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Introduction Thermaltake can best be described as the "Have it all company", if you need a case, they have it, need a power supply they have it, need a CPU heatsink, they have it. So you can see where I am going with this. Not only do they have almost any accessory for a computer that you will ever need they also have it just about any price range which makes them even more of great company. I have not seen a poll as to the break-down of computer user by income, but I have to believe that there are far more middle-income computer enthusiasts that can't afford to purchase the top of the line systems or peripherals than there are affluent users that can go in a drop the cash down to purchase a new Alienware computer or a matching pair of $600.00 video cards. That is why I can really appreciate the fact that Thermaltake has cases like the Element T case we are reviewing today. This case retails for about eighty-five dollars at the Egg and for that amount of money you get what I consider to be a very decent enclosure. Stick with use as we examine this black beauty and show you what its high and perhaps low points are. Features  Tactic
- Tactical appearance for optimal gaming experience
Transformable
- Preserved fan opening for 120mm to 200mm at top and front panel, 120mm to 230mm at side panel
Titanic
- Massive storage capability with 7 x 3.5 and 1x 2.5 HDD or SSD bay
TtXGameShield
- Security lock for keyboard & mouse for Lanparty event
Transportation
- Thumb screws for 3.5 , 5.25 devices and PCI slots for secure transportation Specifications | Case Type | Middle Tower | | Material | SECC | | Front Bezel Material | Plastic | | Color | Black | | Side Panel | N/A | | Motherboard Support | Micro ATX,
Standard ATX | | Motherboard Tray | No | | 5.25" Drive Bay | 3 | | Ext. 3.5" Drive Bay | 1 | | Int. 3.5" Drive Bay | 6 | | Expansion Slots | 7 | | Front I/O Ports | USB 2.0 x 2, HD Audio x 1 | | Cooling System | Front (intake) : Optional
120 x 120 x 25 mm fan x 2 or
140 x 140 x 25 mm fan x 2 or
200 x 200 x 20 mm fan x 1
Rear (exhaust) :
120 x 120 x 25 mm Turbo fan (1400rpm,17dBA)
Top (exhaust) :
200 x 200 x 20 mm silent fan (800rpm,14dBA)
Side (intake) : Optional
230 x 230 x 20 mm fan or
120 x 120 x 25 mm fan | | Liquid Cooling Capable | No | | Liquid Cooling Embedded | No | | Power Supply Supported | Standard ATX PSII(optional) | | Power Supply Included | No | | Dimension (H*W*D) | 525 (H) x 210 (W)x 480(L) mm
20.7 (H) in x 210 (W) x 480(L) in | | Net Weight | 15.32lbs
6.95 kg | | Gallery
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| Name | Type | Size | Release Date | Description | | User Manual |  | 1479120 | 07/01/2009 | | FAQ
| | | Q: | What is the longest graphics card that may be used with this chassis? | | A: | This chassis will fit a video card that is no longer than 10.5". |
| | Q: | What is the tallest cooler that will fit this chassis? | | A: | This chassis will fit a cooler that is no taller than 163mm(6.4") |
| | Q: | What is the longest power supply that will fit this chassis? | | A: | A power supply that is no longer then 200mm or 7.1" in length will fit. Any power supply longer than this will not fit. |
| | Q: | What are the differences in motherboard form factors? | | A: | These are the 4 most popular motherboard ATX standard formats in use on the market today. | Form Factor | width(in) | width(mm) | length(in) | length(mm) | | eATX(Extended ATX) | 12 | 304.8 | 13 | 330.2 | | ATX | 12 | 304.8 | 9.6 | 243.8 | | Micro ATX | 9.6 | 243.8 | 9.6 | 243.8 | | Mini ATX | 11.2 | 284.5 | 8.2 | 208.3 |
Please visit Formfactors.org for complete information on motherboard form factors. |
| var iframeids=["fm3820"] Packaging The Thermaltake Element T shipping carton has a nice down-looking view of the case which shows the case in a power on state with red light emitting from the fan, power LED and power buttons. The only writing present on the front of the carton are the Thermaltake name. name of the case, the series number (VK9000) and the words, "create for pros." The rear of the carton has a great deal of interesting information that will help you better appreciate the Element T. The first section deals with cooling and how the Element T uses certain fans to help keep the case as cool as possible. The second section has to do with external structure, showing such things a the keyboard and security locks, reserved holes for a liquid cooling system, easy removal front panel and easy access buttons. The third section deals with ventilation showing the 120mm turbo fan at the rear of the case. As well as the top mounted red LED 200mm fan which pushes massive amounts of warm air out of the case. and finally the option front mounted and side-panels fans. Section four has to do with CPU cooling system which includes so of the images we have already touched on. The fifth section looks at the appearance and we will be doing the same shortly. The final bit of information is Internal structure, this shows things like the removable power supply support, solid construction with rolled edges to prevent cuts and nicks, placement for a SDD drive. To insure