Introduction and First Impressions

The world’s first case with a built-in liquid CPU cooler

The GENOME is the world’s first computer case with an integrated liquid-cooling system, and this unique design allows users to simply drop in the main system components and have a complete system with liquid cooling loop (and with very little effort).

“One of the first things many of us look at when considering the purchase of a new case is whether it will accommodate the cooling subsystem that we’d like to install in our next build. Can you install big enough radiators? Is there room in the main interior space for the reservoir and pump that you have your eye on? How will it look when everything is put together? To improve PC user experience is why DEEPCOOL comes up with GENOME, which is a PC hardware component, consists of an ATX PC case and an extreme liquid cooling system.”

When I first heard about the GENOME I was nonplussed – wondering how I would even go about reviewing at since it defies conventional classification. It’s as much a CPU cooler as a case, and DEEPCOOL calls this simply a “cooling system”. But however you label it there is no doubt that this novel concept has the potential to produce a polished build with a minimal effort (if it is well-designed, of course).

If you have switched cases as often as I do (no one should – I do it once every week or two), you might appreciate any sort of labor-saving design in a case. As a reviewer moving a test system from one enclosure to the next, I just want an easy build with adequate clearance and good cable management (these requirements are true for most normal people as well). Some cases are much easier to build in that others, and I was very curious to see how something which sounds quite complex would actually come together.


Specifications:

  • Motherboards: ATX/Micro ATX/Mini-ITX
  • Materials: SGCC+PLASTIC (ABS) (Panel thickness: 0.8mm)
  • Color: Black, white LEDs
  • Expansion Slots: 7  (plus 2 extra slots for vertical VGA card installation)
  • Storage Bays:
    • 5.25" Drive Bays: 0
    • 3.5" Drive Bays: 2
    • 2.5" Drive Bays: 4
  • Cooling Fans:
    • Pre-installed: Rear: 1x 120mm fan
    • (Optional Front): 2x 120mm
    • Top: 3x 120mm/2x 140mm
  • Liquid Cooler Compatibility:
    • 120mm at front
    • 120mm at rear
    • 120/240/280/360 at top
    • VGA Compatibility: 330mm
  • I/O Panel: 2x USB 3.0, Audio (HD), Mic
  • Product Dimension: (LxWxH): 506 x 210 x 505 mm (19.92 x 8.27 x 19.88 inches)
  • Net Weight: 9.77 kg (21.54 lbs)

First Impressions

Outward appearance is that of a typical gaming case, with the exception of the reservoir on the front.

Our review unit is the black case with red coolant, and two other color combinations are available: black with green coolant, and white with blue coolant. All enclosures use white LEDs to illuminate the cooling system.

Case I/O includes the basics: a pair of USB 3.0 ports and 3.5mm audio/mic jacks

The side panel contains a large window to show off the system, and with the optional vertical graphics card mount the GPU would be front and center behind the clear plastic.

The top of the case is vented to allow airflow from the pre-installed cooler

The back of the case has seven standard expansion slots, along with two vertical slots for the GPU if desired, and also has openings for liquid cooling expansion.

The case sits on four cushioned and feet and you can see the filter for the power supply which is accessible from the back of the case.

The included hardware and accessory packs contain more than the average enclosure, as they include mounting hardware for the liquid CPU cooler.

There is also a kit in the box for mounting the GPU vertically, which includes a bracket and PCIe extension cable.

Next we'll take a look inside the GENOME case and the integrated liquid cooling system.

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