Xoxide X40 Blackbox Case Review
Posted by Mike
@ 9:20 P.M. on 12/16/02
Background
Thanks to Xoxide.com for providing us with
this case to review, and don't forget you can click the
pictures for a larger view.
We all love
how a modded computer looks. Windows, stealth jobs, and
those extra touches are something that we all want in our
case. Unfortunately, many of us do not have the time, the
tools, or the skill to pull these modding jobs off. That's
where Xoxide steps in. Xoxide handles all the dirty work
for you. When you receive your case, you can marvel at the
window, enjoy the stealth jobs, and love all the extra touches.
Of course, you can also tell all your friends that you did
it yourself.
The Xoxide
X40 Blackbox is just one of many modded cases over at Xoxide.
It is one of the most affordable that they carry (it's only
$79.99). Being one of the most affordable does come along
with drawbacks. Anyone who read our review of the Impression
IM-21 case will remember our "Quality test."
We take off a side panel and see how much the metal bends
or flexes. Unfortunately this case's panel flexed quite
a bit without much pressure. This shows that the metal used
for the case is not very thick. Anyone just looking at the
case will never be able to tell, but to us every detail
is important.
We were happily
surprised with many parts of the case. Two stealth cd-rom
covers were included in the case, something rarely included
with any case (even in more expensive ones). The window
job was done very well (infinitely better that what it would
have looked like had I done it). Best of all, the case had
a removable motherboard tray. In my opinion, this is something
no case should be without, but most do not have them.
Above you can see the stealth bay covers
in action, and the inside view of the window.
Inside the
case, things are rather roomy, and drive bays are plentiful.
I doubt anyone will use them all, but there are five 3.5"
hidden bays, just waiting to hold your hard drives. The
case has four 5.25" bays to hold cd-roms, dvd-roms,
or whatever you please. The case also has a 3.5" bay
for a floppy drive, with the stealh job built into the case.
For those of you that don't use a floppy drive, the bay
cover is removeable.
Xoxide also
allows you to add some extras to your case, including: psus,
lighting, fans, or appliques (The Xoxide applique in my
pictures is not included). Xoxide was nice enough to send
me a green cold cathode to go along with the case, which
can be added for $15.99.
The Cold Cathode is almost a necessary upgrade
when you get a case with a window.
Case Information:
Motherboard
Type: ATX, Extended ATX , AMD, Pentium III & IV
Construction: Steel with Heavy Chrome Coating on the Front
Panel
Cooling Fans (Not included): One rear 80mm, one front 60mm
Hard Drive & Power LEDS: Included
Total Bays: 9
External Bays Available: 4 x 5.25" and 1 x 3.5"
Internal (Hidden) Bays Available: 5 x 3.5"
Carton Box Dimension: (L x W x H): 500mm x 225mm x 450mm
Actual Dimension (L x W x H): 475mm x 200mm x 425mm
Number of slots: 7
Weight: 20LBS with No Power Supply
