Hardware Xilence X1 gaming case

[Tim S]

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...ence_x1_case/1

Is the Xilence X1 a stupidly named tin box, or a brilliantly built gaming case with an annoying name? We find out.

[DougEdey]

We've already noted that the case opens from the right panel and not the left, as is usually standard, but having a quick glance at the innards reveals that the motherboard must also mount upside down, with the power supply at the bottom

Couldn't that have been noted from the outside?

Also with the testing, isn't there a trend now for 2GB+ RAM on systems? So testing with 2GB of RAM may be more pertinent although not make much of a difference.

Was the PCI slot at the top of the case usable? Or did the case design make it redundant?

[CardJoe]

It is noticeable from the outside if you stop to consider it, but we're a little slow sometimes

I just had a quick look and the top slot still looks useable though, not redundant at all I don't think.

[DougEdey]

From the angle of the shots it looks like a card with caps may not make it in. Is there any chance you could test this please?

[Bindibadgi]

I've just looked and if the card is within ATX spec it'll fit. It's just like installing a PCI card into the bottom slot of any other ATX case, just this is now upside down.

[Firehed]

Originally Posted by Article

We're not going to point fingers or place blame about it, but frankly we're of the opinion that it's your fault and you should all compensate by buying us lots of nice stuff. I for one have always wanted to own a pony.

J'ai LOLlé

[cjmUK]

with brushes from my manly bracelet leaving faint marks

Lol. I'll take your word for it.

On a serious note, how hard can it be to design a case finish that doesn't scratch when you look at it and doesn't magnify fingerprints? I'm not on about this case specifically - loads of modern cases are shiny-but-delicate rather than practical. Must a more robust finish look rubbish?

Since I built my current PC last year (see sig), I've become a real snob regarding components. I don't always advocate the most expensive components, but I'm no longer inclined to use cheapo, sub-standard components. It's suddenly made my hobby very expensive.

And I think that one of the things I'm most picky about now are cases; apart from the usual suspects (Antec, Lan Li, Cooler Master, etc) there are few cases that I can stomach - which is ironic given the beige plastic crap that I've owned in bygone years.

As for the X1, it *does* look plastic-y and cheap, but compared to many other cases, IMHO is does have a reasonable clean look about it. I think too many cases try to hard to add facets and features. Not surprising comments from someone who owns a P180 perhaps.

[Tulatin]

It's a modified version of the sunbeam and sansun cases - so yes that top slot works just fine. If you've got the stones, you can drill out 20-something rivets to take off the left-top panel to manage wiring.

[ChiperSoft]

We've already noted that the case opens from the right panel and not the left, as is usually standard, but having a quick glance at the innards reveals that the motherboard must also mount upside down, with the power supply at the bottom.

Looking closer at the insides shows that the case has a total of seven tool-less expansion slots, located at the top of the case since the motherboard has been oddly flipped.

How is it that a bit-tech reviewer has never heard of Reversed-ATX? This isn't even a new concept, modders have been doing it for years.
To me, that's the most attractive element of this case. Boxy design that'll be easy to mod, but already reversed so we don't have to spend time doing it ourselves.

[Tulatin]

Problem to reversing is that heatpipe'd motherboards are suddenly useless.

[Tim S]

Originally Posted by Tulatin

Problem to reversing is that heatpipe'd motherboards are suddenly useless.

I know of at least one manufacturer that claims its recent boards work fine upside down.

[trig]

do you guys have rosewill cases over there?

[DeX]

Excuse me but are you sure that the front panel is hydraulic? It certainly wouldn't take hydraulics to allow the panel to slide smoothly downwards. Now if the panel slides upwards that would require some sort of external force. But I think you will find that there is just a cog and rail of teeth that the door slides along that makes it slide smoothly at a constant speed.

[The_Gnu]

hehe that power button must be the ugliest one I've ever seen.... reminds me of one of those child toys where you are supposed to push a large colored button to make an animal of the same color pop out from a box. I doubt that button will be left unmodded if someone decides to mod this case. And I'm also so tired of all these X's. It was cool when xbox 1 was released but nowadays it's just a proof of lac of fantasy.

/GNU

[greensabbath]

Originally Posted by Tulatin

Problem to reversing is that heatpipe'd motherboards are suddenly useless.

IMO reverse ATX is the only way to go (you get to see the pretty side of the vga/ physx/sound card. I have two Asus Motherboards, the Commando and P5N32-e sli and both have heat pipes and both work great. Even when they heatpiped mobos are right side up though, those heatpipes get really toasty.

[HugoB]

Originally Posted by ChiperSoft

How is it that a bit-tech reviewer has never heard of Reversed-ATX?

Joe didn't say "I've never seen this before" he said it's odd, which it is... It is not common for a manufacturer to invert a motherboard.

[Tulatin]

Problem is that heatpipes work in a very specific way: Unless wicked, heat travels upwards along the pipe, while cool liquid travels downward. Thus, on a non wicked ASUS mobo, you now have to trust the southbridge to dissipate all the spare wattage from down below it - mosfets and northbridge inclusive.

[Sebbo]

One thing we did notice though was that the case doesn't have a reset button anywhere

might this be the elusive reset button? http://www.bit-tech.net/content_imag...1_case/b22.jpg
might be a bit difficult to tell from the symbol since everyone uses something different

i'd consider getting that case if i really need a case to mod...that hd rack will have to go through (though it seems to be holding up the shroud?)

[Tyinsar]

I think you might be on to something Sebbo (I which case I'm a little disappointed by the reviewer)

However. Did anyone else see the power button and think it should be glowing? - maybe add a voice saying "I'm afraid I can't let you do that Dave"

[zr_ox]

Originally Posted by Tulatin

Problem is that heatpipes work in a very specific way: Unless wicked, heat travels upwards along the pipe, while cool liquid travels downward. Thus, on a non wicked ASUS mobo, you now have to trust the southbridge to dissipate all the spare wattage from down below it - mosfets and northbridge inclusive.

Thats correct about wicked heatpipes, but I know that Asus heatpipes have been wicked for 1½ years due to the increasing popularity of reverse ATX cases.

I'd imagine that all other manufacturers followed this trend as well. I would be very surprised to hear of any current motherbords incorporating unwicked heatpipes.

Originally Posted by cjmUK

On a serious note, how hard can it be to design a case finish that doesn't scratch when you look at it and doesn't magnify fingerprints? I'm not on about this case specifically - loads of modern cases are shiny-but-delicate rather than practical. Must a more robust finish look rubbish?

I could not agree more. I recently bought the Stacker 830 (black) and the quality of finish looked great, it was however not durable at all, finger prints were no biggie though. The case easily picked up scratches to the point that after 2 months it looked like it was 1½ years old and had been home to three different pc's. I then upgraded to a Silverstone TJ09 and could not be happier. The finish is second to none, it does not pick up finger prints too easily and is very durable.

As for the case reviewed, I hate it.