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Sunbeam Clear Acrylic PC Case
Review Date: February 16, 2003
Reviewed by: Dwayne Sessom
Sponsored by: Sunbeam
I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical about this case before I reviewed it. My initial thought was "Why the hell would anyone want a clear case?". I mean, I am a bit of a slob when it comes to tidying up wiring so the PC cases with windows in them reveal enough to show that. On top of that, this case comes completely un-assembled, so you have to take some time to put it all together.
Well, after having completed the review I was so impressed that I wouldn't mind having another one to assemble! This case is truly the ultimate in attention getting PC cases. If you are looking for "flash" and wanting to have bragging rights at the next LAN party, I can think of no better way to do it!
Click for larger view.
Features and Specifications:
- Excellent Craftsmanship
- 100% high quality acrylic case, metal fasteners
- Delivered in kit form
- Great case wiring
- High quality hardware
- Gloves provided to prevent finger prints during assembly
- Five internal hard drive bays
- Five fan holes to give great airflow
- User-friendly assembly diagram
- Available in clear,light blue,light red
- Dimensions (approximate): 18.7"กม17.5"กม 8.7"
- Drive Bays: 5.25"กม4, 3.5"กม7 (5 hidden)
- Covers: Side Covers to open on both sides. (4 screws on each side)
- Main Board Size: ATX; Flex-ATX style
- Expansion Slots: 7
- Multi Port: Back USB2.0กม2
- Fan hole diameter: 80mm (1 in back, 1 in front , 1 in top and 2 on side panel)
- All hardware required for construction is included
- Power supply not included
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Packaging and kit - Click for larger view.
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Packaging and kit - Click for larger view.
No problem. It's really not nearly as bad as it looks. I had it all assembled in less than 1 hour, and had fun doing it as well. One thing I would like to point out is the fact that the screws the hold the panels together are made from solid yellow brass. This makes the finished case look very classy and high quality, but brass is also a soft metal and presents a small problem - if you use too much torque to tighten them, they will snap off! So, be mindful of this when you are putting this case together. I broke 2 of them, but it was my own fault for torquing them too tightly.
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Broken screws - Click for larger view.
Assembled Case:
Assembly was much easier than I had initially thought it would be. The instruction manual is clear and easy to understand (thank goodness!). It was finished in just under an hour, and ready to have the components installed. Due to the thickness of the acrylic, you have to use the included brass standoffs to mount the hard drives and CD/DVD drives. The kit includes everything you need to get all your hardware mounted properly. Since the case is thick acrylic instead of thin steel or aluminum, all the screws are extra long.
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Assembled Case - Click for larger view.
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Assembled Case - Click for larger view.
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Assembled Case - Click for larger view.
Lighting it up:
The main idea behind a clear case is to show off your components, and you can't effectively do that unless you light that baby up!
Sunbeam provided me with a Rheobus, 2 CCFL fans, 2 Laser LEDs and some EL strip to light the case. Here is the finished product:
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Lighted Case - Click for larger view.
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Lighted Case - Click for larger view.
Conclusion:
The Sunbeam clear acrylic case is definitely not for everyone, but for the hardcore modders and LAN party goers this is definitely THE case to have. It is not as light weight as aluminum, but it is lighter than steel cases. The only thing that would make this case any better is if they included a power supply with it with a clear acrylic cover. But as it is, it will definitely draw a crowd at any LAN party and give you bragging rights among your friends! Case windows? Pfffft... The clear acrylic PC case from Sunbeam is an outstanding product just like everything else we have seen come from Sunbeam. Because of the assembly required, and lack of PSU, we give it a 4X rating.
For more info, see Sunbeam's product page.
Also, check out Sunbeam Acrylic Laser Etched ExtremeBox!
Sunbeam made this custom acrylic case for a give-away for FragFest 2003.
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