair Hydro Series H80 Liquid CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Cancuks
• Antec KÜHLER H2O 620 @ Rbmods

Thermaltake Oversees Production of New Overseer RX-1 e-Sports Computer Case

Subject: Cases and Cooling | September 20, 2011 - 11:08 AM | Tim Verry
Tagged: thermaltake, mid tower, gaming, case

Case and processor heatsink manufacturer, Thermaltake, recently announced a new gaming centric computer case under their e-Sports lineup. The new Overseer RX-1 case is a full tower design with lots of external ports and airflow options. Set to debut in September, the company claims that the steel (SECC) chassis is made specifically for e-Sports fanatics, and lives up to the full tower name with dimensions of 21.1 x 8.7 x 22.8 inches.

The exterior of the case is dark black with blue LED accents. The top of the case features ridges and two 20mm fan mounts. The top of the case also features a top loading hard drive hot swap bay, two internal USB 3.0 connections, two USB 2.0 connections, and one eSATA port. The front of the case includes a “breath” logo and 20mm fan both back-lit by blue LEDs, as well as four externally accessible 5.25” bays. The fan cover is a black mesh grill with the Thermaltake logo in the center. In total, the case supports six fan mounts. In addition to the previously mentioned fans, there are two optional mounts on the bottom and side panel, and one rear 120mm fan.

The internals are gamer friendly, and support graphics cards up to 12.5” in length. Painted the same dark black as the outside of the case, the interior of the case features a bottom mounted power supply (PSU), six 3.5” drive bays (one externally accessible), three 5.25” bays, a multitude of expansion card slots, two access holes for external water cooling radiators, and tool-free installation for the 5.25” bays. Other notable features include cable management holes, 3.5” bay carriages that are also compatible with 2.5” SSDs, a PSU dust filter, and a front fan dust filter (both removable).

The full tower gaming case is slated to debut worldwide in September, and while its looks are certainly subjective, it does have a lot going for it if you’re into the stylized aesthetics. Unfortunately, there is no word yet on MSRP.  More photos of the case can be found on its product page.