A Trio of Thermaltake Towers
by Joshua Buss on August 16, 2006 2:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Thermaltake Eclipse DV - Internal
Taking a peek inside the Eclipse DV we see a rather familiar layout.
For better or worse the standard Thermaltake green clips are used to hold expansion cards in place. In previous reviews we've noted how these work fairly well for a majority of cards, but on some - such as the Audigy 2 SoundBlaster - they get stuck once locked into place. There is still certainly some advantage to keeping a case as tool-less as possible, but when simple screws really hold cards in place better and are more universally compatible, it's almost a shame Thermaltake continues to use the green clips in the DV.
Like most tower cases, the new Eclipse is reinforced structurally with a crossbar, which gives rigidity and extra support for the power supply as well.
Here you can see the 5.25" drives are secured with rails (which screw onto each drive individually). The dual removable cage design hasn't changed much at all from the original. Once removed from the case it's easier to see they latch differently from each other, but the good news is they're both tool-less designs which have been executed well.
With such a small number of differences from the original Eclipse case we'll move right along to the installed test bed. Here one can see the lone ribbon cable leading from the slim drive. The cable isn't really any longer than it needs to be, and can be neatly tucked out of the way above the front fan, which is also removable. The bad news is that for people with only one IDE channel on their motherboard, only the single included drive can be used since there is no way to chain another drive on this cable. The accessory box that comes with the case and holds the extra parts (including the rails, keys, and a cleaning cloth for the window) can fit under the support for the hard drive cage.
Just like in the Eclipse, installing our testbed was problem free. The only caveat (other than the above-mentioned IDE port use) is that you really have to install the PSU before you can put the motherboard in, but this is true in many tower cases. The ample clearance between our hard drive and the front-facing IDE channel (a space often neglected) was appreciated.
Taking a peek inside the Eclipse DV we see a rather familiar layout.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
For better or worse the standard Thermaltake green clips are used to hold expansion cards in place. In previous reviews we've noted how these work fairly well for a majority of cards, but on some - such as the Audigy 2 SoundBlaster - they get stuck once locked into place. There is still certainly some advantage to keeping a case as tool-less as possible, but when simple screws really hold cards in place better and are more universally compatible, it's almost a shame Thermaltake continues to use the green clips in the DV.
Like most tower cases, the new Eclipse is reinforced structurally with a crossbar, which gives rigidity and extra support for the power supply as well.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
Here you can see the 5.25" drives are secured with rails (which screw onto each drive individually). The dual removable cage design hasn't changed much at all from the original. Once removed from the case it's easier to see they latch differently from each other, but the good news is they're both tool-less designs which have been executed well.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
With such a small number of differences from the original Eclipse case we'll move right along to the installed test bed. Here one can see the lone ribbon cable leading from the slim drive. The cable isn't really any longer than it needs to be, and can be neatly tucked out of the way above the front fan, which is also removable. The bad news is that for people with only one IDE channel on their motherboard, only the single included drive can be used since there is no way to chain another drive on this cable. The accessory box that comes with the case and holds the extra parts (including the rails, keys, and a cleaning cloth for the window) can fit under the support for the hard drive cage.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
Just like in the Eclipse, installing our testbed was problem free. The only caveat (other than the above-mentioned IDE port use) is that you really have to install the PSU before you can put the motherboard in, but this is true in many tower cases. The ample clearance between our hard drive and the front-facing IDE channel (a space often neglected) was appreciated.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
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raskren - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
I'm tired of these Nite Brite cases designed for the 15 year old boy. Come on! How about something a little more professional? I don't need or want giant holes, windows, or cases covered in LEDs!JoshuaBuss - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
despite what the majority of comments seem to point to, the fact is Thermaltake's cases sell like hot-cakes. people like them.. and no, I'm not just talking about 15 year old boys. different strokes for different folksOperandi - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
Nickelback, the Chevy Cavalier, and Huffy bikes sell like “hot-cakes” too yet all three suck, hmm… how about that?People like them sure but based on the comments here not the Anandtech demographic.
JoshuaBuss - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
trust me, the 'active anandtech comment posters' demographic is nothing like the 'active anandtech reader' demographic ;)Le Québécois - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
Amen !Forbin85 - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
I have to agree. What's with the doors on the front too?I actually just bought myself a Coolermaster Centurion 534 for my Conroe build.
bob661 - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
I have a red Aspire aluminum case. I can't find my case anywhere anymore so I'm assuming it's been discontinued although steel versions can be found. Very simple design with side facing hard drive trays damn near the same as the Aguila. I'll have this case for a LONG time before I give it up. BTX will probably be the only way I'll change it.AMD4ME2 - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
I personally like screws! to hold in my expansion cards! I work on alot of machines daily and seriously... I'm sick of opening computers and finding expansion cards bouncing around in the case because of some wimpy screwless design.SilthDraeth - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
"Once our install was completed we noticed how much the honeycomb grill acts like a standard case window, but frankly we appreciate the ventilation and EMF shielding it provides more than just the cool factor."Just how much EMF shielding do you think an aluminum grill provides? And you mention that you like the ventilation, while at the same time, you express your worry over your hard drives getting to hot???
and
"This decision is interesting for a case designed more for sever use though, considering it sacrifices airflow over the hard drives, which shows up as considerably higher temperatures for our system hard drive and MOSFETs."
I guess you can say the case is designed for servers. I actually thought it was a small form factor case, instead of an ATX case for building your own standard computer in.
On a positive note I like the Aguila's design, but I still do not think it touches the Coolermaster Praetorian.
JoshuaBuss - Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - link
good point. I'll see if I can re-word that.