CES 2013: Lian-Li Shows Off Brushed Aluminum PC-N1 Chassis for Intel’s NUC

Subject: Cases and Cooling | January 10, 2013 - 09:50 AM | Tim Verry
Tagged: nuc, Lian Li PC-N1, Lian Li, Intel, ces 2013, CES

The crew over at Overclockers Club stopped by the Lian Li booth to check out the company's latest cases at this year's CES. One interesting addition to Lian Li's case lineup is the PC-N1 which is a third party replacement chassis for Intel's NUC motherboards. Specifically, the PC-N1 case is designed to host Intel's D33217CK and D33217GKE boards. The chassis is constructed of aluminum and features a black burshed aluminum design. A recessed, silver colored, power button is on the top of the case, a single USB port is on the front, and the standard rear IO layout for NUC board is on the back of the case. That includes a DC power jack, two USB ports, two HDMI outputs, and a RJ45 Ethernet jack. Notably absent is s cutout in the case for a Thunderbolt port (perhaps there is a PC-N2 case on the way?).

The PC-N1 meaures 122 x 40 x 108mm. Because it is completely aluminum, it may help with keeping the NUC components cool like the many HTPC cases on the market with heatpipes that draw heat from the processor into the chassis. No word yet on pricing or availability, unfortunately. In my opinion, it looks really nice, though I've always been partial to look of Lian Li's brushed aluminum cases (I have one sitting under my desk as I type this heh). Overclockers Club has additional photos of the PC-N1 as well as several other upcoming PC cases that are worth a look.

Read the full review of Intel's Next Unit of Computing platform at PC Perspective.

PC Perspective's CES 2013 coverage is sponsored by AMD.

Follow all of our coverage of the show at http://pcper.com/ces!

HDPLEX Introduces H3.TODD and H5.TODD Fanless Cases

Subject: Cases and Cooling | January 10, 2013 - 09:09 AM | Tim Verry
Tagged: htpc, HDPLEX, h5.todd, h3.todd, fanless

Custom case manufacture HDPLEX recently introduces two new fanless cases with the H3.TODD and H5.TODD. Both cases support mini-ITX motherboards and would blend well into your home AV rack. The fanless chassis are constructed of 6063T aluminum and come in powder coated black or brushed aluminum silver. The H3.TODD and H5.TODD are cases that also double as CPU heatsinks by way of copper heatpipes that carry heat away from the processor into the aluminum case. Both can support processors up to 75W TPDs without requiring fans.

Both the H3.TODD and H5.TODD are compatible with LGA 775, 1155, and 1156 Intel processors and AMD AM2, AM3, FM1, and FM2 chips. Further, the cases come with a single USB 3.0 port on the front. HDPLEX will also include a power supply and IR reciever with the cases for an additional fee.

The H3.TODD measures 325 x 298 x 60mm and weighs 12.5 lbs (5.5 kg). The case supports mini-ITX motherboards, 3.5” hard drives, and 12.7mm optical drives.

On the other hand, the H5.TODD is a wider case that can support both Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX form factor motherboards as well as a single full height PCI-E expansion card. The case measures 325 x 438 x 60mm and is a total of 16 lbs (7.5kg) by itself.

The H3.TODD is available for pre-order now for $248 while the H5.TODD is currently in stock for $275. Pre-orders for the H3.TODD should being shipping on January 25, 2013.

You can find more photos of the cases on the HDPLEX website.

CES 2013: NZXT Phantom 630 Case

Subject: General Tech, Cases and Cooling, Shows and Expos | January 8, 2013 - 04:45 PM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: nzxt, ces 2013, CES

Am I the only one who thinks the slanting between the metal and the grating on the front of that case looks like a play on The Phantom of the Opera?

NZXT wants the Phantom 630 to be the case for the desires of every enthusiast. While you can never satisfy the type to cram an i7 into a toaster, the 630 does seem to have a nice feature checklist and a lot of nooks and crannies to hide your components. To illustrate their design in a single bullet point: you can fit not one, but two SSDs behind the motherboard tray to keep them out of the way. The rest of the drives are installed in bays which can be rearranged in different configurations.

The case is also designed with water cooling in mind. NZXT claims support for both 3x120 and 2x120 radiators. Unfortunately, liquid cooled machines are a foreign concept to me so I am not sure how difficult those radiators are to fit in conventional cases. I mean, I figure that a 3x120 radiator is over a foot long because I understand the metric system, but I have never experienced the struggle of trying to stick it somewhere. That said, I assume if you are in to sort of thing you could decide for yourself immediately. Also included is a 30Watt single-channel fan controller integrated into the case.

The Phantom 630 will be expecting to retail for $179.99 when it comes to market in Matte-Black, Gunmetal, and White options.

Press release after the break

PC Perspective's CES 2013 coverage is sponsored by AMD.

Follow all of our coverage of the show at http://pcper.com/ces!

Corsair's compact Carbide case keeps cards cool

Subject: Cases and Cooling | January 8, 2013 - 12:51 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: Carbide Series 200R, corsair, mid-tower

Corsair may refer to the Carbide 200R as a compact mid tower system but as you can see below [H]ard|OCP shoved in triple SLI, even if they are only GTX 280's.  The PSU is located at the bottom of the system and has an opening directly under it with a removable filter that you don't need to lift the case to get at.  This case is definitely aimed at air-coolers as you can mount 2 fans in the top of the case and on the side panel and 1 in the front, bottom and rear of the case.  Check out the full review here.

