Thermaltake Mozart TX Entertainment Center Case

Reviews: Cases

Author:
Editor:
Sponsor:
Published:

Max Slowik
Brian
Thermaltake
Dec. 13, 2006

<< Home

Next >>

Introduction

There's something about Thermaltake's Mozart TX that is uncommon in cases; something beyond its aluminum construction, minimalist styling and size. It's potential. With all its compartmentalization, easy access, and big, empty spaces, Thermaltake's Mozart TX is designed for customization. This case is more than a home for your computer; it's a breeding ground for creativity and invention.

I'm really surprised Thermaltake is trying to sell this enclosure as a home theater case. Yes, it can be outfitted with a remote and VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) and uses some silent computing riggings, but it's so damn big. I can't picture the home theater that it fits into, but I hope it has a television that's as wide as I am tall. It might also do alright in a tight space where you want one case for two computers, using the Mozart's Mini-ITX taking care of the HTPC or file-serving duties with the main computer dedicated to workstation duties or gaming.

With separate compartments for the motherboard, drives, PSU, and case exhaust fans, there is still so much extra space left over, it's just begging for more.

First Looks

The Mozart TX is very large. The box it comes in could easily be used as an extension to those refrigerator-box houses children play in. The case is protected by two foam end pieces on the top and bottom, and is shrouded in a great big plastic bag. The optional windows are behind another sheet of plastic to protect from potential scratches. Stuffed inside the case is a loose parts box, with the case being otherwise assembled.

The front bezel is thick brushed aluminum, probably half of the empty case's weight. There is a U shaped cut-out for black mesh on the front that the 5.25" bays pass through which doubles as one of the air intakes. The mesh is lined with thick foam for a filter, though most of the fans do have their own independent filters.

The USB, audio, and powered eSATA connectors are mounted directly to the bezel at its top, meaning that the front bezel can't come off unless the cables are left slack and not tied down inside the case. While it might detract from the simple looks on the face, a separate bezel for the connectors would have been very useful. The buttons are light plastic with a chrome finish. The red hard drive LED and blue power LED light up a good quarter-inch of the mesh around them. The whole case is propped up on swiveling plastic feet that don't have rubber pads; some surfaces might get scratched by them, if it doesn't just live on the floor.

The brushing on the aluminum is fairly coarse, to the point of glittering. While this makes it somewhat fingerprint-resistant, stickier smudges (like thermal interface material) are that much harder to clean off. The case top and doors don't get the same treatment, they're thinner aluminum that is painted to match. The paint is also thin (I scratched it with the plastic button on my shirt cuff) and doesn't appear to be well-primed.

(After finding a spot for the case I noticed that one of the doors catches on the frame when I was opening and closing it, and that it wobbles on the feet like a table with one short leg. I think the frame was bent while shipping, lightweight as it is.)

<< Home

Page 1 of 4

Next >>

Page 1: Introduction & First Looks
Page 2: Inside the case
Page 3: Cooling & Installation
Page 4: Quality, Safety & Conclusion

Subscribe to HTPC [more info]

View All

Desktop April 22, 2007

Add Comment

5 User Comments

1 - Posted by christopher3393 on December 29, 2006 - 10:17 pm

This is the 6th article I've read on this case this evening. It is by far the best! Thanks! Imagine if this case had close to the thickness of the Thermaltake Tai Chi, the smooth edges of a Lian Li case, and some of the other quality improvements that you recommended. Now add locking wheels that are place so as to avoid pronenes toward tipping and handles that fold down when not in use, like the Zalman TNN 500AF. Perhaps add a few centimeters of depth...I'd pay a premium price for a case like that.

2 - Posted by Kurtis on January 1, 2007 - 2:11 am

Thanks for the feedback, Christopher. Glad you liked the review. :)

Happy New Year to you.

3 - Posted by Max Slowik on January 10, 2007 - 10:34 pm

Hey, thanks for the feedback. I hope I helped you not make a mistake. . .but believe me when I say that the dissapointment is personal. I wanted pretty badly to like that case.

I'm going to sell it on eBay, I sort of hope that guy /doesn't/ read this ;P

4 - Posted by Retr0 on February 25, 2007 - 10:28 am

I am the ebay-buyer. I hope my experiences are more positive. I'm optomistic because I have enormously different needs than you. I plan to use it to house my dedicated Mythtv backend and my trixbox PBX mini-itx system. These systems need to be together for access to phone and cable lines, so this seems ideal. This replaces 2 large antec cases. I'll post a follow-up in a couple of weeks to comment on my experiences.

5 - Posted by Max Slowik on February 26, 2007 - 12:49 am

Hehe, well, I'm glad to see that it's getting used to its full potential.

Also, I'm glad you didn't get up-bid to high Hell on it.

I'll be very interested to hear how it suits you, so come back and fill me in.

Add Comment

To add a comment without being a member, you may omit the password field, but you must enter your name (or nickname) along with your comment. * Denotes required fields.