Case Fans
Cooling systems are becoming more and more advanced in cases. Some have electronic devices with LCD displays and auto shutdown mechanisms, like the Ahanix X195 that we reviewed last week, or simple multiple fan designs, like the SilverStone TJ03. With hardware running at higher temperatures, cooling systems also need to advance.NZXT has included two 80mm fans in their Guardian. Though two fans may not seem sufficient to cool the latest components, the Guardian provides space to add two more fans to the case. An 80mm fan can be mounted at the front of the chassis, which would help keep hard drive temperatures at safe operating levels.
Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.
The fan on the side panel is multi-colored (red, blue, and green). It is placed at the center of the system to exhaust ambient air, keeping the general temperature cooler. When it comes to colors, it seems that the Guardian does not have a set color scheme. A better choice, as far as looks go, would have been a single color LED. Blue, preferably, since the "fade motion LED" at the front is blue.
Click to enlarge.
The second fan is placed at the back, directly below the power supply mounting. It is encased in a plastic enclosure with vents aimed at the direction of the CPU on standard motherboards. Another fan can be mounted in the enclosure below the included fan for increased cooling.
Click to enlarge.
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segagenesis - Tuesday, July 6, 2004 - link
OK design, terrible exterior (I wont say worst!). I think we dubbed this case the "Transformer Case" at the shop.firtol88 - Wednesday, April 7, 2004 - link
:o :o :o OMFG ROLFMAO!!!!17'5 50 1337!!!
:| ????????
TrogdorJW - Tuesday, April 6, 2004 - link
The problem with case mods is that they just emphasize the geekiness of the owner/creator. At least when you do it yourself, you're being a true geek and not just some poser. Personally, I like my cases to have as few lights as possible and to be quiet. Of course, my computers are all in the living room, which has something to do with my tastes. If you're watching some show on TV, you don't want to hear the whine of the fans and power supplies. Even more important, when it's bed time and you're stuck sleeping on the couch (hey, it happens), its really hard to fall asleep with glowing cases illuminating the room, and the data-centeresque turbine whine doesn't help either.Basically, that Lian Li kicked ass over this.
GonzoDaGr8 - Tuesday, April 6, 2004 - link
Icewind....Nice case pal. Nice case.Icewind - Tuesday, April 6, 2004 - link
Yeah, if I was 10 years old, I might be going insane to have that for a case, but seeings how im pretty seasoned case modder, I must laugh. The thing just reaks of quality!Not.
I'll show you how its done right.....
http://www.cp4g.com/bryce/
Operandi - Tuesday, April 6, 2004 - link
"NZXT incorporated good looks and performance in the Guardian."hahah, I'm sorry but this thing is anything but "good looking".. Am I the only one sick of these increadbly cheap and tacky looking cases? I used to think Thermaltake cases look like *&%@ till i saw this thing...
Lets get some reviews of cooler masters, silverstones, or Lian Li's...
Praeludium - Monday, April 5, 2004 - link
You know, I have a plain metallic grey Antec 1080 server case, and I game just fine.I do have a red neon fan in there, but I don't even see that because the door it's installed in is facing away from me. Am I just destined for prosaic attitudes already at the tender age of seventeen? Or am I just too unimaginative to case mod?
I dunno anymore.
retrospooty - Monday, April 5, 2004 - link
LOL !It looks like one of those old transformers from the 1980's ... Only uglier
medfly - Monday, April 5, 2004 - link
/aolyeah that thing is butt ugly!
aol/
Verdant - Monday, April 5, 2004 - link
i'm going to go ahead and say it...its ugly