I built a PC out of an Inwin case awhile back that had a similar backlit logo and button array. To my pleasant surprise, the logo can be removed and changed. The guy I built it for ended up using a clear piece of 3M film and a silver sharpie to inscribe his gaming handle. It looked really good and is a hit at LAN parties, everyone can find him without looking for his placard in the dark...
I think you are confusing "minimalist" with a simplistic, understated, or muted design aesthetic. In this case, minimalist is referring to the fact that there are no external drive bays, drive cages, fans, minimal HDD/SDD mounts, and little else in the way of extra features.
Of course, their own description labels this as a prominent feature: "Exquisitely Modest Aesthetic Design". I might be inclined to agree if they didn't have the "gaudy" logo front and center. The fact that it lights up puts a permanent axe in the "modest" description.
Instead of wasting time arguing what is minimalist what is not, You guys are forgetting one of the main purposes of the computer case: Providing good airflow to cool your precious components. And I simply don't see it's possible with this case regardless what kind of fan configuration you use. The price is not bad, But it has no stock cooling so you have to invest in 2-4 case fans that can seriously push some air which this case desperately needs. I have seen lots of In-Win cases, All looks no airflow (hello, 805, 901, 909...)
I actually have this case, I'm running 7 EK Vardar fans, with 2x360mm rads... The cooling is great.
Could it be 5 degree's cooler in a case with better airflow? Yes most definitely.
The real question is does it make a real world difference. Overclocked and under load it doesn't hit 70c on the GPU or Processor - plus it looks stunning. (Apart from the retarded blue logo, which I will get round to dismantling at some point.)
Perhaps you can remove that logo and replace it with a personal touch. But I also don't like that color, ruins the thing you could have achieved with the tempered glass, could have looked so much fancier. Looks like it is more geared to the Korean market or something.
I was at work so I didn't get a chance to look much at it. I was looking for a site on my favorites and saw it was still saved so I clicked just to see if the site was up. To my surprise there were new articles. Then I read them. Holy fricken run on sentence. Every article was in ESL or ETL.
I saw the black version of this case @ local Micro Center here in Columbus, Ohio. Decided to buy it yesterday actually. It is absolutely awesome, and it was just $84!
I'd like to see future reviews focus on mATX and smaller designs. These larger cases are uncommon outliers rather than mainstream so I don't think they're very relevant to most system builders and personal computer owners in the present day.
Is everyone purposely avoiding the topic on cooling or plain forgot? There is little clearance to install fans on the "bottom air intake" due to any ATX motherboard extends to the bottom of the case, Not to mention the space underneath the case is tiny due to short case feet. The top/side vent is a joke. Sure the glass looks good, But I will not consider building any high end system inside this case if it's going to cook the components with its "no-airflow-design"
I suspect the bottom holes are intended as passive intake for a negative pressure design with the fans on a top mounted radiator providing the overall airflow. I'm not a fan of bottom intake without casters or really big feet. On a carpet standard tiny feet tend to sink in deep enough to plug them entirely. Not a problem on hardwood, but your case ends up acting like a vacuum cleaner and the bottom mounted filter doesn't have visible indicators when it gets filthy and clogged.
My point exactly, Also "negative pressure design" never worked well, It's more of an excuse and translate to "we messed up on the airflow design". I have been building computer for over 10 years, In Win never struck me as a quality case maker. One day they woke up and suddenly decided to make a case with glass side panel and put a $300 price tag on it (909) does not put them in league with companies like NZXT, Corsair, Cooler Master who knows what they are actually doing.
I usually use much smaller cases, so I'm not particularly interested in this one, but I really like the fact that it has 2 USB 3.0 plus 2 USB 2.0 ports on the front. The majority of motherboards have at least this many internal connectors, so it's a good idea.
I wish more of the smaller cases would start to employ this arrangement.
The front panel audio jacks need to support headphone+mic for wired gaming headsets. If they can do it with a combined port fine; if not the discrete mic port is still needed.
Well...not a fan of always-on LEDs. And the back design? Couldn't the back would have fitted a double 120mm rad / two 120mm fans if they added a few centimeters more to the width? That vented side won't allow for much airflow. (As it is reported by the graphs describing a poor thermal performance.)
I generally get at least 5 year's use out of a case, so if I was purchasing one right now I would have to insist on it having USB Type C. Other than that, it looks fine.
Yeah, other than that, you'd be spending the next half a decade with a 3.6 decade old fridge in which components aren't even kept extremely cool (as in lower-than-ambient-temps cool)
I feel you. The thing is...some short while ago I was in the market for a BD-RW drive. I realized it's more expensive and bulkier to carry optical media with me (BD-RW discs, for instance). Plus, the transfer rates aren't exactly USB 3.0 / 3.1. Therefore, I'm sticking with my external Samsung DVD-RW drive I'm not even using...that is until I migrate entirely to external SSDs. I hate HDD reliability and shock resistance anyway.
