Thermaltake Core V1 Mini-ITX Case Review @ [H]

FrgMstr

FrgMstr

Just Plain Mean
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Thermaltake Core V1 Mini-ITX Case Review - Lots of folks are looking towards a high end desktop computer system with a much smaller footprint. Mini-ITX motherboards have gotten to such a good quality level over the last few years, putting a gaming and overclocking behemoth in a small case is a possibility and Thermaltake wants to take it to the next level.
 
I am supremely happy with my Corsair 250D. However, if... something... should happen to it, this would be a fantastic replacement. But they are VERY similar looking.
They have some interesting tradeoffs though. The V1 has more space for HDDs while the 250D has room for an H100i. The 250D elevates the system off the floor on its legs and the V1 has a superior front fan. Perhaps the win for the V1 is the extra room for a full size GPU. It's VERY hit or miss in the 250D.

Having had both on the testbed, Steve, do you have a preference between the two?
 
For me, the biggest restriction with ITX cases is the CPU cooler height, which is the main reason I ended up with a midi case for my HTPC build. I wish someone would build an ITX case with high performance components in mind.
 
50 bucks. Compact size. Swallows a full size GPU and PSU......I'll take 2 please.

Damn nice case.
 
I've had an ITX system sitting in an old Antec ATX case, waiting for something to come along. This is exactly it. Thanks for the review.
 
What an economical little beast. About the weight of a loaded AR. Very good.
 
Damn, I was shocked to see that this case can even swallow up an AX1200, hahah. With the lower hard drive cage installed, I can't squeeze my 1200 in to the PC-X1000 without the extension bracket.

And the price, wow, amazingly low.
 
Think I found my next case! I like the understated design. The only thing I think I would mod is the plastic front and plastic IO/Power area. Might replace that with brushed aluminum while keeping the black mesh. That should look pretty awesome. Do you think there would be enough room for a 240 rad on the side by the gpu? Thinking about putting the rad in front of the gpu while having a slim full size waterblock on it. That way I can watercool the CPU and GPU... It would be awesome if I could find a 200mm rad for the front.

EDIT: hmm if anything I can put the rad or fans on the outside of the case, That would ruin the clean look a bit though...
 
While this is a great little case, take the full sized graphics card ability with a grain of salt. If the card is longer than 280mm or so it will not fit, a number of the higher cards push this length and beyond. Also if the card is more than dual slot it has issues. A lot of cards now use 2.25 and 2.5 slot cooler.

It's a great case but you are not going to put a massive build in it with the video card without some forethought.
 
I have this puppy ordered from Amazon. Replace my 5 year only HTPC case. :cool:
 
Window side panels...how very 2004. Can't stand them. They look a mess in 99% of builds.
 
Excellent review. Given its large size and excellent ventilation, is there any chance of a follow-up with a silent rig? Nofan + fanless 750 Ti? You currently have a fanless PSU...
 
Is the thermaltake emblem removable or at least rotatable? I would want to orient the case so that the power button and usb ports are on the top but the sideways thermaltake emblem would drive me loony-toons (hello OCD complex...)
 
We addressed that in the review, the logo isn't rotatable and there is an indention in the case where the logo sits so removing it isn't much better.
 
Surly said:
Is the thermaltake emblem removable or at least rotatable? I would want to orient the case so that the power button and usb ports are on the top but the sideways thermaltake emblem would drive me loony-toons (hello OCD complex...)
Click to expand...

Paint it flat black and put on blinders.

I have trouble with anything claiming to be HTPC without the ability to play a blu ray.
 
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