Mutant X Case Review Page (1 of 2):

Introduction:

Kingwin. That name has been around forever it seems. I don’t remember the name or model of the first beige case I ordered off of the internet many years ago, but it was definitely made by Kingwin. Kingwin products have always been special in that they are crafted to last forever while giving the buyer plenty of options for their hard earned money. I have done several case reviews here at PCExtreme so I know what to look for in today’s case. I am a gamer and I operate our local LAN party here in Lawton ,Oklahoma, so I get to see both ends of the spectrum. There tends to be a certain type of pride when it comes to gamers, LAN parties, and computer cases. A type of pride you have when you are young and you have just had the best toy shown off at “show and tell” day at school. Come on, you remember those days don’t you?

Some folks will just attend a LAN party to show off their newest modification to their case. They might not be very good at any of the games they play, but they sure look like they are with those nicely modded cases sitting there. Some of the best gamers often have what we like to call “modest” cases, others will call them “cheesy”. I am fortunate that I get to see so many cases at all of the LAN parties I attend. There is just so much imagination and creativity that might go into one modded case. You know those guys and gals spend a lot of money to add those special touches. For those folks, I commend you. For those that do not have all the time, money, or tools to do special mods to their case will look to the premanufactured or premodded cases that are readily available. Kingwin has just upped the ante with their newest gaming model, the Mutant X Gaming Case. There is no need for the removal of arms or legs to purchase one of these jewels because these cases are very affordable while adding a distinctive look to the mix. Let’s not waste anymore time, that case is just begging me to take it apart.

PCExtreme would like to thank Case-Mod.com for sending us this product to be reviewed. You may check out the direct link to the Mutant X Gaming case here at Case-Mod.com.  Don't forget to come back here when your done to see the rest of this review!

Please visit Case-Mod.com - A PC Modding Enthusiasts' Dream Site!

Check out the Kingwin site after you have checked out Case-Mod.com

Here we go!:
The Mutant X line basically has four models; A black/blue combo w/ side window (MTX425BKW), a black/blue combo w/o side window (MTX425BK), a silver/gray combo w/ side window (MTX425SW), a silver/gray combo w/o side window (MTX425S). The only difference in all of the models listed above of course is different color combos and a side window cutout featuring a laser cut LED fan on the side. The case that we will review today is the MTX425SW (Silver/gray combo w/ the side window).

 

The Silver Mutant X with side window....ahhhh! Click for a larger image.

Arrival and Inspection:
The Mutant case came in this fairly snazzy box. One thing I like about this box that most other companies neglect to do is place that sturdy plastic handle on the top. This makes it much easier for the UPS man and myself to carry this puppy around. Scoring points like that right off the bat is what I look for in the “little things” that come in a product such as this. The case came with the standard form fitting styrofoam blocks on the top and bottom of the case with thick plastic surrounding the case itself. Once I pulled the case out and took the plastic off, emerged one very distinctive futuristic front bezel looking me right in the grill. The case is only 24lbs but it feels much lighter than that, especially since it is made of steel. The front bezel is the part of the case that tends to draw your eyes back to it again and again. The front panel is very stylish and you can see the big X of the Mutant design bowing towards the power button in the very center. The background color is gray and the prominent features are silver with the Mutant’s “X” being one of them.

That's the box it came in. Click for a larger image.	A very attractive case from this angle. Click for a larger image.

Towards the bottom of the case you will find the trap door which houses (from left to right) one microphone and one headphone port, one installed IEEE 1394 port and one open space for another, and finally two USB 2.0 ports. Just close up the door and make sure it clicks, then your good to go. When I pulled open the front panel, exposed were four 5.25” drive bays and two 3.5” drive bays. On the lower left hand side was a silver reset button. Nothing really fancy here, but then again, the Mutant X was made for you to keep the panel door closed to show off it’s crowning features on the outside. Further inspection of the mechanics of the door revealed that it was made somewhat fragile and could easily be broken off at the top hinge if not careful. The top hinge has a special spring loaded sliding characteristic and really shouldn’t be made to bend past 130° or so. I guess we should keep in mind that you have to take some of these primary plastic parts like this with a grain of salt since your not purchasing a top of the line case. Companies must find a way to keep costs low for us the consumer when providing a mid-range market product, and in doing so they sometimes have to make exceptions. This is something that I can definitely live with.

One other thing that I noticed right away was at the bottom hinge which showed the exposed wiring to the front LED and power switch. Although this isn’t something that would fail a product review with me, it really detracts from the rest of the color scheme. Possibly some type of sheathing should have been placed over the wiring. It would only take about one inch of material to accomplish this so it shouldn’t really change the price or the manufacturing process to complete.

The multimedia panel behind the trap door. Click for a larger image.	The main door of the Mutant exposes itself! Click for a larger image.
Try not to open the door more than 130°. Click for a larger image.	Wires should be stealthed or covered. Click for a larger image.

The window side panel of the Mutant featured what looks to me like a big arrowhead pointing towards the front of the case. My wife thinks it looks like a big goldfish, and my friend thinks it resembles the reflective mirror image of shark fins in the water. I’m sure if we can see those images in our mind, there is no telling what you might get out of it. Nevertheless, it is very attractive for a premodded window cutout. I am impressed with the laser cut fan grill in the center of this window. It has a swirling chrome design much like that of the Unreal Tournament logo.

The side panel with window cutout and fan. Click for a larger image.	Very nice looking fan grill, very attractive. Click for a larger image.

The back of the case is fairly typical of what you will get from most manufacturers these days. The Mutant came with a Kingwin (KWI-420WS) 420W power supply. One thing that I really, REALLY liked was the way that this power supply was installed. There was a faceplate screwed into the power supply itself with over-lapping edges, these edges in turn were screwed into the case. Reason for this is because the power supply was made to slide directly in and out the back of the case. No awkward install from the inside of the case here, just lug up the faceplate to the PSU and lug it up to the case. I know other cases have done this previously, but those were the cases that will cost you upwards of $100. This is a well appreciated effort Kingwin, and I for one thank you for it.

The Kingwin power supply and it's faceplate. Click for a larger image.	A look at it lugged up to the PSU. Click for a larger image.
Have to love a case that let's you do this. Click for a larger image.	The power supply pulls straight in and out! Click for a larger image.

Other standard components for the rear of the case included: two 80mm fan cutouts, the standard motherboard interface faceplate, and seven PCI expansion slots at the bottom.  There are plenty of other holes down the lower right hand side that will help exhaust hot air from inside the case.

Top end of the rear panel. Click for a larger image.	The lower end features 7 expansion slots. Click for a larger image.

More on Page 2....