Thermaltake Xaser III V1000A

Reviews: Cases

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Brian Kristensen
Kurtis
Thermaltake
Jul. 1, 2003

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Introduction

When you think of Thermaltake, the word "performance" comes to mind. Thermaltake deals mostly with cooling your computer, and has products that branch out into other fields but remain true to the original game plan. In the past, Thermaltake created the Xaser II series of cases, which offered additional style and functionality to the original Chenming cases. Now they have released the Xaser III, which is the next step in cool cases. Is this case really a unique performance case, or did they just modify another case and sell it as their own?

Packaging

The Xaser III came to me shipped in the products original box. There was no other protection against the elements and shippers besides the manufactures packaging. The box itself is stylish and shows off some of the features of the Xaser III case.

Wait... Is This Just Another Makeover?

The original Xaser II case from Thermaltake was basically a Chenming Dragon case with a new metal door and a HardCano 7 popped in the top bay. When I looked at the Xaser III, I couldn't help but notice that the interior of the case is exactly like the Enermax CS-1018S case we reviewed in the past. It seems that Thermaltake once again took a current performance case, re-modified the front and slapped a HardCano 9 in the top bay. Then they jack the price up 60 bucks Now, that isn't to say that this is a bad case, because the Enermax case is pretty sweet, and who doesn't like a stylish Aluminum front and an additional fan controller?

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Exterior
Page 3: Interior
Page 4: Conclusion

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19 User Comments

1 - Posted by SonarTech on July 3, 2003 - 12:19 pm

Did you review a Xaser III WITH or WITHOUT the 1394 wiring defect? Did you actually test the 1394 socket with a bus-powered device? This problem's pretty wide-spread, and also affects the Enermax CS-1018S case. We think that Casetek is the OEM for both companies, and the nature of the defect seems to be related to improper assembly plans - that is, the connector on the internal cable assembly that connects the I/O socket to the mainboard has the VG and VP pins swapped on the the header that attaches to the I/O PCB. This smokes any bus-powered device or any device that uses a 6-pin to 4-pin 1394 cable. I've created a web site that details this defect and how to test for it:

Visit http://www.meltybrain.org/1394 for more information.

Thermaltake has officially acknowledged that the defect exists.

2 - Posted by Brian on July 3, 2003 - 2:08 pm

I do not have any devices that use the 1394 socket, so I am unable to test it that way. I will take a look at the physical connections.

Thanks for the info.

3 - Posted by AndiC_2003 on August 7, 2003 - 10:47 am

I hate this case! I have all ready gone through two!

The first case the power micro switch which is clipped to the case fell back in to the case (it did not fit the case properly) and later snapped, that was the last of case one. :(

Second had exactly the same problem, but a managed to glue it in place before anything could happen. However, a new problem when it comes to opening the drive bay door the main (whole) door starts to open (top corner) due to one of plastic holders on the case not doing there job. :x

In fact I could easily rip the door off these cases when fully locked (no good using plastic). I sent an email to thermaltake, they asked if I could send photos, which I did and have not heard from them in months.

From a really unhappy … :evil:

Andrew Crook

4 - Posted by Brian on August 7, 2003 - 12:35 pm

Sorry you had problems with the case. I still have no problems with the case. Kurtis has the Enermax equivelent of this case and he has had no problems either. :-/

5 - Posted by Kurtis on August 7, 2003 - 12:54 pm

Were you particularly rough on the case or anything, or did it just sort of fall apart. If you were trying to rip doors off while its locked that coulda caused some damage :?:

6 - Posted by AndiC_2003 on August 7, 2003 - 2:40 pm

No they just fell apart within a month. I was visualising that you could easily rip the door off , from the problems I have had…… I treat my equipment with respect!!! 8)

I would however like to know a really good secure case for such setups as fileservers etc. :?:

Andi

7 - Posted by Brian on August 7, 2003 - 3:21 pm

You can take a look at the Lian Li cases. Expensive, but you get what you pay for.

8 - Posted by caniswolfie on August 7, 2003 - 9:58 pm

I would think that there really isn't that much of a demand for such things since most people I know of have computer rooms that they can secure rather than trying to secure the equipment. There is only so much you can do with a computer case to make it secure without sacrificing expandability and weight.

9 - Posted by Rich on August 7, 2003 - 10:19 pm

Unless you are running a server and have small children who enjoy pushing the power buttons, you really don't need to secure the case. I beleive canis is right, secure the location, not the case.

10 - Posted by caniswolfie on August 9, 2003 - 8:48 pm

I'd like to see the server outage notice (if running a web server/web site on it) for that problem.. "Server down due to minor interaction.. " :)

11 - Posted by Rich on August 9, 2003 - 9:25 pm

Yes, Blinky lights and buttons cause LOTS of minor interactions :shock:

12 - Posted by JP on August 26, 2003 - 5:56 am

I have the silver version of this case, I love it :)

13 - Posted by DnD on August 26, 2003 - 10:53 am

that looks cool :D stylish nice and good quality ;D

14 - Posted by Cabot_Teg118 on August 26, 2003 - 5:59 pm

I have this case and I love it. :D Its awesome.

One thing i did do was take the lock off of the smaller door. It was just getting annoying having to unlock it.

Now all I need is a Thermaltake 480W Silent Purepower power supply *wink :wink: *wink :wink: *elbow *elbow

15 - Posted by Brian on August 26, 2003 - 6:28 pm

Oww! Stop poking me! It is really annoying! Ghaaa! Stop! Fine. Take the powe..... wait.... your not reeaaally elbowing me... HA! No PSU for you!

;-)

16 - Posted by EmoMakesMeCry on August 26, 2003 - 10:13 pm

unfortunately i dont really NEED anything in the contest, i've already got a nice, quiet 500W PSU...

although that mp3/cd player looks pretty schnazzy

17 - Posted by Guest on March 9, 2005 - 3:01 pm

I pretty much agree with the review except for one minor detail. The intake on the front could be better, but cosidering the double side air intake,though they could be better, offers more air intake.

My system consisting of intel 3.4ghz 478 p4, corsair pc3200xl 1gb ram, Gigabyte 8knxp m/board, the mentioned thermaltake case. The processor produces alot of heat, especially underload. The case temp never goes more than 27 degrees C. The highest is 29.5 due to me forgeting to clean the filters. This keeps the processor (underload, playing games) at a constant 45 degrees C.

18 - Posted by John James Chorzempa Jr. on August 17, 2008 - 11:39 am

Received my case without connecting cabes to the Firewall, two USB ports, and in/out jacks that are housed on the top of the case in the blowhole lid door? Does anyone know where I might find and purchase these cables to connect them to the system?

19 - Posted by Kurtis on August 17, 2008 - 2:12 pm

John: Do you mean it didn't come with the internal cables for connecting to your motherboard, or just the external cables you plug into your devices?

Internal: these should have been included, so I'd contact the store you purchased it from.

External: you can get all the cables etc. you need (and so much more) at http://www.Newegg.com

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