![]() V.5.0 CASES ADDTRONICS For Addtronics information, see the site http://www.addtronics.com for details until coolcases.com content is up. (NOTE: the Addtronics web site is confusing in its use and sometimes inaccurate in its descriptions. Be sure to e-mail me for current information on configurations and availability.) For example, the latest shipment included a case intrusion alarm on the x896 series cases. The general quality and performance of the Addtronics cases is well-known by now, so I won't go over that. Here are some other characteristics of these cases.In their standard form and the right power supply and fans installed, they will handle any system you want to build in them. An economical setup is easy to build using factory fans, but with some noise involved and questionable fan life. With the use of the JMC 1225L (120x25 low-noise fan--61 cfm at 26 dBA!) it is now possible to build up a quiet case with no extra modifications. All of them except for the 3890 are big enough to provide real ease of installation and good airflow. They are probably the easiest/fastest case to get into, but the thumbscrew / screwless setup is a bit of marketing hype. The "fan cage" feature is generally a detriment--the factory chassis grills are somewhat obstructive, and the cages themselves certainly are. Noticable increases in quietness and airflow will be obtained by grill removal (punches)and/or direct mounting techniques. In a well-configured case, fans in the drive column are not always needed, but ALWAYS INSTALL A BACKBOARD EXHAUST FAN. With the rapid increases in heatsink fan and cooling ability, the CPU fan bracket fan is probably not as important as it once was, although its adjustable mounting allows one to aim it at other motherboard hotspots. The cases themselves are very amenable to hotrodding--it is now possible to build up an x896 series case with a total airflow of nominally 400 cfm--all while using low-noise fans. While I do try to keep all models on hand or will order them for drop shipment from Addtronics, I do stock only the x896 series cases and the 8500. The x890 cases are really a first-generation design that is limited in flexiblity for drive configuration and system expansion except in special situations. |