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Thermaltake rolled out a lot of PC enclosures in 2009, some of which were completely new products of interesting design and layout. First of all, this is the Element series which currently includes four models designed for different market segments, both in price and features. We'd like to mention Element Q, the first mini-ITX model from Thermaltake. Then there's Element S, the first PC enclosure for low-noise machines. Element V is a typical full tower PC enclosure for high-performance systems. As for our review today, we are going to examine Thermaltake Element G mid tower case.

Specifications

Specifications are taken from the official website.

• Material: SECC
• Front bezel material: plastic
• Color: black
• Side panel: solid w/23cm side fan
• Motherboard support: mini-ATX, ATX
• Motherboard tray: No
• 5.25" drive bays: 3
• External 3.5" drive bays: 0
• Internal 3.5" drive bays: 7, with additional 2 x 2.5" HDD / SSD bays
• Expansion slots: 7
• Front I/O ports: 2 x USB 2.0, HD Audio ports
• Front cooler (intake): 200 x 200 x 20 mm Touchcolor (600~800 RPM, 12~14 dBA,49.735/65.30 CFM) 2 x 120 x 120 x 25 mm (optional)
• Rear cooler (exhaust): 140 x 140 x 25 mm TurboFan (1000 rpm, 16 dBA, 50.0 CFM)
• Top cooler (exhaust): 200 x 200 x 20 mm Touchcolor (600~800 RPM, 12~14 dBA, 49.735/65.30 CFM)
• Side cooler (intake): 230 x 230 x 20 mm Touchcolor (600~800 RPM, 12~14 dBA, 57.0/76.0 CFM)
• VGA cooler (exhaust): two 60 x 60 mm fans (optional)
• Liquid cooling capable: yes
• Liquid cooling embedded: no
• Power supply supported: standard ATX PSII (optional)
• Power supply included: no
• Dimensions: 480 x 230 x 521 mm or 18.9 x 9.1 x 20.5 in

Design

As said above, Thermaltake Element G is a mid tower case, 48cm high, with power supply unit at the bottom and a perpendicularly situated hard drive case. This PC enclosure weighs about 8kg, so we can hope the whole construction is solid enough.

"Create for Gamers," is the official motto of this PC enclosure. However, its description focuses primarily on colored fans, fan speed control and efficient cooling system of the enclosure. That is the manufacturer hints that this enclosure is an important image component of a future gaming system.

This enclosure has an interesting-looking exterior owing to red plastic borders of side panels, which also act as gaskets between these panels and the chassis. There is rubber coating of the contact area.

This enclosure also features a single-channel fan speed controller with a built-in switch to enable/disable fan illumination -- we have seen something like that in another gaming enclosure -- CM Storm Sniper. We rarely come across such controls, even though they are simple to implement and cheap.

This PC enclosure uses lots of plastic. Along with the above-mentioned side borders, plastic is used in the HDD cage and a plate on the front panel. However, engineers haven't gone too far, like combined walls used in some Antec enclosures.

The cooling system uses large fans (200-230 mm). They have got some drawbacks, but they are partially compensated with lots of vent holes on the front and rear panels. They ensure natural positive-pressure ventilation, even if case fans are disabled. In fact, the front panel is practically completely perforated, which is a typical solution in enclosures for gamers.

Check the price of this PC case at Newegg, Amazon.

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