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RBMODS REVIEWS |
Date 2009-01-01
Provider: Thermaltake
Author: Niko Lupala
Editor: Amber Lupala
Thermaltake DH104 HTPC Case Review
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
The PCI cards can be mounted without any tools as they have mounted a clip system that you just push on after the card is installed. It can be quite tight to get the card into place though as the motherboard goes in quite close to the case itself and trying to squeeze in a card between the clip and the small gap between the case and board tends to be hard with big cards.
Inside the case you will find a Media Lab installation with software for the LCD and and also a pair of AAA batteries and a Windows Media Center remote to control the case with.
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Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
You also get a manual, screws, and a cloth to wipe of the glossy black case that easily catches fingerprints.
The bottom of the case is equipped with four padded feet to remove vibrations and also to protect your home theather furniture from scratches. Similar feet can be found on most home theather equipment so it will match the rest of your setup very well.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
On most motherboards that I have looked at the ATX connector is mounted in the this location where Thermaltake have mounted the HDD cage. Its not a problem as long as you install the drives higher up but the bottom drive is quite tight to get in, the ATX connector just gets in the way especially for SATA cables.
Another problem that I noticed was the 4 pin power connector that is usually mounted by the cpu cooler, when having the power supply mounted and a bigger cpu cooler there is no way to get that 4 pin connector in so try to remember to mount it before you mount the PSU.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
The monitor is actually not this bright but the flash caught on to the display and lit it up. The display can actually be used for normal windows surfing as it comes up as a own monitor, you can also clone or just extend the window on to it. I am actually suprised how well this monitor works, it's quite clear even though it only can handle 1024*768.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
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This is how the touch software looks alike, you can scroll through the menus and pretty much control the computer. On these pictures we got the cpu load and C: drive space.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
Scrolling through the menus is quite easy , you will also be able to see the time, date and even the weather for the city you desire. Since I only had a 2CH speaker connected it showed me that to, you can check the network traffic or even your mail with this software. The front buttons will allow you to work easy with it in case the touch setup doesn't work.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
The final picture shows the cpu load but there is alot more to this setup than I can show, it will make your HTPC usage alot easier.
Conlusion:
This is a excellent case, the parts in it do not vibrate which makes it a excellent choice for a HTPC case, it's easy and safe to work in and it also keep things cool. The extra rubber pads remove alot of noise which normal cases do. The display gives the case the extra touch but it also increases the quite alot. I have seen this case go for aroudn 500$ which is a bit to much for most users but if you want high quality and a cool looking case with a display this is your choice. The only con that I have found is that the harddrives are to close to the ATX connector and that the 4 pin power connector usually gets showed in back behind the cpu cooler and PSU otherwise there is nothing I can complain about. We used this case for our silent setup article and it worked remarkably well.
I will for sure give this case my full recommendations as this is the most silent case I have reviewed this far.
Pros:
+ Silent
+ Thumbscrews and rounded corners
+ Glossy black color
+ Display
Cons:
- Harddrive cage
- Price
Current Real Time Pricing
Related Articles:
NZXT Rogue Small Form Factor Computer Case Review
Lian Li PC-9 Computer Case
Thermaltake V9 Case Review
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