Newegg has a $199.00 Enermax Maxflow CS-718B case that looks very unique and interesting. The mobo is turned 180 degrees so that the CPU sits near the bottom of the case. At the bottom front and bottom rear are 120mm supply and exhaust fans with an arched plastic duct/shield between them. A "wind tunnel" is created between the plastic duct and the surface of the mobo. The CPU sits in this wind tunnel. Newegg has pics.
It seems to me this innovative approach will provide continuous good fresh air flow over the CPU cooler and keep noise levels down via the large 120mm fans. It also means that none of the hot air from the CPU intrudes into the rest of the case, further reducing the amount of fans and noise needed to keep the interior cool.
Does anyone have experience with this case? I am willing to spend $199.00 on it (including a 460 Watt ps) but I have the following concerns:
-Does it indeed provide good cooling at low noise levels?
-What are the limitations on CPU cooler size because it is required to fit under the plastic duct?
-Will an Abit IC7-Max3 fit? The plastic duct on the MAX3 looks like it might not fit below the windtunnel duct.
It seems to me this innovative approach will provide continuous good fresh air flow over the CPU cooler and keep noise levels down via the large 120mm fans. It also means that none of the hot air from the CPU intrudes into the rest of the case, further reducing the amount of fans and noise needed to keep the interior cool.
Does anyone have experience with this case? I am willing to spend $199.00 on it (including a 460 Watt ps) but I have the following concerns:
-Does it indeed provide good cooling at low noise levels?
-What are the limitations on CPU cooler size because it is required to fit under the plastic duct?
-Will an Abit IC7-Max3 fit? The plastic duct on the MAX3 looks like it might not fit below the windtunnel duct.
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