Very attractive aluminum computer case, but there's one problem. . .
Written: Nov 08 '05 (Updated Nov 09 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Awesome looking, cool blue lights, nice shiny buttons. The front fan filter works great!
Cons: The front panel design makes cleaning the front filter a nearly impossible feat.
The Bottom Line: I recommend this case to someone with a nice system. It's attractive with blue lights and color trim. Had problem with removing the front panel, very difficult.
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| raccoonish's Full Review: Cooler Master Centurion 5 (CACT05) ATX Mid-Tower C... |
I own the beautiful Cooler Master CAC-T05-WBA RT case with the side window, ordered it with ELECTRIC BLUE trim. I had a couple problems with the cleaning aspect of it, I'll quickly go into this in a minute.
Visual Description
I ordered the black case with electric blue trim that goes down the front corners and around the bright blue computer lights and extra USB ports. The rest of the case is black.
The reason I ordered it, was because I needed a nice case to go with my brand new ABS Awesome 4300 computer (all ordered through ABS Computer Technologies Online www.abspc.com). I also wanted that specific color to complement the blue lights I have on my LG (flatron L1920P LCD 19") black and chrome monitor, my Logitech (Z-680 THX 500w 5.1) sound system's blue Indiglo display, and my (Saitek P2500 Rumble) game controller.
The basic part of the case is all black aluminum.
Technical Specs.
You can click on View Details, above.
The Ups . . .
What I want to tell you about is the front panel. This is where I started to get frustrated with the thing. After using the computer for 2 weeks, I noticed how much dust was accumulating around the intake fan. 'No problem', I thought. After all, my carpet did seem to shed and so did my cat. I was excited to learn that the filter was working, 'cause that would mean there would be less dust on all of the expensive and delicate internal components! I thought it would be a small job to do.
Toward the bottom of the front, there is a metal mesh cover (reminds me of those car speaker covers), that was very oddly shaped, for the intake fan. The fan is right behind the power lights. Behind this fan cover is a decent plastic mesh filter that will actually trap lint, pet hair, and large dust particles.
. . . And The Downs!
DID ANYONE ELSE have this problem with theirs?
Well, the store claims it's easy to clean. HA! It wasn't! I had to figure out for myself how to get to the plastic filter. I ended up denting and scratching the blue aluminum corners a little bit. I had to pry the whole front of the computer off (you're supposed to!), but the problem was, it didn't want to come off. There was a drive frame plate in the way, we found out, so I had to remove that drive (DVD-ROM) and then shave the drive plate down, with a knife, to fit better (this could have been caused by ABS's installation).
Then I could pull off the front panel. Except it didn't want to come out easily, so I ended up prying and breaking a tab or two. No problem, I just super-glued them back on. The tabs are thick and round. In fact, they were to thick. So I had to file them ALL down and smooth, on the panel, and then lube them with a thick oil so I could make the job much easier next time.
So after many modifications and filing (my man had to file outside, it was that much flashing!), I finally removed the darn filter and hand washed it in luke-warm water and soap. Now all I had to do was air dry it and put it back in the front panel. I put it all back together in a snap. Easy. Well only after we modified the crap out of it.
I complained to the ABS tech support, but they just gave me the same simple steps that didn't work the first time and that it should only take a couple of minutes. I told them it took me one hour plus modifications!
Now when I need to clean the filter, it really is easy and only takes a few minutes. The panel pulls off with only some finger prying without damage to it. It stays on really tight and comes off fairly easy now.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
raccoonish
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Location: Washington
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
I live in a small house just below the Grand Coulee Dam! :D
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