safe arrival of the case Thermaltake goes to great lengths, this includes first wrapping the case in heavy mil plastic. Next two matching Styrofoam caps are placed on the end of the case. A Closer Look at the Outside The Element T is constructed of SECC steel and if you were like me that type of steel is something I had never heard of. What it stands for is "Steel, Electrically Chromate Coated", in this class of steel there are other similar types with names like SECC1 and SECC2. The front panel of the case is make with rigid ABS plastic and has three removable 5.25"drive bay covers and one 3.5" cover, these covers have a metal mesh covering on them which hold a cleanable and washable filter material inside of it. Located near the bottom of the front panel is the customary Thermaltake logo.  |  | Both side-panels are removable and they are held in place by two chromed thumbscrews which adds a nice touch to the looks of the case. On the left side-panel you will find an opening for an optional 230mm fan, I regret to see that Thermaltake did not include all of the fans with the case simply because this fan will have to be purchased as a special order item and it may be rather hard to come by. The other side panel is void of any opening and it's sole purpose is to cover the rear of the system.  |  | Looking at the rear of the Element T you can see that it has a number of standard features such as the 120mm fan, a standard opening for the I/O backplane plate. It also has additional vent opening directly above the slot opening which will aid in cooling your video card, NIC cards and sound cards if installed. You also have the opening located at the bottom of the case for your power supply. Something a bit out of the ordinary are the two loops that are there to secure your mouse and keyboard. The bottom of the case has soft rubber feet on it that will help dampen any noise that it may create and you can also see the opening directly below the power supplies location, this is where the power supply draws fresh into it. Looking at the top of the Element T you can see the top mounted 200mm fan that we mentioned earlier. Moving to the front of the case is where we will find the controls and connectors for the unit. Here we have a pair of matching USB ports, a headphone and microphone jacks and the reset and power button. A Look Inside the Element T Looking at the overall size of the case you can see that the area which will hold the motherboard is large enough that even people with big hands should have no problems. This case like some other Thermaltake cases use build-in stand-offs which are stamped into the metal of motherboard tray. Of note the drive cage runs from top to bottom of the case and the edges have been rolled over so as not to cut or scrap your hand when working on the case Looking at the rear of the case the first thing I noticed is the fact that they cut a hole in the bottom of the motherboard which will allow us to switch heatsinks without having to remove the motherboard from the case. One of the things that disappointed me just about as much as the lack of fans is the fact that only placed tool free drive locking mechanism on one position on the case. As a means of giving your power supply enough room for it to be place in such a way as to allow air to be drawn in through the bottom of the case it has a piece of metal that not only raises the power supply, but also serves the purpose securing it as well. Here you can see the 120mm fan located at the rear of the case. In our experience all of Thermaltake's fans are generally very quite and these follow in that same tradition. Here you can see the 200mm located at the top of the case, this fan is a red LED fan and it casts a very nice dim red color out of the top of case that looks very nice in the nighttime. This fan is extremely quiet thanks to slow rotation and the large size of the blades. Here you can see the front panel removed from the Element T, this is by far the easiest front panel to remove of all the cases I have reviewed. It comes of without the fear that you will break something or not be able to put it back on. Conclusion While the Thermaltake Element T may not be the fanciest case we have ever reviewed it by far not the cheapest either. With a price tag of around $85.00 dollars I would call this case a mid-market bargain. Yes there are some features that I would change and perhaps the reason Thermaltake did not add the items I mentioned earlier is because it would have raised the price to at least $100.00. So lets do a pro and con and see what we come up with. | PROS: | | Well built and near perfect finish | | Great ventilation even without the optional fans | | Bottom mounted power supply | | | | CONS: | | Optional fans should be included | | Each drive position should have tool-free latches on them | Whether you need a new or replacement case this would be a great case to start and perhaps end your search with. A special thanks to our good friends at Thermaltake USA who graciously provided us with this sample. Plus a big thanks to Ransom, who coordinate my reviews.
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