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and Corsair looks to remedy that with its Carbide Series 200R; or something like that. Outside of the motherboard installation, no tools required is the message Corsair is looking to get across about this compact size "mid-tower" case."

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

CASES & COOLING

• Thermaltake New Soprano Mid-Tower Chassis @ Funky Kit
• Fractal Define R4 Mid Tower Case Review @ Madshrimps
• Akasa Venom Toxic Black Full Tower PC Case Review @ NikKTech
• Silverstone Sugo SG09 Case @ Kitguru
• Silverstone SUGO SG09 @ techPowerUp
• Case Smithing: "Peeping Tom's" BitFenix Prodigy Window Mod @ Tweaktown
• Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 Case @ TechSpot
• Lian Li PC-7HX System Enclosure @ Metku.net
• Corsair Hydro H60 Review @ OCC
• Corsair Hydro Series H55 @ Tweaktown
• Top 5 Heatsink Charts Updated for January 2013 @ Frostytech
• NZXT Respire T20 CPU Cooler @ eTeknix
• Zalman LQ310 CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Noctua NH-L9i CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets

Corsair Releases the Kraken: 900D Engulfs All

Subject: Cases and Cooling | January 8, 2013 - 11:37 AM | Josh Walrath
Tagged: corsair, 900D, obsidian, big case, kraken, swallows 650D, CES, ces 2013

Corsair had quite a few announcements this CES 2013, but none were as big as this one.  The rumors had been swirling about a massive case in the bowels of the Corsair headquarters, and today we get to see the reality of the situation.

It truly is a monster.

The Obsidian 900D is so large a previous gen 650D can fit inside it.  It supports up to two power supplies, 15 fan mounts, 15 potential drives (when buying an optional, extra cage), four removable dust filters, and five watercooling point mounts.

Have I mentioned this is a big case?

It is built entirely out of a steel and cast aluminum frame, which is good considering how big this case is.  Hopefully there will be enough lateral stiffness so the case does not warp or bend once it is fully loaded.

Availabilty and price are still a bit up in the air, but expect it the first half of this year.  Expect it to be pricey.  Overkill at any price?  Sign me up.

PC Perspective's CES 2013 coverage is sponsored by AMD.

Follow all of our coverage of the show at http://pcper.com/ces!

CES 2013: Corsair Raptor Yields Apter Adapters

Subject: General Tech, Cases and Cooling, Shows and Expos | January 8, 2013 - 09:00 AM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: raptor gaming, corsair, ces 2013, CES

Corsair purchased German peripheral company, Raptor Gaming, in the middle of last August. Today Corsair announced the availability of a whole line of Raptor products to complement their well-known Vengeance series. Now Corsair has two whole product lines to populate with goodies.

The Raptor line currently consists of PC gaming keyboards, mice, and headsets. The line should be available immediately in both the United States as well as Raptor’s home country of Germany.

The main advantage of the Raptor product line is that they contain “more conventional materials”, as per Corsair’s description, to broaden their price spectrum. As an example, while the Vengeance line of keyboards is mechanical, the Raptor should be based on membrane-dome technology found in the common keyboard.

If you are not in the US or Germany, other regions should be added within the next 6 months.

Press release after the break.

PC Perspective's CES 2013 coverage is sponsored by AMD.

Follow all of our coverage of the show at http://pcper.com/ces!

FSP's new Raider series of PSUs

Subject: Cases and Cooling | January 7, 2013 - 04:52 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: PSU, FSP RAIDER, 750w

FSP has been making PSUs for a long time now, usually providing decent quality components that might not stand out against other companies flagship models but that do a decent job for what they are needed for.  That is repeated in the Raider series as they chose a non-modular design and only four 6+2pin PCIe connectors though it does have an 80 PLUS Bronze rating, both of those choices helped keep the price down as it is currently $80 on NewEgg.  Price is not everything as [H]ard|OCP proved when they put this PSU through their torture tests and watched it provide voltages well out of specifications as well as offering poor support.

"With single GPU and CPU enthusiast desktop computer systems coming down in power, mid-level power supplies are once again becoming the sweet spot. FSP claims its new RAIDER series PSU is the "best choice in performance." We put its RAIDER 750 watt unit to the test to see if it is the best choice for you."

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

CASES & COOLING

• EVGA SuperNOVA NEX750 @ Guru of 3D
• Cougar GX-S 500 Watt Power Supply Review @ Pro-Clockers
• Thermaltake Toughpower Grand Platinum 700W Power Supply Review @ Legit Reviews
• Rosewill SilentNight 500 W @ techPowerUp
• Seasonic X Series 750 W @ techPowerUp
• Corsair AX760 760W 80 PLUS Platinum @ Tweaktown
• Corsair AX860 Modular Power Supply Review @ Legit Reviews
• Cooler Master Silencio 650 @ DVHardware
• Small Form Factor (SFX) PSU review: power supplies for small PCs @ Hardware.info