I'm really struggling to find the difference between this and a 1980s fridge such as this one: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9... Maybe the side where the handle lies, opposed to where the IN-WIN logo is put...also featuring colors from the same era's general color theme.
So, the question is, how cool can this hundred dollars fridge can keep my salami?
Actually. The Black one is nicer looking by far. The one I'm thinking of buying. Just for the Glass/price.
It's a shame the test wasn't done with some aftermarket fans although that is impressive that it's able to passively cool. People who read the article would know that the temps are with out any fans at all. The lack of cable management kinda bothers me a little.
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luca5 - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
I'd not call a case "minimalist" if it sports a gaudy logo with bright, blue LEDs on the front panel.nathanddrews - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
"Minimalist" now seems to mean "no external drive bays".Samus - Thursday, October 13, 2016 - link
I built a PC out of an Inwin case awhile back that had a similar backlit logo and button array. To my pleasant surprise, the logo can be removed and changed. The guy I built it for ended up using a clear piece of 3M film and a silver sharpie to inscribe his gaming handle. It looked really good and is a hit at LAN parties, everyone can find him without looking for his placard in the dark...YukaKun - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
I agree with this. The design is "simplistic", and even that is an stretch. It's just a boxy and "clean" layout.That being said, I like it a lot, but the front LED feels like unnecessary bling to an otherwise great looking case.
Cheers!
Manch - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
spray paint will fix that logo window easy enough.BurntMyBacon - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
I think you are confusing "minimalist" with a simplistic, understated, or muted design aesthetic. In this case, minimalist is referring to the fact that there are no external drive bays, drive cages, fans, minimal HDD/SDD mounts, and little else in the way of extra features.Of course, their own description labels this as a prominent feature: "Exquisitely Modest Aesthetic Design". I might be inclined to agree if they didn't have the "gaudy" logo front and center. The fact that it lights up puts a permanent axe in the "modest" description.
Aerodrifting - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
Instead of wasting time arguing what is minimalist what is not, You guys are forgetting one of the main purposes of the computer case: Providing good airflow to cool your precious components. And I simply don't see it's possible with this case regardless what kind of fan configuration you use.The price is not bad, But it has no stock cooling so you have to invest in 2-4 case fans that can seriously push some air which this case desperately needs. I have seen lots of In-Win cases, All looks no airflow (hello, 805, 901, 909...)
fireduckzilla - Thursday, October 13, 2016 - link
I actually have this case, I'm running 7 EK Vardar fans, with 2x360mm rads... The cooling is great.Could it be 5 degree's cooler in a case with better airflow? Yes most definitely.
The real question is does it make a real world difference. Overclocked and under load it doesn't hit 70c on the GPU or Processor - plus it looks stunning. (Apart from the retarded blue logo, which I will get round to dismantling at some point.)
Aerodrifting - Thursday, October 13, 2016 - link
And how much does a 2 x 360mm rad custom liquid cooling cost?johnny_boy - Friday, October 14, 2016 - link
Don't forget about the honeycomb thing on the side. Very unminimalistic.Wwhat - Sunday, October 30, 2016 - link
Perhaps you can remove that logo and replace it with a personal touch.But I also don't like that color, ruins the thing you could have achieved with the tempered glass, could have looked so much fancier. Looks like it is more geared to the Korean market or something.
Manch - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
Looks like a nice sturdy & cheap case.Oh has anyone noticed that DT is alive again? I know a lot of us are old DT readers before it went tits up.
Reflex - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
And yet its worse than before, mixing off base articles now with obvious paid filler content like a bunch of fake supplements.Manch - Thursday, October 13, 2016 - link
I was at work so I didn't get a chance to look much at it. I was looking for a site on my favorites and saw it was still saved so I clicked just to see if the site was up. To my surprise there were new articles. Then I read them. Holy fricken run on sentence. Every article was in ESL or ETL.Manch - Thursday, October 13, 2016 - link
need edit!!! Then I read them when I got home.peconi - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
I saw the black version of this case @ local Micro Center here in Columbus, Ohio. Decided to buy it yesterday actually. It is absolutely awesome, and it was just $84!BrokenCrayons - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
I'd like to see future reviews focus on mATX and smaller designs. These larger cases are uncommon outliers rather than mainstream so I don't think they're very relevant to most system builders and personal computer owners in the present day.alelock - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
The front badge absolutely ruins this case.My loge for the Anidees AI-Crystal lives on! ( https://goo.gl/tb8rVf )
djscrew - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
Ugh, that cream color harkens back to a time of sickeningly ugly cases.djscrew - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
The interior and glass looks fantastic. The rest of the exterior looks like absolute dog shit.Aerodrifting - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
Is everyone purposely avoiding the topic on cooling or plain forgot?There is little clearance to install fans on the "bottom air intake" due to any ATX motherboard extends to the bottom of the case, Not to mention the space underneath the case is tiny due to short case feet. The top/side vent is a joke.
