Blue X-Dreamer Mid Tower Case
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Author:
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Sponsor:
Published:
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Kurtis Kronk
Brian
XPCases
Aug. 5, 2003
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Opening the Case
Now that we know all about the outside of the case, let's open her up. On the inside of the case there are cables for the fans, I/O interface, power/reset buttons, and power/HDD activity LEDs. There are no removable cages at all in this case. To install new drives you will have to remove both panels to screw them in on both sides. As I said earlier, there are also two (2) fans included with the case, one intake, and one exhaust. In case two fans aren't enough for you, there are also two (2) rear 80mm fan mounts as well as four (4) 80mm fan mounts in the front. The XDreamer allows you to place a single 120mm fan in the rear of the case instead of the two (2) 80mm fans. To install fans in the front you would most likely need to remove the front panel, which can prove to be a hassle.
   
Inside the Case
The I/O sound cables are pre-wired through a PCI bracket which allows you to connect them to the line in and out on your soundcard. While we are taking a look at the PCI area, I would like to note that these are just normal PCI slots. You won't be getting any tool-less installation with this case. However, as I have said in other reviews, tool-less PCI installation is really just a flawed gimmick anyways.

Another thing you won't see in this case is a removable motherboard tray, but the case does come with pre-installed motherboard stand-offs. I did not receive a PSU with my review sample, however, if you choose to you can pay an extra $11.00 for a 350W PSU and XPCases will include one. The last thing to note inside the case is that there is, as usual, a little box. This box contains screws, more motherboard stand-offs, an I/O shield, and little rubber case-feet. The drive bays do not use drive rails and thus require screws. There are no removable drive cages either.
Page 1: First Impressions
Page 2: Opening the Case & Inside the Case
Page 3: Quality Check & Conclusion
1 - Posted by
Rich
on August 5, 2003 - 8:56 am
Those stealthed CD drive covers look very similar to the ones on my Enermax case. Did you have any problems using the 3.5" floppy? I have found that some stealthed floppies can be hard to get out.
2 - Posted by
fhetw
on August 5, 2003 - 12:41 pm
thats a really nice case
i was considering it, but was kinda put off by the steel and huge window
however it still seems to be a great case and the price on xpcases is quite low compared to some competitors
3 - Posted by
Kurtis
on August 5, 2003 - 1:30 pm
the stealthed covers work well, except for the rigging part I mentioned
4 - Posted by
Hippy
on August 5, 2003 - 2:09 pm
Cool to get a new review :) but...
1) why dont you include a pic of what your reviewing at the top of the review? At first i wasn't sure i was on the right page and had to scroll down a page just to see the case. (minor quibble)
2) I also wonder if, had you installed a system into the case, the review might of contained more details. For all we know getting a mobo and gpu into it might be the biggest struggle since getting outa bed for work on a monday morning after an all-weekend bender!! (minor but worrying quibble)
3)
Hmmm for a tech review 'guessing' doesn't cut it. Maybe should have contacted XPCases and checked on this... but as stated on their site, (and this is something i should have checked on before posting...) XPCases ONLY deliver inside USA, Hawaii and Alaska SO is it even possible to get (this XPCases exclusive) an European version??? (big quibble)
Sorry :roll: but details, details and more details are what in my mind make a good, clean review. Doing a report on some hardware without testing its intended purpose to the fullest doesn't really help me understand if it'll be 'the one for me'.
Damn here i go being all 'testy', sorry guys!!! Will you forgive me??? Please nooooo!!!! Not the monkeys!!!! Arrrrrggggghhhh!!!!!
5 - Posted by
Kurtis
on August 5, 2003 - 2:17 pm
1) We do not put a picture at the top because if you read the title, you will clearly see that you are on the right page...
2) If you read some other reviews on this case. You will see that mine is every bit as detailed if not more. We do not stuff a system into every case we get because the fact is, all that stuff is standard. A motherboard will fit as will a graphics card and all that. If I don't make a comment about something not working, assume it does work, and if you think I may have missed something, just ask and I will check. In most cases, however, I look at every aspect of the case, whether I write something about it or not.
3) XPCases is not the only place that sells this case... This case is sold in lots of stores, some of which are probably in the UK. That is why there is a sticker that says F, instead of just letting you assume it is F. Although this case is XPCases exclusive, the only thing that is exclusive is the blue acrylic face, you can get an identical x-dreamer elsewhere that just doesn't have the same shade of blue acrylic face.
If you have any more questions, let me know and I will clear them up for you.
6 - Posted by
Hippy
on August 5, 2003 - 2:44 pm
:) thanks for the speedy reply.
I agree about the title thing, but the internet is so visual that i expect to 'see' what i am reading while i read about it... that make sense?
Ok i just did a little searching around for more info on this case, read another review and checked out other suppliers.
It seems (and on this i am being quite careful) that this version of the case is not 'ONLY@' XPCases - http://www.xoxide.com/blxled.html - and i base this off of the review that links right to this url. They also discribe the same plexi blue faceplate, case details etc...
Could you please confirm this for me Kurtis?
Sorry again if i am being an arse :(
7 - Posted by
Kurtis
on August 5, 2003 - 2:49 pm
when i say exclusive, i got that info from XPCases, i can not verify that the same exact color face is available elsewhere, however that is trivial. it is the same case essentially, and that is all that matters.
However, it looks to me that the xoxide case has a much darker shade of blue acrylic... maybe its just a bad pic, i dont know.
Are you interested in buying this case or something? Remember, the only difference is the color, so just find the color you like, its all built the same, just with a different front acrylic piece.
8 - Posted by
BAZzZzZzMAN
on October 5, 2004 - 4:04 am
Hi , I enjoyed reading the review about the blue x dreamer case and in fact went and bought one. However I am experiencing a problem and am hoping you can help me out, I need to know where on the motherboard one is supposed to plug in the various wires that come out of the rear of the front panel! And..what do the markings in fact mean? On each wire I mean. I would greatly appreciate any help you could offer a noob like me!! Many thanks!
Basil Simonenko
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I4U Aug. 24, 2008 - 2:46 am
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