revised and lower priced: Thermaltake's new Level 10 GT

coconutboy

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level_10_GT.jpg


Thermaltake announced a new Level 10 GT at CES. Link to TT's Flash page. In many ways it looks to be an improvement. Some of the details:
  • MSRP of $269. Not cheap, but a helluva lot more competitive and reasonable than the original. This is partially due to TT ditching the all-aluminum design for an SECC and plastic case.
  • frontal USB 3.0 ports that can connect to an internal header, or pass through to the rear via a dongle
  • supports vid cards over 14" in length and cpu coolers 190mm tall. Not known if the cpu cooler limitation is with the side fan installed, but given the case width I'm guessing it does
  • allows for E-ATX mobos and sports 8 expansion slots
  • 5x hdd hot swap that also accommodates 2.5" drives
  • looks like a 2 speed fan controller. Lack of info at present
  • minimal liquid cooling options. Water fans will probably look elsewhere
  • 23" deep x 23" tall by 11" wide. Not known if the width includes the headphone rack gizmo (which isn't displayed in the pic above. Check the flash page)
  • lockable chassis, similar to the original
  • 28lbs versus 47 for the original
  • switchable 3 color fans for the bling crowd

We need to see more details on this case and the intake/exhaust layouts/vents, but so far I like it enough I'd have considered buying over my Lian Li x2000f. The original level 10 was an inconsistent performer on the cooling front with some people getting very good thermals, but most experiencing average/mediocre temps. Unless the cooling performance is awesome or Thermaltake has packed some other tricks into the GT, it's gonna be a tough sell versus options like Silverstone's ft02, the upcoming Corsair 650, or the many excellent choices that are in the sub-$200 price range.
 
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Finally they are at a decent price though. The orginal was way to expensive even for the more then casual gamer. This is at least around the price of other high end pc cases like Lian Li.
 
So what they've done here is take the single nice case they've made, substituted the good quality materials for crap and made it as ugly as possible. Brilliant, well done Thermaltake.
 
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It kinda looks like the original Playstation2, but with a large tumor.
 
So what they've done here is take the single nice case they've made, substituted the good quality materials for crap and made it as ugly as possible. Brilliant, well done Thermaltake.

Funny stuff :D

In all fairness though, it's give and take. If not for TT ditching the aluminum, no way would they be able to sell this case for less than $300. Plus, while some people clamor for all-aluminum cases, I've owned a few including my current rig, and actually prefer steel for the strength and lower costs. Sure aluminum saves some weight, but I'm fairly strong so I could care less. The plastic used is still a mystery at this point. Thermaltake claims it's "carbon graphite" style material. Prolly something similar to ABS plastic or some such.

I mostly like the looks. It's traded much of the original's style for more compact dimensions and the CPU area window is kinda spiffy. What I don't like is the front area around the 5.25" bays. It's a freakin' mess and those case feet really ruin the look. Can't tell if there is any dust filtering which is a big deal since we often leave our windows open.

It kinda looks like the original Playstation2, but with a large tumor.

I can see it! The hdd bays and especially the wraparound ribbed handle area on the right side of the case contribute towards the upright ps2 look.
 
I am going to guess that BMW was not involved in this rendition. This is just not as pretty as the original.
 
Eh, kind of a mixed bag for me. Not as good looking as the other one, which I'm sure they could've made cheaper if they revised it and kept the same design, and just replaced some of the aluminum components with steel or plastic. Nothing I'd drop my FT02 over though.
 
I can't get a good look at the angles I want but it doesn't seem like a fully modular setup like the last one. It looks like a solid chassis case but with the exterior segmented to look a bit like the old one.

Ehh. Doesn't look as nice, though to me the novelty of the original wore off quickly anyway.
 
I can't get a good look at the angles I want but it doesn't seem like a fully modular setup like the last one. It looks like a solid chassis case but with the exterior segmented to look a bit like the old one.

You're spot on. It's hard to spot all the specifics till we get more pics, but from what there is on the flash page, it's not modular, or at least not fully isolated chambers like the original. The PSU is definitely in the lower area of the mobo chamber. There's also a pic in the "design" section that shows the optical bay as being connected to the mobo area (along with grommets near the cable routing cutouts like what Corsair does on their cases). Whats hard to see is that area with the security lock on the left side panel. It's not clear if the hdd bays connect to any other sections or where a fan for cooling is mounted.
 
I don't know about you guys, but I like the new one better. Looks a bit more 'elegant' than the first one. It has a good chance I will buy it when it will become available :)
 
It has its high points, but it also has some big plasticy -looking low points.

I guess its nothing some bondo wouldn't fix...
 
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