Sure the glass looks good, But I will not consider building any high end system inside this case if it's going to cook the components with its "no-airflow-design"
DanNeely - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
I suspect the bottom holes are intended as passive intake for a negative pressure design with the fans on a top mounted radiator providing the overall airflow. I'm not a fan of bottom intake without casters or really big feet. On a carpet standard tiny feet tend to sink in deep enough to plug them entirely. Not a problem on hardwood, but your case ends up acting like a vacuum cleaner and the bottom mounted filter doesn't have visible indicators when it gets filthy and clogged.Aerodrifting - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
My point exactly, Also "negative pressure design" never worked well, It's more of an excuse and translate to "we messed up on the airflow design".I have been building computer for over 10 years, In Win never struck me as a quality case maker. One day they woke up and suddenly decided to make a case with glass side panel and put a $300 price tag on it (909) does not put them in league with companies like NZXT, Corsair, Cooler Master who knows what they are actually doing.
dsraa - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
Ewww...what the hell is with that gross design on the non-windowed side??? What is that???DanNeely - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
'artsy' vent holes for the topside mounted radiator you need to install to give this thing decent cooling.jsntech - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
I've been using the In Win BUC since a few months after I read AT's review (http://www.anandtech.com/show/4303/inwin-buc-100-d... I've been a big fan of the BUC the whole time I've had it for my i5-2500K system.No plans to upgrade anytime soon, but this 303 looks like it'd be a great replacement. I especially like the decent sound dampening design.
Iketh - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
Here's an idea for case reviews. Add lines from the paragraph to the parts referred in the paragraph.DCide - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
I usually use much smaller cases, so I'm not particularly interested in this one, but I really like the fact that it has 2 USB 3.0 plus 2 USB 2.0 ports on the front. The majority of motherboards have at least this many internal connectors, so it's a good idea.I wish more of the smaller cases would start to employ this arrangement.
jabber - Thursday, October 13, 2016 - link
Nah I'd get rid of the logo, the audio ports (well at least the mic socket) and just have two front USB3.0 ports.DanNeely - Sunday, October 16, 2016 - link
The front panel audio jacks need to support headphone+mic for wired gaming headsets. If they can do it with a combined port fine; if not the discrete mic port is still needed.nagi603 - Thursday, October 13, 2016 - link
Well...not a fan of always-on LEDs. And the back design? Couldn't the back would have fitted a double 120mm rad / two 120mm fans if they added a few centimeters more to the width? That vented side won't allow for much airflow. (As it is reported by the graphs describing a poor thermal performance.)Plus, it almost looks beige.... D:
colonelclaw - Thursday, October 13, 2016 - link
I generally get at least 5 year's use out of a case, so if I was purchasing one right now I would have to insist on it having USB Type C. Other than that, it looks fine.3ogdy - Sunday, October 16, 2016 - link
Yeah, other than that, you'd be spending the next half a decade with a 3.6 decade old fridge in which components aren't even kept extremely cool (as in lower-than-ambient-temps cool)valinor89 - Friday, October 14, 2016 - link
Is it as beige as it looks on my work screen?Looks like an old tower with that color.
JohnMD1022 - Saturday, October 15, 2016 - link
No optical drive bay = no buy.3ogdy - Sunday, October 16, 2016 - link
I feel you. The thing is...some short while ago I was in the market for a BD-RW drive. I realized it's more expensive and bulkier to carry optical media with me (BD-RW discs, for instance). Plus, the transfer rates aren't exactly USB 3.0 / 3.1. Therefore, I'm sticking with my external Samsung DVD-RW drive I'm not even using...that is until I migrate entirely to external SSDs. I hate HDD reliability and shock resistance anyway.3ogdy - Sunday, October 16, 2016 - link
I'm really struggling to find the difference between this and a 1980s fridge such as this one:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9...
Maybe the side where the handle lies, opposed to where the IN-WIN logo is put...also featuring colors from the same era's general color theme.
So, the question is, how cool can this hundred dollars fridge can keep my salami?
SeanJ76 - Monday, October 17, 2016 - link
Ugly and normalMembus - Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - link
Actually. The Black one is nicer looking by far. The one I'm thinking of buying. Just for the Glass/price.It's a shame the test wasn't done with some aftermarket fans although that is impressive that it's able to passively cool. People who read the article would know that the temps are with out any fans at all.
The lack of cable management kinda bothers me a little.
A custom loop in this thing would be very nice.